The moose, standing a little more than hoof deep in the water off the river across from Trudeau Sand and Gravel, had been reported to the state Department of Environmental Conservation earlier that day.

While the moose calmly grazed in the sodium-rich swamp environment, around 20 people lined the side of the road, snapping pictures with their phones, swapping stories of other moose sightings and speculating why the bull was not spooked by the road noise.

Two people paddled close in a canoe from the river, and two more walked through their backyard shrubbery to get close.

Some people said the moose had been there all day and that they had seen it as early as 6 a.m. There were hoof tracks in the dirt on the side of the road, between the guardrail and the embankment leading to the water.

People line the side of state Route 3 to watch a moose grazing in the swampland below on Route 3 near Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

The congregation of moose peepers slowed down traffic on the road, with curiosity drawing more people out of their cars and across the pavement.

For some, this was the first moose sighting of their life.

Maryssa Romeo said she has lived in the Tri-Lakes for 30 years without ever seeing a moose, something which has always been a sore topic. She was visibly excited to now have a moose sighting story to tell.