Hey, there are moose in the yard!!
Yesterday was quite the day! I woke in the middle of the night and couldn’t go back to sleep, so I came downstairs to watch TV. Raven came with me and the two of us curled up on the sofa. We soon fell asleep. The next thing I know, Steve comes downstairs, touches me gently on my shoulder and whispers “There are two moose outside. One is in the yard eating our dead tomato plants, and the other is out on the porch sniffing the BBQ.” He didn’t want to startle Raven into barking and scaring them away, which is why he was so quiet. Since my camera is always ready to go, it only took me a few seconds to grab it and go to one of the tiny front windows that flanks our front door.
A cow moose was RIGHT THERE! She had her head down, so I couldn’t get a better photo. But holy cow! She was so close I could have reached out and touched her if the wall and window wasn’t there!
I took several more photos of her, and then she walked off into the trees in our front yard. I walked to the back of the house, and peered between the vertical blinds. I didn’t want to open them and startle the bull moose, so it was hard to get photos of him from there. Steve walked over to the window that faces our back yard and slowly eased back the drapes until there was a spot just wide enough for me to put my camera through.
In this photo, you can see him walking past the tomato pots (with their stakes). He had already eaten two pots of dead plants and was working on pot three in this photo:
Not content with just foraging for the few dead twigs, he used his hoof to knock The fourth pot right off the deck. Just for a little perspective. That pot is a very LARGE pot; probably 20″ tall.
A little while later, he joined the cow moose on the side of our house. I like the view of them out the window here. You can also see tracks that one of the moose made earlier - leading away from that particular window. Whoever did it took a look inside the house, because I found moose *snot* on the window pane!
Here are the rest of the photos I took during their visit, in sequence:
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It was a fabulous visit, and we were both so excited to see them. Even Raven was calm and quiet. She watched them from the window and sometimes made growly noises, but didn’t bark.
A little later, Steve let Raven out to do her business, while he was putting on his boots to go out and play frisbee with her. He got his boots on and looked out front and one of the moose was still in our front yard (in the trees). Raven was about 15 yards from the moose just looking at it. The moose looked back. Steve called Raven into the house until the moose moved off.
I’m glad she didn’t bark or give chase. She did that once, when we first adopted her, and the moose chased her all the way back to the house with her tail tucked between her legs. Raven’s smart enough to know she’s no match for such a huge animal. Glad the moose didn’t react badly. Moose have been known to go after dogs because they remind them of wolves, and wolves are predators.
A WALK AT CREAMERS FIELD
Steve has been off for several days and the weather has been gorgeous. While out running errands, we decided to stop at Creamers Field for a walk with Raven. It was a bit overcast, but relatively warm (20s). Creamers Field is so beautiful with a fresh blanket of snow. We’ve had some accumulation over the last couple of days, so everything looked so pristine.
After our walk, we finished up our stops and started for home. The sun was starting to go down, making the sky turn a lovely orange and yellow. I asked Steve to drive through the downtown area so I could take some photos from the pedestrian bridge.
When we got there, they were setting up the river for the end of the Iron Dog Race (and the festivities of the Tired Iron). The Iron Dog Race is a snowmachine (or snowmobile, as known to many) race that is more than 2000 miles in distance. You can read more about it at the link.
The Tired Iron is a race of OLD snowmachines. They have to be older than 1979, I think. There are kid events, and other games to participate in or watch. I’ve never attended the festivities of either race, as I’ve usually been busy with a sled dog race. The North Pole Championship Sled Dog Race happened to be this past weekend, and that’s where I planned to go. However, with all that we had to do around the house to prepare for our Sister-in-Law’s visit - and with Steve off to assist - I opted to skip the races.
Steve and Raven on the trail at Creamers Field:
Fence and Snowy Landscape at Creamers Field:
Downtown Sunset and Frozen Chena River:
Clock Tower at Golden Heart Plaza:
Today, I had a few deliveries to make and decided to take a short drive around the local area since I was already out and about. When I got home, Steve and I took Raven for a walk around the neighborhood. It was such a beautiful and sunny day, and we reached 30F!
I’ve photographed this barn before. I just love the way it looks against the white snow:
Sun going down through the trees in my front yard:
I think this leaf has been hanging on all winter. It finally fell to the ground.
I like the way the snow was *dripping* off this fence:
We love to ask Raven where the squirrels are when we’re out. She gets into alert position and scans the trees!
FRANCE IS COMING!!!
Hard to believe that France’s visit is only days away! She’ll be arriving on Wednesday night (late). I have a lot planned for us while she’s in town. I hope the weather cooperates and we’re able to make the drive down to Anchorage for the Iditarod on Friday.
I hope to be able to update here one more time before she arrives. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to while she’s here as we will be going non-stop. We’re all so excited!
Hard to believe that February is coming to an end. Another month that flew by! But March is my favorite winter month in Alaska, so I’m not complaining. And we’re getting daylight back at a faster rate now too. This morning, I looked out back at 6:30am and there was a glow on the horizon. Length of visible light is 11 hours and 25 minutes now. It feels good to be past the winter darkness. Now if only the winter cold was behind us. Some more frigid stuff is forecast for this weekend. You can’t win ‘em all!
Until next time…
I finally saw moose in the yard again this weekend as well! It had been a couple of months…unfortunately, my dogs have not learned to stay quiet like Raven, but they were inside so the moose were free to munch on the shrub branches undisturbed.
Love the picture of the clock tower - such a beautiful sky!
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:52 am
So happy you saw moose, Melody! It is always such a thrill to see them, but this visit was REALLY a bit too close for comfort. I always envision them getting angry and kicking my windows in!
I’m thankful that Raven is being a lot more quiet. If she were alone though, I don’t know if it would be that way. I think with us here telling her it’s OK, she takes her cues from us. All bets are off if she were here alone!
The sunset downtown was lovely! I’m glad Steve took the longer way home so I could take some photos.
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Comment by Melody — February 27, 2012 @ 1:19 am
The photographs of the moose are wonderful. In some of them you feel as if you could reach right out and touch them. I love all of your work.
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:53 am
Thank you very much Merrill! They were REALLY close. If the window wasn’t there, I probably could have touched them! They are SO BIG! What a joy it was to have them visit.
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Comment by Merrill — February 27, 2012 @ 6:13 am
Your post about Alaskan Wild Life are my very Favorite!! I Love ALL your postings and photos, but Moose has got to be my Upmost Favorite!!!! I was so excited when I saw a ton of photos on fb then your post this morning!!
You have made my day!!
I’ve started collecting Moose and Bear things for our home (mostly moose)…not too many though because if I ever get the opportunity to move to Alaska I don’t want to have too many itms that I might have to part with any of them…lol plus I would Love to have more Alaskan Native Art than “store bought” things.
I want a little cabin in Alaska with my very own visiting moose too
I’m not asking for much!!! Just ALL my dreams to come true!!!!
Have an Awesome day and Thank-you for sharing!! You have truly made my day!!
Liz
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:55 am
Awww, Liz. I do hope your dream comes true and you end up here in Alaska with a cute little cabin and moose visitors.
Our guest bath is moose themed. We have a wildlife shower curtain and a couple of my moose prints hanging in there. We’re making the downstairs powder room a ‘bear’ room. Have to find accessories though, but I have the prints to put in there already.
I’m happy you liked this entry. Those moose were the highlight of my week! I love that they came to visit - and so close too!
Thanks for commenting!
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Liz McCollough Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
downstairs powder room a “bare” room….lol couldn’t resist
I do remember your guest bath with the moose theme!! Loved it!!
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Comment by Liz McCollough — February 27, 2012 @ 7:00 am
Your photos are indeed graaaaaand. I visited Alaska three seasons but never winter. Your shots make me wish I had visited in winter as well. I do a weekly newsletter for an Episcopal parish of only 30 members. May I have permission to publish some of your photos from time to time in JOYFUL.
Owanah Anderson
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 11:59 am
Hello Owanah and thank you for commenting. I’m happy that you had the chance to visit AK in three seasons. If you do decide to come in winter, try to plan for a March visit. There is a lot of stuff going on in March - especially here in Fairbanks, and there’s a chance you could see the aurora too.
Is your newsletter an online newsletter? If so, you are more than welcome to use some of the images you see here in my blog, as long as you keep my watermark on them and link back to my blog.
Thank you for commenting!
Have a fabulous week!
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Comment by Owanah Anderson — February 27, 2012 @ 7:36 am
Hi Susan, I don’t post comments as much as I should - just so busy here - a new grandbaby to enjoy - turned one year old already - love her to pieces! But wanted you to know, your photos are simply the best. I enjoy reading your blog so much. We never did have a real winter here in PA this year. Still waiting for the big snow, ha! Those moose pics are awesome!
Enjoy your company!
Connie
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Thanks for commenting Connie. I understand all too well being busy. I sometimes run out of days, let alone hours, to get things done myself! I appreciate you taking the time to comment today.
Sorry you didn’t have a real winter. It’s snowing here as I write. We’re supposed to have some brutal cold coming back through too. Honestly, I’d like to fast forward to May. *grin*
I’m so excited about France coming to visit! We’re going to have such fun!
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Comment by Connie in PA — February 27, 2012 @ 10:45 am
Wow! I can’t imagine a better “gift” than moose snot on your windows. I am truly envious. As always, the photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing. You are so gifted and you bless all of us with your talent. Thank you.
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
LOL! The moose snot didn’t bug me at all. It will clean up.
I’m just thrilled that one of them actually put his/her nose on my window! I must have slept through that!
I’m glad you enjoyed the moose photos. What a nice surprise that they visited us!
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Comment by Charlene — February 27, 2012 @ 3:06 pm
It’s been awhile since I’ve been on here and I spent the evening catching up. Your photos of the aurora’s were outstanding. The moose shots are amazing. I can’t imagine looking out my window and seeing that!! I love the pictures of Creamer’s Field in winter. If I ever get to Fairbanks I will make sure I get to Creamers Field just to be there myself.
But my favorite in this set is the Clock Tower. Gorgeous!
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Thank you Connie. I’m glad you enjoyed the aurora and the moose. Some weeks it’s just non-stop adventure and photo ops around here!
If you come to Fairbanks, I’ll go with you to Creamers Field. The sunset the other night was so pretty. I’m glad we were out and about and able to capture those images.
Thanks for commenting.
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Comment by Connie — February 27, 2012 @ 5:43 pm
Well, the moose pictures provided lots of entertainment & laughs for the whole family tonight! Thanks for sharing lovey!
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Glad you liked them Michele! What a treat to have them wandering around our house like that! So glad Steve was quiet and didn’t rouse Raven up. They were so close to the window at times, I couldn’t even get a good focus. So cool! Need to make sure when I’m out traipsing through the woods with Raven that I keep my eyes peeled. Wouldn’t want to stumble upon one of these huge creatures.
Glad your family enjoyed them.
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Comment by Michele — February 27, 2012 @ 9:58 pm
Great shots of the moose good thing Steve was on “MOOSE ALERT” ha ha That was good or raven also not to bark are get all excited. Glad you all was able to get out for awhile im sure it was much needed.We got up to 66 here today but just as we get off work the clouds come in and with winds in the 40mph not a good ides to get out on the lake or river ha ha Hope you have a great time with your sis in law and looing forward to some good pic or the Idiarod. Ill be off this sat and home so ill be on the live cam so ill look for you. ha ha
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
February 29th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Those moose visitors were awesome, Bruce! I couldn’t believe how close there were to the house/windows. Great photo ops, that’s for sure!
I can’t believe it’s so nice and warm there. I look forward to spring and summer. I love March though, so I’m glad that it’s here tomorrow!
France is on her way… she’ll be landing in about 6 hours. We’re excited!
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Comment by Bruce Rufer — February 29, 2012 @ 3:25 pm
Gorgeous! We have had very few moose at the cabin this winter. Last year they visited at least a few times a week, this year we’ve only had two drop by
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
March 1st, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Thank you, Lee. It was such a surprise to see these two so close to the house. I’m happy for the visit, and the close encounter - safely behind glass.
Hope you get more visits!
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Comment by Lee Petersen — March 1, 2012 @ 3:05 pm
Okay, Susan, you need a warning before something like “moose snot”. I laughed so hard I almost choked on my Snapple. =) Love the photos.
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Susan Stevenson Reply:
March 9th, 2012 at 11:22 am
Gotta love when the wildlife smears up your window! LOL
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Comment by denise — March 9, 2012 @ 2:29 am
Hi Susan!
You have a wonderful site here! Beautiful pictures and a great outlook on Alaska life, thanks. I wanted to tell you about a book I read recently about life in an Alaskan Bush village. It is written from the prespective of a new teacher to the bush. It is called “The Tundra Diary: A Didactic Alaskan Novel” By Roman Acleaf, it is available on Amazon.com. I think you might enjoy reading it.
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Hi Herb and thanks for commenting.
Thanks for the book recommendation. I will add it to my list of books to read. I just got a shipment of Alaskana books from Better World Books (have you checked out that site? Used books, deeply discounted, and free shipping anywhere in the country). Once I get through the ones I just ordered, I’ll look for that title. It DOES sound interesting. Thank you for telling me about it.
And thank you for commenting too.
Warm regards,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Herb Peas — March 13, 2012 @ 2:43 pm