Photo Essay: Beautiful and amazing moments in Kananaskis Country and Waterton Lakes National Park – must see places in Alberta

February 25, 2023

By NURIN AND MALIK MERCHANT

*Waterton Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Mercnat/Simerg Photos.*

I sensed some disappointment on my dad’s face as we departed Forget me not Pond in the Kananaskis one late afternoon last summer to return to Calgary. We hadn’t spotted a single animal the entire day at the beautiful pond and during our earlier stops at Glenbow Ranch and Big Hill Springs Provincial Parks near Cochrane. He suddenly said to me, “I guarantee you, we will see some animals now.” I replied, “Dad, don’t worry, we have enjoyed our time nevertheless and we still have a few days ahead of us to see other parts of the Kananaskis and visit the Waterton Lakes National Park.” I was then on a weeklong visit to the west coast and Calgary, away from my veterinarian duties in Ontario. Last minute issues with my beloved bunnies, Canela and Luke, almost ruined my scheduled departure and, during those anxious few moments, I left behind my superb Sony mirrorless camera. I came to rely on my iPhone as well as my dad’s Olympus for more than 1200 photos that we took in all.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Canadian Rockies from plane — *A view of the Canadian Rockies from an Air Canada Boeing, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Talar Building Aga Khan Garden Edmonton — *Shades of colour develop over time from a waterfall at Aga Khan Garden’s Talar Building, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Talar Building Aga Khan Garden — *A view of the Aga Khan Garden’s Talar Building from the far-end of the Garden. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Aga Khan Garden Alberta — *Pond at Aga Khan Garden, Edmonton, Alberta covered in algae from the hot and dry summer, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

What about my dad’s guarantee of sighting an animal on the way home to Calgary? Well, I can say it was the best guarantee given to me, ever. And hassle free, at that — no arguing over repairs or replacement of parts that fall under warranty!

Moments after departing Forget Me Not Pond, we encountered a big horn sheep with her lamb on a rocky hill, and what a show they gave us as they elegantly moved together through the rocks comfortably. Then came the terrifying moment that no one wishes to see. The lamb was alone not being able to keep pace with its mother down a slope. Our hearts raced when it started going towards it mother who was several metres away. The lamb lost its footing and we thought we were about to witness a death or a serious injury. Fortunately, the lamb kept its balance and it was absolutely heartwarming to see the young one being comforted by the mother, as it reached her. We took note of the famous tradition of the Prophet Muhammad “paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” It applies to all living creatures.

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Kananaskis Country Big Horn Sheep near Forget Me Not Pond Nurin and Malik Mercna — *A lamb nearly trips as it runs down to its mother on a rocky terrain off Hwy 66 in Kananaskis Country, close to Forget Me Not Pond, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Big Horn Sheep Kananaskis Country — Lamb under the comfort of its mother after escaping a fall running down a rocky slope near Forget Me Not Pond, Hwy 66, Kananaskis Country, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

I have to say something about the Kananaskis, having visited Banff and Jasper in the past. I have been amazed with its wildlife. I have been to other parks in Canada as well as the Grand Teton and Yellowstone in the USA but Kananaskis has been the top. Of course, at the US parks that I have mentioned, you see countless bisons but we generally saw more wildlife species in the Kananaskis than anywhere else.

At Waterton Lakes National Park, I found the meeting of the Prairies and the Rockies one of the most fascinating aspects of our stay there. In one direction, you see the magnificent Rockies and you turn your head and see the golden Prairies. What a beautiful contrast! The two motor vehicle routes in Waterton, the Akamina Parkway and the Red Rock Parkway, each about 14-16 kms in length, are gorgeous drives with plenty of picnic sites as well as trails suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Finally, on the penultimate day of my stay in Calgary, my dad drove me to see the Aga Khan Garden at the University of Alberta’s botanical garden near Edmonton. It was a very very hot day, and while there were plenty of benches to sit on, we didn’t find one underneath a tree for relief from the sun and the heat. We toured the impressive Japanese Garden and I made a big dong on the huge bell to conclude my beautiful stay in Alberta.

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*Cedar waxwing perched on top of tree, pictured from the historic site of the Morris Home, Glenmore Ranch Provincial Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

*A view from a lookout point, Glenmore Ranch Provincial Park, Alberta. The park is a 35 minute drive from Calgary, on route to Cochrane, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Wedge Pond, Kananaskis, Alberta — *Frogs at a marsh at Wedge Pond, Hwy 40, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Frog Wedge Pond Kananaskis Country — *Frog on Nurin’s palm, Wedge Pond, Hwy 40, Kananaskis Country. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Bears on Hwy 40, Kananaskis Country — *Black bears crossing Hwy 40, Kananaskis Country, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Pika Rock Glacier Trail, Kananaskis Country — *Pika, Rock Glacier Trail, Hwy 40, Kananaskis Country, August 2022. Photograph: Malik and Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

The 2022/2023 winter has been one of the strangest we have experienced in Canada; the canal in Ottawa is yet to open and we are already in the last week of February. Spring, hopefully, makes its way soon followed by a glorious summer and autumn that we had in 2022. I would highly encourage you to visit the Kananaskis and Waterton Lakes National Park if Alberta is in your calendar. Of course you have other great choices, Banff and Jasper. Also, the provincial parks near Calgary are worth visiting and during your stay there, take the time to visit Glenbow Ranch and Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, both within very short distance — 45 minutes — from Calgary.

Enjoy the photos.

*Kananaskis Golf Course, off Hwy 40, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Moose Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes — *Moose, on route to the Lower and Upper Kananaskis Lakes, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

*Lower Kananaskis Lake, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Bear, Kananaskis Country, Alberta — *Young grizzly, on route to Lower and Upper Kananaskis Lakes, Kananaskis Country, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Windmills Pincher Creek — Windmills, approaching Pincher Creek on route to Waterton Parks National Park, Alberta; August 2022. The Pincher Creek area is regarded as one of Canada’s strongest wind power regions. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Scene on route from Pincher Creek to Waterton Lakes National Park — On route to Waterton Lake National Park — an amazing meeting place of the beautiful Canadian Prairies with the majestic Rockies; Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Trail Waterton town — *Goat’s beard on trail in town of Waterton, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Trail in town of Waterton, Waterton Lakes National Park — *Ground squirrel on trail in town of Waterton, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Cameron Falls, Waterton Lake National Park — *Cameron Falls in the heart of the town of Waterton, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

*Location (unknown), on Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

*Deer, Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta; August 2022. Phootograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

*Bee on trail off Akamina Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Waterton Lakes National Park, Red Rock Canyon Parkway — *Mountain view, driving through Red Rock Canyon Parkway, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Cameron Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park. — *Cameron Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Prince of Wales, Waterton Lakes National Park — *A view of the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 20, 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Waterton Lakes National Park, beach, view from Prince of Wales — *A view of the beach at Waterton Lake from Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lake National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Prince of Wales afternoon tea, Waterton Lakes National Park — *Chai, part of an elaborate High Tea ritual at Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes National Park. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

*Visitors at Red Rock Canyon, Waterton Lakes National Park, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin and Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

Trail to Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes National Park — *Flowers on trail to Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes National Park, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos*

Waterton Lakes National Park Blakiston Falls — *Blakiston Falls, an easy trail walk from Red Rock Canyon, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simergphotos.*

*A black bear runs through a farm near Waterton Lakes National Park, on route to Pincher Creek, Alberta, August 2022. Photograph: Nurin Merchant.*

*A summer sunset at Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, August 2017. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg Photos.*

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VIDEO: YOUNG GRIZZLY ON A BERRY RAMPAGE

Grizzly going through berry bushes, on route to Kananaskis Lakes, August 2022. Video by Nurin and Malik Merchant.

Date posted: February 24, 2023.
Last updated: February 25, 2023 (typos.)

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Nurin Merchant, Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lake National Park — *Nurin Merchant at Blakiston Falls, Waterton Lakes National Park.*

About the contributor: Dr. Nurin Merchant, daughter of Malik and Rozina Merchant, was born and raised in Ottawa. She aspired to be a veterinarian from a very young age, and in pursuit of her dream, decided to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph in Biological Science. She then decided to return to Ottawa for a year to volunteer for several organizations, including the Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton, before completing her veterinary degree at the Ontario Veterinary College in April of 2019.

In addition to treating dogs and cats, Dr. Merchant has a special interest in exotic animal medicine and continues to gain experience in treating rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small rodents. Her greatest love is for rabbits, and it shows in the way she cares for her long-eared patients. She has two of her own, Canela and Luke. During her spare time, Dr. Merchant enjoys scrapbooking and making personalized greeting cards for her friends and family. She also paints and creates ceramic art works as well as enjoys spending time in nature and photographing its beauty.

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Category : Nature and Space, Travel Essays, Wildlife

Tags : Alberta, Canada, Kananakis Country, Nurin Merchant, Waterton Lakes National Park

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2 thoughts on “Photo Essay: Beautiful and amazing moments in Kananaskis Country and Waterton Lakes National Park – must see places in Alberta”

Salim J Kanji. Toronto on February 25, 2023 at 12:16 pm said:

Thank you for sharing the mesmerizing pictures with us.
My favourite spot up in the Kananskis is the beautiful Spray Lake!

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- Mahmoud on February 25, 2023 at 9:44 pm said:
  
  Wonderful photos showcasing the beautiful wilderness and wildlife of Waterton ….the grizzly reminds me of my youth when I lived and worked on the Revelstoke Dam project – and was once chased by a black bear …luckily she lost interest as she was only interested in protecting her cub by chasing us away !
  
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