Why I Always Bring My Camera!

On my daily walk with Daphnie, I couldn't take my normal route due to a flooded creek. I thought I would go to the Athabasca to see if there were any migratory birds back. On the way we came across 2 moose, a cow and a calf. Last years calf was almost as big as mama, running about 1000 pounds.

Well, Daphnie was off leash, saw the moose and took off after them. They moved off the trail a bit, and stopped. After a couple more yelps, Daphnie stopped too. Both looked at each other and allowed me a few photos, not as good as if they were on the trail, but still interesting (at least to me). I attempted to move closer, but got the old "stink eye". They slowly moved off. My closest was about 25 feet.

I couldn't get both Daphnie and the Moose in the same picture due to the height of the moose, the shortness of Daphnie and the depth of the snow.
Caution: Potential Multiple Photos!

Pretty Quiet in the Frozen North

I have been having fun preparing and uploading photos to my home town, Kenora. Here is one you don't see often. This was way back in the 1880 to 1904 era. The name of Kenora was then Rat Portage

 As you can see from this Mule Deer, we have a Lot of snow!

The bird feeders have been occupied by Pine Grosbeaks

And lots of Blue Jays, all pluffed up trying to stay warm

Ask Me If I am .....

Having Fun!

Yep, definitely fun!

 The Moose was a bonus

Thanks go to Michelle for using her iPhone!

Something Only a Mother Could Love!

I Found this mama Moose and calf while out cruising the back country. Well, not really the back country as it was about 3 miles from the town centre. There is nothing "cute" about these.

Some one said " A horse designed by an engineer"!

 There is still a bit of snow in the bush.

There are starting to shed, which makes the appearance worse.

 

 Spruce boughs CANNOT be tasty, unless you are a moose!

 

 

Another Hunting Trip

It is said that a bad day of hunting is better than a good day at work. This also works for fishing! After trudging around the bush for 4 hours in a slight freezing rain, I figured that the deer were smarter than me and were hunkered down somewhere out of the fog and slight wind. Note to self: Listen to the deer.

Before that decision, I did walk up on a cow and calf moose. They were not as cooperative as the deer yesterday, so the pictures are at a distance.

It just goes to show that it was, in effect, a good day after all.

 The bush is a little thick, but if I had a moose tag for this area, the freezer would be full. Alas, no such luck,but I got to watch them for a while.

 Peek a boo

 The calf was a little butterball and very well fed by the looks of it.

 Adios

Some Things are Missing in Town

In town it's difficult to appreciate the night sky due to the light pollution.

Stepping outside in the morning certain things are missing. You just don't see these in town. The next three photos show what is not present.

The first one is one of my favourites where Brooklyn saw her first moose. She was not sure what it was, so decided to lay down and observe. The shot was on the Acreage at first light and turned out pretty good for hand held low light. Brooklyn weighs 109 pounds to give you some perspective of the size of the cow.

The shot below was of a cow moose and two calves that wandered up to the house. Again, captured at first light from the deck.

Of course, Whitetail Deer were a dime a dozen. I kind of like the look of this doe that has just given birth within the last few days.

These have been posted before, but remain some of my many favourites.

Still Around~

When we were coming back from Church today, I noticed a cow moose and a calf laying down at our driveway entrance. These were different from the one yesterday. Unfortunately, they were not quite as cooperative. My sneak didn't turn out too well, and they were up, but not moving off .

 Only another moose could love a face like this!

Did you know that a moose is actually a horse? But one designed by an engineer? :-}}

It's a Good day!

This morning, Elaine and I were informed that we have sold a house, and bought a house! All that is left now is the paperwork at the lawyers and a LONG wait until December 6 when we can take possession. In anticipation, a whole bunch of ladies from the Church came over and packed up the kitchen. The help was very much appreciated!

As if to help celebrate, this gal showed up in the pasture. I am going to miss stepping out the back door and seeing these magnificent animals.

Killing Time

All the packing is done that can be done before the move away from the Acreage. I took the opportunity to take the dogs for a walk and got a bonus.

 There was so much sniffing going on, Boots may have strained his nose. :-}

 Brooklyn decided to stay mostly on the road

 This was the bonus. A cow and a calf moose got up and crossed the road.

 I tried to circle them to get some closer pictures, but Boots saw them.

The temperature got up to +7C  (45F) which made it pretty sloppy walking. A freezing rain storm came through in the night and made the roads treacherous. Ah, life in Alberta! If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes.

Another Visitor

This early morning visitor was waiting when I went to feed the horses. I could tell he was there as the horses were all on high alert. One of these days he will show up when the light is better. I walked up as close as I could.

 If you are wondering about the funny trees, the horses like the bark. Apparently there is a form of aspirin present.

 Tucker was on high alert, even turning her back on food.