"IT'S TIME TO HAVE THAT CHAT"

Moose (North American) Female & Calf - 3 Photos

Foothills, Alberta, CA

N.B. All photos taken from a safe distance & location, with a long lens.

This is the final chapter/blog in this particular series.

As previously mentioned, although being a "moose in waiting", once Mum appeared in the clearing, her calf immediately moved away.

There was some concern on my part when I saw Mum lay her ears back and to the sides albeit for only a few seconds. Safely ensconced some distance away, it was still unnerving. You never want to have a moose upset even with the fence some distance away, dividing the spaces.

But she quickly turned her attention to her calf, who she chased further down the snowy incline and where he/she took cover in a small thicket.

Seeing the two moose together, it may appear that one is much taller than the other but in fact, this is due to the steepness of the slope, where the calf had taken refuge at the bottom. 

But Mum quickly reverted to her relaxed state, probably having made her point. I'm not certain whether she was somewhat upset with her calf for moving into a wide open area, potentially vulnerable to predators and this was a scolding or whether she was looking for her space.

There is, of course, that other possibility. This calf is probably now almost a year old and Mum, if pregnant, will be looking to push her youngster out on his/her own soon, as there will be a new arrival come this Spring. This calf will be a year old then and there will be no time in Mum's busy schedule looking after a newborn, for a fully grown moose.

So perhaps it was a matter of "It's Time For That Chat", where last year's offspring are pushed away to experience full independence. It happens to young bears too and even young porcupines. For a short time, it must be difficult until they become more comfortable in new surroundings, after all they've gone from being the object of their mothers' affections to "you are no longer welcome here".

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3