Is it a moose or is it an elk? Well, if you’re in Sweden, it’s both!
What you might call a moose in North America is what we Europeans know as an elk. (Not to be confused with a type of deer that North Americans call ‘elk’. Are you with me?) Elk are widespread in Sweden, and even near Stockholm there are wire fences separating the woods from the motorway in order to keep the elk off the roads.
I’ve seen glimpses of adult elks as they retreat into the woods. I’ve admired elk poo. But I’ve yet to see a full-grown one face to face. They are called King of the Woods over here and with their long graceful legs, they resemble giraffes as they run off into the forests. They may be regal and … well … big – but, at heart, they are shy creatures.
Once, a couple of years ago, as we were going back home in the car, I spotted a young elk – a year-old-bull calf – standing near the cycle path, looking out over the lake serenely.
I got Sir Pe to stop the car and ran back to the elk armed with only a smile and my mobile phone camera.
It turned its head slowly and stood staring right at me and the kids. Slowly, slowly, it began moving towards us. Nearer and nearer. It looked as if it was ready to take on the world. Another passer-by recommended that we begin backing away slowly as even young bull calves can be very dangerous due to their size.
Just then, a strange cry was heard and the bull stopped. He gave us one more look and turned, unafraid and graceful, towards his mother. Together, they walked back to the forest that was their domain.
For more animal stories, please visit: Pet Pride.
Oh my goodness, I wouldn’t have stayed there if he started walking toward us!!! They are HUGE!!! Although I have to say just the other day the kids and I spotted a moose/elk along the road and turned around and went back to take photos with the mobile phone as it was the only camera we had. The moose just stared at us and then turned and went into the woods. Didn’t have the horns so I assume it was a girl..but if this boy is a bull in your photo- it might be have been a boy also…impressive regardless!!!!
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Wow cool picture! Good thing yo had a camera.
I once very stupidly chased a fully grown moose into the woods. :-0
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So, which elks do you call moose in Sweden. Or, do southern Swedes call all such animals elks and northern Swedes call them moose?
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I didn’t even really realize there was a difference between moose and elk.
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Moments like that are priceless. I was walking in the woods at a friends recently and a deer crossed my path. I felt blessed!
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Incredible experience! And that bull calf definitely seems to be looking straight at you!
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~I could not have withstood another moment without having that explained to me, so thank you LadyFi!
I would love to glimpse such a magnificent beast in the woods… Here we have hares, and stray cows and sheep – Rare sightings of red deer and owls and other birds of prey, but nothing so big as an elk…
I loved catching up here Ladyfi, after my hols… I adored your summer jetties and marquees, and the shots of the dog, and your home-made pizza – I adore chewing crust, I must admit – and the simple generosity that seems to abound where you live – Simply lovely, and thank you so for sharing such beautiful moments…
xox
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gorgeous environment too sandy
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Yikes! I think his last look was to tell you something like, “You’re lucky my mom was here to stop me. I coulda, ya know! I’m not a baby anymore.”
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What great shots! I was “approached” by a moose once while visiting Yellowstone National park here in the states, and he didn’t look happy at the invasion of “his” property by so many two-legged guys. I didn’t waste too much time getting back to the car!
Have a great day!
Sylvia
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Always fun to spot wildlife, especially in close proximity!
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We say moose, but mean the same thing. You got some great shots there!
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Great shot, and an impressive encounter!
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That is a wonderful picture of not just the moose (or elk), but the green and the composition.
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I don’t know which is which because we don’t have moose/elks here. I am envious of where you live! You seem to get a lot of interesting encounters! Weren’t you afraid when the moose/elk came near? Brave you 🙂
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“I’ve admired elk poo.” What a crack up. Love the pics of the Elk/moose, we don’t EVER see that in Los Angeles…. just a lot of dog poo 🙂
xo
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Great photo!
We were disappointed not to spot any Moose in the White Mountains on our hols but really reading about the size of them maybe it was just as well!
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I love moose/elk
I guess Mama Bull told baby to leave the humans alone
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Never seen a wild moose…..urm elk. I mean I’ve seen wild elk. But UHM…..never a US Moose only a US Elk….yeah that’s it.
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What a big baby…elk/moose. I hate to think of the poo it can make. I wonder why North American’s call them Moose? Perhaps a name from the Native Americans?
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I’m so glad you explained the whole Elk/Moose thing! I used to argue about this with people. Being from the U.S., I was sure that an elg was a moose, not an elk! I had no idea that European Elk were moose. How impossibly confusing for us all!
Nice picture.
The moose in Sweden seem to me to be much more docile than North American moose. Must be an ever so slightly different species. Or maybe it’s something in the water…
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We don’t call ’em elks here, we call ’em reindeers?!
thanks for stopping in my neck of the Appalachian woods! the scariest animals we have here are hillbilly men, toothless and clueless!
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What a sweet tale of mom and brood. I’ve never been closer to a moose (elk?, err sorry) than Rocky and Bulwinkle.
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I thought elks were smaller than moose but then I know next to nothing about them. Nice shots!
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Wonderful pictures :))
Have a great week !!
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you are one brave human!
bozo
Pet Pride
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I never knew these distinctions. Thanks. Wildlife will always awe me, no matter how old I am. I still catch my breath at a little wild bunny!
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Thats a great picture! Those animals are a little scary.
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Encounters with moose are rare in Espoo too. I´ve seen couple of them going crazy on the highway near by before they were shot eventually somewhere there. Forest is their domain, indeed.
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You never found out how that meeting would have gone! Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? 🙂
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Aha, spännande. Jag har faktiskt alltid undrat om det är samma sak eller vad. Nu vet jag. 🙂
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I didn’t realize that the Swedes had their own Elk which look just like our Moose, I wonder..wonder who..who..got them all mixed up?? ( That was a great song..just couldn’t resist it..) I got too close once..I will blog about it some day:)
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I had no idea that our moose are your elk! How confusing. Whoever did the naming should have gotten it together intercontinentally, don’t you think?
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totally looked like a moose to me! ;0) I figured an elk to be much smaller…but then I am from US. 😉 Thanks for educating me.
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I love moose and got to see my first one this summer. I never knew your moose were called elk but now I know. Unfortunately, here in just a few short weeks it will be moose season for hunters 😦
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What a great story and wonderful pictures!
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I can’t see an elk in your last picture! Was that taken after he’d gone? A very informative blog.
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Lovely shots. It must be wonderful to see such amazing LARGE wildlife. I browsed for a while and among others enjoyed your Shakespeare post. I thought the ‘rural Swedish oil painting’ was beautiful too.
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