high in the icy Sandwich Range on Sunday

[forestgnome]

I wanted to see the ice-covered forest in person and check on a couple moose yards in the Sandwich Range Wilderness.

Sunrise was crisp and beautiful near height-of-land on the Kancamagus...

the full moon was setting in the west...

fire and ice...

Mt. Osceola...

ice-coated spruce...

this view shows where the ice hit at higher elevation but not down low...

continued...

 

[forestgnome]

I hiked a trail to about 2500'. It was easy walking on top of crust that did not give way. Conditions are excellent right now. Stablicers would be perfect.

Up in the yards, the hobblebush and striped maple are completely coated and I wondered if moose eat it that way. I noticed that the outsides of spruce trees were icy but you could find uneffected branches inside the tree toward the trunk, so I wonder if they go for that in ice storms.

There weren't many fresh tracks in these yards so I think they decided to hang around elsewhere for the time being. It was very pretty under a blue sky and a light wind. As the sun melted the ice, the wind would send thousands of little chards crashing to the crusty ground, making a wonderful sound. Other than a single woodpecker, the area seemed to be abandoned. Those who were not buried for the winter had gone elsewhere for the time being. Still, it was a very pretty place and so much different than it was just a month ago.

After visiting a second yard, which required a drop into a deep saddle and back up to 3,000'ish, I had to start down because it gets dark so early now. I was nearly out when I found a couple moose. They may be a mating pair. They were a hundred feet apart but they seemed to be together.

It's hard to compose and focus in the dark on a moving animal. It's also a little scarier. Everything seems bigger in the dark. I spent a little time with them and waited for them to move into little open areas so I could get pics.

This cow looks very strong and healthy, ready for winter...

This bull looks good as well. He dropped his antlers very recently...

happy trails

 

[grouseking]

Coming across a moose at night would scare the crap out of me....

Awesome as usual, I really can't add anything new that I've already said in the past!

grouseking

 

[NeoAkela]

That second shot is simply incredible! Great report!

 

[adktyler]

Those sun pictures were some of the most spectacular I've seen in a very long time. Really nice shots!

 

[--M.]

Pretty incredible, as usual, and one of my favorite spots on the whole planet, too. The crust was just breakable up in Crawford Notch; I was wondering how it was up there at the top of the Kanc.

And the moose: You're really onto something there, doing what almost no one else can do. The shot showing the bull's recently departed antlers is sharp! Nice job!

 

[1HappyHiker]

Regardless of whether I say that you are a photographer-extraordinaire, or vous êtes un photographe extraordinaire, your photos are simply splendid as always!!

 

[stu]

Tremendous images as usual! Carry-on!

 

[donna]

Another Cool TR. Wish I could run into some moose close up like that.

 

[MattC]

Great pics as always.

Up in the yards, the hobblebush and striped maple are completely coated and I wondered if moose eat it that way. I noticed that the outsides of spruce trees were icy but you could find uneffected branches inside the tree toward the trunk, so I wonder if they go for that in ice storms.

Good question. I know the coating after an ice storm can make foraging very difficult for birds, but I have no idea about moose. I would guess that they could just bite through icy twigs or endbuds due to their huge jaws, but I could be wrong.

Matt

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Just catching up...

after no power for a week. Great stuff as always!

KDT