An Unexpected Conversation

An Unexpected Conversation

Labor Day weekend didn’t quite go according to plan. We had hoped to spend some time photographing the Milky Way, but there was just too much cloud cover late at night all weekend. We finally gave in and headed to the South Hills to look for moose instead.

Bow season had already started, and the moose weren’t hanging around the places we normally find them. We even talked to some folks from out of state who had seen mule deer but really wanted to see a moose. After spending quite a while looking without much luck, and making a few attempts at sun flares by the ponds, we decided it was time to head home.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a moose near the water. After a quick brake and a safe reverse, we realized there were actually two moose in the area.

This cow gave us a great opportunity to create a few images before other people noticed the moose and began stopping too. She stood in the water surrounded by willows, occasionally looking in our direction.

One of the most memorable parts of the encounter was her reaction when we talked quietly to her. She seemed curious about the voices and would look toward us as though she were listening to the conversation.

We had gone to the South Hills hoping to find moose and had nearly given up for the evening. Instead, just as we were heading home, we ended up having An Unexpected Conversation.