Saturday, June 28, 2008

Last winters snow still at Sunshine Meadows

Snow capped mountains and snow rimmed lakes-- Spring is late hitting Sunshine this year. With this clear weather it won't take long now before snows melt filling creeks and lakes like these.



Early season life at Sunshine Meadows

The larch cone looks like a beautiful flower when it starts out. So bright and red! Western anemone's bravely push through the snow. Grizzlies are up and at'em chasing sleepy ground squirrels. Both must be hungry after such a long snooze.



Thursday, June 26, 2008

Summer snow shoe at Sunshine Meadows

The hiking season opened at Sunshine with the meadows snow covered, so out came the snow shoes. The clients loved the idea of snow shoeing instead of hiking in June! That's Canada. The biathalon team trained here as it was such a wet, late Spring. The grizzlies left muddy footprints everywhere, as they ambled about hunting ground squirrels.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Bow Valley Provincial Park - ERS Grade 4

I joined another school trip to Bow Valley Provincial Park. This time we spied lavish displays of colour. The Many Springs Trail is great for wildflower viewing. There was an amazing number of Lady's Slippers along the trail. Also Shooting Stars, Limber Honeysuckles, and Roundleaf Orchids. Spectacular!


The kids were studying different parts of the marshy ecosystem created by beaver dams like the one below.



Monday, June 16, 2008

Stanley Glacier hike

Went up to Stanley Glacier to scout out the hike before taking a group up. The scenery is dramatic as you pass through an old forest fire burn. These gorgeous, early season wild flowers are the glacier lily and the small flowered anemone. The adorable marmot family whistled, getting our attention. They'd made their home within view of the glacier. This is a good reason to have had Lucy-dog on a leash.


Sunday, June 15, 2008

Road Trip to Jasper

On the road to Jasper I sited some amazing wildlife. This elk is showing off his beautiful rack and healthy coat.













Look closely at this mountain goat and you'll see a little baby peeking out from behind. What a view they have of the beautiful Athabasca river.

If anyone knows what bird this egg is from, let me know. I found it on the ground in the woods.

Friday, June 13, 2008

Banff Amazing Race

White Mountain Adventures hosted a team building event for the Mineral Springs' Hospital fundraiser. The Banff Amazing Race was a huge success, stretching limbs, making smiles and fortunes for the hospital.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

White Mountain Guides sharing stories at Johnson Lake

Spring training for the guides of White Mountain Adventures. We all got together at Johnson Lake to share our best interpretive stories and most fascinating field facts.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Bow Valley Provincial Park - Grade 5 LGMS

I joined my daughter's Grade 5 field trip with Lawrence Grassi Middle School to the Bow Valley Provincial Park. It was a terrific day to muck about in Middle Lake. We're trying to catch larvae and bugs, invertebrates and other squiggly, fun things to study.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Banff Cave and Basin with ERS Grade 4 class

I spent the day on a field trip with Grade 4 class from Elizabeth Rummel School at the Cave and Basin in Banff. This is the hot spring that got Banff National Park started. Because the basin is filled with endangered snails, the area is protected and people are not allowed to bathe in this hot spring. This makes the snails happy. See them smiling below.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Hiking Mt. Lady Macdonald - Canmore, AB


Fresh snow on the peaks and warm sunshine in the valley. It doesn't get any better than this! We walked out the back door, up Cougar Creek and across the Lady Mac trail. Our friend & neighbour Jean McAllister set a swift pace.