Twice we had gone back to the campground at Gros Ventre on this particular day.

The first time we ventured onto the grounds, it was very cloudy and had snow flurries floating around in the air.

I knew where to find this big boy because some of our photographer friends had told us where to go.

So, in a way I wasn't surprised when we found one of these boys.  

There was not a crowd. Only a few folks with coffee mugs in one hand and a point and shoot camera in the other..... and maybe two other long lenses.....then there was us. 

Dewayne and myself....along with our long lenses, tripods, extra cameras, backpacks, jackets, hoodies......well, let me just say we looked like we were on a serious mission.  Like, camera snipers or something. (if there is such a thing). Ha.

I mean we looked like we had unloaded our covered wagon after pioneering across Wyoming.

I was going to make sure I didn't miss not oooonnnnnnne shot of this up and close experience. 

Well, "Custer" as the campgrounders call him,  really made it easy.  

The first time we arrived for a visit, he was just laying around and taking in all of the quiet chatter around him.  

Kinda like he enjoyed it or something.  Ha

So, after about 500 snaps later, we decided we would come back later that afternoon to see if he decided to get up for a snack or something.

The following photographs are the second time around.....The sun decided to spot us a bit of light ...and of course there were a few more photographers and folks with coffee mugs ........along with a cow (girl moose)  that had showed up and it peaked "Custer's" interest in actually getting himself up and giving all of us a different view of his big ole' self.

I like the photo above because the shadow of his paddle brought attention to his eye and made it clear to see.   I have no idea what he was looking at.

In the photo below, he actually turned his head enough for me to get a clear shot of his big, soft nose and a different view of his profile.

He was a slow mover.   I think most moose usually are slow movers......seems like every one that we saw on this trip just didn't get in a hurry for anything......not even to eat. 

Here he had actually turned towards us and had just licked his chops.   (I actually did get a shot of his big ole' tongue.....but, the eye was a little blurred...so, I have to settle for this shot.......which....is good for me.)

This is one of my favorite shots of all the moose that we saw.   I like the fact he is walking into the frame.....and I was able to get his whole profile.  Not only that, he looks like he is on a mission.....(of course he was....he saw a girl he had to go flirt with).  The foreground grass is nicely blurred for interest and artistic effect....and oh the fall colors!!!  Just lovely! 

His missing paddle is due to a couple of spars with another local bull that comes into the camp from time to time and I believe they recently had a disagreement......kinda like the Hatfields and McCoys.....they never could agree on anything.  

As a young child, kid, young adult......I honestly didn't know what a moose was.    For real people!  I didn't know anything about them....not even what they looked like.

Let me go some where back in time with the above statement.

My Dad and step-grandfather were CB dudes.

Allow me to elaborate.  

First of all....this is in NO WAY like the cell phones that we have today.....cell phones are just glorified CB radios.  Ha.  

We are going back to the classic 70's.   

"Breaker, breaker 1-9!"....that was the typical radio lingo.

The use of cb radios  during the gasoline shortage in the early 70s, also initiated speed limit changes, weather and other criteria for those that had radios in the vehicle, not counting the banter between drivers.
 

When I was a kid every pickup truck in the world was fitted with a CB radio, attached somewhere in the vehicle was a box with knobs and tuners like a radio that you would hear and insurmountable amount of static until you heard voices talking....kinda like a UFO setting.  Ha!  JK!  

Below is an idea of what they looked like.   This one is a newer version.....but, close enough for you to get an idea....in case you have no idea what I'm talking about.

Kinda makes ya want to run to Walmart and get one???  

On the outside of the vehicle were antennas so long you could you them as "pole vaulting" in the olympics.  Some trucks would have as many as 6 antennas.

Now, the picture below is quite extensive......LOL!!!  But, some folks really got into this thing. ( I'd really hate to see what the inside of this car looked like....ha)

The above photo is more to what they looked like when I was a kid.

That's how people communicated between  vehicles.  Each handler had a nickname....they didn't give out their real names.....they had nicknames. 

So, my dad had one in his truck, my step-grandfather had one in his......and so on. 

Now.....

My Dad's handle was "Winchester".....my mom's "Misfit" and my grand-father's was......"Big Moose".

Yep...."Big Moose".  

I would get excited when Dad would turn on the radio and the distant static sounds would become an actual voice somewhere out there. I would imagine what the universe must sound like with all the distant statics these voices floating around out there in the air waves made.  

I would always try to picture in my mind where the other individual's location was.  I mean, it was like communicating with outer space or something.  hahahaha

Now do you see why I had to include this into my Moose storyline?

I've recently decided to name my camera rig "Moose".....due to the size of everything when it sits on the tripod loaded w/ lens, camera, gimble...etc.

Well, I guess this will have to sum it up for today.

I have a "hankering" to go out and buy myself a CB radio now.

My "handle" will be "Little Boss".

Until next time.....Happy trails to you.

Breaker, Breaker 1 - 9

Mrs. Rogers  ......aka "Little Boss"