May 16 – Bull Moose on the Gunflint

In the fresh green days of mid-May, a massive bull moose rises slowly from the water along the Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota. For a brief moment, he paused, water dripping from his dark coat as he turned in my direction. He didn’t seem too concerned that I was there, but he didn’t stay long enough for a second photograph.

Moose often feed in lakes and wetlands where they browse on aquatic plants growing beneath the surface. Bulls grow enormous antlers—some spanning more than six feet across and weighing over forty pounds.

Moose are the largest members of the deer family on Earth. Bulls commonly weigh between 900 and 1,500 pounds and can stand nearly seven feet tall at the shoulder. Each year, they grow a completely new set of antlers, sometimes adding nearly an inch of growth per day during the summer months.

Watching a bull moose emerge from the quiet water reminds us of the strength and beauty woven into God’s creation.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” — Psalm 19:1

Creation quietly tells His story to anyone willing to pause and watch.