Moose Sound Clips

Natural Observations-spring

Snow patches at the edge of the hay fields and deep within the forest stayed until the last week in the month, much to the delight of my Aussie pup Lyra, who was still in the process of shedding her heavy winter coat. During our walks in the hayfields, Lyra would race for the mounds and leap into the slushy snow, sending it flying. She would then roll and lay in the white slush. After awhile we would leave the snow to continue our walk through the hayfields. Heading back and passing brush piles and parked farm equipment, sparrows would start up and fly off, scolding us. I knew there were probably nests hidden in the brush, and robins have been known to build nests under parked vehicles. Whenever we startled birds, I made note of where they had flown out of the grass and brush, and didn’t go to that area again. On one walk to the snow patch I happened to glance up into a young birch growing at the edge of the field and was surprised to see a robin’s nest about seven feet up in the tree. I changed directions and used my telephoto lens to snap a picture. The nest seemed a bit exposed, to me, but it’s her chosen spot. Only birds know why they choose one spot over another.

Violet-green and tree swallows returned to the ranch, and two pairs of swallows are now busy building their nests, using various materials I placed in a plant pot for them. I wake each morning to the calls of the swallows as they awaken and fly high into the air, chasing their insect breakfast.

Most nights I work on editing photos on the computer, which is on a desk under the south window. To give my eyes a rest, I glance out the window frequently.At 11:19 one night, I glanced up and thought I saw Jody the horse walking along the drive, about sixty feet in front of the cabin. I caught my breath when I realized I was looking at a mama moose with a tiny calf. I quietly opened the cabin door, camera in hand. The hinge squeaked and the pair stopped instantly, looking towards the cabin. I snapped one photo, then mom and calf continued walking along the drive, turning into the forest as they came to the corner of the nursery fence, built to keep moose  from the currants, raspberries and apple trees growing within. The calf looked to be just a few days old and I was happy that my annual wish to see a baby moose had been fulfilled. I wouldn’t have guessed I’d see one walking in front of the cabin!

As the days grew warm and then downright hot, I took Lyra and two dogs I was sitting, on hikes to nearby water systems. Our first was through the forest to a large pond. A lone female goldeneye duck swam in the water. I came upon masses of frog’s eggs here and there along the north shoreline. Tiny brown tadpoles could be seen in the transparent eggs. I was pleased to find this evidence that some of Alaska’s tough little amphibians had survived the winter.

Check Out: AgesandAges cover Alice Cooper's ... - Consequence of Sound

Prepare to put your ears to the test. AgesandAges already had a ’70s vibe to them – with powerful group vocals and similar rhythms to pop rock of that era – so when it comes to covering music straight from that time frame, they excel with precision. Imitating almost note for note, accent for accent, AgesandAges brings us a nostalgic cover of Alice Cooper’s “Sun Arise,” from his 1971 album Love it to Death evolve into this crazy shit-storm of psycho-schizophrenic-murder town with straitjackets and blood-curdling screams and sirens ‘calling’ and disturbing impersonations of little girls who miss their insane fathers,” said Perry, “and then out of this creepy Halloween fog machine comes this song and makes it all go away for one epic moment in time.”

What more can you say? Listen to their cover here plus the original for comparison. The accuracy of the homage is uncanny. AgesandAges are also heading out this July to cover ground with Blitzen Trapper, so check out the dates below to see if they’re coming to a city near you.