After almost forty years on the water, the animal sightings are too numerous to count — but a few such as this one stand out as truly unforgettable, from the beautiful to the exhilarating.
After a perfect day of paddling down the river and an evening of laughter by the fire, we finally decided to turn in. I fluffed up my sleeping bag and pillow, closed my eyes, and breathed in the cool September air. Just then, I heard the first of many low grunts off in the distance. As the sounds grew louder and closer, it dawned on me — moose!
I sat up in my tent, and under the glow of a bright, beautiful moon, I caught sight of two bull moose “pushing” each other around, full of bravado. It was mating season and these two male moose were in full excitement. I was lucky to be far enough away to feel safe, but close enough to enjoy the evening show. The bulls locked antlers, grunting and shoving with all the energy of autumn’s rut, each determined to prove himself worthy of a mate.
Bull moose rarely grunt, but during mating season they are quite vocal and this particular night I was treated to a cacophony of grunts and groins and snorts.
To witness wildlife behaving so naturally in their own element was a true delight — one of those rare moments that reminds you how alive the wilderness really is.
