What to do when a bull moose walks right by you and you are in the middle of the wilderness? Back up slowly and take a pic….
or four! He got into some tussles with small pine trees, that looked rather aggressive, but I think he was just scratching his antlers. (I’ll post them if you want to see them)
Here is a sweet-faced peaceful lady elk. I was taking her pic from fairly close by, and she was unperturbed.
***
When all of a sudden there was this helacious din, that sounded something like a dinosaur. It is elk mating season in Jasper National Park, and I was right in the path of Sammy the suitor and his intended. No matter to him that his mating path was right in front of our cabin! He ran up to his intended, and saw me in his way….(Male elk in rut are somewhat deranged and can be quite dangerous, especially if you are in the way of true romance!)
He lowered his antlers at me in a most un-friendly manner…
And bugled at me loud enough to wake the dead! You can see him bugling at me in the lower pic.
I got the message and backed away! Letting true love take its course.
The males are out bugling in front of our cabin every night and it is most exciting! I run out with a flashlight catching glimpses of them.
Male Mule Deer are Everywhere.
And then, of course there are the irrepressible, highly entertaining red squirrels. They like to camaflouge themselves so sneakily as water faucets……
This particular guy has amassed a pile of pine cones 12″ x 12″ round and at least as high! He’s not going hungry this winter!
The last moments of fall are lingering in Jasper, but winter winds are already here, snow is covering the mountain peaks, and winter is coming!
Time to pack up the canoes and chairs by the lake until spring tip-toes back next year!
Cheers to you from Jasper NP, nightime temp tonight 26F.
Magnificent creature!
I agree! Cheers to you~
Beautiful pictures! Have to say the squirrel won my heart! Grin
So cute and so entertaining to watch!! Hugz to you~
What a beautiful time you must be having!
Yes, in a truly magical place! Thank you~
Reblogged this on At the Table, On my Plate and commented:
Love the pictures💛💙💜such beauty and I could almost hear the bugling of these elk beings! I lived in northern Idaho for a time and the moose would come into my yard!! What a truly beautiful experience but as you say it’s their world , we are just visiting!! Thanks so much ❤️
Most honored and very appreciative! Thank you so much! Any friend of moose is a friend of mine!! Gorgeous creatures~
Love the pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing!!💙💜💚
Merci beau coup~
Still think you should be filming for Nat. Geo., Cindy. You have a natural feel for a scene and a wonderful touch with the camera. The pics are great…, all of them. I knew you’d find that moose!!!
Looks like you’re having a great trip (I’m envious). Take care.
How did you know I’d find a moose? I always suspected you were psychic cuz!! Cheers to you and hugz~
I knew because I knew you’d be looking for one.
Oh yes!! I am looking hard!! 🙂
Those are some huge animals. Must have been marvelous and scary all at once. Glad that you could stay calm. Still, what a gorgeous place–another one of nature’s triumphs for her children.
There is no where in Banff or Jasper that I have seen that isn’t magically beautiful, Walk 1/2 mile and there is another lake or pond, or peak or creature. Just so achingly beautiful. Cheers to you~
Oh my gosh, close encounters! But you keep calm and carry on!
It must be that bit of British blood!!! 🙂
Must Be!
Those pics are awesome! Massive creatures! I’d back away too! Wouldn’t want one mad at me!! Awesome animal portraits!! Hugz Lisa and Bear
You definitely wouldn’t want to make a moose or male elk mad at you!! Hugz to you~
Reblogged this on aksharaalu – Best Collections and commented:
Gracefull
I am honored. Thank you~
Graceful
with regards
And to you my friend with gratitude.
It’s been a while since I was in Jasper, Cindy – but thanks for bringing back great memories with your lovely photos 🙂
Thank you for the appreciation!
They are magnificent creatures!!! What a fabulous collection of photos! Well done, Cindy. National Geographic standards!!
You are so kind! I will be in Vancouver in the spring, hope I can take you out for a latte?
That would be absolutely wonderful!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Beautiful pictures. Love the little squirrel 🙂 26F is cold..seems that winter is on its way.. Pawkisses 🙂 Btw love the new theme 🙂
It snowed on us today at the Edith Cavell glacier! Winter is stepping in early. Temps are dropping~
Wow, stunning photos! And the squirrel is too cute 🙂
He is like our Jasper pet. He is hugely entertaining and he knows it! Hope you are well my friend in whatever distant place you may be. Cheers to you and great to hear from you~
Lovely and some funny entertainment!
The critters are so entertaining. The squirrel took a French fry off my plate, while I was eating it!!
What magnificent captures… love the close encounters… gives one a bit of an adrenaline rush…
Truly living in the moment! I love it. Thank you~
Reblogged this on Anything and Everything Possible 4 U and commented:
Ahhh Jasper!!
So kind and I so agree with you about Jasper…Hard to describe how wonderful it is! Thank you most kindly~
Haha! Don’t all men act a bit deranged if you get in the way of ‘love’?
I also love squirrels. Thanks for my dose. 🙂
Yes, indeed!! I thought of that, but didn’t want to sound sexist. But he did remind me of some dates I had in high school and college!! lol~
It appears these big guys are everywhere. Do they every attack people ( exclude squirrel )? Good encounter to get good close up pictures…
Elks in rut definitely have attacked people. Mostly though, short of surprising them or being disrespectful of their space, you are okay. People are more dangerous actually!
Beautiful photos and light-hearted storytelling–a perfect antidote to an hour spent in city traffic!
Oh yuck, yes how well I remember the commuting blues! Cheers to you, thanks, and may your traffic be light~
The first time I saw a moose it was in my back yard in Alaska. I hit the ground I had NO idea what the hell it was because it was a female moose and I had not seen one before! It had a baby so I crawled over to the window and watched. As they moved I felt the ground shake. It was AMAZING the power they have. On the other hand tourists walk up to them like it’s NOTHING lol
Oh what a great story!! Did you see the video of the moose caught in a swing set and the ranger who spoke to it and cut it loose with bolt cutters??? You tube it. It gave me palpations!! Cheers to you Jasmine and you are so lucky to have lived in AK. One of my favorite places~
I know we had to choose Alaska or Hawaii I said I will ALWAYS go to Hawaii it’s inevitable so… Alaska it was! I am an OFFICIAL sour dough! Going to the google machine NOW to see that video!
Hawaii is lovely, but there are no BEARS!!
Looks like you’re enjoying your stay, I’m so glad you were able to come. Great photo’s Cindy. I love that little squirrel on the water faucet. We’ve stayed at Jasper Park Lodge, it’s so pretty in summer. The temps in Edmonton (6 hrs drive) have been cool at night but warm in day. Hope you got some sunshine for your visit.
Sun and cold days, but all gorgeous all the time and no tourists! We are in Jasper Lodge right now!! So beautiful. Cheers to you and thanks for stopping by~
Yes, snow is on the ground to stay in the upper peaks, it won’t be long before it’s there to stay everywhere. The ski resorts are rubbing their hands with glee. Thanks once again for the beautiful pics. 🙂
It snowed on us rather heavily at Edith Cavell Peak, snow stayed on the ground at the base there as well. So beautiful, right before winter hits!! I love it. Cheers to you~
The female elk has a beautiful face, beautiful eyes. Glad you were able to stay out of the male’s way!
Isn’t she a gentle beauty!! I really enjoyed her and she was calm as could be!
Wow Cindy – you were too close for comfort in some of these shots. I’m surprised you weren’t charged! How great was this experience? Love seeing the close-ups and reading about wildlife in their own world. So cool!
I am happier in the forest than anywhere else! It is especially gorgeous now, just before winter hits and the leaves are all yellow. Had snowfall and it stuck today~
I think I would have gone for the camera too.
The lady elk is lovely.
The male elk do look a bit intimidating.
And – that faucet squirel is a cutie 🙂
I agree with all your points, especially re: the faucet squirrel!! I want one of these!! lol~
amazing
Wild creatures and places are just that!!! 🙂
It must be a thrilling experience to meet them… Great photos!
It is a big thrill and I am glad you enjoyed them! Cheers to you~
I looked at the fur of the lady elk up close. It is really beautiful!
Isn’t she lovely!! Thank you for noticing!
I like very much the lady elk and also the squirrels. Pay attention it’s always dangerous to interfere with love affaires. 😉
Yes!! Especially human ones! 🙂
Had to return for a second look, show my son these beautiful shots, he lived in Boulder for years and remembers such wildlife in the parks around the area. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the appreciation! Cheers to you~
🙂
Dang, everything’s looking all summery and warm in your pictures and then you break the news that the nighttime temps are going to be 26 degrees — brrrrrr! Lol, blanket weather for sure. You do have a lot of great wildlife coming by where you are staying, and it is beautiful country up there! My favorite shot, though, has to be that first picture of the female elk — it is priceless!
Btw, a little off the subject — I did receive your wonderful poms, and am going to send you a note with more detail; I just wanted to let you know they arrived safely and soundly. Thank you so very much, and I posted about it here: http://becky6259.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/6183/ . Please let me know if you would like me to alter or remove the post and I will be glad to — I really should have asked you before posting it. Loving the poms, and again, thank you so much! I’m really enjoying them!
Oh I am so glad!! I hope they weren’t picked too soon! It is hard to imagine them on the trees at home ripe and splitting now, when it snowed on us today and we were stomping to stay warm at the base of Edith Cavell peak! Have fun with the poms and I am thrilled you got them. They are an acquired taste. Of course you didn’t need to ask to post! Thank you for doing so and hugz to you~
It looks like you are enjoying your self Cindy…wildlife and all!
Yes indeed!! Especially the wildlife!! Cheers to you~
That was a real adventure story. I was holding my breath worrying that you would be attacked by the amorous elk. Your photos are fabulous, including the happy hungry lil squirrel. 🙂
oooh! That makes such a good title for a post, “Attacked by Amorous Elk and Lived to Write About It!” Reminds me of some dates I went on long, long ago……
Cindy, these are amazing photos. Thanks for sharing what seems to have been a rather exciting adventure with the wildlife!
Most kind and appreciated! Merci~
Hi Miss Cindy! stunning pix… your post has reminded me of unique Yellowstone…
oh, “my” moose is less impressive: 🙂
http://balauru.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/daily-smile-whaz-up-you-want-my-picture/
Good night and have a great Wed! Friendly thoughts, Mélanie
Yellowstone has to be my favorite US National Park due to the wildlife. Your moose is most impressive!
Exciting times Cindy, great photos. Hope you have your thermals with you, or a big log fire in your cabin. That squirrel is so cute.
It was warmer yesterday, light jackets only, but we are driving into the Glaciers today and it is already cold & gray! Cheers to you my friend~
that splash of color to end the post was really eye catching. I did not know male elks “bugled” but how cool that they do. The moose makes Bullwinkle look like a girrrrl…:)
The squirrel!! From the grand to the tiny, a nice contrast. But also great you kept him just as big as the moose! Since all creatures–great and small–matter. (except for possibly ants…)
Your work just gets better and better. You are down your own rabbit hole, Cindy, where the world is a much more vivid place.
Oh I love your rabbit hole metaphor!!! PERFECT!! And I definitely plan to stay down here!!
By curious coincidence I posted this almost a year ago to the day….
http://wp.me/p2C8Zz-2E
Love the piece! Jung would say we are in synchronicity, cosmic coincidence! Cheers to you Duncan~
Gotta love that story. Just how bad can your day get?
Yeah Jung would love this as would Wilhelm Reich.
Charming photos!
Happy you enjoyed and have an awesome week!
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
YOU SPOIL US WITH ALL THESE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS CINDY, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
Wow!. Do be careful sneaking around in the elk and moose’s way. 🙂 When living in Loveland, CO. every Sept. we would go up to Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park to see the elk buggling and the Aspens turning gold. We lived only 34 mi. from the park and could go up so often to Estes Park and RMNP and around Longs Peak (14,000 + ft. elevation) area to see them. I so miss that all after having moved away and out to Nebraska but got all my own pics and memories and mementoes of the great trips and scenery up there. You get to go on so many wonderful trips and vacations. Enjoy them all as I know you do. And we all will keep enjoying your wonderful pics with such incredible professional shots.
Estes Park is gorgeous. I have been right in the middle of massive elk ruts in Yellowstone. It was incredible taking photos and hiding behind trees so as to avoid getting trampled. It must have been wonderful to live so close to the park. Lovely to hear from you Joyce and hope all is well my friend <3
Thank you Cindy. WP all taken care of. Haven’t been posting as often or as regular as before. On a slower pace these days, taking a day at a time. 😊Have a great weekend.
A day at a time, and a slower pace are both things I believe firmly in, so good for you my friend <3