Moose Watching in Northern NH

I went out this evening to see the fox family. Two middle-aged ladies pulled in to take pictures of the church. I made the mistake of asking them if they had come to see the foxes. They decided to wait and see the foxes but were chatting so much I knew the foxes would stay away. 

One of the women showed me pictures she had just taken of a moose - right down the road. I have to admit I was a little jealous. I had only seen one moose so far this year...

Airport Road

I decided to drive by a moose wallow that I know of, but the sun was setting.

I was telling myself that moose pictures don't come out well when it is getting dark...and all of a sudden there was a moose by the side of the road.

Route 115

Now, it wasn't too happy when I pulled over so it went right back into the woods...

Route 115

Moose (Alces alces) are herbivores.  “Moose” comes from an Algonquin Native American word meaning "twig eater":  A moose eats up to 50 pounds of woodland and aquatic vegetation every day.  

Route 115

Moose have a life expectancy of 8 to 12 years in the wild.  They have poor eyesight, but a very keen sense of smell and excellent hearing

13 Mile Woods

A moose’s speed in the water is about 6 MPH, but on land it’s up to 35 MPH.  

Route 302

Only males grow antlers, which harden into bone by late August and are shed each winter (they are then consumed by woodland animals for their calcium).

13 Mile Woods

Calves (twins about half the time; triplets, rarely) are born late May to early June.  Calves remain with their mothers until the next year’s birthing. 

I've posted this video (from last summer) before, but I love wildlife watching in NH and get so excited each and every time I see a moose!