A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
A lone coyote, a parade of elks and other beautiful photographs from Banff National Park
A coyote that the writer of this piece, Malik, originally thought was a wolf stands by this muddy looking patch for several minutes before venturing off to 5 other similar patches on the frozen Vermillion Lakes. A muskrat finding food underwater most likely formed this and other similar shacks on the lake. The coyote with his highly developed sense of smell is trying to detect anything that might quell his hunger; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
ByMALIK MERCHANT
In the last fortnight I have in a rush and out of excitement informed my friends on at least two occasions through the social media that I had seen wolves at Tunnel Mountain Road and Vermillion Lakes when, as I found out later, they were coyotes. For instance, everyone who was with me at Vermillion Lakes during my 2nd visit to Banff in as many weeks would swear that the huge coyote on one of the frozen lakes was a wolf. My daughter immediately responded “wolf” when I sent her a photograph, but then quickly corrected herself and said it was a coyote. My hosts, Lee and his lovely wife Becky, at the beautiful “A Banff Boutique Inn” on Cave Avenue also confirmed the animal as a coyote as did two rangers whom I met at the Vermillion Lakes on the following day. I so much wanted to hear all of them say, “yes, the picture is that of a wolf.” The rangers happened to be there to remove the carcass of a 1 year old deer that had been hunted down by 2 coyotes twenty minutes before I arrived at the lake. The carcass was taken to a heavily shrubbed area. I missed that incredible kill that was seen by many other motorists who had parked by the lake to witness the incident.
What else did I miss?
Story continues below
A view of the mountains from Banff Centre’s MacLab Bistro – a must visit place for great food or coffee or anything you desire – with windows from floor to ceiling offering incredible views of the Rocky Mountains. The outdoor area is used as a patio during warm weather, and not shown is an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of more than 1000 that hosts incredible programs and concerts during the summer months; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
After I returned to Calgary, which is only 125 kms from Banff, I received an email from Blair, one of the two rangers I had met. He wrote: “It was nice meeting you this week at Vermillion Lakes where the coyotes had killed a deer. We had chatted a little bit about the potential of bears and or wolves finding the carcass as well. The next day 6 wolves were reported on the lake checking out the kill location. They likely found the carcass as well and had a meal before moving on. So they are around when you least expect them. Thought you might want to know this!”
WOW. I missed the kill of the deer by 2 coyotes and then the sight of 6 wolves. When will I ever see a wolf? Well, third time lucky as they say! When the rangers told me that many new colleagues who join their team can’t instantly distinguish a wolf from a coyote, I felt a little bit better about myself. However, the next time I send a notice and picture of a wolf sighting to my friends, I promise them that I will have the animal properly identified.
Please enjoy these photographs that I took at various times of the day during my short but exciting visit to Banff and other surrounding areas. Nothing is as beautiful as nature — mountains, lakes, rivers, the sunrise and sunsets and the sky!
The good thing for me is that these natural places — the Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park — are only about 45 to 90 minutes drive from Calgary.
A view of Vermillion Lakes and the beautiful mountains beyond from the lookout point on route to the Norquay Ski Resort which is located minutes from Banff; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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With warmer temperatures, ice begins cracking on Bow River as it approaches Bow Falls, 200 metres further down, Banff; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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With the start of spring, melting ice water begins to make its mark at the Bow Falls in Banff, continuing into the Bow River; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful view of the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel from the Surprise Corner Viewpoint; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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A view of the sun on a cloudy morning, driving south on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A) to Banff; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos
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Morant’s Curve on the Bow Valley Parkway, moments before a CP freight train makes its appearance going south towards Banff. Note the snow capped mountains above the forests and clouds; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A CP freight trains approaches the lookout point at Morant’s Curve, with the Bow River running by its side; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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CP carriages on a CP freight train pass by the lookout point at Morant’s Curve on the Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The last carriage of the CP freight train – the red engine – just after it has crossed the lookout point at Morant’s Curve on its southbound journey to Banff, about 60 kms away; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The coyote makes its rounds to other mound shacks, most likely created by muskrats, along the frozen Vermillion Lakes, as it searches for food; Banff, March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant
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The coyote reaches another mound of shacks, most likely created by muskrats, along the frozen Vermillion Lakes, as it searches for food; Banff, March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant.
The coyote continues its search for food at other mound shacks, most likely created by muskrats, along the frozen Vermillion Lakes; Banff, March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant
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A stunning view of the Canadian Rockies taken on route to Sunshine Village ski resort, a 20 minute drive from Banff; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of The Hoodos and the Bow River from The Hoodos lookout point on Tunnel Mountain Road, Banff; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos
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An exclusive view for the photographer — no other cars around at the time — of a herd of elks crossing Tunnel Mountain Road to graze on the other side of the road. The crossing continued for at least 10 minutes and in this picture alone there are 10 elks; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos
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Elks find a large space to graze on after crossing Tunnel Mountain Road; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view from the Norquay Lookout Point as the setting sun at the opposite side leaves an unforgettable impression of Rundle Mountain, an iconic Rocky Mountain landmark in Banff; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A stunning view of lighted Banff from Norquay lookout point during the sunrise twilight hour, with Rundle Mountain at left; March 26-29, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: April 4-5, 2023.
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Malik Merchant at Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park, March 2023.
Malik Merchant is the founding publisher and editor of 3 independent on-line initiatives — Simergphotos (2012) and its two sister websites Barakah (2017) and Simerg (2009). An IT consultant for 40 years in the UK, USA and Canada, he now engages in small family related projects and is passionate about his websites. His interest in literature and community publications began in his childhood years through the work of his late parents Jehangir (d. May 2017, aged 89) and Malek Merchant (d. January 2021, also 89), who both devoted their lives to the service of the Ismaili community, its institutions and the Imam-of-the-Time, His Highness the Aga Khan, as missionaries and religious education teachers. In the UK, Malik edited the flagship Ismaili magazine, Ilm, with his father. The internet encouraged him to launch his first website, Simerg, in 2009. A resident of Ontario since 1983, he relocated to Alberta in January 2022. He has an animal loving daughter Dr. Nurin Merchant who practices as a vet. Malik can be contacted at mmerchant@barakah.com or mmerchant@simerg.com.
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Fabulous images Malik!
It was a pleasure hosting you and having you share a meal with our team.
I am so happy that we met on Tunnel mountain as we shared our passion of the beautiful wildlife in the area.
I love your image of the sunny mountains peeking through the clouds by Morant’s curve. Gorgeous!
The coyote is cool too!
Keep your camera close – you’ll see a wolf one of these days!
All the best,
Becky
Fabulous images Malik!
It was a pleasure hosting you and having you share a meal with our team.
I am so happy that we met on Tunnel mountain as we shared our passion of the beautiful wildlife in the area.
I love your image of the sunny mountains peeking through the clouds by Morant’s curve. Gorgeous!
The coyote is cool too!
Keep your camera close – you’ll see a wolf one of these days!
All the best,
Becky
Beautiful! We are fortunate to live so close to the mountains.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos. Absolutely stunning.
Lovely photos Malek!
Thank you Malik for your interesting and beautiful posts with such beautiful pictures.
Beautiful, thank you for sharing.
Brilliant!
Wow… amazing.
Please stay warm, safe, healthy and connected.
Ya Ali Madad with prayer. Ameen.
Lovely photos.
Very nice photos!!!