Hoback the moose in Grand Teton National Park

Many moose roam Grand Teton National Park, but none has been as famous in recent years as Hoback, the "King of the Tetons." He's known for his massive size and distinguishing features, including a frequent drop tine and his signature floppy right ear. He's considered one of the oldest moose in the park at ∼15 to 17 years old, which is quite old for a moose in the wild.

This fall, however, Hoback proved elusive. Multiple times I visited an area he'd been seen the day before, only to miss him. Thankfully, on my second to last day, I spotted a handful of folks watching a bull moose grazing out in the sagebrush. I pulled out my binoculars and was thrilled to see his unmistakable drop tine and droopy right ear. His slow gait in old age allowed me to venture out into the sagebrush as he meandered in my direction. He kept his head down in the brush most of the time, so I was thrilled when he briefly looked up, allowing me to take this photo with the Teton Range towering behind him.