Normally when I'm out birding, I expect to see birds, and occasionally a
beaver or deer. Where I stopped to bird in Lunenburg, the signs of birds were
scarce, but the signs of Moose were plentiful.
This section of highway
had been freshly re-paved only 2 or 3 days earlier; the asphalt on the shoulder
was still soft, and the traffic control signs were still lying along the side of
the road. One side of the highway was a peaty bog; on the other a wet
woodland.
All along the highway were fresh peaty moose tracks. Somehow
these moose had learned the fundamentals of safe pedestrianship along a highway:
1) stay outside the traveled lane striping, 2) walk against the flow of traffic
so you can see oncoming vehicles, and 3) cross where you can be seen in both
directions.
As I walked walked along, I couldn't help but laugh as I
thought about a group of moose walking single-file along the highway, and then
crossing single file... rather like the Beatles on their Abbey Road album cover.
I also gained a renewed appreciation for highway warning signs such as
"Moose Crossing Next 6 Miles"... one of the moose was quite large, with hooves a
hand-span wide.
beaver or deer. Where I stopped to bird in Lunenburg, the signs of birds were
scarce, but the signs of Moose were plentiful.
This section of highway
had been freshly re-paved only 2 or 3 days earlier; the asphalt on the shoulder
was still soft, and the traffic control signs were still lying along the side of
the road. One side of the highway was a peaty bog; on the other a wet
woodland.
All along the highway were fresh peaty moose tracks. Somehow
these moose had learned the fundamentals of safe pedestrianship along a highway:
1) stay outside the traveled lane striping, 2) walk against the flow of traffic
so you can see oncoming vehicles, and 3) cross where you can be seen in both
directions.
As I walked walked along, I couldn't help but laugh as I
thought about a group of moose walking single-file along the highway, and then
crossing single file... rather like the Beatles on their Abbey Road album cover.
I also gained a renewed appreciation for highway warning signs such as
"Moose Crossing Next 6 Miles"... one of the moose was quite large, with hooves a
hand-span wide.