Moose Romance
In This Post
A Quiet Sunset Turned Wild
What was supposed to be a quiet, easy night turned into one romantic afternoon for the moose! We’d decided to take a break after teaching back-to-back workshops for a quiet sunset shoot when a couple of swamp donkeys stole the show.
Photographing Shiras moose during the fall rut isn’t something you can really plan for. It’s something you stay ready for. This wasn’t a planned wildlife shoot. It was a lucky moment and Mother Nature’s sense of humor at its finest.
Scouting for Fall Color in Shiras Moose Country
I get an absolute thrill from seeing animals in their wild environments, and if I can photograph them, even better. Whenever I’m out in the field, my head’s on a swivel and my ears are tuned to the faintest rustle, always on the lookout for wildlife.
This year, Brad Goldpaint and I hosted two Fall Colors at Night Photography Workshops timed for the peak of fall color in central Colorado. We planned shoots near beaver ponds surrounded by dense willows: perfect moose habitat in the heart of rut (mating) season. Crisp air, blazing aspens, and a landscape alive with possibilities.
While scouting locations before the workshops, we spotted a beautiful bull from the car. He vanished into the trees before I could even grab my camera, but that glimpse gave me hope. If one bull was around, there were likely others.
For safety reasons, we made sure to warn our workshop guests about moose in the area. During rut season, they can be unpredictable and are often considered more dangerous than bears. Although Colorado never had a permanent breeding moose population until the 1978 reintroduction, today they are thriving and absolutely awe-inspiring to see in the wild.
Sadly, we didn’t spot any during the workshops themselves. I was disappointed, of course, but reminded myself that we were there for night sky work. Wildlife is always a bonus.
The Unplanned Encounter
After both workshops wrapped and we admired the breathtaking images our guests had captured, Brad and I decided to take a well-deserved break. For photographers, that essentially means going back out to shoot for ourselves. Our plan was a sunset and night sky shoot. Since wildlife is more active in the early mornings and evenings, I set up my cameras for wildlife, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.
Ironically, every time I set up my cameras for wildlife while scouting, I see nothing.
As we pulled out of the driveway, I joked, “Well, I’m sure I won’t see anything tonight because I’m actually set up for wildlife.” Mother Nature clearly has a sense of humor and decided to prove me wrong.
Driving up the pass, with the aspens glowing around us and workshop stories still buzzing, we came around a bend and spotted a beautiful cow moose backlit by the setting sun. A few people had already pulled over and were taking pictures on their phones. Naturally, I insisted on stopping.
Why Respecting Wildlife Distance Matters
I have a deep respect for wildlife, especially moose. As we were stopping, I saw people approaching her with their phones, and my stomach tightened. When stressed, moose can become unpredictable and extremely dangerous.
I’ve watched this play out before. Once in Rocky Mountain National Park, a group of tourists walked straight into a field where five rutting bulls were gathered, phones raised. The other photographers and I were too far away to yell a warning. We could only watch and hope. Nobody was hurt that day, but it was pure luck.
Here, I could have intervened safely, but as the phone wielders closed in, the cow crossed the road and disappeared into the forest. The onlookers drove away. For us, the moment was just beginning.
When it comes to wildlife, patience is key. Our sunset plans were quickly put on hold while I was “on the hunt.” She wasn’t the big bull I had been secretly wishing for, but it was wildlife, and I was thrilled.
I spotted her again from a safe distance. Her ears were twitching and her gaze was locked uphill. Moving carefully to avoid spooking her, I eased into a better position to see what had caught her eye. That’s when I saw him: the largest Shiras bull I have ever seen in Colorado, strutting out of the forest straight toward his lady.
The Biggest Shiras Bull I’ve Ever Seen in Colorado
Fall means rut season for moose, and this bull had one thing on his mind. He was no perfectly symmetrical showpiece; he was a tough, rut-hardened warrior, proudly displaying his battle scars for his lady.
He wasn’t the bull we had seen while scouting two weeks earlier, either. This one had only one brow tine, and the tines on his left antler had been sheared off in battle. Of course, I started hoping we’d get extra lucky and the first bull would show up too.
Photographing the Lovebirds
Watching from a safe distance and paying close attention to their stress signals, I circled a small grove of trees to capture the lovebirds, or “swamp donkeys,” as I like to call them, without causing them stress. I was completely immersed, camera firing away, sunset plans long forgotten. I was in my element and loving every second of it.
As luck would have it, they wandered down into the golden meadow below. The cow grazed quietly among the willows while the bull put on a show.
He was a total hornball. Pacing back and forth across the meadow, scraping the ground, he would urinate on himself and in the mud.
Softly grunting, he attacked the willows with his antlers, thrashing and shredding branches. The sounds carried across the meadow, leaving no doubt that he was not to be trifled with.
Between his outbursts, he lay down in one of his rut pits, the cow standing vigilantly over him. Her twitching ears and glances over her shoulder told me we weren’t alone. I lowered my camera and scanned the meadow, hoping for another bull, but it was a red fox on the hunt for its dinner.
Even with my long lens and crop ratio, the fox was out of range. I let my camera rest and simply took it all in.
We spent the next hour and a half watching and photographing the pair, entranced by the spectacle Mother Nature had put in front of us.
Eventually, the bull crossed back over the road with his lady close behind. The sunset we had planned to photograph was spectacular, but we barely noticed it. The bull and his lady had stolen the spotlight.
The sunset we had planned to photograph was spectacular, but we barely noticed it. The bull and his lady had stolen the spotlight.Unable to contain his excitement, he broke into a run, then stopped and looked back to make sure his lady was still coming. They made their way into the forest for some romantic alone time.
Back on Track for the Night Sky Shoot
Once the sun had set and the pair moved out of range, we packed up and realized how cold it had gotten. Back in the car and on track for our night sky shoot, we cranked the heaters to thaw ourselves out from the chilly fall wind.
We had been so mesmerized for the last two hours that we hadn’t even noticed the cold. We were humbled, inspired, and grateful to have the opportunity to see these amazing, powerful animals in the wild.
Wildlife encounters have taught me the value of patience and presence. They quiet my mind and offer a deep sense of connection to the natural world.
“The wild doesn’t perform on our schedule. It rewards the ones who stay, who wait, who watch without asking for anything in return.” — Evie Wilder
What Is a Shiras Moose?
The Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi), also called the Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, or Wyoming moose, is the smallest of the four North American subspecies. Adult bulls typically weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds and stand around 6 feet tall at the shoulder, smaller than their Alaskan and Canadian cousins, but still the largest game animal in Colorado. Their coats tend toward a rich, dark brown, and their antlers are generally narrower than those of northern moose.
Smaller doesn’t mean harmless. Shiras moose are still massive, powerful animals and absolutely capable of serious aggression during rut or when cows have calves. A provoked moose is a dangerous moose.
All animals give signals that tell you whether they’re relaxed, nervous, or stressed. Understanding how to read those signals is critical for your safety and theirs.
Moose Stress Signals
Moose live on a tight energy budget heading into winter, and every flight response burns reserves they need to survive. Stressed bulls may abandon cows they’ve been courting. Cows can be pushed away from their calves. Moose that get used to close human approaches lose their natural wariness, and habituated moose are the ones that end up charging hikers, wandering into neighborhoods, or getting relocated.
Reading these signals isn’t just about keeping yourself safe. It’s about respecting the animals, and a stressed moose is an unpredictable moose. In much of their range, moose injure more people each year than bears do.
Early Warning
Escalating Signs
Take Cover
- Ears pinned back
- Stopped eating and staring at you
- Licking lips or lip smacking
- Lowered head
- Hackles raised along the shoulder hump and neck
- Whites of the eyes flashing
- Head tossing or swinging
- Ears rotated back flat against the head
- Urinating on back legs
- Snorting, grunting, or huffing
- Stomping or pawing the ground
- Lowered head with ears pinned and hackles up all at once
These are clear signs you are too close and the moose feels threatened. Your safety and theirs depend on giving them space.
What to do when you see these signs:
Back away slowly the way you came. Do not turn your back and do not run unless the moose actually charges. Moose are defensive, not predatory, so they typically stop chasing once you’ve cleared their space. If a moose does charge, put a solid object between you (tree, boulder, vehicle). If knocked down, curl into a ball, protect your head and neck, and stay still until the moose leaves.
Cows with calves and bulls in rut are the two most dangerous scenarios. Both will show these signals faster and escalate more quickly than a moose in any other season. In rut (mid-September through October in Colorado), assume a bull’s threshold for charging is significantly lower than normal.
Moose and Beavers: Nature’s Perfect Roommates
Moose and beavers are nature’s perfect roommates. Beavers build dams that flood the land, creating ponds where willows, the moose’s primary food source, grow. These ponds also provide moose with water to drink and aquatic plants to eat. In return, moose graze the willows, keeping new growth tender and trail systems open.
If you find a busy beaver colony, there’s a very good chance you’re in moose territory. Moose are well adapted to these environments and blend into their surroundings with ease. Always stay aware of your surroundings and give them plenty of space while hiking.
While scouting in Grand Teton National Park in August for another night photography workshop, I found a bustling beaver colony. I’m already counting the days until I return. Whether it’s moose, beavers, bison, bears, otters, or cranes, I know the Grand Tetons will always have another story to share.
Wait, why is his tongue out?
That tongue-lolling, drippy-faced look isn’t aggression or random goofiness. It’s a courtship display!
When a bull is pursuing a cow in estrus, he’ll stick his tongue out, curl his lip, and sometimes flick his tongue rapidly while following her around. He’s tasting her pheromones to figure out where she is in her cycle, and broadcasting his interest at the same time. So yes, the sexy bull photo lives up to its caption. He’s into it.
Moose Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado’s strongest moose populations are in North Park (Jackson County), often called “Moose Central,” along with State Forest State Park, the Kawuneeche Valley on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Grand Mesa, and parts of the Routt National Forest. Moose favor willow-lined beaver ponds, riparian corridors, and high-elevation wetlands, especially in the early morning and late evening.
The Shiras moose rut in Colorado typically runs from mid-September through the end of October, with peak activity during the first two weeks of October. During this window, bulls are more vocal, more visible, and significantly more unpredictable as they search for and compete over cows. This lines up beautifully with peak fall color, making it a spectacular but more dangerous time to encounter moose in the wild.
Not really. Before deliberate reintroduction, moose were only rare, transient visitors to Colorado, not a breeding population. In 1978, Colorado Parks and Wildlife transplanted 12 Shiras moose from Utah’s Uinta Mountains into the North Park area near Walden. In 1979, another 12 were brought in from northwest Wyoming, and a dozen more followed in 1987. Additional reintroductions continued into the 1990s and 2000s. Today, Colorado’s moose population is estimated at around 3,500 to 3,600 animals and is one of the fastest-growing moose populations in the lower 48 states.
Moose are herbivores whose name comes from an Algonquin word meaning “eater of twigs.” They feed on willows, aspen, aquatic plants, shrubs, and tree bark. Beaver dams flood low-lying areas and create the shallow, willow-rich wetlands moose depend on, which is why a healthy beaver colony is almost always a sign you are in moose country. Read more about their symbiotic relationship in my blog Beavers in Colorado Rockies and Grand Teton NP.
Yes. All moose should be treated with caution. Moose are not naturally aggressive, but they are large, fast, and defensive when they feel cornered, particularly cows with calves and bulls during the rut. In much of North America, moose injure more people each year than bears do. A charging moose can reach speeds of up to 35 mph, so distance and awareness are the two most important safety tools.
Keep your distance! Rocky Mountain National Park recommends staying at least 120 feet (about 36 meters, or three bus lengths) from moose. Colorado Parks and Wildlife suggests 25 to 100 yards depending on the situation, and many wildlife experts recommend at least 50 meters (164 feet), increasing to 100 meters (328 feet) during rut season or when calves are present. Those numbers are a solid baseline no matter where you are. See Moose Stress Signals above for more.
On private land, in national forests, on BLM land, or from a pullout on a backcountry road, give moose the same respect you would inside a park boundary. Use a long lens, 400mm or more, so you can fill the frame without closing the distance. 
Photography Tips
Photographing moose in the Colorado high country during the fall rut is unforgettable, but these are big, unpredictable animals, and mountain weather shifts fast. Every wildlife shoot is a balance of planning, improvisation, and luck. The right gear (more importantly knowing how to use your gear) makes the difference between capturing the moment and missing it while keeping you and the animals safe.
Preparing for High Country Conditions
September and October in the Colorado high country can swing from sunny and mild to snow squalls within an hour, and mornings at elevation often start below freezing. A few essentials:
- Layer up: insulated boots, windproof outerwear, and gloves that let you work camera dials
- Hand warmers: keep fingers functional and extend battery life by warming cold batteries before swapping
- Protect your gear: a rain cover or plastic sleeve keeps snow out of seams; a microfiber cloth handles melted flakes on the front element
- Prevent condensation: seal your camera in a bag before bringing it into a warm vehicle or cabin
- Arrive early: moose are most active in the first hour of light
Camera Gear
- Lenses: 70mm-600mm lens range gives you the reach while keeping you and the moose safe
- 1.4x teleconverter: extra reach
- Tripod/Monopod
- Extra batteries
90% of the images in this post were cropped.
Camera Settings
- Shutter speed: 1/500 or faster for moose on the move, 1/250 or slower for still portraits in dim light
- Aperture: f/5.6 to f/8 for sharp subjects
- Autofocus: Continuous AF with a single point or small cluster
- ISO: Don’t be afraid to push it.
Light and Timing
Golden hour at sunrise and sunset delivers the most dramatic light, and backlit breath in cold morning air is hard to beat. Overcast days offer soft, even lighting that works beautifully on dark coats. Plan around the first and last hour of daylight for the most active behavior.
Field Etiquette
Moose look calm but can charge without warning, especially bulls in rut and cows with calves. Keep your distance, move slowly, and stay quiet. Wear muted colors, stay on designated trails, and never bait or call moose in for a closer shot. If ears pin back, hackles rise, or a moose turns to face you directly, back away immediately.
Field kit: Warm layers, gloves, hand warmers for the batteries, and a thermos of hot coffee. Fall in the Colorado high country drops fast once the sun sets.
Join Me in the Wild
Wildlife encounters like this are why I keep coming back to the wild. If you’d like to join me on a future workshop in the Grand Tetons, Colorado high country, or elsewhere, check out my upcoming photography workshops or subscribe below to the newsletter for trip reports, new image releases, and first access to workshop announcements. No spam, just stories and invitations to join me in the wild.
Prefer feathers over fur? Read about my freezing winter morning with the Sandhill Cranes in New Mexico. Or meet the moose’s busy little roommates, the beavers of Colorado and Grand Teton.
