Wolf

 Last Tuesday was a dark day, first I come across a dead carcass of black bear middle of the highway, the bear had jumped over the fence and got hit while trying to cross the busy road.   I called it in and few stopped to help move it off the highway before colleagues from Canada Parks arrived. Then getting home I found out the alpha female wolf who was becoming bold near humans after being food conditioned, was put down that morning. For a moment it was hard to believe this happened in a national park, it supposed to be a place that kept wildlife safe. More works is needed , but the work already done played a role getting them this far. 

Many hours were spent by colleagues keeping the bear away from danger, before it picked a wrong time and place to get to the other side of the highway. As for the wolf, other members of the pack,  not to the same extreme as the former alpha female are also showing similar behaviour. In many parts of the country, forget that, just in Alberta the whole pack would have been put down long time ago. Lot of work ahead for our wildlife specialist team to keep rest of the pack wild, that includes three yearlings (one of them in the attached picture), pups of this year and the alpha male.  Rest of us can do our part by keeping our food to ourselves, As hard as it is hearing  a wolf was put down because of human mistakes, it's even harder for the wolf pack. who has to move on with a member of the family been taken away by us, wildlife has no defence for that. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Wolf

Black Bear

With the warm weather it's a challenge seeing wildlife in the mountains, at the start of the day and at the end of the days provide better opportunities. The heat is draining for the bears, so the days are good for resting and rest the time for foraging. Saw this black bear toward the end of the day, taking a small break from eating.

Until next moment,

Amar

Black Bear

Mountain Bluebird

I was out there just after the sun rose, looking to take pictures of birds. I could hear and or see several species, but my attention was grabbed by a male Mountain Bluebird. He was busy eating insects and in between perching and singing. I placed myself between its range that morning and started taking its pictures. His sky-blue colour would pop under the sun, particularly with the green background provided by the green foliage. Not a bad way to spend the morning.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mountain Bluebird

Sundance Range

It was a another beautiful day in Banff National Park. I was out taking pictures of birds and any mammals I came across. On my way home, I decided to stop along the Bow River to take this picture few hours before the sunset. Not a bad way to spend the day.

Until next moment,

Amar

Sundance Range

Black Bear

There are challenges for the bear and in this case how to scratch its own back. Solution, stand up and lean back onto a tree and rub, it did that several times on two different tree before he moved on.

Until next moment,

Amar

Black Bear

Elk

The elk are busy eating and growing their antlers. The antlers are the fastest growing bone, in any mammal. It can grow an inch a day. By August the velvet comes off and the rut season starts.

Until next moment,

Amar

Elk

Bison

In 2017 bisons will roam in Banff National Park once again, but in the Banff Field Unit they already do, less then two hour drive from the eastern boundary of Banff NP is Rocky Mountain House NHS. A great site to learn about the Canada indigenous people, David Thompson, the fur trade and lot more about Canada's history. As well they have 13 bisons on site and one evening I was busy trying to get few pictures of them as the sun was setting. After few tries I was able to get a good picture of the leader of the small herd. There is so much to take in at the Rocky Mountain House NHS, one just have to stay awhile.

 

Until next moment,

 

Amar

Bison

Wolf

This wolf was going for a walk when I spotted it. The wolf is year old and is exploring the park along more and more. He more than his sibling seem to be showing more independence, time will tell how this will play out. Will he leave the pack and look for a mate and call some place else a home or he might be pushed out by the alpha male to secure his place.

U tis next moment,

Amar

Wolf

Moose

This young moose stopped eating to look over in my direction, all members of the deer family are enjoying the green vegetation provided by the warmer weather. This is the time when they start gaining weight, the energy they will need during the next winter. With the calving season here, for the female even more important the food they need is here.

Until next moment,

Amar

Moose

Wolf

Polluting not only hurts the environment but also the wildlife. Biting on plastic and worst on metal can cut the mouth and the animal can get infected. Luckily in this case the wolf dropped the plastic bottle after couple of bites, I picked it up after he was gone.

Until next moment,

Amar

Wolf

Black Bear

For the black bear mating takes plane in June, if the mother has stored enough body fat, fetus will develop. Gestation is about 7 months long but the fetal development takes place in the last few months of the pregnancy. Birth is given in January, the cubs weigh in under a pound each, when they pop out of the den they weigh about 5 pounds. The cubs are not able outrun the likes of wolves or bears, but can climb trees from danger. But the best way to stay out of danger is to stay close to their very protective mother, until the following year when the mothers becomes ready to mate the cubs have to defend themselves. This little three month old wanted to rest while its sibling and their mother were ready to move on. 

Until next moment, 

Amar

Black Bear

Canada Goose

I just had to get into the right position, the goose gave me heads up with all the noise it was making as it got near. I just did not know if it was going to fly by or land in the water near me, as soon as I spotted it I set my camera on it. It decided to land in the water front of me, providing me with few images. The goose continue to call out as I moved on to the next photo opportunity.

Until next moment,

Amar

Canada Goose

Grizzly

Came across this grizzly who was searching for food along the slope of a hill. She has a beautiful blond  face, making it a challenge getting s picture without losing details. I was helped with the sun setting and under exposed the image a bit, perhaps I could have done a bit more under exposing. Hopefully I will get to see her again.

Until next moment,

Amar

Grizzly

Mount Rundle

I thought I was going to be late for the sunrise, warm colours had started to spread onto the clouds. I kept heading for the lake and walked to the site where I wanted to take the pictures. The morning light on the North side of Mount Rundle had disappeared, but few minutes later it was back and I started snapping pictures. Nature gave me a second chance.

Until next moment,

Amar

Mount Rundle

Northern Lights

As soon as I stepped outside around 11 pm, I could see the flicking of light in the dark sky, the Northern Lights were dancing. After a quick drive, I was on a trail I walked more times then I can count. With light on my head and in hand, I stopped along the the section of the rivers that had the calm water to take pictures from, I was the only one there taking pictures. I wanted to avoid where the crowds were, but after few hours I head in that direction, hoping most had made their way home. I was right, I found a quite spot shared by one other, who was out there for the same reason, to watch nature's firework. 

Until next moment.

Amar

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

Another Northern Light picture or should I saw pictures, five put together to form a panorama image. The green colour was present most of the night but the other colours were visible to the camera at the start of the night and toward the end.

Until next moment,

Amar

Northern lights