Wildlife

It is Berry Season now and that means a time to be Extra Careful when out in Favorite Shared Spaces. Bears can become very focused on eating Berries and when in dense bush, Surprise Encounters are Far More Common. If a Bear knows you are there, or approaching on a trail, the chances of a difficult situation is less likely. Be Safe out there!

Grateful to see this amazing Grizzly Family for a short appearance before they head up in altitude towards new green growth. We may see them again during berry season, but just knowing they are doing well is wonderful. As newborns, these cubs had something about them that was particularly amazing as you can see.

Alberta Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Rams can weigh up to 500 pounds in their Prime, during the beginning of the rutting season. As the snow falls, Bighorn Sheep seem to eat constantly, but the dry vegetation has much less nutritional value, witnessing Bighorns losing weight into Spring and early Summer. By Mid-Summer, the vegetation is thick and green again, which offers Bighorns an ability to pack on the pounds in preparation for the up coming Fall/Winter Rutting or Mating season and Cold Winter months.

The Biggest Grizzly Seen in the Area So Far is such a magnificent sight. We thought a little tribute to this amazing Apex creature was in order, so here is a good look at this incredible fella. We are not sure, but He may have recently been seen mating with one of the biggest Sows in the area. If so, their offspring will be exceptionally gifted in the size department.

All baby moose calves are born in the spring of the year. Mother Moose(Cows) become pregnant in the fall, usually late September or early October. Just a few days after birth, a moose calf is capable of outrunning a human. Moose calves gain weight at an incredible rate in the first year of life. A calf will usually gain more than 1 pound a day in the spring and later will grow even faster.. up to over 4 pounds a day! When moose are born they are completely helpless. A single born baby moose calf will weigh about 30 pounds. At this time, moose calves are completely vulnerable to predators, so Cows will keep their calves completely hidden for several days. While newborn moose are born with excellent hearing and sense of smell, unfortunately, moose calves have poor eyesight like adults. Like most ungulates, a Moose Mum/Cow will defend and protect her calf vigorously from danger, making them more dangerous to encounter at this time year.

This is probably the Most Mature and Largest Grizzly Sow in this area. She, or her Sister/Daughter can be easily confused with which Bear raised the 3 Amigos. Regardless, it was a very pleasant surprise to see this Awesome Grizzly Bear with 3 Cubs of the Year/Newborns.

Hoary marmots live near the tree line on slopes with grasses and forbs to eat and rocky areas for cover. Hoary marmots are diurnal and herbivorous, subsisting on leaves, flowers, grasses, and sedges. Predators include golden eagles, grizzly and black bears, wolverines, coyotes, red foxes, lynxes, wolves, and cougars.
Hoary Marmot Reproduction..
Hoary marmots breed shortly after, or even before, their emergence from hibernation burrows in May and in some areas as early as February. Gestation lasts 25 to 30 days, so the litter of two to five young is born between late May and mid-June. The young "Whistlers" emerge from their birth den at three to four weeks of age, by which time they have a full coat of fur and are already beginning to be weaned. Subadults initially remain with their birth colony, but typically leave at two years of age, becoming fully sexually mature the following year.

Newborn Rocky Mountain Goats have grown enough for their Mothers to bring them out, which is usually about a 2 week period. These very rare animals are the Kings/Queens of the Mountains, spending much of their time at High Altitudes. We are very lucky to be able to witness some Baby Mountain Masters of slightly different ages here.

The Elk Rut is just a couple months away. Elk Bulls are putting on a lot of weight right now as their testosterone increases and they have access to much more nutritious food. Bugles, Battles and Breeding will be taking over this Beautiful area as Bulls fight to claim or hold their territories' throne.

The first couple Bighorn Babies appear and while we hoped to see lots more, they do look to be in great condition. Ewes usually have one baby in the spring, called Lambs. Amazingly, Lambs are able to walk and climb on their first day - being born. The incredible agility of these two Lambs shows already at such a young age. Their Mothers(Ewes) eventually come up to check on them and allow them to nurse. You can also see their natural instinct to stay up and hidden is still there somewhat, but is starting to fade.

It Appears the 3 Amigo's Mum is now raising/protecting 2 newborns(coy). Back in 2019, she had 3 that looked exactly like these 2(little "Spirit" faces), but She was quite a bit Heavier at the same time of year back then. The cooler Spring sure has seemed to delay their ability to put on weight. Hopefully, we get lots of moisture in the immediate and this Family finds a safe space far away from the Highways.