Aurora in Healy, March 2023

Caribou, Moose, and Dall Sheep

Caribou at East Fork turn around

My parents and I took at least 7 transit bus rides during our 3 nights at Teklanika Campground (love the Tek Pass). We saw all of the Denali Big Five, including lots of caribou, lots of Dall sheep, and one moose.

Zoomed in on the same caribou*

I was thrilled to see so many caribou and see some caribou females and caribou behavior. My quest to see a caribou calf remains unsatisfied, however.

Caribou track in Teklanika River

We saw caribou running, as various bugs torment them this time of year. One was trotting through a snow patch while others ran and zigzagged randomly. I love watching their fluid motion though the reason for it is sad.

Which way to go now?

We also saw a caribou high on a ridge, presumably where a breeze would help with the bugs. We saw caribou lying in interesting places besides the meadows. A group of 3 was crowded into the white bowl of a recent small landslide.

Caribou grazing, and shedding

The moose was grazing in willows, so just normal moose behavior. He was growing an impressive set of antlers! The Dall sheep were high on ridges as normal. The group in the below photo were relatively close and I could see horns through the binoculars.

4 sheep, but 2 hid*

*Photos with asterisks by Elton Yordy

One response to “Caribou, Moose, and Dall Sheep”

  1. […] in July because that is when I spent time deeper in the park, where the access is somewhat limited. https://roaming-nature.com/2023/07/23/caribou-moose-and-dall-sheep/ Also I learned to occasionally get off the bus and spend time patiently looking for animals with […]

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