CRANBROOK, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Yesterday Koty and I were filled with the urge to travel so we decided to go to Cranbrook. We hadn't been over that way in quite some time. I knew we were a little early but I just had it in my head to go.

Our first stop was at Lake Elizabeth which is just west of town. There is a visitor center at the lake which, unfortunately, was closed as were the restrooms. I was really hoping to use that restroom. The weather was cold and blustery and I lacked proper concentration. We walked the pathways for not too long a time. There were a few Canadian Honkers nesting, some mallards paddling and a ton of coots bobbing on the rough water.  A little further into spring this is a lovely place to wander and bird watch.

From Lake Elizabeth we crossed over BC 3 and drove up to Jim Smith Lake. This small lake was still in a frozen state. Jim Smith is a nice little paddle your canoe and have a picnic kind of place. But, again, a little later in the year.

I used to come to Cranbrook to shop but not so much anymore since the CAD has strengthened so much against the dollar. We just kind of drove through.

On the way home we stopped at our favorite local park, Kikomun. It was closed as are all of the Provincial parks around here until around May 15th. But, you can walk in. I thought we would be the only ones there but apparently there was some kind of canoe class or something going on as I was very surprised to see Surveyor Lake with more canoes on it than I had ever seen before.

Spring is in the air and there are subtle signs everywhere but it will be awhile yet before it really gets into to full form.

Lake Elizabeth

Female mallard paddling along

Out spout at Jim Smith Lake

Jim Smith Lake

Canoers at Surveyor Lake

Osprey coming in for a landing

As always we are never disappointed with our little sorties into B.C.


©Kinsey Barnard

KIKOMUN Provincial Park - British Columbia

One of the very handy things about living where I do is that I can get to Canada, British Columbia, in about fifteen minutes.

Yesterday morning was really a stunner so, still reeling from my website debacle, I decided to treat myself and Koty to a trip to Kikomun Provencial Park. I love this little park and it's a scant thirty miles from my home.

The park has a number of small lakes but my favorite is Surveyor Lake. There is a trail that loops around the entire lake and two beaches for people to launch their watercraft or just hang in an awesomely beautiful landscape. Koty and I probably spent two hours strolling the trail and taking in the sites. During that brief time I saw a loon, a pair of mergansers, numerous mallards, a great blue heron, a woodpecker, and a slew of painted turtles.

Another special feature of this lake and trail is the Canadian Rocky backdrop one can see from the west end of the lake, just spectacular.

Below are photos of some of the wonders that we saw.

A couple of redheaded mergansers out for a paddle.

Unfortunately, this loon was a bit far afield for my lens but I couldn't resist "shooting" it anyway. Loons are one of my most favorite birds. Not only is plumage design extraordinary but it's call is simply alluring. It is one of my most favorite sounds in all of creation.

The Surveyor lake water is crystal clear. This photo was taken of the lake bottom right through the water.

The view across Surveyor Lake to the Canadian Rockies, more precisely these mountains are called the Kootenay Rockies.

Painted turtles lined up on a log taking in the sun.

This was as much of the paint job as I could get a picture of from any of these turtles. Painted turtles are usually pretty shy guys and dive in the water at any sound or disturbance.

I nearly forgot to mention, the wildflowers were starting to bloom. If there is such a thing as a wild snap dragon then that's what this is. I'll have to look it up to make certain.

Mornings like this one are what life is all about for me. Imagine, I can be in and drink up this wonderland in a matter of minutes. I am one lucky ducky!

©Kinsey Barnard

British Columbia

We hiked to British Columbia today. For some folks that would probably be quite a trek, for us it was only about two hours on foot. That sign there says it's the 49th parallel and the international boundary between Canada and the United States. Mom was a good girl and stayed on our side but I scampered into Canada as far as my lead would allow. No mounties came after me! The border here is a pretty impressive sight. It's just this, what looks like a fire break, cut through the forest as far as the eye can see.

On the way up we saw a beautiful back bear. His coat was like jet black velvet. There wasn't any opportunity for mom to get a shot as he took off as soon as he heard us. Bears have VERY good ears and they can run like the wind. Course, so do I. I bet I could've caught up with him if mom would've let me. But, I'm not allowed to chase. Darn!

It's really hard getting photographs of animals in the wild. Technically, the animals in the parks are in the wild but they are so accustomed to cars, people and cameras it's a lot easier. For us, in the wild, means where you walk all day and never see another human being. Here in Montana that isn't hard to do. Montana is the fourth largest state land mass wise and still has less than one million humans in the whole place. The animals in these forests are pretty leery of humans and just the crunch of human boots on the trail is enough to send anything around flying. Me I could sneak up on them, I have quiet shoes. Problem is I'm not too good with a camera.

Mom tried to get some pictures in an old mine shaft but neither one of us was very crazy about being in there in the dark and all she got was a fuzzy picture of my behind.

Until next time......