Trip images for Impeccable Images, outdoor and nature photography

Banff – wildlife

About 15 years ago we went to Banff in early November. The elk rut (breeding season) had just ended. The weather was very cold and snowy, and the exhausted bull elk were sometimes to be found bedded down within 20 feet of the road in Bow Valley. So we went back last year a bit earlier hoping to catch rut still in progress.

Well — as you see from the images — it was a very different year, weather-wise. Friday, Oct. 31, was our first day. Since the weather was clear, we drove from Banff to Jasper. It was 71 degrees F in Jasper that day! Elk rut had not started, although the bulls were sparring. We were there for the first snowfall.

Glacier retreat is indeed noticeable. If you want to see them, don’t wait too many years.

Click on each image for a larger view plus caption.

Bighorn ewe and lamb Select	Bighorn lamb Select	Bighorn ewe (Mom) Select
Bighorn lamb getting salt Select	Bighorn ram Select	Bighorn ram Select
Elk herd at sunset Select	Bull elk bugling Select	Young elk having dinnner in bed Select
Bull elk – a messy eater Select	Young bull elk "testing" an elk cow Select	Bull elk flehming Select
Bull elk resting Select	Elk cow in falling snow Select	Bull elk sparring in falling snow Select
Coyote hunting in snow Select	Coyote's direct look Select	Coyote Select

Top of page