In a Rut

Maligne Lake Historic Boathouse Jasper, AB - Click for larger

Without a doubt, Jasper is one of the most spectacular places in Canada. We have returned to the national park during the height of the elk rut. These guys really are scary monsters. We found out just how scary one evening when we returned to our campsite to cook dinner. There were female elk all around us. We photographed them all the while looking out for the Bull. All of a sudden, there he was with bloody murder in his eye. Lori and I made a hasty retreat to the van. After a while they all wandered off and we continued with our dinner. We have had many good opportunities to photo these big guys.

Bull Elk - Click for larger

Bull Elk Bugling- Click for larger

We have had a lot of sunshine and lots of different animals to work. The Maligne Lake Road was quite productive for us. We saw Pika, Coyotes, Bear and Moose.

Pika - Click for larger

Black Bear - Click for larger

I had photographed the boathouse at the lake one evening. The light didn’t last long enough for me to get all the shots I wanted so we headed back the next night. I waited and waited for the sun to peak out from the clouds. Lori went back to the car to get us something to eat. While she was gone, the light finally was there. I shot my landscape after waiting an hour and a half. As soon as I was done, a cow and calf moose walked out of the woods and down to the lake right in front of me closely followed by a bull!

Bull Moose - Click for larger

The moose had walked by Lori in the parking lot. She grabbed my 70-200mm lens and brought it to me. She then went back and grabbed my 500mm lens so we had all of our options for shooting.

Jasper is difficult to leave! I think this will definitely be one of the many highlights of our trip this year. We are heading south tomorrow to Lake Louise and Banff. Then we will finally turn east toward home.

The Colin Range, Jasper, AB - Click for larger

Pyramid Mountain, Jasper, AB - Click for larger

Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel - Click for larger

Off the “Rock” and into the Highlands

We had a good trip down to Burgeo, NL. This is one of the most beautiful places we have visited on Newfoundland. We had a good visit with Lori’s nephew Ben. I had hoped to see lots of Moose and Caribou but I think we were too late in the year. They must head up into the highlands to avoid the bugs. Burgeo is a small somewhat isolated community on the south shore of Newfoundland.

Sandbanks Provincial Park, NL - Click for larger

Cemetary, Sandbanks Provincial Park, NL - Click for larger

We did a few hikes and found orchids and some landscapes. Sandbanks Provincial Park is one of the highlights of this area.

Small Purple Fringed Orchid

We caught the ferry to the mainland at 5 am and slept in the lineup till 3:30. On the ferry we had a berth. This allowed us to get a bit more sleep, do some backups and charge some batteries.

When we landed, it was pouring rain. We headed to Cape Breton Highlands National Park and met up with our friend Adrien Veczan. Adrien is working for a newspaper in Halifax and had a few days off. We camped at Cheticamp and hiked the Skyline Trail.

Skyline Trail, Cape Breton - Click for larger

We saw lots of moose. It really is a lovely trail.

Bull Moose - Click for larger

Bull Moose - Click for larger

Adrien headed home the next day. Lori and I decided to stay a bit longer. We found lots of orchids and wildlife to photograph and the landscape is very dramatic.

Cabot Trail - Click for larger

Black Bear Cub - Click for larger

Coyote - Click for larger

Male Spruce Grouse - Click for larger

White Fringed Orchis - Click for larger

We are heading off tomorrow to the Sackville area of New Brunswick to look for shorebirds and then on to PEI. I think it will be difficult to top this part of our trip.

Fall Colours and Fire in my Bones

Fallen Maple Leaves - click for larger

We watched the weather for a few weeks with anxious anticipation. It had been a long time since we had worked Algonquin in peak autumn colour. After several weekends' forecasts for rain, we finally decided just to go on Thanksgiving weekend. On Friday Lori came with me to work so we could leave right after my afternoon class. But at the college there were no available outdoor parking spots to park a van with a canoe on the roof. I drove past the underground parking garage. It said 7 feet maximum. Hmmm, we must be close to that, if not a bit over. So I drove slowly. The canoe just touched the big bar suspended over the entrance. I carefully drove into a parking space. We just fit.

A little after 6 p.m we hit the road for the Park. We made only one quick stop in Huntsville and got to the Motel in Whitney around 10:30. It had rained hard the entire trip and had been a long day. So we went to bed and set the alarm for 6 a.m.

When the alarm went off the next day we got right up and headed into the Park. We stopped to get a permit at the East Gate just as it was beginning to get a little brighter. I drove to Brewer’s Lake and waited for first light.

Brewer Lake - click for larger

The colour was at its peak. It was frosty and the light was great. We continued to shoot as we drove or hiked in the Park.

Source Lake Wetlands - click for larger

Smoke Creek - click for larger

Highway 60 - click for larger

Source Lake Road - click for larger

Rock Lake - click for larger

It felt like it used to feel long ago. Shooting just for the joy if it, because I’m compelled, driven to do this. Nice to know those feelings are still there. Nice to know that at 50 I still have fire in my bones. I was starting to wonder if it would ever come back.

The next 2 days went much the same - up early, working in the predawn light. We had some lovely frost on Monday. I saw an image about to happen and pulled the van over. Smiling I set up the tripod and camera and ran to get into position. In 5 minutes it was gone. But it was long enough for me to get a few shots.

Costello Creek - click for larger

After that I worked the frost covered leaves at the side of the road and then moved on to look for more landscapes.

Frosted Leaves - click for larger

Spruce Bog - click for larger

Heading west out of the park we came upon a large number of cars at the side of the road. There were two bull moose cavorting about, even butting heads. We got out and joined the crowd. Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking when they walk up to a large wild animal like a bull moose with small children in tow. They pose the kids dangerously close to the moose and proceed to take photos with point and shoot cameras. Now I understand that it is a big deal to see a moose for most of these people. For some, this was their first time. But these animals are very dangerous. Funny most people don't see it that way. I always cringe when I see this kind of thing.

Moose - click for larger

Moose - click for larger

It felt great to be out shooting images. It felt like it used to when I was younger and free to just shoot. Must see if I can keep that going.

Highway 60 - click for larger