10/26/2026
Bull Moose - The Kings of the North with their large antlers, so graceful and striking looking!
These looks are a combination of beauty and awe that attaches lots of attention with people wanting to see them. In September Ryan and I spent a few days in Jasper (fun little father and son trip to the mountains). One morning we did the drive to Magline Lake and came across a sad event that happens way to much. This large bull moose (left photo) with his masses antlers was walking along the road, which was filled with 10-15 vehicles parked to look at him. Several people where out of their vehicles. We stopped for a quick look and continued on to the lake. We spent some time hiking the lake shore, checking out the rocks and crunchy ice starting to form.
We headed back down the road wondering if the Bull had found a safe and quiet location to rest. Nope! for some reason he was settled laying on the side of the road. The vehicle jam had only increased. Several people where out with their telephoto lens giving him adequate space. Still hard to see him pressured from so many vehicles and people pressed closed to him. Ryan and I watched for several minutes after finding a safe and appropriate location to park. I took a few photos and watch as several vehicles drove so close to the Bull was hard to watch. Then a mini tour bus stopped within 25 ft of him and drop off the whole group of people. Drives me crazy !! Respecting wildlife is not a hard concept, this is their home give them space!
We drove on as this is not my idea of fun times taking photos. Ethics over rule the idea of having simple photos of these magnificent beast. You have to pick what is important to yourself. For me no photo is worth the idea that I caused them harm!
We drove back down the road to a small unmarked trailhead parking lot. A quiet spot that almost no one stops at and is most times empty. We parked and a second vehicle pulled in behind us and three people got out walking up the trail. Ryan and I enjoyed the quietness eating a snack. I always stop here hoping to see something special, there is a small meadows right by the parking lot. I climbed out to get some items from the truck bed and as I climbed back down out of the forest walk this younger bull moose! Way smaller antlers (right photo). We looked at each other and I manage to knock on Ryan's truck window so he could see. Before I could grab my camera he stepped back into the forest. We quickly locked the truck and hiked into the forest in search of him. With no one else around we quietly watched this guy for a few short minutes before he disappeared further into the forest.
A special moment for father and son!
Sure one moose is way more striking with those large antlers, yet I'll take the second encounter every time. No traffic jam, no large crowd of people, no tour bus stopping way to close. The ability to respect his home!
Jasper National Park
