Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts

4.6.25

Home away from home.

 
 We spent a few days boondocking once again near Limestone Mountain in Alberta, Canada. The weather was perfect. It was cool in the shade by the river, even though it was thirty degrees Celsius for two days. It should be noted that to camp on Alberta Crownland, one presently needs a Public Lands Camping Pass.

Erik is used to the Wild horses near our campsite.

The Wild horses were grazing near us.


“WHOAS estimates there’s approximately 900 wild horses across Alberta with the majority of the wild horse population hanging out in and around the Sundre / west-central Alberta region. Literally, you can just drive west of Sundre and you’ll find wild horses in fields and grazing along the highways all over the place!”- Sundre.
 

 
 We use a homemade windshield and heat reflector for the fire pit, made using diamond tread aluminium sheets and piano hinges. Idea from THE ORIGINAL FIRE REFLECTOR from Big Tent Outdoors. Click here for more information Hubby attached legs to an aluminium heavy-duty Bun Pan to put over the fire, which reflects the heat from above and acts as a heat shield. We also used a portable fire pit made from mild steel, which stands on a tripod.  
 There isn't enough room in the bathroom for Erik and Hubby to be together.  
 We didn't witness the grizzly bear and its two cubs who were spotted near our campsite, but we did see pictures of them.
  "Litters can have up to 4 cubs, though they are usually of 2 or 3. Mothers stay with their cubs for about 3 years, avoiding male Grizzlies during this time. As a result, females only reproduce every 3 to 5 years."- Nature Canada. 


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Wild horses in Spring. 

23.4.24

Northern Flicker Woodpeckers.

Northern Flicker Woodpeckers.

These are a few of the pictures we captured of Northern Flicker Woodpeckers in our backyard.
Music: Correle Carna
The slideshow was made in MiniTool Moviemaker. "This brown woodpecker flashes bright colors under the wings and tail when it flies. Its ringing calls and short bursts of drumming can be heard in spring almost throughout North America. Two very different-looking forms -- Yellow-shafted Flicker in the east and north, and Red-shafted Flicker in the west -- were once considered separate species. They interbreed wherever their ranges come in contact. On the western Great Plains, there is a broad zone where all the flickers are intergrades between Red-shafted and Yellow-shafted."- Audubon "12" (30 cm). Brown back with narrow black bars, black chest patch, spots on belly. Eastern "Yellow-shafted" form has bright yellow under wings and tail, red crescent on back of head, tan face, gray crown; male has black mustache stripe. Western "Red-shafted" has salmon-pink under wings and tail, gray face, brown crown; male has red mustache stripe. Where the forms meet (southwestern Canada, western Great Plains) they interbreed freely, producing many intermediates." - Audubon

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Wildlife in our garden Part 1

Wildlife in our garden Part 2

TOKELOSHE©

30.9.23

Waterton day trip.

Chain Lakes Campground. 

We travelled to Waterton National Park in, Alberta, Canada, for the day, via Highway 22, which is more scenic and is closer to the mountains. The fall colours were breathtaking.

We had previously visited Waterton in the summer of 2008. the winter of 2003, the summer of 2000, and the winter of 1999.

First, we travelled to Red Rock Canyon. Both sides of the path are steep, which makes using a walking stick more convenient.

"The 16 kilometer (10 miles) drive to Red Rock Canyon abounds with colorful roadside wildflowers and views of hanging valleys, alpine meadows, and jagged mountain peaks. Arriving at the Canyon, many visitors remark on the striking colors of the bedrock layers. The layers of red and green colored minerals offer a brilliant contrast to each other and the lush surroundings. Short self-guided hikes explain some of the ancient history of mountainous native civilizations, as well as the unique formation of Red Rock Canyon." - All Glacier 

Erik and hubby crossing one of the bridges

 
  "The red landscape of the Red Rock Canyon Park is created due to water erosion. The hues of red and green colors, called argillite, are absolutely stunning, and the nearby surroundings with lush greenery, wildflowers, and mountain backdrop make it a beautiful experience!"- Canada crossroads. 

Erik had a drink of water.

Hiking Red Rock Canyon | Waterton Lakes National Park | Alberta | Day Trip Guide

 

  "The Red Rock Parkway offers dramatic views of Mt. Blakiston, the park’s highest peak at 2,940 m (9,645 ft) above sea level." - Parks Canada.

 

 We travelled to the town of Waterton after leaving Red Rock Canyon, where the Bighorn sheep caused traffic congestion.

   

"The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)[6] is a species of sheep native to North America.[7] It is named for its large horns. A pair of horns might weigh up to 14 kg (30 lb);[8] the sheep typically weigh up to 143 kg (315 lb).[9] Recent genetic testing indicates three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: O. c. sierrae." - Wikipedia

 

  "With its set of bulky spiralled horns, this iconic animal is easily one of Canada’s most recognizable." - Nature Canada.

Mule Deer.

Mule Deer were grazing everywhere.

At Upper Waterton Lake, it was extremely windy. Unfortunately, it was a bit too hazy, to see the mountains.

"Flanked by the breathtaking Canadian Rockies, Upper and Middle Waterton lakes are the largest bodies of water in the national park and are considered the centerpiece."-Travel Alberta   

  "Upper Waterton Lake is the deepest lake in the Canadian Rockies - 148m (487 ft) at its deepest." - Parks Canada.

Erik and I at Upper Waterton Lake,

Crandell Mountain

I'm standing at the marina in Emerald Bay with the Prince of Wales Hotel behind me.

"Waterton Lakes National Park [1] is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Canada and is the Canadian part of the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, that is joined with USGlacier National Park." - Wikitravel

Prince of Wales Hotel

Built between 1926-1927, Prince of Wales Hotel is located in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. It overlooks picturesque Upper Waterton Lake and the township of Waterton. This stately hotel, named after Prince Edward, offers 86 guest rooms and a traditional British atmosphere complete with afternoon tea, fine dining, lounge and distinctive gift shop. The hotel was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1992 with Plaque status granted in 1995. – Glacier Park

Fall colours in Waterton Village.

View of the Prince of Wales Hotel from the Akamina Parkway to Cameron Lake. Since I first saw the hotel in the winter of 1999, it has made me think of the hotel from the movie The Shining.

Erik and I are standing at a red bear and cub statue at Cameron Lake 

A chipmunk at Cameron Lake.

It was less windy at Cameron Lake.

"The large mountain that dominates the skyline just to the south of Cameron Lake is Mount Custer of Glacier National Park, Montana. In fact, the southern end of Cameron Lake is actually in Glacier National, Montana." -Enjoy your Parks.   

  "Cameron Lake is one of those magical places in Waterton Lakes National Park, ideal whether you are cross country skiing in the winter or canoeing and kayaking in the summer. A mountain lake astride the U.S.-Canadian border (mostly in Canada, it's memorable features include a steep wall at the end, an island, excellent wildlife viewing, and some breathtaking scenery." - Crown of the Continent

Erik was a bit weary on the jetty.

The Kenow Wildfire burned into Waterton Lakes under extreme conditions on August 30, 2017, after an intense lightning and thunderstorm.

Feeding Wildlife.

From the Prince of Wales Hotel, where it was much windier, you could see upper Waterton Lake.

View of Vimy Peak from the Prince of Wales Hotel.

View of Waterton Village from the Prince of Wales Hotel.

View of Waterton Village from the Prince of Wales Hotel.

 

  "The Prince of Wales Hotel is a large hotel, designed in a Swiss-chalet style. It is picturesquely situated on a promontory overlooking Waterton Lake and the town site of Waterton Lakes National Park. The formal recognition consists of the footprint of the building at the time of designation." - Historic places.

"The Prince of Wales Hotel is one of the Most Photographed Hotels in Canada." -  The Banff Blog

"Every evening at 8pm, the staff at the Prince of Wales also share stories from Waterton and even a few ghost stories from the hotel. There are some hair-raising spooky stories from the Prince of Wales that would make you think twice about wandering around the hotel at night." - The Banff Blog



Bison Paddock Alberta, Canada. After we left Waterton we visited the Bison Paddock.

"Located just inside the park boundary, off Highway 6, is the Bison Paddock Loop Road. Roam with the herd from the safety of your car. During spring, summer, and fall, direct descendants from the original herd of Great Plains bison live and graze in their natural habitat." - Travel Alberta. 

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Waterton National Park 2008

Waterton in Winter 2003

Waterton Summer 2000

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Canada ~ Waterton Lakes National Park, Red Rock Canyon, Blackiston Falls and Poisonous Plants

Waterton Lakes ~ Looking for a Moose and Cameron Lake

TOKELOSHE ©