Photo-Finish Friday -- Tangle Falls

Between rain and the melting snowpack the water rushes off the mountains.

Tangle Falls, Jasper National Park.

Never Do This. Ever. I'm Not Kidding. Don't.

Dear Blog Readers,

When you see a bear by the side of the road stay in your vehicle.
Take a few quick photos.
Leave.

What not to do when you see a bear.

We see tourists get near bears this all the time, especially along the Icefields Parkway. It makes us shudder.
Years ago  at Mt. Robson we saw tourists all but posing with a bear that had wandered into the campground.
We tried to tell them to stay away, but they did not listen.
In fairness, most people live so far from nature and are so infected by the Disneyfication of the wild world they plain don't know better.
It is frustrating to try to set them straight, but we did try.
My husband will get out of the car for photos. I've done it myself.
Not practicing what I preach?
Glad you brought it up!
My husband is more familiar with the forest than most. He knows what to do, what not to do, and what to look for when with a wild animal.
So do I.
This bear was minding his own business and at no point did either of us try to get his attention, offer food, or molest him in any way. We kept a respectful distance and watched for any sign of agitation.We took a few pics and left.

This is with a good zoom lens. I am not stupid.

 
As for me, I commonly make sure there's someone else between the bear and me. Survival is paramount to all species.
It appalls me no end we've gotten so out of tune with the natural world that we think it's okay to approach wildlife. We even expect them to pose nice to us.
Later, when they get used to us and wander into a town, we kill them and tell ourselves it's their fault, not ours.
Take your pictures quickly and at a distance. If you get hurt I have no sympathy for you.
Wildlife has a right to protect itself.





 Aww, thanks, Hilary.

Gratitude Monday -- Standing Tall

This was a welcome sight. We don't see grain elevators much anymore, at least in Alberta. They used to be everywhere. Ever town, large and small, had an elevator or five. They stood tall and announced our pride in the land and what it gives us.

They've fallen out of favour over the years. They've been replaced, or outgrown, or are simply no longer needed here.
It is sad.

Iwas so pleased to see this tall guardian of the crops in St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, and for that I am grateful.

This was the first picture I took of the elevator. It's through the truck windshield and not very good, but I added it here for perspective. Grain elevators loom large over the prairie landscape and I wanted my readers to see it for themselves.

Photo-Finish Friday --Making Their Fun

These Guatemalan children took advantage of a downpour in their village. When we drove by they were splashing in the running water and thoroughly enjoying themselves, except for the standing boy.

I regret the reflection from the bus window.
We went by slowly enough that when they saw the busload of snapping tourists they stood up and posed.

Shameless Blog Plugging

I've been playing around with some of the blog pages lately. If you look across the top you'll see a some new links.
Under "Bunnies and Otherwise" I've got some stories posted and will be adding a few more. If that sort of thing appeals to you, then please have a gander at them.

"Wee Bits" is where I post excerpts from my works in progress. I've got one up so far with more on the way.

"Please Come In" has been around a while. It is my way of inviting you to see what I've done.

You're under no obligation to click on any of them and no salesman will call.

Make yourself comfortable.

Thank you for reading me.

Gratitude Monday -- County Creatures

I live close to the wilderness. It's being built up, torn down, clearcut, and drilled, but it is still there.
Going out for a drive usually means spotting someone or something from the bush or the air.
Last week we went on two long drives and were treated to wildlife during both.
The first one gave us this fine fellow.

He (or she) has an ear tag on the left. I'm not sure why. Mike suggested it was a problem bear. Whatever the reason for the tag, this black bear was minding its own business on a lovely June morning along the David Thompson Highway near the Banff Park border.


On Saturday we checked out the south end of the county. This glorious great gray owl was sitting on a fence post when we went by.  We backed up for a photo, but it wasn't having any of it and took off. This was the best I could do.

Later on along a back road we saw this woodchuck enjoying a moment of not chucking wood. 

I am so grateful to live in an area where I can see these creatures, and grateful that they've let me photograph them.

Photo-Finish Friday -- My Back Yard

Along Highway 11 about a half hour east of the Banff National Park gate.

The Blue Canadian Rockies run through Clearwater County, the rural area around Rocky Mountain House.
When we go for drives out west we get to see sights like this.
I've seen them many times.
I've seen their many moods.
I hope to see them many times again.