The Denali Highway Road Trip 2022, The Third Day, Part Four, Tangles in the WIllows

 The Third Day, Part Four

Tangles in the Willows

We turn into the BLM Tangle Lakes Campground at Mile 21.5, right where the pavement ends.

According to BLM, it's situated within the Delta Wild and Scenic River corridor and the Tangle Lakes Archeological District where more than 10,000 years of human use have been documented.

There are 45 accessible campsites and four walk-in sites, and is equipped with water pumps, toilets, and a boat launch.   Plus, it is absolutely beautiful!   All that for $12 a night for vehicles or $6 a night for the walk-ins.

It is also a reliable site for Blackpoll warblers and other warblers.

Blackpoll warbler.

 

 We scan the river carefully for waterfowl.   There is nothing but a gull.   The water is high and fast and covering the small islands where wildflowers usually grow.

 We drive to the boat launch to see what's  in the lake.   There is nothing in the lake.   Not a bird, not a muskrat, not even a boat.   Zip, zero, nada.

Well, that's a bust.   Leilani is backing up the truck when she suddenly stops and says, "There's a moose."

Sure enough, a cow and calf are on a ridge alongside the lake.   It would be in the right in the above photo.

The calf is hanging close to Mum, who is shedding her winter coat.   Out of the truck for better views.  Shutters clicking away, we wait and watch.   Mum browses on the new green leaves of willows.

Eventually, the calf's head becomes visible.

Mum has no intention to leave the willows, but the calf eventually separates from her and heads down to the lake.   I suspect it's been here before and knows what's at the bottom.

It's watching us but seems calm.

And then it squats and pees!

 

That taken care of, it moves over and takes a drink from the lake.

Mum comes down to gather up her calf, pees, and takes a drink.

The calf joins her and the two head back up the hill and out of sight.   Mum moves through the willows with ease.   For the calf, it's more of a struggle.

Well, that was fun!   We thank the moose and go on our way.