99

Rob

Penne

r

ViewpointYour Seasonal Perspective of Bragg Creek and Kananaskis

Ah, summer! The glorious days when the riot of colour becomes instantly apparent in the varied blue shades of lakes, ponds and rivers; the scattered vibrancy of abundant wildflowers; the deep emerald green of the pines contrasting with the fresh green glow of the aspen and poplar leaves:

and the therapeutic trickling of streams and rivers that entice visitors, large or small, to pause, listen, breathe, and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on earth._________________________________________________________

Main photograph: Elbow River meanders near Elbow Falls. Inset: a pika enjoys the relaxing ambience in Ptarmigan Cirque.

Ric

k N

ash

10

Anne

Dur

oche

r-W

esto

n

Dev

in F

eath

erst

one

Sara

h Lov

e

Chri

stin

e R

ober

tson

11

Nothing is more appealing after a long winter than the fresh air, warm breezes and endless sunshine that accompany summer. For novices and experts alike, it creates the ideal scenario for photographing nature's seasonal visitors: animals, insects and plants.

The meadows throughout Bragg Creek and Kananaskis are littered with hardy, yet gorgeous, indigenous bright-coloured wildflowers with uniquely shaped leaves and petals – flowers such as Castilleja, commonly known as 'Indian Paintbrush' or 'Prairie-fire'. This abundance of floral colour heralds the arrival of another light and beautiful visitor: the delicate butterfly.

The Silvery Blue Gossamer Wing (above) and its close relative, the Greenish Blue Gossamer Wing, are frequent visitors to Alberta from April through August. The larger Painted Lady – often mistaken for the popular Monarch – is found throughout southern Alberta between April and October. Sadly, each butterfly only survives for one season, a reminder of the precious brevity of summer.

________________________________________

Main photo: a field lit up with 'Indian Paintbrush' near Mt. Lipsett provides vivid contrast to the distant grey mountains and dark green firs.

Rest of spread: A closer look at the flora reveals many variations of winged visitors.

Con

nie

Sin

ger

Ker

ri M

arti

n

Azr

am C

haud

hry

Val

Hel

leru

d

12

A hike in the countryside can mean a chance encounter with some of nature’s most spectacular, and dangerous, creatures. Grizzly bears freely roam throughout Kananaskis during the summer months, foraging for berries, fish and ground squirrels, occasionally even attacking moose or elk.

They remain active from spring until late autumn, when they return to hibernation. Differentiated from the black bear by its broad “dished” face, small ears and pronounced shoulder hump, Grizzly bears range in size from about 270 pounds for females to 400 pounds for an adult male. The Grizzly, whose colour varies from tawny brown to black, actually gets its name from the ‘grizzled’ appearance of its fur – meaning it is silver-tipped – but this is not really true of all Grizzlies. Grizzly bears don’t reach full sexual maturity until five years of age or so, and the females only breed every three to four years. This low birth rate, coupled with the reduction of their natural habitat, has earned the Grizzly bear a "threatened" status under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.

This page clockwise from left: standing proud; butting heads; chilling out. Not that different from people really.

___________________________________________________________

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: tip – when eating flowers, look out for bees; Karst Falls near Smith Dorian

Highway; Big-horn sheep show great agility on sloping rocks; Grizzly cub – sooo cute; sibling coyotes near Spray Trail.

Mar

k D

uroc

her-

Wes

ton

Bar

ry a

nd T

erry

Dic

kies

onR

oger

Jew

ett

13

Don

Orc

hard

Hen

drik

Bös

ch

Hen

drik

Bös

ch

Con

nor

Scha

ncel

Cai

tlin

Gur

ski

14

Pam

Hog

gLi

sett

e B

urga

-Ghe

rsi

Fred

a M

onta

gue

15

Access to much of K-Country exists in large part thanks to the trails and facilities managed by the Kananaskis Trails Committee (KTC). The Mount Lorette Pond walkway (above) and the trail around Forget-Me-Not Pond (opposite) provide excellent examples.

Utilizing regional experts in ecology, recreation, and trail-building, KTC's goal is to develop and maintain a sustainable trail network to inspire people to enjoy, protect, value and explore the country safely. They also provide direction to the ministries of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, and Sustainable Resource Development.

It is the expertise of such organizations that helps ensure environmental responsibility and preservation during the planning and construction of any developmental projects in the region, such as the proposed construction of a new highway to provide access to Kananaskis Village from Bragg Creek. If this project proceeds, it would truly confirm Bragg Creek's status as "The Gateway to Kananaskis." Find out more about this proposal in our article beginning on page 24.

John

Kea

rsle

y

Opposite page, top and bottom: K-Country's ponds provide peaceful photo opportunities – from dawn 'til dusk. Middle: a gentle awakening.____________________________________

This page from top: a serene Mount Lorette Pond; "Look, no hands", just off Bracken Road in Bragg Creek; a solitary mushroom sprouts from a decaying stump near Highway 762.

Ger

ry A

mbu

ryG

erry

Am

bury

Tung

Bui

Tung

Bui

16

A pristine, gradual waterfall located deep in the woods may be an enchanting place to rest and reflect, but do prepare to be put under close scrutiny by the many curious and elusive creatures who call the location home. Chipmunks, picas and flying squirrels are just some of the magical creatures that you are more likely to hear than see. Even frogs may add their playful croaking to the natural symphony.

A lesser seen inhabitant is the crab spider, a term loosely applied to many species due to their ability to move sideways. Even though they can all produce silk, none of them do so for the purpose of hunting. Instead they choose to lay in wait, motionless, in a variety of ambush locations – such as flowers, fruit and leaves – frequented by unsuspecting prey. As they say, "good things come to those who wait."

____________________________________________________________

This page, left strip: from a singing pica, to a curious flying squirrel – a snapshot of the tiny varied wildlife you'll likely encounter during a hike through God's Country. Above: naturally stepped waterfalls are found throughout the forests.

Opposite page: A Crab Spider at Tiger Jaw Falls waits patiently for lunch to arrive.

Jasm

ine

Ger

vais

Sally

Quo

nG

erry

Am

bury

Lind

a V

ick

Bet

tina

Ger

vais

Bet

tina

Ger

vais

Ken

Joh

nson

Ken

Joh

nson

17

Con

nor

Scha

ncel

Over 25 years of experience in the landscape industry creating unique Residential and

Commercial outdoor spaces. Serving Bragg Creek, the Foothills and Calgary.

Family-based BusinessReliable Quality and Service

Customized Landscape ConstructionComplimentary Consultation

Legendary Solutionsfor Outdoor Living

(403) 949 3327www.dragonlandservices.com

L A N D S E R V I C E S(BRAGG CR EEK) LTD

Dragon