Obstacles!

All photos taken on January 24, 2023.

After our stop for bison viewing, we drove on toward Beaver Pond Loop for the first of two winter walks. We chose this day, as temperatures were supposed to climb above freezing later in the week. We did not wish to encounter wet or slippery conditions. Little did we know the road block we would face near the end.

OBSTACLES ©

A nice winter walk

around Beaver Pond Loop trail

despite obstacles.

From the parking lot, we spotted a lone bison browsing along the edge of the pond. We made a mental note for later.

• 

• 

The trails were covered in fluffy snow and footing was good.

Wind and sun had not yet knocked the fluffy snow off the branches

Skies were cloudy, but there was a hint that sunshine was coming.

There had been hikers out on previous days, but none on this day.

The wide angle and close up view of our friend.

• 

• 

From the first bridge, animals and animal trails were easy to spot.

• 

• 

The silence was deafening. Even the birds were quiet. 

• 

• 

You could tell the sun had power, by the moisture on these tree trunks

Taking in the vista at the big pond

Character bark

The snow was sticking to our shoes and we knew we would end up with wet socks. Our Gore-Tex had turned into Gone-Tex

From time to time, fluffy snow or drips landed on our heads as they fell from overhead branches

• 

• 

• 

This winter fen looks more like a rumpled bedsheet

• 

• 

Snowy fireweed

• 

• 

Untracked territory

the arch

tortured tree growth

sun flare

• 

• 

• 

sagging snow rope

the beavers are clearing the forest fast

only 1 km to go – so glad, because the rumpled path and snow amounted to 2 steps forward, 1 step back

blue sky, at long last

our first road block – we clambered across easily

full sunshine as we finish

Last minute details

• 

• 

• 

Next road block – Oh S—, we should have foreseen this

We paused and waited patiently, but as we had found out in a similar instance in 2016, bison will win any standoff. They are in no hurry to move. So, I did what I did then…busted out my best singing voice and loudly sang my version of “Buffalo Gals, Won’t You Come Out Tonight,….. It worked wonderfully and the bison plodded slowly out onto the pond. He then rated the quality of my singing voice by taking a big dump.

Oh well. It worked, nonetheless. We crossed the bridge in safety and were soon off to our next hike, but not before we paused for some final views.

• 

• 

Our furry friend lost interest in us and shuffled off in search of browner pastures.