Running with the Moose

There he was in a field off of Rte 113 in Baldwin standing tall and proud. A young bull moose with a decent sized rack. I pull to the side of the road and this seemed to be his cue to cross the road and head into the thicker woods on the other side. I hopped out of the car with the camera in my hands and fired off a couple of quick shots before it was in the woods.

I ran across the road and straight into the woods where the moose had gone. As soon as I entered I could hear him ahead and ran after the sounds. He heard me and picked up his pace as well. The noise from each of us spurring on the other to go faster.

My heart beat and adrenaline were both on the rise dramatically. I am sure his were too. I was hoping we would end up in a clearing where I would be able to get some shots of this great animal out in the opening. The pictures running through my mind were amazing, peaceful, and graceful all at the same time.

It was at about this time that a loud grunt came from my immediate left. I spun towards the sounds and there was the moose. Just feet from me. At first fear did not strike me but rather the beauty of the beast was all I could see. The color of his brown eyes where striking as they looked directly into my own blue eyes.

Another grunt and shuffling of his hooved feet set my mind mind back to reality. DANGER!!! DANGER !!! My mind and heart screamed.

The moose began to move and then run but luckily for me it choose a different direction then mine. I had been warned and nothing more. Luck had been on my side.
I watched intently as he disappeared again before my eyes.

Then my body finally reacted as I realized I was not breathing and was standing still in what felt like a deep freeze. I sucked in a huge gulp of air and then began looking for my heart which had apparently jumped from my body.

Slowly I made my way back to the road. I was still excited and yet scared as well. It had been a remarkable experience where luck was on my side or maybe the moose somehow knew I meant it no harm but it had better things to do during rutting season then pose for pictures.

I was back near the car and picking off various thorns and snags on my pants when a feeling of relief came over me and then a smile reached my face. I laughed gently as I realized I had just run with a moose.