ANIMALS of Tanglewood Park

Moose takes to the water, see story below; frog marvels

Duck or grebe?

Dragonflies like this clear-wing help control mosquitoes.

Tanglewood Park is rich in animals, large and small.

Here are a few pictures of animals seen during summer 2010 work parties. The sand hill cranes (shown on the main page at right) migrate through the park during spring and fall.

Wood frog in the grass; Oh froggy, I love you so!


Emergent frog with tail remnant; holding mature frog correctly for a brief closer look

Story of the Moose

Last Saturday morning, a man walking his dog in Tanglewood Park told us to watch out for a moose nearby. Soon we saw a young moose heading our way, munching as it came, stripping leaves from the branches in that non-stop feeding frenzy of summer.

The moose continued eating...

...until it came in full view near the south end of the Tanglewood Park boardwalk construction zone.

The moose looked at the us. Some of us were working on the turn by the bridge. Others were carrying materials here and there. Three boys were catching frogs and their parents pulled them close to avoid the moose.
We watched it.
We marveled at its strong muscles and glossy coat. We watched it devour leaves as it moved closer and closer. Its ears flicked back and forth at times, but it didn't seem to mind too much that we were in its dining room.

The moose ate its way closer. It was a little curious about the wagon of tools, but it avoided walking on the planks. It ate a while longer at the trees by the bridge. In the meantime, the volunteers backed off their tasks and gave the moose plenty of room. It moved on...

...along the path by the lake, and then cut through the bushes to the water's edge where it cooled its feet and drank.

After a bit, the moose started moving back up the hill, when suddenly, the noise of children running along the path spooked it.

It jumped into the lake with a splash ...

...and swam to the other side.

We heard the moose plunge into the water. We talked about having never seen a moose swim, although we knew they do. The water was deep and covered its head for a few seconds. It grunted loudly. Maybe this was its swim. Maybe it was scared. But the moose swam well.
It was almost to the other side before his feet touched bottom, and it safely emerged.