Jasper

Hello again!
We're in the same little internet cafe this afternoon after another day of good animal spotting. Yesterday we saw our first bears and the odd fleeting deer. As we drove back after writing the last entry we drove by some Elk and Mule Deer (we looked them up in a bookshop!).

Today we drove out of Jasper towards Maligne Lake. Along the way we saw Medicine Lake, so named because the Natives thought it was ruled by spirits. Unsurprising really, as every October the huge lake drains and disappears, slowly refilling in the Spring. (But it's caused by underground channels and caverns, not ghosts). On the shores of Medicine lake we saw a pair of Bald Eagles perched in a tree off the roadside.

As you drive along these roads you occasionally come across a gaggle of cars at various stages of abandonment and people with cameras all pointing in one direction. You then pull up behind, with no idea what's been spotted. (We're thinking of starting a fake roadblock, or maybe dressing up as a bear). It was this kind of collection of stopped cars that showed us the Eagles. Further on we saw more deers and at the Lake itself was a lone Moose wandering around. The moose is the silliest looking of all the creatures, and I guess has a name to match. But it is big, as big as a horse, and wild - so a bit wierd to have it wandering around picnic tables.

The weather is drier today, still with low cloud and a little chilly if the wind blows. Hard to believe it was 28 degrees on Monday. But much nicer now it's dry, and the clouds do look good swirled around the mountains!

On the way back we came across another mysterious roadblock, stopped again and scanned the bushes. After a few seconds we looked up and saw two bear cubs up in a tree next to the road.

So cute! But big as well! Despite there being no sign of Mummy bear (she must have been nearby) all the cars emptied and people walked up and down the road, just waiting to be mauled. But they all got away again (now there's a picture I'd like to get!).
This evening we're planning on a little hike, and hopefully to spot some Beaver. (Insert own joke here)
Two weeks left til we fly back!
See you all soon
Dave and Sarah XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX