Missing My Forest Friends

I've been busy at work and have not had the opportunity to get to the trails for 6 days.  I was beginning to feel like a caged cat.  When I was driving into town yesterday, two white tailed deer were waiting for me at the top of the hill.  As I pulled up to the stop sign, they stood in the middle of the road watching.  A little further up the road, 8 white tailed deer were grazing in the field alongside the ditch.  I didn't get to my forest friends so they came to me.

I was looking forward to a couple of days off.  Today was spent catching up on errands and attacking a mountain of dirty dishes so I only had time for a quick drive through the park.  On the way there, the deer and bison were grazing along the highway.  I made it all the way to Astotin Lake before I saw more wildlife.  Two bison were grazing by the lake shore amidst the Canada Geese that were pairing up on the ice.

A couple of geese were atop the old thatched roof house.  When I drove by the house, the geese honked and flapped their wings.  They flew off the roof and joined the flock that congregated on the lake shore.  It's going to be a while before the ice breaks up on the lake.  There is still a lot of winter snow that has to melt.



 

There was a lone bison on the highway.  He was feeding on the grass where the snow had melted.  I slowed to watch.  He didn't pay any attention to me.

A young moose was making its way through the deep snow in search of an early evening snack. 

 
The young willow branches proved to be a tasty treat.  I watched for ten minutes as it made its way through the thicket.

I continued to the north end of the park and came across 6 elk at the edge of the forest.  Half of them had found some grassy patches where the snow had melted and were laying down while the others grazed on the long grasses close by.


On the way home I saw another moose on the opposite side of the road and a porcupine looking for some fresh bark to chew on.  I can't wait for tomorrow.  I'm planning on spending the whole day outside as I'll be working another 6 day stretch that will keep me inside.