Countdown 365 ~ T-145

Total Miles: 6.2 Miles ~ Wildlife: 2 Moose ~ Bald Eagles ~ White Fronted Geese

May 25, 2010 ~ This evening while enjoying two bottles of very fine vintage homemade wine with two good friends, a Cow Moose walked into our yard. The coloration of the Cow caught our immediate attention. In the future, she will be easy to keep track of because of her distinctive white markings. She has the same size circular patterned white hair patch on her rib cage on each side of her and the white markings on her chest. This is the first moose that I have ever seen with this pronounced white markings.

I was so intent on photographing her, it was not until I heard those in the house yell that she had a calf behind her. It was only then that the calf wobbled out into my view. It is most likely, that this was the first walk that he or she had made with it's mother. The legs were very wobbly and it was not quite sure how to make all four of them work together at the same time. It was such a delight to watch him try to maneuver, especially the first time it encountered crossing the gravel driveway. This is the first new calf of the season that we have seen in our sanctuary.

Whenever she got close to the calf, she would stopped and lick it, cleaning her baby up after the birthing process.

"Proud Mother"

"Welcome To Life"

"First Outing"

"First Encounter With A Hard Surface"

"Small Steps"

Early this morning, I spent more time photographing the American Bald Eagles. If the number of Eagles gathering in the area is an indication, it appears that the salmon runs will be strong this season. Although, a good number are in the area of Cook Inlet Beach, they are also lining up on the gravel bars of Anchor River. They are such a spectacular bird.

"Beach Rye Cover"

Although, I am not pleased with the quality of the photographs, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to find a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. One of the pairs was just returning to the nest with additional building materials.

"Landing In The Nest"

"Settling Into The Nest"

"Mating Pair"

In the Marsh Lands at the mouth of the Anchor River there is now two distinct flocks of White Fronted Geese. Typically they will stay in the beach rye, assuming that they do plan to nest in the area. They will leave the grassland area to feed in the wet lands within the the marsh area.

"Mud Flat Feeding"

"Flushing"

"In Flight"