Day 1 - June 7, 2025

We start the day at Three Hills, AB and head west. Our first stop is by a prairie pond for some ducks and shorebird shots. I don't think I have ever gotten a shot of a Cinnamon Teal before! Northern Shovelers, American Avocets and more.

On to BC and Highway 93 to Invermere. We stopped and hiked Marble Canyon where over time the water has carved a very narrow, deep canyon in the rock. A few kms down the road and Numa Falls was next. Check out the formations in the water polished black rocks. Stunning. Finally, as we were nearing Radium, we saw a large Black Bear wandering down the road. It's OK. We were on the other side of the road, in the car with my 600 mm lens so no danger. He didn't even look up at us.

Day 2 - June 8, 2025

Today we took it very easy in the morning, drove along the west wide of Windermere Lake, then golfed the Riverside Course. So, just a couple shots of the lake, then a few around the golf course. They scrimped on the budget for course marshal and he had trouble keeping up. I golfed 18 but Verna just golfed the front 9. Then she commandeered the camera and got some shots of a not so good golfer!

Day 3 - June 9, 2025

We decided to take a tour through Cranbrook and Kimberley today. A couple shots of some flowers on a large rock in Toby Creek first, then on to Cranbrook. Not much there so we headed to Kimberley, but we got side tracked in Marysville. A lovely little town with a nice walk along the Mark Creek with great views of rapids and a nice waterfall.  We watched an American Dipper brave the rapids and even go for a swim. Quite interesting.

Next into an ice cream shop (go figure) for lunch. While there I got a chance to get a couple special shots. “Decisions Decisions” and “So many Choices”.  You will know them when you see them.

Then the drive home, and a wee visitor at our front door.

Day 4 - June 10, 2025

Today was our day to golf Grey Wolf Golf Course. But our t-time wasn’t until 4:10, so we drove a back road (Toby Creek Road) from the resort up into the mountains along the Toby Creek. Simply beautiful. Waterfalls, mountains, forests and amazing, clean, fresh air.  We saw deer (no photos) birds and butterflies.  And white-water rafters.

Then on to the golf course. The signature hole of the course is the “Cliffhanger Hole”. When you see it, you will know why it is called that. I played two balls from 175 yards out, landed the green and got par on both balls. I doubt I could do that again! Anyway, some shots of a beautiful golf course. The weather was terrific with 27° C and a slight breeze. All in all, a great day.

Day 5 - June 11, 2025

This trip didn’t start out as a golf trip but, that is what it has turned into. Today was the Radium Golf Course. So, just a few photos from the course (a little smoke, but not too bad) and couple wild roses.

Day 7 - June 13, 2025

Well, this should be interesting. First, your intrepid photographer is not all that swift. Yesterday, June 12th, I did take a few photos. Including some of a Bald Eagle in flight. But then I was busy watching a hockey game and forgot to do the editing and posting. Then this morning, I forgot and deleted the photos from cards in the cameras. The result, no photos from yesterday.

Today however, is a different story. Today we just drove a back road up the west side of the valley, stopping for shots along the way. Some wonderful scenery, a Great Blue Heron in flight, a few drone shots over the valley, a very cute squirrel, another Great Blue Heron, this time catching a good size fish and swallowing it whole. Oh, and when you are in a national park, you just never know what kind of wildlife might surprise you.  Spoiler alert…. it’s adult content! Then a few sheep and a shot of the Radium Hot Springs pool.

Day 8 - June 14, 2025

Well once again, all good things come to an end. Today was the drive home through the incomparable Rocky Mountains, Kootenay National Park and Banff National Park. Along the way we saw a group of Mountain Goats with a few babies. So cute. Then after a brief stop in Calgary a few more shops of beautiful prairie.

Until next time…..