Moose on the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, NS, September 2015

We had been warned about seeing moose on the road, particularly on Newfoundland roads. We saw a number of juvenile moose in Kimberly, BC but even on the long trip across Ontario and then in Newfoundland -- nothing. Of course, a truck and RV trailer hitting a moose on the road would not be pretty.

Then, in a bog on the highlands of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park on the Cabot Trail, we saw an adult moose in a bog. He was keeping a good eye on us -- and after some time, moved away.

Our only Caribou, Fogo Island, September 2015

There are more than 200 caribou on the island. We went looking for the caribou -- and eventually saw a juvenile happily munching on the soccer field opposite the Fogo Central Academy. And then saw him several times. 

Torrent River Fish Ladder, September 2015

Torrent River is on the West Coast of the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. Over the years, logging, cod fishing and other activities in the area have diminished. The local community looked to tourism as an alternative. The Torrent River runs more than 100km up to the Long Range of mountains and would be an ideal salmon fishing river. However, falls near the mouth of the river did not allow salmon to proceed upriver. So the community worked with the provincial and federal government to build a fish ladder. After a couple of false starts, the fish ladder is working well now. Visitors go from the excellent interpretation center with a guide to viewing platforms beside the fish ladder to see the salmon waiting to go upriver. The guide said that the females had gone earlier in the season and the males were moving up ready to join them.

Interpretation Centre

Salmon waiting to go up river

The Fish Ladder

Salmon waiting to go up river 

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, Ontario, August

We are not normally fans of zoos, but we stopped at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, in Cochrane, Ontario, as we headed towards Ottawa. The habitat was the idea of the city council some years ago, and exists to support (primarily) orphaned polar bears. The closest polar bears are in James Bay, north of Cochrane. There was one bear in residence, Ganuk. We were very lucky to see Ganuk playing with his "enrichment" toy next to the wire -- which was a plastic carton that earlier had had food tucked away inside. We were able to get very close. The bears have three large habitats and seem well cared for. So, an exception to the no-zoo policy!

Environmental preservation, Geraldton, ON

This part of Ontario had seen quite a bit of gold mining in the 20th Century. A good example of environmental protection is seen at the entrance to the road into Geraldton. More than 300,00 tonnes of tailings are now covered by new regenerating forest, a visitors centre, and golf course. We took the 8km round trip interpretive walk down to the shores of Kenogamisis Lake. Looked in vain for red tailed hawks.

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The visitors centre. I guess it is meant to look like a mine?

Boardwalk down to the lake

Little Longlac -- as distinct from Longlac!

Wildlife tour, Riding Mountain National Park, July

The Riding Mountain National Park provided an excellent three hour nature and wildlife tour. The tour is limited to seven cars. Tyler, the ranger, took us to a bear pit, not far from park HQ at Wasagaming. The pit was about 500m from the road, but you could never have found it without detailed knowledge. 

Tyler talking about elk antlers found in the open country. The bear pit is int the timbered area behind.

The bear pit occupied in winter by a female bear. The pit is ~15' deep.

Tyler standing in a depression with the opening to the bear pit to his right. The depression was probably dug by foresters in the 1930s and used by bears later.

Wild lilies

Moon Lake at dusk

Bison safari, Riding Mountain National Park, July

Went on a park ranger conducted "safari" in the bison enclosure at Riding Mountain National Park. There are 45 bison in 400+ hectares of fescue grassland. A herd that has been in place for 70+ years. We saw calves born in the last week and much mating activity going on. The bulls only stay with the herd during this season.

Running free

On the safari

Interesting set of restrictions!

About the enclosure

Running free

Beaver environment. Hinton, Alberta, June 14th

https://goo.gl/photos/iNcFhBitGuh3RugXA Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton. 3km of boardwalk around the natural Beaver environment. Very lucky to see a Beaver in the water, but not to capture on film,  unfortunately.