January of 2008. We were knee-deep in snow and waist-deep in our first Alaskan winter. The snow had first arrived in late October of the preceding year, just prior to Halloween, and wouldn’t truly leave until the following May. Each and every day had grown shorter and shorter, the nights longer and longer, until we finally passed the winter solstice. Then, each day once again began to grow longer and the nights shorter. The trick, however, was with the temperature: it just kept getting colder. And the snow? The snow kept piling up. For two southerners having just moved to Alaska, it was a winter of extreme change.
One obvious difference from living in the deep south and living in south-central Alaska –other than the climate– is featured at the top of this post: the Alaskan moose, Alces alces gigas. Gone were the lizards, the snakes, and the gators. Indeed, the not-so-creepy crawlies of Florida were quickly and impressively replace by the graceful bulk of the Alaskan moose – the largest deer on earth.
We routinely had moose walk through our snow-packed yard, pick at our bushes, and rest on our property. It’s still something I marvel over, six months after having left Alaska. Moose, you see, are unbelievably huge. Try to image a 1,000 pound, six-foot tall deer pacing your fence line. Imagine that massive bulk moving delicately through the snow, supported by strangely thin, gangly legs — legs perfectly designed for tromping through snow and through water. Try to imagine these massive, graceful mammals staring at you through the window as you’re watching tv… Or crossing your path between classes… Or walking in front of your car at an intersection. In Anchorage, moose were as much a part of the everyday-life as the cold and the snow.
Yup. Winter 2007/2008 was our first winter with moose, with real snow, and with the dark. That’s when moving to Alaska suddenly became REAL to us. It was a wonderful, exciting, and strange first winter in Alaska. It’s a shame the following summer was dominated by overcast skies and scant sunshine. We never really got to recharge the solar batteries before the next winter arrived…
Next up? January of 2009 and the awesomeness of the Chinook Storm.
Note: There seems to be some debate regarding the classification of the moose and I’m not familiar with the arguments. I’ve seen references that Alces alces gigas and the other North American moose subspecies are now categorically merged as Alces americanus, whereas the Eurasian moose subspecies remain in Alces alces proper. General references seem somewhat inconsistent and I haven’t researched the matter further. Not yet, anyhow. For now, I’m leaving the taxonomic trinomial classification for the Alaskan moose as Alces alces gigas. So let it be said, so let it be done. Nonny nonny boo boo.
About the photos: The moose shot was taken in our neighborhood, between our house and Nunaka Municipal Park, on 04 January 2008. The other photos were taken on 10 January 2008, the former featuring snow crusting our backyard fence and the latter showcasing the edge of Nunaka Park next to our home. I adored that park. Just adored it.
Learn more about the moose at iNaturalist.org!
~ janson
Filed under: Alaska, Mammals Tagged: Alces alces gigas
