Being Australian, Kangaroos, Emus and Koalas are what I consider to be normal wildlife sightings. Being in Canada in Spring was so exciting for us, because we were subjected to a whole new range of wildlife photographic opportunities.
This Jasper elk was grazing between Trans Canada Highway 16 and Talbot Lake on our return journey from Miette Hot Springs to Jasper.
If you find yourself in Jasper without transport Get Your Guide have this wildlife tour.
Sensibletraveler
Just the opposite for me. When I visited Australia I couldn’t believe how Kangaroos were everywhere! Elk and Deer—not so shocking for me.
Jan
We loved the elk, especially with antlers. Black and Grizzly bears were our favourites though.
InsideJourneys
That’s a great shot of the elk. He looks so intent on having his meal. Did he ever look up?
I’d love to see kangaroos, emus and koalas. One of these days.
Jan
I took nine photos and he is not looking up in any of them. What was amazing is that there was only a small nature strip between the highway and the lake and that was where he was. I would have thought he might be nervous. We pulled off the highway and I took the photos from the car window! Kangaroos are mainly seen dead by the side of the road (Sadly), although there are heaps of them out west. Koalas are difficult to find in the wild as they are usually up in the top of gum trees, but you can nearly always see them on the fort walk on Magnetic Island. Emus in the wild are mostly found out west as well.
jenny@atasteoftravel
It certainly makes a change from the kangaroo photos doesn’t it. He was obviously very happy with his little patch of grass!
Jan
Yes he was happy. He was not concerned when we pulled the car off the road beside him and took his photo. After the snow the animals are hungry and come down to eat the green grass on the verge.
Lisa Wood
oh what a sight that would be…animals in the wild. Gee those Elk look scary, did they not care about you being there? Great pictures.
Jan
The elk can be ferocious in Spring if they have young to protect, but I was photographing this one from the safety of our car. He was so intent on eating the green grass by the road that he didn’t seem to care.
Lisa Wood
That makes sense…from the safety of the car 🙂
Jan
We also took some of elk in the campground we were in. They congregated on the green open areas near the toilets. We didn’t get as close to them!
Jan
It is true – he DOES look sleepy!
Jo at Zigazag
Isn’t he gorgeous! And those horns are amazing, with an almost regal quality about them somehow.
Jan
I agree that they look regal. We had a wonderful time wildlife watching in the Canadian Rockies.
Margaret
Even for people living in North America, an elk sighting can be exciting. I love that area of Canada. So much interesting wildlife.
Jan
The wildlife sightings we had in the Rocky Mountains were the highlight of our trip.
Krista Bjorn
I love these pictures!! Jasper is near where I grew up in British Columbia. 🙂 It was always a favourite place for us to stop and explore and hike.