Forest fire
Once we crossed the border back into Canada just to the north of Whitefish, Montana, the landscape became increasingly mountainous. Sharp peaks, snow, and glaciers became commonplace. The wildlife started to change as well. On the way to Lake Louise, we spotted a small forest fire, and hoped that the fire fighters would arrive before it grew much larger.
Forest fire
I spotted a Franklin's Gull through the bus window, and then we stopped to look at a small herd of Big Horn Sheep.
Franklin's Gull
Big Horn Sheep
Big Horn Sheep
Big Horn Sheep
Big Horn Sheep
We arrived at Lake Louise late in the afternoon. It was just beautiful. My target bird there was a Clark's Nutcracker, and I saw one as soon as we walked out of the hotel. We had time to take a short hike part of the way around the lake, and I got some good photos of a Steller's Jay. A Steller's Jay was my #500 life bird that I had seen in Seattle, Washington the week before, but was unable to get any good photos of it at that time.
Clark's Nutcracker
Steller's Jay
Steller's Jay
Steller's Jay
Steller's Jay
There weren't a lot of birds along the lake, but we did get some good views of squirrels with red tails and chipmunks with red faces.
Squirrel
Chipmunk
Chipmunk
Chipmunk
Chipmunk
On the hike back to the hotel, a White-crowned Sparrow posed for a few photos.
White-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
I also saw a Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon sub-species), and another bird that was most likely a juvenile Junco.
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco
Dark-eyed Junco
Our Tauck tour director recommended that we get up early to watch the sunrise over Lake Louise. The following composite shows the changing view starting at about 5:50 a.m. to about 6:15 a.m.
Lake Louise sunrise
Alice and I hiked up to Fairview Lookout above Lake Louise. I saw a Varied Thrush and heard several others singing, and I photographed an Audubon's sub-species Yellow-rumped Warbler. When we reached the viewing platform, we had a great view of the hotel.
Fairmont Lake Louise
On the way back down, we saw a large spider web - probably an Orbweaver. There were three California Gulls on the lake, as well as several Clark's Nutcrackers around the lake. Other birds I saw there included American Crow, Cliff Swallow, and Black-billed Magpie.
Orbweaver
California Gulls
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's Nutcracker
Clark's Nutcracker