Calgary
& the Rockies
Aug
1-5, 2003
- narrated
by Henry Detwiler
A trip with Suzanne to visit
our friends Al & Helga in their summer home--Calgary, Alberta!
94
species total
Click on
thumbnail pictures for full-sized shots.
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Canada Geese |
Richardson's Ground Squirrel
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The geese and the ground squirrels could well serve as the mascots of Calgary, although we
definitely saw more
squirrels than geese. They would whistle their shrill warnings
in clearings from Calgary all the way up to the high tundra. |
| On Monday afternoon we
hiked up the steep and winding Ptarmigan Cirque trail. The
fabulous wildflowers and scenery made it all worthwhile, and we were
entertained by many ground squirrels and pikas. |
Al, Henry, Helga, &
Suzanne
|
Rocky Mountain Sheep |
Over the course of our wanderings we got excellent
looks at several lambs and a number of ewes. Unfortunately,
the rams were not to be found. |
|
The Gray Jays were
almost as numerous as the nutcrackers, and they too frequented
picnic areas, looking for handouts and unguarded food tidbits.
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Gray Jay
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Gray-crowned Rosy
Finch
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Gray-crowned Rosy Finches |
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Up on the Ptarmigan Cirque trail I headed overland to find the
elusive White-tailed Ptarmigans--instead I found a flock of the
beautiful tortoiseshell butterflies. By the time I
returned from my trek, Helga had spotted the first of several rosy
finches. They were remarkably tame, and we were able to
watch as they fed their full-grown young!
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Another
beast which had hungry mouths to feed was the Pika. It
would scurry out from under the rocks, fill its pouch with seeds,
and then scamper back to its nest. I was lucky to get this
shot.
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Pika
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Grizzly cub & sow |
As we drove south of Ptarmigan Cirque, we noticed a
number of cars on the side of the highway. We pulled over
and were thrilled to see a sow and cub grizzly about 1/2 mile up
on the mountainside. They were rooting & digging in the
meadows, searching out roots--or perhaps ground squirrels?
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The final morning
we spent more time along Fish Creek, and were happy to see a
number of downy-looking juvenile Cedar Waxwings. All too
soon we had to fly back to toasty Yuma--but thanks to our
wonderful hosts Al & Helga, we plan to return!
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Juvenile Cedar Waxwing
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PAGE 1 - More Pictures
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