Traveling the Canadian Rockies

We returned last Saturday from a two week trip to the Canadian Rockies in western Alberta - Banff, Jasper, and Waterton Lakes National Parks. This was not a birding trip, but when the birds appeared, we took the opportunity they presented (Please return Saturday for a column on one of those opportunities.)

The Canadian Rockies are dramatic, glacially sculpted mountains, as for example, this view along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park ...

Clark's Nutcracker abounds in the mountains, one of those gregarious Corvids that I love ...

Wapiti (Elk) along the Bow River Parkway, Banff National Park, one of several sightings we had of this magnificent member of the deer family ...

Berry bushes were bearing mature fruit, which put many bears on the move as they begin to bulk up for the winter. (Berry bushes bearing bear's berries. -!?) We saw this Black Bear near Lake Pyramid in Jasper National Park ...

For years I have wanted to stay in one of the old destination hotels built by the railroads at parks throughout the Rockies. On this trip, we took the opportunity; Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park was built by the Great Northern Railroad. Perched on a high glacial bluff at the south end of Lake Waterton, it has an unrivaled view from its lobby, lounge, and restaurant ...