Wildlife in the Spring

Somehow baby animals make wildlife seem more human.

Harbor Seals, Alsea Bay, Central Coast Ranger District

I guess it's their interactions with parents that we can relate to.

Uinta Ground Squirrels (potguts) in Heber Ranger District

One of our favorite experiences was watching a mother moose teach her young bull how to charge and challenge by using the volleyball court in Jordan Pines Campground.  Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, southeast of Salt Lake City, is teeming with moose.  It never really dawned on me that it would be the mother who would teach her son how to defend himself or earn territory.

Moose cow and calf in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake City Ranger District

The first time we saw mom and son, he stood back almost startled, as she charged at the standard and kicked up her hooves making a clicking sound.  He didn't participate at all; just watched in wonder like mom was going a little crazy.  A couple days later they came back through the campground and that little guy mimicked everything his mother did the last time they were there.  She encouraged him as he butted his head against the volleyball standard and a nearby bush.  An amazing sight to see!