A recent visit to Glacier National Park in Montana again reminded me that our National Parks are National Treasures. On a cold, rainy day, we had barely entered the park when that time honored tradition emerged . . . cars stopping and people piling out while the rangers tried to maintain a semblance of order over city slickers gone wild! It could only mean one thing in a National Park – an animal sighting. Actually, the rangers did a great job because this moose continued to exhibit normal behavior. Here is the standard I abide by, stay far enough away to permit the animal to continue their natural behavior. If the animal retreats, you are too close. I encourage everyone to consider that standard when viewing animals in the parks or anywhere outdoors.
Moose are the largest member of the deer family. Males grow antlers which fall off every year (by comparison, horns on animals are permanent). In winter months, moose nibble on woody shrubs and trees. But in the summer, they love to eat aquatic vegetation. It is therefore common to find them in a pond with their head immersed enjoying a wet delicacy. Wow, this was a magnificent animal and a memory beyond words. (See this big guy enjoying aquatic plants below.) I will write again soon with more from Glacier National Park. Until then, I invite to you to reflect on the majesty of this great animal and the wonder we can all discover in our National Parks!
