I had a road trip planned for today until I stepped onto the deck this morning.  It was calm and warm.  I wondered why I would waste a day like this cooped up in my vehicle.

The alternate plan was to try a new trail at Elk Island National Park.  I decided on the 16km long Wood Bison Trail.  Estimated time to walk the loop is 5 hours.  Now that is the way to spend a beautiful autumn day!

My backpack held enough snacks for the day, extra clothing and some of my camera gear.  I left home at 9:35am and was ready to hit the trail at 10:00am.  It was not as wide or as well worn as the trails that I frequent on the north side of the park.

I just about turned back because I could hear the traffic noise from the Yellowhead Highway.  That was the last thing that I wanted to hear.  I was about 3kms in before I didn't hear the traffic anymore.  Instead, I heard woodpeckers and chickadees.  

I saw a cow moose feeding on some willow branches.  She was camera shy and took off into the trees before I could get a photo.

There was a bluebird sky overhead.  The warm sun shone down so it didn't take long for me to make a pit stop to remove the jacket I was wearing.  At 11:25am, I was at the south end of Flyingshot Lake.  I had hoped to see cranes or swans on the lake but no such luck.  The only waterfowl out there were ducks.

At the half way point, I found a log that served as the perfect bench for me to sit, take in the beauty and have lunch.  There was not a sound and not a soul out there.  It was just me and Mother Nature.

The colors were spectacular.  I was lucky to see a male ruffed grouse in full regalia.  He looked like he meant business but as I approached he flew into the trees to join a female.

The trail took me through a mix of very different landscapes.  I hiked past a lake, marsh areas, open meadows and a ravine filled with colorful larch.  There were a number of downed trees across the trail and a number of wood boardwalks to cross to get over wet areas.

At 3:25pm I arrived back at the parking lot.  I made good time considering that I was carrying a backpack, a camera bag and my tripod and that I had stopped for lunch and for many photo ops.

This was definitely the right way to spend the day.  Fresh air, sunshine, animal sightings, bird calls, the colors of autumn and crunching leaves made for a perfect outing.

Oh yes, and one more thing... NO bugs!