Gentle Giant
Grand Teton National Park
November 5th, 2020
After yesterday’s party of five, today we’re viewing a solitary moose alongside the road in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. This mature bull carried massive antlers on his head and showed no fear of anything is his proximity. He, alone, had created pandemonium on the highway next to this meadow, with more than 50 people (myself included) stopping to take photos of this gentle giant in the afternoon light. Moose have such long legs they have a hard time eating vegetation at ground level but, this late in the season, the tall grasses and shrubs were a convenient buffet he didn’t want to miss no matter how many people had joined him for dinner.
More tomorrow,
Kelly
Photos of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos from my archives, shared with you while staying close to home.
Gentle Giant
The Big Kahuna
compassandcamera.wordpress.com 
There is also strength in these photos, this powerful moose standing out against a backdrop of wilderness. I also appreciate your comment of respectful admiration for such an impressive animal who accepts to pose.
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It is interesting how some animals may be more confident and tolerant than others. Bear 399 was the talk of the town while we were there — how many cubs she has had (FOUR currently!), what a good mother she is and how she knows how to co-exist with humans.
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What a majestic animal! Worth creating a blockade to watch it, and the golden light made lovely photos. Do they have any natural predators out there, like do bears or Puma hunt them?
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Yes, bears hunt moose which must make for some epic battles in the widerness. Also wolves, but they’re mainly in Yellowstone (recently re-introduced; here’s a cool video: https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/video/series/epic-yellowstone/66662). The wolves haven’t moved as far south as Grand Teton. Yet, anyway. Perhaps when they have higher numbers.
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Great shots!
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Thank you!
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Thank you so much for posting your trip photos and taking my mind off a few other things going on. We never have any luck seeing moose so these posts are especially enjoyable.
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Thank you, Annnie and Steven! We had been hoping to see a grizzly bear (didn’t happen) but this moose was just as good. Happy to know you’ve enjoyed the posts! Thank you so much for reading.
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Gorgeous photos. And that is one damn fine rack he has!
Alison
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Yes, the rack of dreams, LOL! 🙂
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No kidding. I was trying to count the points.
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A regal beast for sure, Kelly. Have you ever picked up a set of moose antlers? They can weigh up to 50 pounds if I remember correctly. Great photos. –Curt
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Thanks, Curt! Wow, 50 pounds? That’s a lot to carry around on your head. I’ve never seen a set of moose antlers up close. But I’m going to keep on looking!
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These were at a museum in Alaska somewhere, as I recall. They had them on a chain so you could lift them up! It may have been along the Alaska Highway, Kelly. Have you ever made that trip? Absolutely wonderful. –Curt
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No, haven’t been on the Alaska Highway! I’m guessing it’s best in the summer? Maybe something to consider for next year. Thanks for planting the seed!
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Nothing you want to do in the middle of winter Kelly. Grin. I came down it once in March. I pretty much had the road to myself except for the large trucks hauling up stuff. –Curt
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The light on those antlers is gorgeous, and the dark wooded background and those magnificent mountains are not too shabby either. The whole scene gives me goosebumps!
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Thank you! It was quite a sight in perfect afternoon light. We had mistakenly taken a longer road to get where we were going and would have missed him had we been on the shorter one.
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You are sooo lucky. I’ve known several people who have traveled, hiked, driven through territory such as this, but never had the luck you had with this sighting. Magnificent!
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