Blogtober 7: Scenes Along the Road

 

On our recent trip through the Rockies, we stopped for a picnic lunch beside Abraham Lake, a long lake along the highway. It was such a beautiful colour, shifting from deep blue to teal to turquoise depending on the light. We walked a short distance and found a small herd of grazing Mountain Sheep. They are so agile, picking their way over rocks on the steep shore without hesitation. 

The animals ignored us until we got a bit closer, and when the male guardian raised his head from eating, we stopped. He was very aware of us, but soon returned to grazing. 

In Jasper we found this lovely cow moose chewing on grass beside the road and stopped to admire her and take a photo. You might remember the devastating fires that burned much of the forest around Jasper, and parts of the town itself in 2024. Small bushes and tall grasses grow between the charred skeletons of trees, and they are perfect food for much of the wildlife. A guide told us that about 77 moose make their home in the area. 

We spent just a morning playing tourist before getting on the road again to return home, and took a boat cruise on Maligne Lake. I was surprised at how many tourists were still around. The attractions close after Thanksgiving Monday - the 12th of October. The skies were mostly clouded, but I really wanted to see Spirit Island, one of the iconic views of the Rockies that you might recognize. It's very well photographed and used for promotion. 

The island is about half way down the 22 kilometre lake, and I had to giggle when I saw it for it was a bit of a disappointment. It's not actually an island as it's connected to the mainland by a very narrow peninsula. It's the location that's really stunning. Explorer Mary Schaffer called it the "Hall of the Gods." Dramatic mountain peaks line each side of the lake marching one by one into the distance. On a sunny day it would be astounding. 

A pretty Ptarmigan walked alongside the short trail beside the lake. 

Another view of the Hall of the Gods, without Spirit Island. This end of the lake is closed to any motorized boats, but kayaks and canoes can venture down into the area preserved for migratory nesting birds. 

Leaving Maligne Lake we came across a herd of Elk feeding beside the road. The bull elk was again very alert to our vehicle. We stayed inside and managed to get a few good photos. Isn't he magnificent? 

Tamer roadside scenes here at home - the fields are filling with fat round pumpkins for making pies and later, Jack-o-lanterns. Muted autumn colours and lots of fog. 

My driver's licence renewal went without a hitch and other than that I spent a quiet day at home, doing some writing, some sewing, and some cooking. 

Darkness has fallen and I'm contentedly writing this post. Will soon stop and continue my book - The Cromarty Library Circle - mentioned by Barbara from Coastal Ripples. I'm enjoying it so far, once I got the characters straight in my head. 

Until tomorrow,

Creatures Great and Small

 

We arrived safely home after our long drive, with enough time to stop at my parents' home for a visit before driving to the ferry. After the cold crisp dry mountain air, everything felt a wee bit damp here on our island. I thought I'd show you some of the wildlife we encountered on our trip to Jasper. Above is the cheekiest raven. He is perched on the hood of our truck, and seemed to think it his kingdom. I rolled down my window and leaned way out to take this photo. He didn't budge. Finally, when we began driving, off he flew with one last hoarse protest. 

There were Mountain Sheep along the road to Maligne Lake. How agile they are, lightly tripping down steep rock faces and jumping over gaps. These animals live in the National Park and are not threatened by humans who treat them with respect and stay the prescribed distance away. 

We had nine sightings of moose, including this unusual one of a bull moose (there were two cows among the trees) peacefully chewing his cud while lying in the snow. 

Later, another bull moose and cow crossed the road in front of us, taking their time before disappearing into the forest. 

It's amazing how birds stay warm in frigid water. I believe this is a Western Grebe paddling along in glacier water. 

A cow moose, one of the two who were lying in the trees the day before. The bull was nowhere in sight, but we saw both cows slowly cross a meadow just below our vehicle, stopping to chew the grasses still visible. Soon snow will cover the ground and these non-hibernating animals will rely on trees such as willows for their winter food. 

We saw several groups of female elk. They wander through town at dusk. Rounding a corner on the Maligne Lake road late one afternoon we came across two bull elk. They were feeding in the burned forest. The white trees in the background have lost their burned bark. Soon willows and shrubs will grow up among them, but the trunks will stand as sentinels to the fires for decades. 

Not many birds were about and I wondered about this small American Dipper. Accustomed as he is to cold water, he had to dodge the ice forming at the edge of the lake. Such a hardy little bird.

In 1908 Mary Schaffer and her party reached Maligne Lake and travelled its length by raft. She later wrote that at the far end of the lake, "there burst upon us...the finest view any of us had ever beheld in the Rockies." It was truly magnificent, a view that filled my own heart and soul. 

Also at the lake is a boathouse built in 1908. It's the last remaining structure of the early days of recreational boating on Maligne Lake. Behind the boathouse is Samson Peak. The day was cloudy but the mountains were mostly visible. 

I am so glad that there are vast areas preserved from development. People from all over the world come to this area and it's a delicate balance between allowing some access while preserving the wildness. If we had come during the summer, a constant stream of cars would drive along the roads where we saw one or two vehicles, and every parking lot would be full. 

Remembrance Day is tomorrow, a time to honour those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. There will be services at the cenotaphs, and many Canadians have worn a red poppy in our lapels for the past week. We must never forget, and always work toward peace.