In previous posts I’ve written about deer and antelope, so it isn’t a surprise to anyone that I admire them. In fact, I’ve realized this summer that one of the things I love most about camping is those moments when I encounter wildlife. We’ve just come down out of the Sierra Madre Mountains after a little over a week of camping. It was beautiful. And Cold. (The leaves are starting to turn up there, and the nights are in the low 40’s!) We had a beautiful spot to camp, and except for a somewhat close camper with a set of yappy dogs, it was a peaceful time.
Now back to talking about wildlife… I have come to realize I have a hierarchy of importance when it comes to seeing big game. At the bottom of the list are antelope. They are everywhere – in town, near town and dotting the rolling prairie – and something about them makes them look a little dumpy and not so intelligent. I enjoy seeing them, but it’s such a natural occurrence I don’t get very excited.
Deer come next. Nearly every time I see a deer I think, “What a nice gift.” Deer are also quite prevalent and are in town (especially in Encampment and Medicine Bow!), on the plains, and in the mountains. They seem like kind souls somehow, and I love to watch them bounce over fences. They often stand still for portraits, though this week we saw a HUGE buck with a massive set of antlers, and I just stared and enjoyed, no time for the camera. Here’s one of four bucks who hang out on the outskirts of Encampment, and who walked through the yard when we were enjoying a fish fry with friends:
On the hierarchy next are elk. Elk are much more shy and hide themselves away from people. We’ve only seen a few elk this summer – and I’ve had no opportunities for pictures, either. Elk leave me smiling and feeling blessed. They are so regal and commanding looking.
Even more special are moose. Moose are much more rare where we go camping, and so getting a glimpse of one is definitely special. This week we saw three. Now moose are aggressive and mean. I’m actually pretty scared of them because I know they will charge. I spotted a small bull while we were driving on the highway up in the Sierras. We stopped, and because he was down in a little valley next to the road and there was a guard rail between us, we pulled over, grabbed the camera and walked back to get a good look.
After I snapped a couple of shots, we spotted a cow moose with a ‘small’ baby coming out of the trees. Mama didn’t like us, we could tell that from how she locked eyes on us and put her ears up. Guard rail or no, we retreated. After we were safe in the truck, Karl turned around so that we could drive by again. It was at this point that they decided to cross the road. You can picture me now, heart pounding, and smiling ear to ear as I snap pictures.
Mama was the first to cross the road, her legs so long that she just stepped over the guardrail like it wasn’t there.
Next came the bull and baby. (I’m told by a friend who knows way more than I about wildlife that from the size of his antlers he’d guess this little bull is about two years old.) The bull crossed the guardrail easily enough and disappeared into the trees. The baby was afraid of the barrier. He stayed in the road for a little longer, not wanting to cross it. Eventually, he did and the threesome sauntered off into the trees.
I think I was warm for the next few hours, basking in the afterglow of such a terrific encounter. What a beautiful gift from the Creator of this world!
Topping out my hierarchy of amazing creatures in the Wyoming forests are mountain lions. There’s the pinnacle for me. Haven’t ever seen one, though I know they are around and I heard one scream once when I was quite young. Maybe someday. In the meantime, I’ll be thankful for the splendor we have given.
