Life In The Woods With Deer and Moose
Deer and moose. You know they are there. You just do not always see them. And sometimes you don't even hear them although the latter is more often the case. Heard but not seen. Deer and moose in the North American hinterland.
Twigs breaking, leaves crackling, ever so quietly. No alarms for these critters. Their instinct has been honed since the arrival of white man with metal sticks of fire. They are aware of the deadly consequences when fall hunting season descends. Meanwhile, it is spring, the cycle of life is revolving, and the next generation is showing up behind bushes, under deadfall. In the crevices and hideaways that only the woods knows. Mamas are on high alert for mammalian predators of the furry variety.
"Heads down kids. Do not lift them until I get back", urges the doe as she nuzzles her newborn. It arrived at dawn, a sharp barking pierces the first light of the morning as a red fox made the birth announcement. 4 AM strikes with Savannah Sparrows followed by dependable American Robins joining in the exaltation. The doe will spend most of the daylight hours foraging back to recovery and the challenge of keeping her fawn alive the first few days of its life. Twin moose do not require such rigorous instruction as their parent will not be abandoning them. They follow her instinctively. A cow moose with babes in tow can take care of just about anything that comes their way this time of year.
A new day is breaking, instincts kick in, and all is well with the world.
For more on deer and moose and other life in the woods, see also:
https://www.heathersimonds.com/blog/chasing-studs-at-glenbow-ranch-provincial-park
