These two moose calves were at the entrance to Denali National Park, when I was taking the bus to a sled dog demonstration. (The same day I also caught the grayling).
These photos were taken from a bus. I was not on foot.
When I was on foot in moose cow and calf country, I finally realized what it’s like to be a little dog wandering around white-tailed deer when the does give birth. At any moment, there could be a ticked off ungulate coming at me!
Update (8 July 16): I had heard rumors that the moose calves’ mother had been shot. It is true, and because they were hanging out so close to people, the park captured them today for relocation.
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The mothers must not be as edgy in some areas; or are there lots of attacks in calving season near populated areas?
I really don’t know. I also saw a cow with two calves along the Nenana River, which has a well-used hiking trail. And the cow actually allowed people to approach very close. The cows tend to have their calves close to habitation, because wolves and bears usually don’t like coming in that close.
That relocation is certainly a very good news.