Rocky Mountains

As I was reviewing my Alberta Wildlife section I noticed this cute little Columbian Ground Squirrel was omitted. Mostly grey with some golden/brown highlights here and there.  These gopher sized ground squirrels were hanging out along a walking path to a waterfall and gratefully accepting handouts from passersby.  Easy to take photos of as they did not duck under cover at all.   This one turned its back on me however, so I guess I have been officially “dissed” by a ground squirrel !

Enjoy!

Sharon

Ever been stared down by a Blue Jay ?

Jays are beautiful birds that remain with us throughout the year enduring harsh prairie winters along with some other hardy birds such as sparrows, nuthatches, siskins, redpolls, chickadees and grosbeaks. The Blue Jay is one of my favourites because of its brilliant blue feathers. I once saw a Blue Jay stealing a robin chick from a nest – this was hard to watch so in spite of admiring their beauty I also see them as a predatory bird. Blue Jays and Gray Jays are common in Manitoba. Gray Jays are one of the boldest birds I have come across. They have no problem swooping down beside you and stealing a snack – very opportunistic birds. The Clark’s Nutracker which is also featured in today’s posting (last 2 photos) is classified in the section of Jays and Crows. I saw these birds in Alberta this past summer and was pleased to get some photos of them.

Below: Gray Jay in Winter

Below: Clark’s Nutcracker (not native to Manitoba – take in Alberta near Columbia Icefield)

Enjoy!
~Sharon

It is almost certain that you have seen the Bighorn Sheep if you have visited Jasper National Park or Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. They frequent mineral deposits and can be found alongside roads and sometimes in the middle of roads. The mature rams can also be seen but I have found they are a little more elusive than the females and young. They are beautiful sure-footed animals that have no trouble scaling rather steep mountain sides. I would not consider a trip to the mountains complete without a sighting of the Bighorn Sheep.

Enjoy!
~Sharon