Spring is springing in the mountains!
It has been a busy spring, with lots going on both at work and in our outdoor life. Through it all, we have managed to get out and breathe some mountain air and take in the great awakening that happens every spring.
I had a lovely day in southern Kananaskis by myself, where I just took my binoculars and spotting scope and worked my way up a ridgeline, and enjoyed observing the great continuum of nature taking place. The wildflowers were coming up in carpets up on the tops, adding splashes of colour to the greening slopes.
I spotted these two young whitetail on the ridge up about 50 yards in front of me. The buck is sprouting his antlers, and they are both still shedding their winter coats
They knew something was up, but weren't quite sure what the shape behind the bush was!
It is an incredible privilege to have country like this right on our doorstep. To be able to leave the house at noon, and spend the day in solitude watching wild animals in spectacular rugged country is something I will never take for granted.
I spotted this decent sized black bear, and he was busy! Turning over rocks, grazing and constantly moving. I didn't get to watch him long before he disappeared in the trees.
This blue grouse startled me, when she jumped up (previously unseen) about a foot from my head from her rock perch! They have incredible camouflage on the lichen covered rocks. There were also many male blue grouse calling and puffing up their necks, but I wasn't able to get a good picture of any. The sound track alone made it clear to the world that it is springtime and breeding time for these guys! Back down in the timber the booming of the blue grouse was replaced by the woopp, wopp, wopp, wopp wopp of the ruffed grouse.
Looking at elk on the hills, with the continental divide in the background.
Some of the elk I spotted on a far hillside
This spring has also allowed us a few opportunities to head out with our canoe which is always lovely. Unfortunately our planned trip to paddle the North Fork of the Flathead River in Montana was washed out by huge rains and flash flooding. Fortunately we made the right call to cancel the trip rather than risking the floods that eventually came.
My truck carries the boat very securely now on the roofrack system we have set up.
One day from Cochrane to Calgary on the Bow
Another quick run from Ghost Dam to Cochrane. An enjoyable and lively stretch, away from any houses or much development.
The spring has otherwise been consumed with the odd hike...
... and some enjoyable garden improvements:
We moved the veggie box to a sunnier location - so far so good!
We brought four truck loads of mulch into the yard to start some garden beds along the bare areas and tidy under the trees. The shift from a yard to a garden has very gradually commenced!
But a tiny fraction of the mulch we brought in. (Free mulch from the city of Calgary - comes with sweat equity to go and shovel it from the landfill!)
Some of the beds ready for planting
Our first planting! Dogwoods, Barberries, Cotoneasters, Salvia and Astilbe
Looking quite civilized...
I built a fancy compost cage - not sure if we can generate enough green waste! I'm sure the leaves and grass will fill it up in the fall.
We also managed a boys trip to the Wilkins, and built some deluxe hunting blinds!
It has also been a spring of lots of wood collecting - such a simple yet incredibly fulfilling activity.
And of course, archery practice, archery practice and more archery practice. I am really committed to being physically on top of my game for this hunting season, and that includes my archery marksmanship!
With all of this, Jeanna and I even squeezed in a trip to Montreal, after I had to be there for a work trip and we stayed on for a romantic and indulgent long weekend of good food and drink!
Our favourite meal was at the "Club du Chasse et Pesche"... for obvious reasons!
Our favourite bar was 'Big in Japan' - a well hidden speakeasy type place with good cocktails.
Now off to Australia in a couple of weeks and back to full-on summer, and only 6 weeks until hunting season!!!!!
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