Then, I started walking, looking for signs of wildlife activity as I walked. As I approached a stand of aspen, I heard the sounds of branches breaking. I stopped in my tracks to see what animal it was. I saw three moose hanging out. One was a big bull, one was a small bull, and one was a cow moose. It was moose mating season so I quickly slid behind a tree just in case a bull charged. We'd been in the midst of the aggressive rampages of "Cranky Moose" near my house so I was worried.
I stood still to watch for a short time. I saw that they were standing in water and mud - which I guessed was a huge wildlife attractant. I also saw that the big bull was indeed Cranky Moose. I backed away, and I vowed to go back when the water/mud had no visitors.
In an area like ours, water sources are rare for much of the year so I was very excited to find a new one. I went back the next day. It looked like a huge muddy puddle with all sorts of animal tracks around it. I rode to grab a camera from someplace else, and I posted it by this "wallow".
Very soon, Cranky Moose was checking out my camera. Fortunately, it survived his perusal.
Then, our first really big storm was in November. A deer waded through the snow across the wallow.
In March, an animal who I didn't expect to see there arrived. This lion drank for FIVE minutes - that is a long drink. She is such a beauty.
I condensed all of those autumn-winter months into a short video. Be sure to have your sound on. It's fun to hear the forest sounds particularly in the spring.
great to watch this big cats!!!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteanother fabulous parade - such rewards for camera patience!!! YAM xx
What a beautiful video! Because of the lighting and the snow, we thought we saw a polar bear☺
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever at finding these amazing spots to place the camera. The sounds were indeed wonderful. Bertie feels he has much in common with the mountain lion, he too loves a good long slurp. (Gail thinks he is an unbelievably inefficient slurper).
ReplyDeletenow i can say by the hairs of the chinny chin chine moose hairs. that water drinking lion is sooooo beautiful.. must have been totally dry, or maybe just had lunch... this will be a great water hole, hurry spring.
ReplyDeleteIncredible! I'm so amazed at the variety of wildlife that visit your area. Summer will be something special.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place you live. I love seeing all the wildlife. So precious.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day. Scritches to the pups. ♥
What an amazing spot you found. We can't wait to see more of the action you capture during the spring and summer.
ReplyDeleteYou and your blogger friends will have a lot of fun with this spot. The lion is gorgeous, she must be in the prime of her life. English is my second language and a week ago I learned the word "wallow" after reading a post from Florida, where there also was a wallow. In the South the call it something else, waller, maybe, I forget. I knew one meaning of the word, of course, and now I not only know this one, but have seen two different examples of what a wallow looks like.
ReplyDeleteThat's a terrific watering hole with lots of wonderful customers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely eco system
ReplyDeleteMOL MOL MOL the Mt. Lion is having wonderful mud bath and it is free. Crazy humans pay mega $$$
ReplyDeleteHugs
Cecilia
Moxy was sitting right by the screen, and looked for the lion as it went away, slithering on that snow. Lapping, ( the trailcam picks up the most sensitive noises )birds tweeting, and the deer in almost too deep snow, how do they ever manage to keep going when it is that deep. This is a grand place for the trailcam, and I do like the way it tells the date, time, and how COLD it is. Stay safe, we are in level 3, some easing of the restrictions, but for us oldies, not much of a change, so many people rushed out to queue for a takeaway!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great spot to see all the comings and goings. Hope all that snow means the watershed will be full this summer.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great spot you found! I thought Cranky Moose was going to take your camera out with his antlers though! :)
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
That moose is amazing and the lion is truly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSeems like a very popular spot. Should be lots more video footage as it warms up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a popular spot, can't wait wait to see who all visits this summer!
ReplyDeleteFirst, we are glad you were able to hide safely from the moose - no charging our dear friend, please. And now we can't wait to see the bears as they wallow away:)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy learning about the moose. They are fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering, in the winter, why don't they just eat the snow?
ReplyDelete