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The Higher the More Tender
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Yesterday we were back in the Cypress Hills, and I think we can call it Moose Day. Not sure why but we were seeing moose at every turn, four in all, two cows and two bulls. The bulls have just lost their antlers and thus you have to watch close to identify them at a distance. This is a cow feeding on the upper branches as they are more tender. This is full frame and as you can see by the focal length I was able to approach fairly close and at times I wished my legs were as long as hers as I was almost waist deep in the snow.
Moose
Alces alces
General Description
By Gustave J. Yaki
The Moose is a species that is found in the northern parts of both Eurasia and North America. In Europe, this mammal is known as the Elk, as indicated by its scientific name. The common new-world name was derived from the Algonkian term, 'Moz' meaning twig-eater.
This is currently the tallest wild land mammal in North America (with the possible exception of some feral horses) and is the largest living member of the Deer Family. The large males stand an average of 181 (169-210) cm or six to seven feet tall at the shoulders and weigh an average of 453 (385-535) kg or 1000 (847-1177) pounds; females are almost as tall and weigh an average of 350 kg or about 768 pounds. The long legs of the Moose make it wonderfully adapted for travelling through the forests, allowing it to easily step over fallen trees and other debris. In the winter, it readily walks through waste-deep snow, lifting its legs straight up and down, minimizing snowdrag. Those long legs allow it to easily step over most man-made fences, too. Its low dew-claws (the two hind toes) aid it in crossing streams, preventing it from sinking deeply in wet areas.
As their Algonkian name suggests, Moose are primarily browsers. In summer, they strip the leaves of willows and other preferred, mostly deciduous, shrubs or young trees, with a sideways thrust of their head. In winter, because they lack upper incisors, they break off the twigs with a rapid upward jerk. To reach the top of taller stems, they often straddle the plant, forcing it down within reach. In early spring, to access new grasses, because they have a short neck, they bend their wrists, literally kneeling on the ground. One of their favourite summer food are the tubers and leaves of members of the waterlily family, and other aquatic plants. At times, they may go as deep as six m (20 ft) and stay submerged for up to one minute. But even in summer, woody vegetation forms the bulk of their diet. They need about 2.3 kg (about five pounds) of browse per hundredweight of moose per day. This means that a 1000 pound moose needs to eat 50 pounds of food per day. To process this largely cellulose diet, they have a very long alimentary canal system, measuring about 40 m (132 ft) long.
The crowning glory of the mature male is his antlers. These begin to grow in April. Unlike other members of the Deer Family, the spaces between the points or tines are largely filled in, making for a more shovel-like set. The furry velvet growth that feeds the antlers is rubbed off in late August. Older males shed their set in December or January, but the younger ones don't drop theirs until late in February.
The antlers, which are light-coloured, are polished by thrashing them against vegetation. Since they reflect light as a mirror, they may act as a signal to the females (cows), which now tend to gather near the male. When nearing her receptive period, she utters a peculiar pleading call, irresistable to the male. The bull approaches and remains with her until she ovulates, and after mating, abandons her in search of another cow. After a gestation period of about 240 days, in late May or early June, she gives birth, usually to twins, but singles or triplets are not uncommon. Each weighs about 14 kg (30 pounds). The calves, which are unspotted, double their weight in three weeks. The cow staunchly defends them, even attacking a bulldozer approaching a calf that had its leg trapped in roots. The young remain with her throughout their first winter, but are driven off near the time of the arrival of her next offspring. For the first few months they appear to unwarily blunder through the woods.
For most of the year, Moose lead a solitary existence, seeking out each other only during the rutting season. Some young females may be sexually mature at 16 months, but most are not ready to mate until 28 months of age. Young bulls, while sexually mature at the same time, are usually prevented from breeding by the older males until at least five years old. Moose have been known to live to 20 years of age. |
pvs, K9madtex, eqshannon, jaycee, NinaM, CeltickRanger, fiyo, Luis52, Jamesp, JPlumb, ClaraS has marked this note useful
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| Discussions |
| Thread | Thread Starter |
Messages |
Updated |
| My Comments | jaycee |
1 |
02-06 18:25 |
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- pvs
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(11925) - [2008-02-06 4:08]
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Hi Rick,
A nice capture of this moose,I guess it was worth your struggle walk in the deep snow,well exposed and detailed capture of the king of the forest,tfs
Paul
We don't have Moose here, but I have seen Whitetails standing on their hind legs to reach up high in the trees. This is a nice profile and with the stump nearby you get a sense of her size. Well Done.
What an unusual position you have caught him in. he looks as though he is howling at the moon like a wolf. The only other pictures I have seen they have that sort of nonchalant glance..or perhaps a touch of anger...but this is a first. Well caught Rick.
bob
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- jaycee
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(16095) - [2008-02-06 7:31]
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Hi Rick,
Just marking the spot - be back later.
Jane
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- NinaM
(5300)
- [2008-02-06 8:09]
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This is a moooooooose! I can almost hear it say mooooooose the way it is posed. I am so anxious to see my first moose in real life, I think they are the animals with the most majestic. Well, there are others to... Rick, I love your pictures, they are always so well captured, with lot of professionalism, but also with your heart and soul. They are a testimony of this beautiful wildlife surrounding you, it's always a pleasure to look at. I look forward each of them every day! thank you,
Francine
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- viv
(3128)
- [2008-02-06 8:22]
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Hello Rick,
What a super shot of this moose, I was last week a couple of days in Sweden and I hoped to spot a moose again but now way.
So the walking in the snow for you was worth it I think.
Vivian
hello Rick
this is a superb shot, i love his pose and glance,
excellent timing to shoot the camera at that moment,
excellent POV and excellent details of the moose, TFS
Asbed
Hi Rick
Really cool shot of this guy :)
TFS
Ralf
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- fiyo
(8876)
- [2008-02-06 9:33]
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Hello Rick,
very nice capture with a superb composition; sharpness, colors, light, everything is very nice !
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- Luis52
(10447)
- [2008-02-06 10:42]
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Hola Rick.
Great image of this big Moose. As far as I can see there is a lot of snow there. Well guess it is hard for You to walk arround those places, so I do apreciate Your fine work.
Your friend
Luis52.
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- joey
(22002)
- [2008-02-06 12:08]
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Great shot Rick!
The poses of this Moose is very unusual!
They do have very large heads compared to their body size don't they! :-)
Sharp with lots of detail.
Excellent exposure.
Well done,
Joe
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- Jamesp
(15234)
- [2008-02-06 14:52]
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Hi Rick
Great POV - I must admit, I would have probably given up - where I live we rarely get snow and then very little and it doesn't stay very long. You really get a good impression of size from this shot.
James
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- Scott
(1400)
- [2008-02-06 15:27]
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Rick,
I lived in anchorage for a few years when I was younger, in winter Moose were out of the hills and a pest in town, we would have to chase them of the flight line at the AFB so planes could land.
Well seen and well captured.
TFS
Scott
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- JPlumb
(2837)
- [2008-02-07 4:54]
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Hi Rick, incredible close composition with this cow moose. At 100 mm you were right on top of her! Is this safe? Anyway very nice shot with excellent close detail. Very nicely done.
Thanks, John
Hi Rick,
Tellement impressionant et grnadiose, le chasseur d'image.
Bravo
Marie
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- arfer
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(0) - [2008-02-07 19:27]
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Hello Rick
Great capture.
This is a wonderful Winter scene.
I know all about the waist deep snow,I was walking along with about 50 Kg or more of gear on me in waist deep snow yesterday.Not fun!
I love the pose you captured,excellent focus and sharpness.
The exposure is well done,with lovely natural colours.
TFS
Rob
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- EOSF1
(23221)
- [2008-02-10 3:52]
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Well done Rick, great capture! I love the pose of the Moose and the overall quality of the picture, thanks!
Mario
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- ClaraS
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 28 W: 15 N: 45]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-s-s.gif)
(229) - [2008-02-17 1:05]
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Hi Rick, thanks for leaving comment on my peacock! I really like ur compositions , animals looks really special on your photos.
Great job:-)
Clara
