Elk Island National Park never disappoints no matter what time of day I travel there however, the light and quiet of an early morning visit enhances the experience.

A visit at 7:30am found nobody else around; not even the park staff were out that early. There were no humans but there were definitely many creatures big and small; beginning with the bison along the roadside. They paid no mind to me as I stopped to watch them graze in the tall grass. 

An elk bolted out of the forest as if being chased. In a blink of an eye it was gone into the forest on the opposite side of the road.

Ponds were alive with waterfowl in search of food. Each has families of Canada geese in them. The goslings are now big enough to search for food on their own, under the watchful eye of their parents.

As I wandered the beach at Astotin Lake, the avocets and gulls were harvesting the blood suckers close to shore. The water was calm and the warm light of the morning helped to create a very memorable scene.

A great blue heron flew across the lake. The pelicans were gathering. Once they were all together, they swam in unison in search of food. The cormorants and red neck grebes were near the boardwalk. 

I parked myself in a Parks Canada red chair and watched and listened to the sights and sounds of the early morning. What a great way to begin the day.

More photos at https://www.facebook.com/Ramblings-of-an-Outdoor-Girl-1015659961820012/

The four inches of fresh snow that fell a week ago is long gone.  The ski trails at the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area have bare patches where it is not icy.  The conditions for skiing are not good but they are ideal for the kicksled.

When I went to the trails yesterday, there was one other vehicle in the parking lot.  That is my favorite type of outing; when I'm alone in the woods.

I packed up my backpack and attached it to the handlebars on the sled and put the ice cleats on my boots.

The trails were perfect for the kicksled.  With the icy surface, I got more glide for the stride.  I moved forward further with each kick.  It was a fantastic day to be outside.  The sky was blue and the sun was shining.

Just before getting back to the parking lot, I met up with two ladies.  They were just heading out for a hike but they stopped for a chat.  Their first question was ' What is that thing?'  I get that a lot.  I got to show them how everything worked and they agreed that it was another fun activity to do in winter.  We finished our chat and both said they were going to watch as I headed back to the parking lot so they could see how the sled worked.  I was just hoping that I wouldn't wipe out!

Back in the parking lot, a couple of park staff were replenishing the firewood.  They watched as I removed my backpack, folded the sled down and stored it inside my vehicle.  I could tell that they too had never seen a kicksled before.

I wasn't ready to go home just yet so I drove to Elk Island National Park to check out the skating oval.  It had been cleaned off but was pretty rutted.  That didn't stop me from taking the sled onto the ice to give it a try.  I figured it would take even less effort to move forward on the ice than it did on the icy ski trails.

What fun it was!  It was safer to go out with the sled than with skates on.  I left the plastic runners on.  I had read that they should be removed to move across the ice but keeping them on worked great.  That could have been due to the rutted surface.  

The sun reflected off the smoother sections of ice.  I was the only person out on the lake.  The loop goes around Archer Island and back.  I could see a few dog-walkers stop to watch me glide along.

I love using the kicksled.  I can hold onto the handles and walk behind it, giving me some extra stability on the hard crusted, uphill surfaces.  I can kick and glide on the straight sections and ride on the runners where the trail goes downhill.  If there are no spots to sit to enjoy a view or take a rest break, there is a seat that travels with me.

I saw a newscast a couple of years ago about some family activities that the City of Edmonton was promoting.  During the report, a video of someone using a kicksled caught my eye.  That made me search the internet to try to find out more information on it.  When I found out that they were available locally, I had to have one.  There's been no turning back since then; just a lot of kicking and gliding.

The sled is great for all ages and abilities.  It provides another means of enjoying the winter season.  Some people harness their dogs to the sleds.  I don't have one and prefer to kick and glide by my own power.  

If anyone wants to try them out before making a purchase, they can be rented from the company that sells them in this area.  Check it out.  It's another fun way to spend a beautiful winter day!

http://www.kicksledalberta.com/

 

There was a lot of packing up to do after Christmas but I couldn't help but push it all aside and take advantage of the beautiful weather.  The tree and the ornaments could stay up another couple of days.  That decision allowed me the time to make two trips to Elk Island National Park.

The first was on New Year's Day.  What a great way to celebrate a new year.  I drove to the Amisk Wuche trail.  It is my favorite short hike, just 2.5km.  It winds through the forest, up hill and down.  It's a good work out if you are limited for time and a great snowshoe trail when there is lots of snow.  There was no need for the snowshoes this time as the few centimeters of snow on the trail was hard-packed. I did wear my hiking cleats to provide better traction. I love using them in winter and summer to provide more secure footing.

The parking lot is usually empty but I found five other vehicles there when I arrived.  It was nice to see others enjoying the fresh air and the sunshine. 

The sky was clear and the sun shone between the bare tree trunks, casting long shadows across the trail.  A light breeze rustled the dead leaves on the cat tails as I crossed the boardwalk.  Tracks in the snow criss-crossed the surface of the pond.  That open expanse of snow was telling me to bring snowshoes or skis on the next outing.

My hike was quieter than usual.  Most times I hear the chickadees or the blue jays.  I often hear the woodpeckers tapping at the snags in the forest but today was silent.  There was not a bird call to be heard.  When I stopped walking and stood to listen there was only silence.  It was pure bliss.

I chose a different trail for my second day out.  To get to the trail head, I had to drive past the parking lot at Astotin Lake.  A number of deer were grazing in the area of the beaver pond.  The bucks sported some nice looking antlers.  I had to shake my head as vehicles drove past; totally oblivious to the fact that these beautiful creatures were there.  Most passengers had their eyes glued to their mobile devices; missing what they probably wanted to see in the first place.

The Lakeview Trail winds through the forest on the north side of Astotin Lake for 3.5km.  Part of the trail runs along the shoreline.  Two people on their x-country skis were making their way across the lake surface.  It was another clear day with the sun shining brightly.  It was hard to believe that the temperature was +4C on January 2.


The snow on this trail was hard packed.  The hike was not as quiet as the previous day.  Squirrels chased each other up and down tree trunks; chattering back and forth.  A boreal chickadee called from a tall spruce.  Magpies squawked as I walked beneath the branch that they were perched on.  This trail offers three different locations where one can sit and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds along the way.  My favorite is the last one where three benches are situated beneath some towering spruce.

When I left the trail head I watched for the deer.  They were still in the same area but all were resting in the tall grass and the vehicles were still driving right on by.  On the drive out of the park I saw two coyotes loping across a snow-covered pond.  There were no bison or elk in sight. 

It was another glorious day and I was glad to be on the trails for two days in a row. I better pack up Christmas 2015 while it is dark out so when the next opportunity presents itself to enjoy the fresh air, I'll be ready.

(A new Facebook page has been created for this blog.  Additional photos willl be posted there.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/Ramblings-of-an-Outdoor-Girl-1015659961820012/)

I've been cooped up in the house for the past two days.  I needed some fresh air headed to Elk Island National Park.  There are many trails to choose from for hiking and lots of picnic tables by the lake to just sit and enjoy the view.  I tried to do both.

I started at Astotin Lake.  The sun was just beginning to break through the clouds.  The warm rays began to burn off the fog that hung over the lake.  I could hear the gulls and the geese on the water.  

A south east wind was blowing.  I was not dressed warm enough to sit at the lake shore so I drove to the nearby Amisk Wuche Trail.  It is short and well treed; just right for today.

I was almost a quarter way around the trail when the sun was high enough in the sky to break through the treetops.  I love the early morning light.  It is warm in color making it ideal for some dewdrop and back lit photographs.

There are not many leaves hanging on the branches.  Most are forming a carpet on the trail.  The rose bushes are providing the last bit of color amidst the grey tree trunks.  It is amazing how each of the thorny branches produces so many varying shades of color.  They are beautiful.
 
I spent some time sitting on a bench that stands atop a hill, overlooking a beaver pond.  The ducks were swimming in the shadows of the pond.  I heard the bluejays in the spruce trees.  A pair of geese and a number of ducks flew overhead.  I could hear their wings whistle in the wind.  

As I sat on the bench, I closed my eyes and tuned everything out except the sounds of the forest.  The dried leaves clinging to the branches and the tall grasses rustled in the wind. The birds called from the treetops.  I heard a hawk and a raven call from overhead.  The nearby trees creaked as they swayed to and fro in the gusts.  The sounds were heavenly.

On the drive back home, I noticed the park staff replacing the culverts in the bison loop.  The heavy machinery did not seem to bother the bison herd that was grazing nearby. 

A coyote was hunting in the ditch.  It stopped now and again to listen for movement in the tall grass.  As I approached, it lopped off into the trees.

The birds were busy in the backyard again; so was the squirrel.  I opened the garage door and the bushy tailed little rodent stared back at me before running for the safety of a cabinet.  It has been storing food in the attic of my garage as well as in the boxes that I have items stored in.  I found some nice dried mushrooms in the box containing the tie downs.

The afternoon turned out to be sunny but windy.  The leaves that I was going to rake, blew into the neighbor's yard on their own so I could sit back and enjoy a coffee on the deck. 

 

I was surprised at the number of creatures, big and small, that I saw yesterday.  I was not the only one taking advantage of a sunny day.  There was more wildlife on this trail than my usual Elk Island trails combined.

I was about a half hour into the hike when I spied a cow moose.  She ran as soon as she caught sight of me.  I could hear her crashing through the trees.

The birds were busy and vocal.  Black capped chickadees, white breasted nuthatches, juncos and blue jays flew from branch to branch in search of food.  I could hear magpies, crows and ravens in the distance.  As I approached the lake, a choir of waterfowl calls filled the air.  A flock of cranes called from overhead. 

The wood bison were close to the trail.  My first sighting was along the lake shore.  I could see his horns and the top of his head above the tall grass.  I saw four of them grazing in an open meadow and another four came thundering across the trail.  The ground shook as they stampeded into the trees.

Squirrels were gathering mushrooms for their winter stores.  One balanced atop a snag.  It stopped long enough to give me a scolding.

There were so many butterflies visible.  All were feeding on the remaining wildflowers; flitting in front of me on the trail and then stopping to rest on the warm sand.

I counted five grouse and four more moose along the way.  The one photo that I did get was of the south end of a north bound moose. 

I took the long way home to see if there were more creatures out on the parkway.  

Two young coyotes were walking in the ditch.  I pulled over to watch them and both came lopping to my driver's side door.  They waited to see if I would give them some food.  I could tell that visitors have been feeding them.  They were not afraid.

Astotin Lake had a couple of bison visiting the picnic area.  One decided that he needed to wallow in the sand on the beach.  He used his front hooves to dig in the sand before rolling back and forth.

Yesterday was fantastic for a number of reasons; the sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, there were no flying insects to bother me and so many of the forest creatures stopped to say hello.  What a perfect day!

A spontaneous trip to Elk Island National Park turned into quite the amazing outing.  We got to the park at the peak time for animal sightings before the sun went down.  The first close up encounter happened at a beaver pond.  As we slowed to see if the beavers were swimming, one came out of the water and put on a show for us alongside the highway.  I would have been happy with that but there was more to come.

We continued the drive to Astotin Lake.  Again, we slowed and scanned the water for ripples giving us a sign that the beavers were swimming.  At the edge of the pond, we spied one out of the water.  It was chewing on a tree.  We watched until the tree fell.  That poor beaver worked so hard to chew the tree down but it fell upright off the stump rather than falling to the ground.  The beaver grabbed at it and looked as if it might try pushing it over or chewing it some more.  It soon gave up, wandered to within 4 feet of me and dived into the water.  Fantastic close encounter!

After leaving the lake, we tried one more beaver pond on the way to the Amisk Wuche trail.  Here we saw 2 more beavers working feverishly on the banks.  They were gathering paws full of mud for some construction that they were doing on the shore.  It looked like a new lodge was being constructed.  What great fun to watch.

If that wasn't enough, 2 moose crossed the highway.  They ended up in a slough.  We drove up slowly so as not scare them.  They allowed us to watch as they took a long drink.  They did not mind us observing but a car coming from the opposite direction made them run into the trees when the driver slammed on the brakes after he realized what we were looking at.

This day was just as exciting as the 6 bear day that we had in Nordegg last June.  I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.  I went from practically falling asleep in my coffee cup after work to wide awake from excitement.  Taking all those photos tonight made me as excited as a little kid at Christmas.

It's been so long since I've been on the trails.  The hike this morning was long overdue.  I didn't want it to end.

On my way to Elk Island National Park I had a first time experience.  Just a short distance from home, close to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, I saw an animal come out of the bush.  At first I thought it was a dog or cat.  As I got closer, it came up from the ditch and crossed the road in front of me.  It resembled an otter and moved with undulating motion.  It was larger than a weasel, dark brown with no markings and had a tail that could be described as 'tubular'.  From nose to tip of tail my guess would be that it was close to two feet in length.  The first thing I did when I got home was look it up in a reference book.  It was a mink.  Beauty!  Chalk up another first.

On the way to the park the deer and bison were grazing along the fence lines.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue.  I had a hard time deciding which trail to hike but my vehicle turned into the Amisk Wuche parking lot.

The boardwalks were bare but there was still a lot of snow on the trail itself.  I heard coyotes howling in the distance.  Crows cawed and chickadees sang.  Squirrels chattered from the tree tops.  The pileated woodpeckers had been busy creating large holes in the old decaying tree stumps.

The forest smell was amazing.  It was waking up from the long winter nap.  It smelled fresh and full of life, making me think that spring was definitely around the corner.

During one of the winter wind storms, a very large spruce tree toppled onto the trail.  The park staff finally cut the tree into small logs, clearing the trail.  I could have stood in that spot all day.  I love the smell of spruce and pine tree sap.  The freshly cut logs were oozing with sap. It was perfume to my nose.

The morning was so beautiful that I hiked a second trail.  I drove to Astotin Lake and visited the Lakeview Trail.  The snow on that trail has melted down quite a bit, leaving many moose and elk 'deposits' to dodge.  

I made it to the first bench where I sat and enjoyed the sunshine and the view.  The snow had melted on the lake surface leaving sheer ice that sparkled in the morning sun.  There was a breeze that rustled the tall grasses, dead leaves and bits of birch bark.  That was the only sound in the forest.  It was peaceful and calming.

I was about half way around when two squirrels raced back and forth across the trail.  They ran up and down tree trunks.  I stopped to watch.  They came straight at me. I could imagine how loud my scream would have been if they tried to climb my leg like a tree.

I approached the cook house on my way back to the parking lot.  I could smell the smoke from a wood fire.  That is the best aromatherapy ever!  A couple of guys were having an outdoor picnic alongside the lake.

I had almost four hours of outdoor time today and it was just what the doctor ordered.  The time was relaxing. A nap was next on the agenda.  When I woke, the deer were in the backyard.  The five regular white tails and one mule deer were filling themselves up.  They kept looking toward the forest.  I couldn't see what they were looking at until three mule deer came into view.  They didn't come into the yard but it appeared that they wanted to. 

The day was beautiful.  I'm trying to get all my chores done this evening so I can enjoy more forest time tomorrow. 

Sunshine and melting snow was testament that the temperature made it to the plus-side today.  The day was beautiful and many people were out enjoying the extra day off.  I've never seen so many vehicles driving through or parked in the lots at Elk Island.

I pulled into the parking lot of the Amisk Wuche trail and found 6 vehicles there.  I'm usually the only one.  Keeping that in mind as I put the snowshoes on, I decided to break a trail on the lake surface.  

There was a packed trail down the embankment to the shoreline.  That's where it ended.  I could see there had once been another trail that went across the ice but the wind had drifted it over.  I created a new trail along the shoreline.

That turned out to be a really good choice.  Nobody else was out on the lake but from my vantage I could see numerous hikers on the trail.  That is one reason why I opted for the open space but it

wasn't the only one.  When I hike in the trees, the upper canopy does not allow the sun to shine through.  On the lake surface, the sun was bright and warm.

I created a big loop on the lake.  In some places, there was very little snow.  In others, the wind had created drifts but they were hard-packed and it was easy to stay on top of them.  As I made my way round the shoreline, I planned what I was going to do tomorrow.  The day is supposed to be sunny if the forecast is correct; making it a perfect day to try to snowshoe out to the island at Astotin Lake or take the skis out on the lake surface.  

I'll have to toss a coin to decide what to do unless I head out early which means ample time to snowshoe in the morning and ski in the afternoon.  That way I wouldn't have to decide!

-18C was feeling like a heat wave this morning.  By the time I left the house it was -15C and downright balmy.  My destination choice was the Lakeview Trail that runs alongside Astotin Lake.  It's been awhile since my last visit so I wanted to see what winter has brought to that area.  On the way to the park, not far from home, two white tail deer were running along the range road.  As I got closer, they veered off into the deep snow and through the trees.  I didn't get close enough to see if they were a couple of my regular yard visitors.

The road through Elk Island Park was extremely icy.  The wind had polished the surface up nicely and the fine snow falling this morning did not help matters any.  I pulled into the parking lot at the lake and noticed that I was the only person there.  

The trail looked well used by snowshoers.  I didn't bother to wear mine.  The hiking cleats worked just fine as the snow was well packed. There was no wind and the snow was letting up so I knew that it was going to be a great hike.

The beaver pond looked like the barren tundra.  Bison and elk had taken their chances crossing the deep snow on the pond.  They browsed in areas alongside the trail, leaving broken branches behind.

The rabbits and hares left many tracks as well.  Branches that were close to the snow surface had bark stripped away by those furry little creatures.  I could tell that it was not a porcupine because they had left little round deposits behind.

I did not hear one bird or squirrel the entire time that I was walking.  As I came close to the end of the trail, some branches were moving back and forth at the top of a tall spruce tree.  I was thinking that it was a squirrel but as I came closer, a large great horned owl flew up from the cradling boughs.  What a beauty!  It flew off into the bush and out of range for a photo.  That was disappointing.

I got back to the parking lot and my vehicle was still the only one there.  On my way out of the park, I noticed a porcupine feeding on some willow branches.  It was standing on the snowbank and climbed into the tree itself when I stopped to watch.  A short distance up the road, a second porcupine was feeding.  This one was balancing on a very thin branch while munching on the bark.  Outstanding!  They must not weigh very much underneath all those quills.  The branch that it was balancing on was not very thick.

When I got home, I made myself a nice hot coffee and sat down to watch the backyard birds for a bit.  The chickadees were busy.  A couple of nuthatches were also sharing the feeder.  The deer had not visited yet as the tub was still full.  There was no sign of the pileated woodpecker.

I've been waiting impatiently for the pine grosbeaks to show up.  I love the burst of bright color that they bring to the yard.  Until that happens, I'll have to be happy with viewing the photos from last winter.

It appears that the frigid temperatures will be back for a few days so I had to take advantage of the beautiful morning.  I left home at 9:45am.  The snowplow/sanding trucks were out on the Yellowhead highway so driving was good up to the Elk Island Park gate.  The road through the park was icy with the wind shining it up even more.

I did notice that there was not as much new snow as there was at home.  Before leaving, I shoveled about an inch of it off my deck and driveway.

I hiked the Beaver Pond trail today.  Just as I was starting out, the sun was shining through an opening in the clouds.  The thin layer of ice on the snow shone in the sunlight.  I did notice that there had not been as much rain here either.  The layer of ice on the snow at home was much thicker than at the park.

The weather is really confusing Mother Nature.  The pussy willows are out.  The leaf buds on the dogwood branches are swelling.  The spiders are crawling out of their hiding places.  I saw one making its way across the trail.

The wind was quite strong in the open areas.  Snow drifted across the trail.  Trees creaked as the wind rocked their trunks to and fro.  The squirrels were not happy with me as I passed by their middens.  There was a lot of chattering going on.

The 3.5km hike was pleasant even with the wind.  The air was fresh and the forest was filled with nature's sounds.  It took only an hour to hike the loop so I drove to Astotin Lake to see what was going on there.  As I turned off the highway, I could see a coyote limping down the center of the road.  It turned to look at me and headed for the ditch.  The poor thing was injured, making it difficult for it to walk through the deep snow.

There were only a couple of vehicles in the parking lot today.  In the distance, on the lake, I could see some kite boarders.  It was a good day for them to be out.  I brought my lunch with me so decided to stop and watch them for awhile.

There were three in total. Their kites dipped and rose in the wind.  Every now and then a boarder would be lifted into the air off the lake surface.  It looked like they were having great fun.

The clouds disappeared completely during my drive home.  The sun came out and brightened the landscape for a couple of hours until the clouds rolled in again.  Snow began falling.

When I got home, I refilled feeders and dug a path to the woodshed.  The pileated woodpecker visited while I was away.  It left a pile of bark chips at the bottom of the old tree stump.

Just before dark, the deer came into the yard.  I could see their silhouettes as they made their way to all the feeding stations.  

I enjoy the many birds and animals that come into my backyard.  They provide great entertainment on days that I cannot get out to the trails or on the days when I don't see any wildlife when I do visit the trails.

This evening I pulled out my nature scape 'bible' and made a list of more shrubs that I am going to add to the yard in the spring.  When all that snow melts in the backyard, I'll be ready. 


 


 

My Perfect Outdoor Day

"I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees.  The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.  It has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day.  It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful.  Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy."  ~Hamlin Garland, McClure's, February 1899

I left home as the sun was coming up this morning.  My plan was to spend the day outside.  I started at the Strathcona Wilderness Center.  The air was crisp and the grasses and leaves were frosty.  It was the perfect beginning to a glorious outing.

 

The morning rays of the sun shone through the bare branches of the tall aspen trees.  The trunks cast long shadows on the trail.  The frosty leaf carpet glittered like gold.  

 

It was still calm and silent except for the little chickadees.  They were busy collecting seeds from the shrubs.  I stopped to watch as they flitted from branch to branch; singing their 'cheeseburger' song.

There were a number of little ponds along the trail that I was on.  I could see them through the trees.  The moose and deer created a well worn path to one of them.  I decided to follow it.  I'm glad that I did.

Moss covered logs lay on the edge.  The water was not deep but it was calm, clear and reminded me of a sheet of glass.  The bright yellow color from the few remaining leaves reflected in the water.  The area was like a little piece of heaven.

When I finished exploring at the SWC, I made my way to Elk Island National Park.  I wanted to revisit a trail that looped through the forest on the north side of Astotin Lake.  

 

Along the parkway en route to the lake, a young coyote searched for food.  It lopped through the ditch.  Every now and again it would pounce into the tall grasses but each time it came back out empty handed.  

As I made my way to the trail head, I could hear honking above me.  The snow geese were on the move.  Their white bodies against the blue sky were a sight to behold.

My first stop was at a bench that overlooked Astotin Lake.  The wind had picked up and was creating little white caps on the water.  Ducks and geese bobbed up and down in the waves.  This was an ideal lunch spot.  There was still some autumn color directly in front of me as well as on the island.  The bench was sheltered and the sun warmed me as I sat and took in the sights and sounds.

There are a number of rest stops along the trail where hikers can take a break and relax.  It was at one of the stops that numerous paths lead into the trees.  I followed one and found a skull leaning against a broken branch.

Chickadees and nuthatches provided entertainment as they were foraging in the spruce trees.  The forest smells were amazing.

I marveled at the scene around me.  There were decaying logs covered in a carpet of bright green fern-looking moss.  A tree stump was covered in a soft layer of brown/green moss.  Lichen grew upright through the layer; reaching for the small rays of sun that found their way through the thick boughs overhead.

My outdoor day was perfect.  I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area.  All my favorite activities can be found within a 10 minute drive from my home.  Hiking, x-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and so many natural areas for photography.  I take advantage of this every moment that I can.  There is nothing better than spending time in the forest.