Wild animals of Alberta 1

These two deer were part of a group of maybe half a dozen White-tailed Deer that I came across on one of my local park walks. I stood still and watched them cross the path in front of me - all but one! These two turned their heads, waiting patienlty for the remaining young one to pluck up enough courage to cross. In the end, I turned around and walked back a little way, otherwise we could all have been waiting for ever! We have two kinds of deer in our parks - White-tailed and Mule Deer.

Came across this little guy/gal on one of my cold winter walks in a local park. The background at the top of the photo looks a little like clouds but is, in fact, snow.

Even though this is a rather distant photo and somewhat blurry, it is one of my favourites. I was just driving down the small road that leads into my local park when I spotted this gorgeous creature near the edge of the road. I slowed down and stopped and watched as it searched, stalked and POUNCED! It caught a little meadow vole or similar and I watched as it ate it. This is the expression (almost sly) on the Coyote's face immediately after it had eaten - there is still a piece of dead grass hanging from its mouth. I always enjoy seeing Coyotes but some people are quite afraid of them. Usually when they see a human being, they will turn and quietly slip away in the opposite direction.

I saw this young Coyote that was with another young one when I went for a drive with my daughter into Kananaskis (Rocky Mountains). They trotted right past where I was standing by my car, obviously not bothered at all by my presence.

This young Coyote didn't seem in the least bit bothered by my presence.

We encountered this 10-year-old Mountain Sheep on Highway 40, going through Kananaskis. It was very unsteady on its feet, and we were concerned that it might get hit by some vehicle coming round the corner. A ranger happened to come by and she told us that she knew about this particular animal. The average life-span is 7-8 years.

Always a treat to watch one of these animals, especially when it is on the prowl for a snack.

Came across this female Mule Deer with her youngster just as the sun was beginning to set in a local park. The big ears and white tail with a black tip identify these as Mulies.

On 25th June 2004, around 5:30 p.m. on a quiet evening walk in Fish Creek Park, this is the scene that I came upon. This must have been an almost new-born fawn, it was SO tiny. I was SO excited that I could barely remember how to even turn on my camera, and I'm sure I was trembling with awe, so the image is not as sharp as it might have been. And that annoying piece of grass! Also, though I was at some distance to them, I was extremely careful and very conscious of intruding on such a special moment. The mother stood still for a while, allowing her fawn to nurse, and I felt very privileged.