Sept 19 - Willow Lake (BCC)

 Cloudy day near 70 in forecast. Was going to head up to Lake Mary and beyond but decided on Willow Lake.

More changes in color on the drive. Hard to tell how pretty since it's still dusk and cloudy.

A couple of cars at the Willow Lake TH. It's 49 degrees as I start the hike.

The aspen are definitely changing colors and the flowers are all but gone. I find a few yellow composites and purple asters on the way up. 

Soon I'm at the meadow which is looking very Fall-like.

And then Willow Lake. I make my way to the other side and in the process find a Geranium and a few more Asters.

As the lake, no ducks this morning. Hmm, not sure where they went.

Seeing lots of scat around the lake -- must be coyotes as there are no dogs permitted.

I head back into the willows assuming that I won't be seeing any moose/deer since a lady had past me earlier and she hasn't backtracked. But more than 1/2 way thru, I meet a guy w/ camera standing on a stump. I do hear rustling in the forest but don't see anything. He tells me there is a small bull that's make the noise and he's rutting (and clearing the fuzz from the antlers). The also points out a cow moose ahead just off the trail. I can see her presence but the small aspens are blocking the view.

I can kinda see the bull but I definitely see her. We both step into the woods for a better view. It's slightly better but the small aspens are in the way.

I move up the trail just bit and the view is better as he eats and slashes his antler a bout. 

We watch for a while 

when the female makes a loud grunt and lays down. 

The bull moves more into the open

Soon after the bull does the same without the grunt. That was fun!

Now should be go past. The female is on the trail so that's not an option. So we go off-trail passing the female - I did not stop for a photo. The guy does stop but I continue back onto the trail. I tried to get a better shot of the female not taking chances. Time to move on.

I'm back in the meadow

and then heading down hill back to the TH.

Awesome day!

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