... MANCHESTER THE MOOSE ...

Friday, May 23, 2008 *** MANCHESTER THE MOOSE *** We had a visitor on our property. He has a broad, pendulous muzzle and is a  hoofed mammal of the deer family, He is still very young! He was pulling the bark of the wild willow trees/bushes growing on  our property. I decided to name him, Manchester. Young Male Moose Looking For Willows Photo by K. Fields You can see the knobs on his head just above his eyes where his enormous palmate  (shaped like an open palm or like a hand with the fingers extended)  antlers will start growing soon. He must be around a year old. His mother is probably deeper in the trees. He is still  young but dangerous, he is fun to watch but he will stomp you if you try to get close. His mother will try to kill you if she sees you anywhere around her baby, Mother  moose are very protective of their babies, including their year old big babies. Picture of The Same Moose Through a Screened Window Photo by K. Fields This “little” guy must weigh around 400 1bs and stand a little over 5 feet, so  he has some growing left to do... He is still a little thin from the long winter and has shed his baby fur coat, and now new thicker, darker,  heavier fur will replace it. I was curious on what the name moose means, so I looked it up and according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/moose  The name is derived, from an Algonquian language, probably Narragansett  moos (cf. Abenaki mus, Penobscot muns)said by early sources to be from  moosu "he strips off," in reference to the animals' stripping bark for food.  Which is exactly what they do, strip the bark off the willows for food. Moose With Clear View of Antler Knobs Photo by K. Fields As you can see by the picture it is still pretty brown around here, not much spring  foliage yet. The moose survive on eating the green buds, grass, leaves,  and bark off the trees. (Oh! And my garden when it is ready to harvest!) Hard to believe something that big can survive off those few things and grow even bigger, and stay strong and healthy…Hmmm. Maybe I need to take a closer look at  his diet; I could stand to lose a few pounds. Uh-oh! He Caught Sight of Me Taking His Picture! Photo by K. Fields See: Here Moosey Moosey! Later... K Fields Digg This Please Hey! Please Stumble It! Add to Technorati Favorites Please Rate at Blogged! Mixx it Please! Engage This Please Kudo Me!

Return to:  Arcticulates' Home Archives Author's Profile:  K. Fields Alaska, USA I live in Northern Alaska! Hence the unique spelling of my blog title. I love Alaska! It can be a challenging place to live,  but, the beauty that surrounds me makes it  all worth while. This blog/website is my opinion  or views on what  I hear,  or see, on just about anything! Mixed with some genuine facts! You can have all new posts sent directly to your email or favorite RSS feeder.  Just click on Arcticulates' Feed, for this free service and Thank-you! Arcticulates' Feed Recent Posts! Icy Creations Icy Designs Christmas in North Pole Car... Moose... Calamity... Bunch of Bull! Most Popular Posts! Grizzly Situation! Glimpse of Autumn! High One or Not!     Other Areas! Cooking in Alaska Reviews Links / Blogroll  Alaska Jokes Arcticulates' Disclosure Policy Dwight's Photo Prices Prints of Original Photos are available for Purchase! Please Contact: Arcticulates