The reward for getting up early

- worth far more than 3 bucks : ) These White-tailed bucks were along the Red Rock Canyon Parkway in bright, early morning (7:08 am) sunlight. The only reason I was up so early is that, for some annoying reason, I woke up more than an hour before my alarm went off. I had had no sleep at all the previous night, despite taking one and a half sleeping tablets - I had learned my lesson last year on the same trip that, if one has to sleep in a dormitory-style cabin, one person snores and keeps everyone else awake : ) So, I went, armed with sleeping tablets this time, expecting them to work. The following night, I took two tablets, but was still kept awake until maybe 5:00 am. When I did wake, the only thing to do was to get up as quietly as possible and then I started on a short walk along the road alongside the camp.

Soon, a car came along behind me and it turned out to be friend, Andrew (leader of the trip). He was off to see if he could finally find a bear, as he had been out of luck all weekend. When he asked if I wanted to go along, of course I accepted. He drove down the Red Rock Canyon Parkway to an area where he knew bears can be seen, but we were out of luck. The day before, I had seen a sow and her two cubs there. However, when we all left the camp later in the day to return to Calgary, Andrew did see a sow and one cub (maybe the same ones I had seen the day before?) and shortly after Andrew saw them, my friends and I also saw the same bears. It was at this location that Andrew had brilliantly spotted a Lazuli Bunting early in the morning - the first one I had ever seen - dreadful quality photo posted this morning, just for my own record.

Four days ago, late afternoon, (I think around 5:15 pm), on 10 July 2015, I arrived back home from my holiday of the year - a two and a half day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. It was wonderful to again be surrounded by such magnificent scenery, go on a few pleasantly slow walks/hikes with plenty of time to look for, and photograph, wildflowers, insects, and a few birds and animals. Lots of great company with 22 people, some of whom I already knew and lots of new faces, too. The trip was organized by Nature Calgary. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted each day, but for the two nights, we stayed at the very basic Canyon Church Camp, off the Red Rock Parkway. Dorm-style cabins (about which I will say nothing, lol!), but they do have showers and even flush toilets at the camp. We were fed so well - lots of variety and good food. We were given two breakfasts and two suppers, plus a packed lunch for the two days. Our thanks go out to the lady (can't remember her name, sorry, but she was also there for us in July 2015) who cooked and prepared these meals for us! They were so much enjoyed and greatly appreciated!

"Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also an International Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve. No other park in the world has these three designations. Waterton Biosphere Reserve as it is officially called, was designated in 1979 under what is called the internationally recognized "Man and the Biosphere program" of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), that sure is a mouthful. Biosphere Reserves are designed to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature."

www.wediscovercanadaandbeyond.ca/2010/11/red-rock-canyon-...

Thank you SO much, Janet, for driving your friend and me to and from Calgary and around the park some of the time, too. To say that I appreciated it is a huge understatement!! Our thanks, too, to Andrew for organizing this trip so brilliantly, as usual! A great time was had by all. And I am SO happy and relieved that you were finally able to find a bear (and her cub) - yes, we came across the same ones shortly after you saw them. Not sure if they were two of the three I had seen at more or less the same location the previous morning, 9 July 2016. If it was the same female, then her second cub must have been really well hidden in the tangle of bushes and trees. We didn't get a good view, though I did take a handful of photos, including when the cub looked towards us for a split second. I had never seen such a young cub before, so I was thrilled to bits. Also was delighted that you found two Nighthawks flying high overhead at the Nature Conservancy area. So, I guess you and I both returned to Calgary feeling really happy : )