Short tailed Weasel

The short-tailed weasel, also known as ermine when it’s in its white winter coat. Is a member of the Mustelidae family. This weasel family includes some pretty tough members. Such as wolverines, honey badgers, and otters to name a few. Although the short-tailed weasel may be on the lower end of the weight scale in the Mustelidae family. But pound per pound, or should I say ounce per ounce, it’s a pretty tough character. Coming in at 11 ounces or .03 kg and up to 41 cm in length. The short-tailed weasel preys on mammals and birds. It’s great at hunting voles, but it can also kill larger prey such as rabbits. During the summer, the weasel is dark brown and white, but it molts to all white during winter, except for the black tail tip.

Even though it's longer and heavier than a vole, because it's about the same diameter as the vole it preys on, the weasel can easily chase the voles in the snow tunnels formed by its prey. Short-tailed weasels are relentless predators. On one occasion, one was spotted giving a ground squirrel a chase. It ended up chasing the squirrel into the burrow of its prey, and after a few screams from the squirrel, all was quiet for several seconds. We waited as we looked toward the entrance to the squirrel's burrow. Out came the weasel with the heavier squirrel in its mouth.

Northern Lights

The Sun's magnetic field goes through a solar cycle roughly every 11 years, with the current one expected to peak in 2025. During this cycle, the magnetic field flips, and the north and south poles switch places. After another 11 years, they flip back. The Sun becomes more active and stormier toward the end of the 11-year solar cycle, going from solar minimum to solar maximum. During solar maximum, a larger number of sunspots appear. Sunspots are areas where the magnetic field is around 2,500 times stronger than Earth's, much higher than anywhere else on the Sun. Solar flares, which release large quantities of energy from the Sun, are more likely to occur during this period.

During solar maximum, with more active sunspots releasing energy, intense radiation storms can collide with Earth's outer atmosphere. Causing electrical disruptions and satellite and communication problems. However, these storms can also bring us Northern Lights. The stronger the storms, the more intense and the further south the lights will be visible. There are different levels of solar flares, with class A being the smallest, followed by classes B, C, M, and X. With each class, there is a smaller scale from 1 to 9, with X9 being the highest. There have already been six X-level solar flares this year, as many as there were throughout 2022.

If the sunspot from which the flares are coming is not facing toward Earth, the chance of seeing Northern Lights is small. That has been the case for most of this past winter. However, on March 23-24, 2023, we had X-level solar flares that caused a category G4 geomagnetic storm. G1 being a minor event and G5 being an extreme event. This was the most intense solar storm since 2017, the Northern Lights were visible across Canada and as far south as New Mexico.

Although the lights were visible in Banff NP. The lights were more intense and visible at certain times and locations. It's important to note that just like a snowstorm covering western Canada, it does not mean all areas always will be getting equal amounts of snow falling. Just as Earth weather, many factors play in space weather. Some locations in the park reported seeing green and red colors with the naked eye. However, it's worth noting that the visibility of the Northern Lights varied greatly depending on the time, location, and weather conditions.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience for many locals and visitors who were out and about trying to find a dark spot to see the lights. I personally saw mostly green light, with a brief glimpse of red. My camera, having a more sensitive sensor than my eyes, was able to pick up deeper and more colours. The temperature was comfortable enough to stay outside and enjoy most of the night. Here's hoping for a few more nights like that before we go to the other side of the solar maximum.

Snowflakes

Only when I started looking for six-sided snowflakes, I started realizing we don’t get that many snowfalls with the classic snowflake shape we have in our heads when we think about snowflakes. The shape that’s used during the holiday decorations. This year I had two opportunities, one in December and one less than two weeks ago. Even though I was able to get some good results, my attempt to improve in snowflake photography is slow due to a lack of opportunities. But, the results were more than good enough that I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity.

Under different weather conditions, you get different shapes of snowflakes. With names like needle clusters, capped columns, simple prisms, and femlike stellar dendrities to name a few. In the picture, the main (about 4 to 5 mm in size) snowflake is a stellar dendritie, and the smaller (about 1mm in size) slightly out of focus, is close to what is called a simple star. Since you have to hand-hold the camera and use a macro lens, the depth of focus area is very small. For this image, I had to take over 15 images and then combine them to get one sharp focused snowflake. Even then, there are several unfocused areas on the big snowflake and half of the small snowflake is out of focus. This is where, like anything in life, to get better at something, there must be a lot of practice. 

Song Sparrow

The important event all birders wait for is here, Spring Bird Migration. Dust off your favorite field guidebook and your well used binoculars. The great thing is, no matter if you’re getting into birding or you can tell from 200 meters away which side of the willow shrub the singing Song Sparrow is perched on. The birds don’t show up at the same time. Providing you time to slowly get into the season. One lone Canada Goose showed up over a month ago. I assumed it was surprised to find no other goose in the area, as we were of its early arrival. It was not seen after that day. A few weeks back, three Canada Geese were spotted on the opposite side of the valley. For a few days, seven Tundra Swans were hanging out in open water. Yesterday, there were close to 50 American Wigeon in another open water spot. The crows are back, having been spotted with some of the other members of the crow family. Mating pair of Bald Eagles have been spotted around their nest, but they don’t have all that far to go for the winter. Some, if the winter is mild and there is open water and carcass available, will even stick around. Dark-eyed Juncos and American Robins can be heard throughout the valley’s bottom.

Plenty is going on outside, to keep us birders happy as we wait for the temperature to go up and more species to move in or pass through. This Song Sparrow was hanging out among the cattails, where we normally will see Red-winged Blackbirds. If you haven’t already, it’s time to bundle up and get out to the nearest open water.

Storm Mountain

Storm Mountain is located on the continental divide in the Bow Valley. It shares the boundary with Kootenay National Park and Banff National Park. I have never scrambled to the top but have enjoyed the hikes around the mountain. The last one was to Twin Lakes a few years back during the larch season. The mountain really stands out, thanks to its height (3,158 meters) and location. I’ll often look toward it in the morning for possible photo opportunities and whenever I can get to the mountain with the moon. For this image, I had forgotten to take a look at the mountain from a pull-off that gives a nice view of its Bow Valley facing side. A few minutes later, when I looked toward it, I realized I had to do a 180 to get the pictures of Storm Mountain. A black and white image was waiting for me at the pull-off.

Northern Shrike

This large songbird with a large round head and an equally thick neck can be spotted in Banff NP in winter. The Northern Shrikes come south to Banff in the winter as well to other parts of Canada and northern parts of the states. Breeding takes place far north, in parts of Canada and Alaska. Most songbirds do not hunt and eat animals. But the shrike does, using its toothlike spike on its upper bill to kill prey. Going after mice and birds up to the size of robins. Since they like to hold territories during winter and the male sings in late winter and early spring. A good bird to keep your eyes out for before they head back up north. This shrike I came across just as we were about to start a small hike over a month ago. It landed less than 10 meters from us, waiting for a vole to come out in the open. A few minutes later, it flew down to the ground to catch a vole. But it was far too fast for me to get the picture before it was in the woods.

Moose

A female moose will have its first calf when she is 3 years of age. Cows generally give birth every year, twin calves being born once every three years. Otherwise, a single calf is born. Giving birth to equal numbers of bull and cow calves. So, the average cow keeps giving birth until they are 14 to 18 years old. To do a bit of math. Over 14 years from one cow and her offspring, if everything is equal. Two hundred and twelve calves can be born in over 14 years. But factors such as predators, diseases, weather, hunting and road and railway accidents, end up playing a big role in the moose population.

This calf who first spotted me, was a bit nervous. As soon as I saw it was looking toward me and as well, its ears pointed toward me. I realized if I wanted to see more of the calf, I better stay put or move back. It soon relaxed and started eating the willow shrubs. As it ate and moved, the calf ended up disappearing into the shrubs. But, at no time did I see its mother. This calf was born last spring. Calves stay with their mother for at least a year and a half. Female calves can stay even longer. If this eight-month old calf was separated from its mother, perhaps predators playing a role, the chance of it reaching adulthood just got less. A healthy cow plays an important role in helping its calf survive and contribute to the ecosystem as an adult.

Fairholme Range

Visualizing what picture you want is an important part of photography. This step can also save you lots of time. By pre-visualizing, not only are you thinking about will the conditions in front of you will make for a good image. But also thinking can the camera pick up what our eyes are able to see. Our eyes still have a greater dynamic range than the best camera on the market, even more compared to our phone’s camera. The dynamic range is the ratio between the brightest and darkest parts.

During some sunrises and sunsets, the camera does not even come out of the pack if certain conditions are not met for a good image. During a full moon night, when your eyes can not only pick out the details in the moon, but also in the surroundings around you. With the camera, you will have to take multiple shots, exposing separately for the details in the moon and the ground. Then using an application on the computer to put different parts of each image together to create what your eyes were seeing. Even then, it will end up being different from what our eyes saw.

During the night or early in the morning or late in the day, there are flashes and portable lights you can use to get a half decent picture of wildlife. But that’s a terrible thing to do. Us humans are thrown off when a flash is used on us during the dark. Let along what the wildlife feels that have far more sensitive eyes than us. Last week, when I saw three red foxes at three separate locations as I was coming home in the dark, unless they were in my vehicle’s headlights, no picture was going to be taken. Later was the case. The camera stayed put.

For this image. I was coming back home when I saw the moon, clouds and the mountain range in the late evening light. I knew before even getting off the highway and getting on the Vermilion Lakes Road. I had an image in front of me waiting to be taken, where I needed to go and take it from and it was going to end up as a black and white image. Other than the trees in the foreground, which I wanted to be dark anyway, the peaks, clouds and the moon were under the same light. The camera was going to give me the image I was seeing. Making it black and white was my creative choice. Visualization and getting good images. The more you practice, the easier it gets.

Red Fox

The red fox is the largest member of the true foxes. Members of the genus vulpes of the sub-family caninae, are referred to as true foxes. True foxes are separated from other members of the genus Canis, such as dogs, wolves, jackals, and coyotes, by their smaller size, longer tail and flatter skull. The red fox’s typical lifespan is 2 to 4 years, but can live up to 10 years. It is found across the Northern Hemisphere, North America, Europe and Asia. Including parts of North Africa. Its range has expanded with human expansion, as well been introduced to Australia. Where it is harmful to native mammals and birds, helping it to be in the “world’s 100 worst invasive species”. Climate change has also helped expand its range, helping it move north in Canada into Arctic Fox territory. Becoming one of its predators.

In Banff National Park, Red Fox is native to the area. In the last number of years, are becoming spotted more often in the Bow Valley. Unfortunately, also in a few locations that are frequented by park visitors, possibly being fed.  Red Foxes are perfectly fine finding their own food, the Bow Valley has everything they need to survive. Most of the time, I tend to see red foxes in the colours we normally associate them with, and on occasion the variant of the red fox, called the cross fox. Which has a long dark stripe running down its back and another intersecting stripe to form a cross over the shoulder. This one was out hunting on the edge of the woods one morning, when I came across it.

Mount Rundle

Landscape photography, I find, is the most relaxing part of nature photography. I would go as far as saying it’s rather peaceful. It helps when I tend to look for spots with no one else around. That way, I can enjoy the sounds of nature while watching the scenery change and waiting for the sky or peaks to light up. Waiting and picking out the sounds of birds I can hear as my mind identifies them. That morning, thanks to all the spruce cones on the trees, crossbills were filling the air with their calls.

When I got to the parking lot for this image, no one else was in the area. I still went to a location where no one would follow. There were still twenty minutes to go before I thought the colours would pop on the clouds. There was one possible problem on that very windy morning. The ice I was standing on was not going anywhere, but the clouds were moving fast, heading east. The set of clouds that were there when I arrived, would be gone when the sunlight would hit them. But would the next set of clouds move into place? In the end, I missed out on the reds, but I did get the warm yellow colours to end the peaceful outing.

Northern Goshawk

Being able to listen when exploring or just walking through the outdoors can be very important. Sometimes it can help you see things that you otherwise might miss, but can also prevent you from walking into a dangerous situation. A number of years ago I heard a moose calling out. When I came out in the open, I could see a female with her calf across the creek in the willows. They were surrounded by barely visible members of the wolf pack. In the end, the adult female moose was too strong, resulting in the wolves giving up and moving away.

A few weeks back, I was walking through the woods. I could hear a red squirrel giving out alert calls. After spending a lot of time outdoors, you start noticing the different calls of wildlife. When I also heard the calls of Red-breasted Nuthatches and Mountain Chickadees, I was certain there was a predator present. As I took a few steps towards the calls, I looked around and saw nothing on the ground. So either it was a small mammal predator on the tree or a bird of prey. As I moved forward, I could see the squirrel and also where the birds were calling from. I looked down at the trail I was standing on, there was a fresh bird dropping. I looked straight up, a juvenile Northern Goshawk was looking down at me. This was the predator the squirrel and the birds were warning about. There were no larger birds to mob and have the goshawk fly away, so for now it stayed perched five meters above the ground.

I slowly moved forward to get far enough to stand back and watch. Several minutes passed, the goshawk had enough, it defecated and then flew away to a quieter place where it could ambush its next meal.

Mount Rundle

The Canadian Rockies, like many other places in Canada, are not having their normal winter. Well, it’s the case for much of the world. The "new norm”. I have not had too many opportunities to get out in the morning and see everything covered with snow this winter. So far, we've had above-average temperatures and below-average snowfall. The last time we got a decent snowfall was in the later part of December, when this picture was taken. Luckily, I had the day off following the snowfall, getting out and taking pictures wherever I could. I When we had normal winters, I never wanted them to end. Now, I try to get the most out of each snowfall. When everything looks like a postcard to my eyes.

Red Crossbill

Around this time of the year where snow resides, you may see birds on the road. They are not looking for food, but for grit or small stones to help break down food in their gizzard. All bird’s stomachs are in two parts. The first is much like our stomach, called the proventriculus or glandular, where the digestive enzymes start the digestion process. The second part of a bird’s stomach is the gizzard or muscular stomach. Birds with thick gizzards will pick up small stones, sand, and small shells to help break down hard foods like seeds and nuts. Grit will wear out over time, therefore it needs to be replaced on a regular basis.

During the winter, when much of the ground is covered by snow, the roads are the places to go for birds like this male and female Red Crossbill to find grit. Thanks to Banff National Park’s highway team for dropping sand on the roads for safer travel. These two crossbills are taking a break from enjoying the abundance of spruce cone seeds to add more grit to their gizzards for breaking down their food.

On a side note. Hornbill, a bird not found in the Canadian Rockies. Unless you’re day dreaming. They are found in subtropical places in Africa and Asia. The male Hornbill will fill its gizzard with fruits and then shed off the entire membrane of its gizzard to present its mate with a “bag of fruit”.

Coyote

Coyotes are one of the success stories, and that’s without our help in urban centers. With little to no wolves, less snow and more and more green spaces, urban centers are a perfect habitat for the coyote population to flourish. In the wild, coyotes have to watch their backs if wolves are in the area. Wolves will not hesitate to kill a coyote. Wolves are not fond of any competition from other members of the canine family. During the winter, coyotes can benefit from scavenging on wolf-killed carcasses. But they have to be careful the pack is not around. Otherwise, the coyote will have a painful ending.

In Banff, the coyote is the predator I tend to see most often, in and out of town. No matter the season. One early morning as I was heading for work. When along the path I was walking on, I came across various body parts on the grass back of a building. Coyotes during the night had brought down a mule deer. They don’t seem to have the same fear of us and where we reside as other predators. But they do have a limit, they had fled before I or someone before me had reached the area in the dark.

The one in the picture popped out in front of me on a trail I was walking on. It saw me and realised it had to move off the trail. With me behind and other walkers making their way from the other side, there was no other option. It quickly made the decision, crossed the frozen creek beside the trail and watched me for a few seconds before heading into the woodland.

Grizzly

I would say I'm part of the one percent when it comes to experiencing nature in the Canadian Rockies, even if it is mostly in Banff and occasionally venturing into Kootenay, Yoho, and Jasper national parks. When I think about all the flora and fauna, sunrises and sunsets, and other things I've seen first hand over the years, I wouldn't trade my spot with anyone. And I have many years to go. There's a reason why getting my sleep, eating right, and being active are my top three priorities to stay healthy for everything in life. Getting out with my camera for many more years is high on the list.

A couple of years ago, in the middle of the winter, I filled up the car's tank with gas before enjoying the drive back to the mountains from Calgary. A gas attendant asked after finding out I lived in Banff NP. "What do you do in Banff? "Don't you get bored?" I replied, "I enjoy nature, and there is no time to get bored."

November was when I got this picture of M122. He had gone into the woods. I waited in my car, as I knew he was going to be out in the open soon. My heart began to race as I became excited, anticipating seeing him in the open. I was not scared, I knew I was safe in the car. It's nature, it still has this powerful effect on me. A sight of wood lilies on the edge of a forest, a Yellow Warbler calling from a willow shrub, a beautiful morning sunrise, Northern Lights over Mount Rundle, perfect grizzly tracks on wind-blown snow, or the grizzly who made those tracks a week later.

Life is short. Spend as much time as you can doing things that get your heart beating faster. Don't wait until you have more time. Make time. The only difference will be for me when I have more time. My pictures will get better.

Moon

With photography, I am self-taught and only when I share some of my images, others see my work. I still need to find a way to get better at my passion. As always, new technology can only take you so far. Being critical of my work is very important for my images to keep improving. Almost all my time related to photography is spent taking pictures and then working on images that I don’t delete. At the very least, I can say. I do not make a conscious effort to copy other photographer’s images. When I do have time, I’m more likely to study and look at painting than photography. Also, luckily my mind is weird enough, as those who know me can verify. I have my unique perspective on the world around me.  Playing a big role in all the final images.

Sometimes I know right away I got a good image, but the true test is when I look at it on the monitor. If I’m not sure, I’ll let it stay on the drive for a few days and then get back to it. In the end, if the image I have taken is not something I want to show others, it will be deleted. Unless I get that rare slightly out of focus image of a unicorn, that image will be saved until I get a sharper one.

The day before I got this image, I must have walked for half an hour waiting to be in the right position to get the picture of the moon coming over the Sawback Range. I got several looks of the moon and the peaks. I went home and uploaded the images. I ended up deleting them all. I thought I could do better. The next day the moon would be rising a little later over the same mountain range, but this time I wanted to be on the other side of the valley and have the moon right above Mount Ishbel. A peak that had a triangle shape on top. The possible image in my head was more balanced.

Twenty-four hours later, I was ready to try again. Just as the moon started to come over the range, in less than five minutes I was in the position to get the picture I wanted. There was no question it was going to be black and white, giving it a better contrast between the snow and rocks and helping to bring out the clouds. As always, never being fully satisfied. I already have ideas on how I can make the image even better in the future. Just need mother nature’s cooperation.

Red Fox

For red foxes, having great hearing is important. It’s the main way they are able to detect various prey, like rodents. During the winter, when the prey is under the snowpack. The fox will stalk their prey with their hearing, following the unsuspected prey before pouncing on them. They are able to hear low-frequency sounds made by rodents underground, such as rustling, squeaking, scratching and chattering. Other animals are not able to hear some of these sounds, but thanks to a chamber in their eardrums of the fox, that echoes the tiniest of sounds. Foxes can hear them from over 100 feet away. Underground or hidden noises from 20 to 25 feet away. It’s the same distance for me when someone is unwrapping a chocolate bar.

Bohemian Waxwing

I guess for me, being outside often and aware of the birds, the Christmas Bird Count is not a surprise when it comes around again. On Saturday, December 17, 2022, the 47th annual Christmas Bird Count will be taking place in the Bow Valley. Just pop over to “bowvalleynaturalists.org” for more information and how you can participate in keeping tracks of our feathered friends. We have these annual counts occurring across the country and in many other parts of the world. They give us a great sense of what is happening with the bird population. 

Not all participants have to be experts. Just look at me, I have been fooling them all these years with my so called understanding of birds. Except when I mentioned I had spotted a pink flamingo, I learned it does not count when the birds are made of plastic and in the backyard of a house. Anyway, with warm attire and some chocolates, it’s a great way to connect with other birders and enjoy a potluck dinner in the evening. That’s right, potluck dinner is back again. Where after great food and stories, we get to practise our additions.

Grizzly Tracks

On November 21 2022 around 1330 I came across these grizzly bear tracks on the wind-packed snow. The tracks were fresh, after making sure I was the only one in the area. I started to look at the tracks with all sorts of photo opportunities running through my head. I realized the lens I needed was not in my pack, but the tracks were too good to pass on. Homeward I went, and I was back forty minutes later. The wind was picking up and the tracks would be mostly covered in a few hours. With the camera in hand, I started looking at what worked as a photo. I had about ten meters of track on the frozen river. So many possibilities. I must have spent twenty minutes taking pictures. The tracks were so well defined.

Boreal Chickadee

The Boreal Chickadee, is a bird that can be spotted all year in the Canadian Rockies. If it does make a move southward, it’s due to a lack of food and not getting away from winter. To stay dry in winter, the chickadees have a preen gland near the base of their tail. They use their beak and feet to spread the oil from the gland all over their feathers to repel water. They flex their pectoral muscles to create heat, which is trapped in fluffed up feathers. Feathers are great insulators. Just ask anyone with a down jacket. Before winter, the chickadees put on heavier plumage. The denser feathers create a more comfortable personal parka for the birds. During deep cold temperatures, the chickadees adapt by lowering their body temperature at night, from 40 degrees Celsius to 29. Helping them conserve body fat. They also cache food, which can be retrieved during the harsh winter months. Not bad for a bird that weighs the equivalent of two sheets of 8.5 x 11 paper.