Massive Moose on RMNPhotographer Tour
I Want to Go on a Tour and See a Moose.
My wife’s wonderful friend, Karla, was coming to visit us in Estes Park. So important to our family, she had given amazing support to Carolyn when her first husband died of ALS. I knew all she’d done for Carolyn, so I asked Karla, “What do you want to see while you’re here?” She answered, as many do, “I want to go on a RMNPhotographer Tour and see a moose.”
So one early August morning, we set off on a
RMNPhotographer Tour. We left early, around sunrise, and were disappointed that we did not see a moose in Horseshoe Park or Sheep Lakes. Moving on, we headed up Old Fall River Road.
For a city girl who has not spent time in the backcountry, Old Fall River Road is a daring experience. Imagine your total unfamiliarity with such an environment. Not knowing where you’re going, in the first few hundred years you experience a narrow, one lane dirt trail with rock formations hanging over the road and dropoffs looming on the other side. It can be gut churning excitement for someone who's never experienced such travel. That was Karla, who was gripping the door handle.
She was enthralled and excited as I explained the history of the road. Mesmerized by the view, she’d point across the canyon at rock formations, spots of Aspen, and small waterfalls. When we eventually reached Willow Park, still we had not seen a moose. Walking back toward the cabin, the early morning sun brightened the wildflowers as Karla followed me closely, quietly.
There I stopped and pointed to the meadow beyond. Feeding on the greens were a cow moose and her three month old calf. Over the past weeks, I had watched them several times, seeing them up and down the mountain in this area. This morning, they had rewarded me by being in an open spot where I could give my wife’s friend what she wanted, seeing a moose.
Karla stood in awe watching the mother feed, the baby moving about, sometimes running from spot to spot like a playful child. I explained the recent history of this moose and her baby, the other times I photographed her. While Karla stood, her hands held to her face in wonder, I moved down by the creek.
Massive Moose on RMNPhotographer Tour
That is when I saw him. Massive, still in velvet, the bull moose was feeding on the grass, the sun just cresting the hillside to cover him in light. I stepped back out of sight, waving frantically for Karla, and she came my way. As she did, I stepped back to view the impressive bull, lifting my camera to capture his beauty.
For forty-five minutes, Karla and I stood side-by-side impressed by the bull’s size and enamored by his magnificence. At times, he would raise his head, looking about but never bothered, then return to his grazing. It was a beautiful moment of privately sharing time in nature with a moose more impressive than Karla could have imagined.
And I was pleased that I could give this to her, a small
RMNPhotographer Tour present in thanks for all she had given to my wife during her most significant time of need. With this wonderful moose experience, I was able to offer a small thank you to Karla. And Karla, well, she’d had the moose experience of a lifetime.
