i saw a MOOSE!!!!!!

two, actually! a mother and her calf. Sooooo cute. not such great pictures. but still, we saw two moose!!!!

First of all, Jim, Kajsa and I are in Alaska! Anchorage, to be exact, visiting the Lawrence’s. Second, I’ve been on this “moose hunt” for several years. It’s become a family joke, that Cathy is constantly on the lookout for moose. And, just to be clear, my definition of “moose-hunt” involves driving around rural areas (someone else usually driving), camera in hand, windows down, shoes on–usually… ready to jump out of the car and photograph. the moose.

moose poop

the elusive moose that seems to know when I’m in town, and hides.

So I told Sandie L., that if I did not see a moose here in Alaska, I would be bummed. Really bummed. Especially considering that they seem to have moose wandering all over the area.

after mama moose noticed me

And I figured the moose would hide, once they knew I was here. Last night, Sandie was a good friend, and drove us around, for a moose hunt. I said I was giving up on the moose. 24 hours in Alaska, and no moose-sighting yet. Sandie even called some friends in various areas of Anchorage, to put the alert out. Moose-sightings? call Sandie, so her crazy visitors can go see it….

so this morning,

the moose walking away... check out the cute calf

Sandie heard about a moose and her calf bedded in someone’s backyard. Sandie made the call. We received the call. We got in the car (Jim, Cathy, Sunny and Kajsa), drove up to the moose-sighting home… but missed her by a few minutes. We hung out, walked back into the woods a bit.. but no luck. Nice people, and I’m grateful they allowed these strangers to wander their backyard. But no luck. Lots of moose poop. As pictured. So we got back in the car, and drove around a bit more… and then, we saw them! the moose and her calf…

so cute!

I put my zoom lens on the camera, jumped out of the car–barefoot–quietly snuck down someone’s driveway, and took some photos. I was so incredibly happy. Elated. Thrilled. Ecstatic. I can’t believe we finally saw a moose. I have heard that in real life, the are actually ugly. I disagree. I think they are beautfiul.