Westslope Cutthroat Trout

The westslope cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki lewisi) was once common in western North America. Today, it has disappeared from most of its former range due to habitat loss and hybridization (cross-breeding) with introduced rainbow trout. In British Columbia, the westslope cutthroat is at risk of extinction. One of the last strong-holds of this fish is the Kootenay River basin of south-eastern BC. Kootenay National Park still has relatively pure stocks of westslope cutthroat and as part of its mandate to conserve native species and biodiversity, the park is supporting cutthroat research in its waters.

Trout Fishing

They say a fellow doesn't grow any older when he is fishing. And I don't know of anything more relaxing than wadding the streams with a fly rod in hand. Searching for the big hole and wondering what is around the next bend.

Heading Out

Just never know what you might meet walking down the side walk. These 3 Bighorn rams were sticking to the sidewalk - likely to avoid the trucks passing in the narrow Sinclair Canyon.

Two sheep have been killed by vechicles since the beginning of November - one on the highway in front of the grocery store (where the speed limit is 60 km/hr) and another just above the lower flashing sheep sign on the Mile Hill, Highway 93/95.

Northern Pygmy Owl

Northern Pygmy Owl - Canada's smallest owl. They are smaller than an American Robin - about 7 inches high. They may be small but they can carry prey weighing up to 3 times its own weight. This White-footed Deer Mouse was an easy lift to the poplar tree perch.

Head Bangers

Bighorn Sheep rut begins in November. Typically, fights occur only between closely matched rams; if one has an inferior set of horns, he generally gives way to his adversary without a fight or with only a token tussle. However, when two evenly matched rams tangle a terrific and lengthy contest may ensue. After some initial inspection, the rams will start to walk away, but suddenly will wheel about at a distance of perhaps 40 feet and race toward each other on their hind feet, lunging forward in perfect synchrony to meet head on. With a combined speed of 50 to 70 miles per hour and an estimated force of 2,400 pounds, It is quite the sight to witness and hear.

Viewed from the House

Late fall is time for Mule Deer sparing - A ritualized contest in which two bucks approach each other, lower heads and carefully join antlers. Each pushing and twisting their heads trying to drive his opponent back or push him off balance. Sparring bucks will often disengage their antlers, lift and turn their heads laterally, as if giving their opponent a profile view of the head and antlers. It is thought this "profiling" may allow a buck to assess his opponent’s weaponry and to learn his own relative size, strength, and status and allowing future dominance interactions to be resolved visually, without resorting to potentially more damaging forms of aggression. This match finished after the smaller deer on the left backed up, turned and moved away, as three does watched near by.

What is Faces & Places

Faces and Places are short notes with photos about nature in and around the Columbia Valley and Kootenay National Park, British Columbia, Canada