A Western Meadowlark.

 Grasslands National Park

After a 125 year absence, 71 Plains Bison were reintroduced into Grasslands National Park in 2005. Since then, the herd has grown to, and is maintained at, about 500. It was pretty surreal one of the days we were there to open our tent in the morning to see hundreds of these beauties roaming the valley below and a few on the ridges above.

 Grasslands National Park

A Spruce Grouse perched in a spruce tree.

Pukaskwa National Park
 

An Elk pretty close by.

Jasper National Park
 

A Richardson's ground squirrel nibbling on some Grasslands grass.

 Grasslands National Park

A Sharp-tailed Grouse blending in nicely.

 

Grasslands National Park

A Red Fox adding a little splash of colour to the Grasslands.

 

I'm quite happy that my first ever Swainson's Hawk sat calmly on that post while I pulled over and took a few snaps through the window.

Grasslands National Park

A Pronghorn. Pronghorns are the fastest land mammals in the Western Hemisphere, with running speeds close to 90 km/h (55 mph). Although colloquially referred to as antelopes, they aren't antelopes at all...their closest relatives are actually giraffes. Wacky, I know.

 Grasslands National Park

A Brown-headed Cowbird fledgling.

 Dinosaur Provincial Park, Brooks, AB

The ominous orange glow over our cabin in the woods. This was long after the sun had set and was likely related to the thick layer of wildfire smoke that has descended on the western provinces. It blocked the sunlight and significantly reduced visibility during the day and, in this case, illuminated the night sky. (Canmore, AB)

 

Mountain Chickadees.

 

Hiked the Valley of Five Lakes trail. This is Lake #3 and like all five lakes, the emerald waters are dazzling.

With campfire views like this, it's tough to go inside the tent. (Jasper NP)

Kinney Lake is at the 4.5 km mark as you climb Mt. Robson. We had lunch at this spot then headed back down.

This will be it for a few days until we get back into service. So long, Quesnel, it's been a blast! Now off to Mount Robson PP then Jasper NP.

 

Reflecting back on that reflection from Moraine Lake shoreline.

 

The osprey nest in downtown Quesnel.

 

It was a team fishing effort but we didn't have any nibbles. Still, it was nice to spend a few quiet moments together at a beautiful little lake. Thanks to Meaghan for working the camera.

 Bouchie Lake

We went for a hike near Moffat Lake, a short drive south of Quesnel. We followed a trail through a very cool set of volcanic structures (called basalt columns) that ended at a waterfall. Well, it's a waterfall in the wetter seasons, right now it's quite dry. At one point we spied a large mammal on the trail ahead. A moose? A bear? No, it was a cow. Four cows, actually, two of which were youngsters. I would hate to be a cow if it meant dealing with those flies all the time. Koda loved looking at them and eventually did a good job of moving the herd along so we could continue hiking.

 

Misty morning flap.

 Quesnel, BC