Mothers Tutelage

“Mother’s Tutelage”

A baby moose, called a calf, can weigh up to 30 lbs when it is born, and will gain a lb (.45 kg) a day in the spring and eventually up to 4 lbs (1.8 kg) a day. These moose calves have several predators to evade during their young lives, such as wolves, cougars and bears so they spend at least 1 ½ yrs with their mother who will not only vigorously defend and protect them, but she will also teach them where to find natural mineral licks like this one, where they can get their much-needed nutrients to stay healthy. While photographing this mom and young calf from a safe distance, with a long lens, I patiently waited as they took turns drinking from the water collected at this salt lick. At one point, I quietly asked them “now together” and to my surprise, they did just that, enabling me to capture one of my favorite images and moments in nature

- Keltie Masters

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