Shyla and I headed out together for a snow bike ride this morning. We stopped almost right away for some photos. She threw snow into the air in celebration!
She's not allowed to eat anything hard so I was using small pieces of cheese as my treats for her. The Runner and R came along, and they'd usually run right by. However, R sniffed the cheese, and he decided to stay! Anything for cheese... He'll even pose and look vaguely in my direction for the sake of cheese!
The Runner returned for him soon and accused me of "dog napping"!
Shyla and I rode onward in wind-packed snow that kept grabbing my tires and tossing me onto the ground. And sunshine!!!
Look at this scene. It looks bucolic with the snow and blue sky. You can see my wind-degraded tire tracks from yesterday. Do you see anything that would make you think that I should turn around?
People always laugh at me when I say that I have trouble spotting moose in the forest but the moose in this photo are not obvious despite their huge size. There are two in this photo, just to the right of and behind the pine tree in the middle of the picture. Shyla had told me that they were there by stopping in her tracks and staring straight ahead. I called her back to my side before I took out my camera.
The mother moose who we saw today has a distinctive mark - a silver spot on her right shoulder that may help me ID her in the future. I don't think that I've seen her before.
At first, she seemed unconcerned, looking away from us and reaching for aspen twigs to eat (photo below).
Then she gave us "the look", and I retreated fast. As you can tell by the first wide angle photo, we were not close to her. However, a dog makes a moose encounter much trickier because moose are so wary of them.
Here was the look that sent me away.
Indeed, as we retreated, she did a little trot in a circle. I don't know what that meant but I was glad to be far away. Her calf was just out of the picture and behind her in all the photos. It's amazing how moose have ended up dominating many of our winter outings for the past few years!
We took the long way home to avoid aggravating mama moose, and we stopped for a few more photos. Shyla was almost flying because she was so happy to be running again!
And, I was beyond happy to have her back out on the trails with me!
Yay for Shyla to be out enjoying your rides with you again! Cheese is one of Toby's favorites which he rarely gets but loves so R's staying back with you makes total sense. Great moose pics too!
ReplyDeleteyour moose stories always amaze me.. I can see how it is hard to see them. glad the dogs know to stop and warn you... love that first photo
ReplyDeleteSome buddy is very happy
ReplyDeleteSnorts,
Lily & Edward
It is amazing to me how moose, deer etc. can hide in plain sight.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the moose like cheese too! Did I tell you that me and Stanley love cheese?
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
No need to fuss up a mama moose with calf. Besides, there's cheese waiting to the labra-duo!
ReplyDeleteSoft treats, and moose, that tele lens means you can stay a good safe way from them, and then we all get those stunning looks!! I would leave too. So glad Shyla is back to normal, and all of you out there, that must have been a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to get your girl out on the trial. Love these pics KB. Guess we've got more snow coming; I will enjoy it, but I'm looking forward to spring.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Noreen
Glad to see Shyla enjoying herself today. It's good that she had become a good moose watchdog to give you an early warning to their presence.
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like Shyla was having a blast!
ReplyDeleteWe nearly stopped reading at CHEESE! Dental work might not be too bad when there's cheese involved.
ReplyDeleteWe just love the Moose pictures. So good you are learning moose body language.
I love the photo of Shyla throwing snow. R knows what is important....CHEESE!
ReplyDeleteAroo to you,
Sully
YAY for Shyla's return to the trail. Bet you really enjoyed your time out there today. R is very smart, isn't he? LOL
ReplyDeleteWe see those moose after you told us where they were. Good thing for Shyla's warning ability.
Happy days! Shyla is back out on the trails!!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & mabel
It looks so inviting with the blue sky and snow! Lucky you guys!
ReplyDeleteSo glad she's recovering well!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful moose! And were so happy Shyla is feeling sooo good again!
ReplyDeleteCheese works for everyone!
love
tweedles
Glorious photos, dog-napping and all!
ReplyDeleteSo glad, Shyla is back on track after the dental episode.
We LOVE the first picture of you celebrating, Shyla! We are so happy that you're back♥
ReplyDeleteI did spot the moose in the trees! Shyla looks very, very happy to be back out there, and who can blame her? It looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets