the stories I follow March 1, 2026

The stories and sites that I like to follow are typically related to nature, the outdoors, adventure travel, wildlife or anything else along these lines. It's those kinds of news stories that I like to start my day with.  

Of course, I jumped on the "Punch" bandwagon!  I did not expect to learn lessons while seeing what the monkey was up to daily. I found it interesting to realize the true reason why he was given a stuffed animal. While his story easily touched my heart, it was not easy to do a watercolour painting of him and his stuffed monkey. My third try was true at painting faces that everyone could love! I used numerous online photos as references. 

Of course, I jumped on the "Shadow & Jackie" bandwagon! This is my second year for following this pair of Bald Eagles.  Between following my own Bald Eagles here in Calgary and also this pair, I have learned lots about everything and anything related to this species. I have painted numerous Bald Eagles, I even wrote and illustrated a book about an Eaglet.  This is my watercolour painting of "Jackie" as she takes her turn to sit on the two eggs. Their nest overlooks Big Bear Lake in California.  I snapped a screen shot mid day yesterday from the live webcam so I could use it as my reference.  

Of course, I follow eBird! I like to see what people are seeing at the many local birding locations.  I checked the site this morning and when I saw what people were seeing at Griffith Woods I jumped on the bandwagon deciding that's where I would go today!  Well, I did not have the luck others had.  I even stopped to chat with a guy who showed me what he saw so far this morning.  He printed what he saw in a little black book, he had ten different species sightings.  These are the three sightings I had:

a female Mallard Duck

a male Common Goldeneye

one of many Black-Capped Chickadees

The wonderful scenery sights were numerous so I feel lucky in the sense I saw those!

Lake Louise February 26, 2026

 

As I was getting ready to drive to the Great Divide trailhead to cross-country ski, I saw a few snow flakes fall.  I became excited believing I would get to ski while it was snowing.  Those were the only flakes that fell, it never did snow anytime throughout the day even though it was forecasted to.  It stayed grey all day.  

ready to ski

off I go

The track had been recently groomed, 

that’s the reason I picked this location for today.  

Last year the Great Divide was closed as the Lake Louise Community Fire Guard project was underway. The area opened at the end of last year and today was my first time seeing the area since the work was done.  There are wide open sections now. That line of grey in the middle shows the tips of mountain peaks.  The ski tracks along sections like this had snow drifts over them from the recent wind.  I was the first skiing there today so I created skier set tracks.

that’s Mount Fairview 

on a not so grey day, these open sections would offer amazing views

I did not ski all the way to the border, I did not want the long ski uphill on the way back. As I was skiing back, along came the dog sled teams, there were four teams. They were on their groomed track and I was on mine, we had about two feet between us.  This was the first team.

This was the third team.

After skiing, I drove to Lake Louise to have another look around. This time I noticed another ice sculpture.  This one is called “The Podium” it’s three Mountain Sheep.

I decided my afternoon project would be to add bright colours to the day.  Recently I purchased a new paint palette and sketch book.  I like the pre-made paint pans rather than making my own from tubes of paint.  I brought this setup with me, with hopes I would have time to put them to use.  Well, I did put them to use and…..

…..this is the outcome!  While googling, I came across a tutorial of how to paint crocuses in snow.  An actual sight like this is far out of reach right now which I am OK with, I still want more winter!  

Lake Louise February 25, 2026

This morning I returned to the cross country skiing trail head parking lot that I checked out on Monday. The Bow River Loop was track set late Monday after the big snowfall.  Skiing here would be ideal for me with gentle terrain, wide open spaces, along tree lined trails with gorgeous views all around.

ready to go

just need to get over this snowbank

off I cross country ski

the forecast was for cloud and snow

yet this is what I got

It is easier to point with my ski and snap a shot rather than point with my pole and take a photo. The narrow trail winds through the forest ahead.

gliding through a section of the soft side campground 

for those that camp without vehicles, this is where you store your food

the wind from yesterday blew most of the snow off the trees

This was the only section of open water.  There was no blue ice nor any other ice to see as there normally is.  The whole river was covered in snow except along here.

a very narrow snowy bridge to ski across

time to ski through the hard-side campground which was surprisingly busy with campers

As I was nearing the end of the loop, I met two other skiers just starting out.  While Monday was very busy around Lake Louise and the Village, yesterday and today were pleasingly quiet.  Before heading back to my home away from home, I picked up some storm food just in case.  Now it was time to settle in!

Lake Louise February 24, 2026

This was my view as I made my way to my vehicle. 

That’s where I was headed this morning, in the midst of mountains, to skate on Lake Louise.

It was a whole different outlook today, I could see everything.  

There were only four of us at the Ice Castle creating memories.  We took turns capturing each others photo.  The guy had flooded the ice around the Castle then started working on the skating surface. He must have started very early because he would have had to clear the snow first. After the photo taking, it was time to lace up my skates.   

framing the flooder

skating in the midst of mountains 

I have never seen the Ice Castle looking more beautiful!  

On top of that, I have never skated on Lake Louise when conditions were this ideal.

waiting to dash through the snow

After covering eleven kilometres skating, it was time to put my boots back on. I checked out the Ice Sculptures.  This one is called “Skater’.  In early February, the carvers worked their magic but the competition was cancelled for the second year in a row due to warm weather.   

snapped this shot yesterday 

fire time back at my home away from home

Lake Louise February 23, 2026

When I booked this get-away, it did not cross my mind that it would start the day after the last day of the Olympics. Perfect timing, no time for Olympic withdrawal.  Also, I booked it well in advance so had no idea what the weather would be like.  Well, let’s just say I safely made it to Lake Louise thanks to having a snow plow guide me through a whiteout blizzard!  Whew! 

   view as I arrived at Lake Louise

view of the Ice Castle

Lots of people were skating on the snow-covered ice and many were walking the route to the far end of the lake.  That’s what I did, I needed to breathe deeply while walking to unwind from the drive. 

the view of The Chateau behind me 

at times the snow let up and I could see

This is the outcome as I looked at my iPhone while it sat in a hole in the snow!

I purposely placed it there to capture this selfie with Mother Nature’s winter frame.

dashing through the snow

Mountain Chickadee

Male Common Redpoll

Boreal Chickadee

no fire here today

lots of snow in the parking lot

The snow eventually stopped.  

I drove to check out what the cross country ski trailheads looked like. 

a visit to the Visitor Centre

Time finally came to check into my home away from home.

view from my balcony 

at times the wind whipped through 

cozy time