While most everyone, their best friends, and then even more people head to the Banff / Lake Louise area in the mountains west of Calgary, some birding locals clued me in to Kananaskis. While certainly the Banff area is gorgeous, Kananaskis which is only a short drive from my motel in High River has fantastic vistas, super wildlife, and almost no people. Guess where I spent two days this week?! Before I get to my birding, here are a few images from my drive up through the foothills into the mountains. Please note I was on gravel roads, some of which do not even open till June 30th due to snowpack.

Random Foothills Roadside View

Sheep River Falls (Google Maps Link)

Okay … birds. I will admit I was hoping to see Golden Eagles, and my route is known for same, but I came up empty, but this little Mountain Bluebird delighted the eyes

A much more unique bird is the American Dipper, which is a diminutive songbird which actually swims underwater in fast flowing streams to catch insects. This individual was just downstream from Sheep River Falls.

At one meadow the Western Kingbird made an appearance, followed by an old faithful from northern Minnesota, the Ruffed Grouse.