Banff, Canada
"Sparkling streams" at Banff ; Rocky Mountain Goat at Banff
On this green surface were some white specks, which I at first thought were patches of snow, and then I saw one move and realized it was a small group of an animal I had long wanted to meet - the Rocky Mountain goat. Don't be misled by the name. The Rocky Mountain goat is the king of goats, with his soft white coat, softer even than cashmere, and his black hoofs, horns, muzzles and eyes, he is a dandy of a beast.
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So surefooted, in fact, that one was seen to attempt a leap from one narrow shelf on a high cliff to another, which proved to be just too far away. Instead of crashing into the gulf as any other animal would have done, the goat, realizing its mistake, changed its attitude in mid-air, hit the rock-face with all four feet, did a backward somersault and landed safely on the shelf it had just vacated.
Columbian Ground Squirrel at Banff
Presently, however, we came to a small clearing and there, squatting at the mouth of its burrow was the musician responsible for the ringing, flute-like cry - a fat ground squirrel, wearing a tasteful suit of rust-red and grey fur. He sat as upright as a guardsman at the entrance to his home and his ribcage pumped in and out as he gave his musical warning cry. His big, liquid eyes stared at us with that intense, slightly inane expression that most squirrels wear, and his little paws trembled with his vocal efforts.
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These were the Columbian ground squirrels ...
Banff
The air like wine, brilliant sunshine stamping blue shadows on the mountains and the avalanche cicatrices. The vividness of the colours, the sparkling clarity of the little streams, and the quietness and peacefulness of the place were wonderful. It was one of those places you find in the world which are so magical that you wish you could live there.