Swiftcurrent Lake is in the Many Glacier area of Glacier NP. H had booked a boat tour that took us along the shores of Swiftcurrent, and then we hiked a bit over to Lake Josephine. On Swiftcurrent, we spied a juvenile moose munching at water’s edge. Our young Captain pointed out a few moose factoids which I found fascinating.

Moose eat aquatic plants, thus the munching at water’s edge. But, did you know, they can dive up to 20 feet? That’s astounding! It would be more astounding to actually see one do that!! When I want to see underwater I wear goggles, yes? Moose…..wait for it….have transparent eyelids. OMG. Why have I lived this long without knowing this?

From https://maineboats.com/print/issue-147/wild-about-moose Moose are well adapted to aquatic life. Nostril valves, which tighten as water pressure increases, allow the animals to remain underwater for up to a minute at depths of 20 feet. Easily digestible pondweed, yellow water lilies, and water shield are high in sodium and other nutrients essential to proper cell functioning. An aquatic diet rich in protein is critically important in summer when moose undergo rapid physical change, including replacement of a winter pelage with a summer one. For a 1,200-pound bull, the micronutrients in the daily consumption of 50 pounds of aquatic plants powers the two-month growth of five-foot-wide bony antlers that can weigh 25 pounds apiece…Unlike humans, moose have a third, translucent eyelid, called a nictitating membrane. These act like goggles underwater and as an eye cleanser in the forest. 

Oh, I also rowed on Swiftcurrent Lake, with Many Glacier Lodge and amazing mountains as a backdrop. I was looking for that moose along the shoreline, but maybe she was right under me diving for dinner!