Snow Covered Views - Snapshots

Some more Small Camera pictures - All with a snowy theme!

This was the one stair case we were climbing to go over Bow Falls... (Okay, trail might have been closed..)

Out at lake Louise

Along part of the highway (we kinda got lost)

Out by Lake Minnewanka we found this lovely sight... (one of my FAV photos)

And this one.. Beautiful trees!

Banff Water Snapshots

I mostly use the big camera, but occasionally I like my small camera for a bigger view

This was on the first night in Banff...

Down at the Bow falls

Along the Fenland Trail

Bent over trees along the Fenland Trail

Stream to Lake Louise

Sheep Staredown

On the way back down the mountain, The sheep had moved off their hilltop, and were wandering down the middle of the road.. After a close call with a snowplow, this one decided he didnt like my vehicle.. I managed a few shots before he started coming across the road to me (the two other sheep it was with were up the hill before I could say JUMP!.. THAT was incredible to see!)

Pretty Wonky Horn..

Out in the Snow

So, we made it out to lake Minnewanka...  in the snow.. there was a good foot or so of it out there. We didnt manage to walk too far, I kept losing socks..  But, the view was beautiful!!

Little islands of rock covered in trees, surrounded by snow!

All the beautiful snow covered trees..

Didnt see too much by the way of birds.. A few robins, Dark Eyed Juncos, Pine Siskin, Common Mergansers in the open water.. A little Golden Crowned Kinglet...

We did a slow drive around some other water as we headed back and among the usuals, we found one little Hermit Thrush among the robins!

Delightful Duo

A little past the first group of Bighorn Sheep, we came across this pair, who didn't seem to care at all!! (There were a few others scattered along the rocks, and we could see a few more in the trees as well)

Wonky horns, but adorable!!! 
You can really see the odd pupils in this guy!

Whatcha lookin at??

Kitty on the Bales

A higher vantage point to see what is going on.. Kitty up in the Bales!

Catching Snowflakes?

While we were watching the Bighorned beauty, He started to do something odd...

It looks like he is trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue!!

Happy Bighorn Sheep!

Look at those Horns!!!

Off we went on a snow filled morning, hunting for the Bighorn Sheep..   Upon the recommendations of an awesome birder friend (Thanks Nick!!) and some pointed directions from our waitress, off we went! Lake Minnewanka was the place to be!!  Over snowy roads, and slippery conditions (Must have snow tires or chains?? Oops)  we persevered!! Finally, while going around a curve, I looked up, and saw.. HORN!!

This big beauty was parked on top of the rock beside the road.. no real interest in me (or the tour bus that drove by cursing me)

Big Black Beauty!

Im Pretty sure this is a Common Raven.. (If I am wrong, please correct me!)
He was sitting at a turn off where we stopped to admire the views (and the birds).

Lake Louise Mountain Views

So, Off we went for a drive through the mountains.. Some beautiful views!!

This one showed the snow coming off..

A three Mountain range...

And the tippy top among the trees!

Yummy Snow!!

As we were leaving the park, we found a pair of lovely Clarks Nutcrackers chowing down on snow!

Almost wonder if they have a nest nearby in the trees behind the snow bank!

Black Billed Magpie

This Beautiful Magpie was hanging out in front of me, jumping into the snow for yummy things, and posing in the sunshine!

Feather Iridescence.

And Posing, oh so pretty!

Kitty on a Post

We went to check out the calves and one of the kitties jumped up on the post to check things out!!!

A high up view!

Not Impressed with the camera at all!

Ignoring me!

Clarks Nutcracker Preening

I managed to find one beautiful Nutcracker in the middle of Preening, and they didnt care about me taking pictures!!

Posing pretty!

Yummy feathers!

Showing off the Wing!

Clark's Nutcracker Portraits

There were a few Really Cheeky Clarks Nutcrackers hanging out by the vehicles.. A couple of them had no interest in me and let me get some pretty nice portraits of them!

This guy was digging in the dirt for yummies!

Adorable Puffball!

Such a pretty bird!

Gray Jay

I had seen these adorable little guys the first time I went to Banff, but never got a decent photo.. This time I was bound and determined..
 We went up to Lake Louise, and spotted 2 in a tree not long after arriving!

Sitting in the tree just above me to sing!

Then hunted on snowbanks for yummy bits!