By Tim Callahan
Fresh tracks – they weren’t here yesterday! I’m following them down the dirt road near my property. These old logging roads and two-tracks are great travel corridors for wildlife.
I walk almost every day and always carry my camera. Ya never know what you’ll come upon!
I usually hear them before I see them – a ruffed grouse bursting into the air startles me, and by the time I raise my camera, he’s gone! The moose tracks leave the trail and he’s off into the bog. That’s where I end the chase—it’s tough walking in that stuff. No big deal for the 8-foot-tall trail buster; he’s walked within a hundred yards of headquarters here, and that’s exciting!
Now, if someone asked me about a place where there are chances of seeing one of these elusive creatures, I’d tell them to head to the McMahon Lake Preserve out on 407. That place is off the beaten path, that’s for sure. The Nature Conservancy is responsible for preserving McMahon Lake area for all of us to enjoy. There’s a small parking lot, signage about the place, maps, and a great footpath to the lack. There’s an excellent viewing platform, a nice place to sit and wait to see a moose or a duck. I’m warning you, it’s a good walk back, so have on your biking boots pack a light lunch, and stay for a while. I carried all of my painting stuff back there and set up on a high spot to get a great view of the lake and its surrounding habitat.
My first moose sighting was there. I was just passing the preserve’s entrance and Dawson Creek. She was just getting ready to cross the road. I had just left Oswald’s Bear Ranch and was still in awe of seeing and photographing my first baby bear cubs, so I had my camera with me and clicked a few pictures of her before she backtracked into the swamp. Really – baby bear cubs and a moose, all in one morning. Now that’s field research.
I’ve spent three evenings painting at the preserve and haven’t seen a moose, but did see two sets of tracks and a pile of scat. They’re here. It’s really about timing and luck.
With this painting, I really wanted to catch the last of the fall colors They’re gone now, but the moose are still there. Good luck!
