Moose cow in the fog and snow

Winter arrives early in Colorado’s high country oftentimes and such was the case in September 2017 when I photographed this pretty lady. While at lower elevations we were enjoying a mild, fall day, arriving at 10,000+ foot in altitude was a stark contrast. Thick fog limited visibility greatly and light snow was falling.

I soon found one of the big bulls of the area and as I carefully hiked through the brush to get a shot of him, I hear a noise behind me. I turn around and much to my surprise, this cow was munching away on the willows not 10 feet away.

She had had her head down and I would never have known she was there were it not for the noise and the fact she picked her head up. I backpedaled slowly, being sure to give her plenty of room and allowing her to continue eating her breakfast in peace.