Last week in Yellowstone National Park, I was observing badgers at their den when a local photographer asked if I could spot the moose on a distant ridge.
I became excited because I had yet to log a moose sighting and, after a few seconds, I realized that the photographer had presented a quiz with an amusing twist.
So I’ll do the same: Can you spot the moose on the ridge in the accompanying images? (Answer at the bottom.)
It’s worth noting that moose sightings are somewhat rare in Yellowstone, with fewer than 200 animals inhabiting the massive park.
According to the park website, moose numbers have declined over the years “due to the loss of old growth forests surrounding the park, hunting outside the park, burning of habitat, and predators.”
They’re also solitary creatures, for the most part, except during mating season from September into early October.
So moose sightings are cherished, in part, because they occur so infrequently.
The regal critters are usually spotted near marshy areas or water bodies, which is why I was surprised when the photographer asked me to look at a ridge more suitable for bighorn sheep.
As many might have already figured out, this is not a quiz that should demand too much of anyone’s time. So I’m presenting the answer below and apologize if I’ve thrown anyone a curve.
I’m also including an image of an actual moose that I spotted on a roadside slope two days later.
The moose caused a significant traffic jam and there was no place to pull over so I snapped a few quick shots from my vehicle.
Hardly a giant but still impressive, and it marked my first actual moose sighting in 6-7 years of visiting the park.
