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.
Portraits of the Bison: A Winter Day at Elk Island National Park
Bison scratching his face against a panel near the start of the Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Immediately after I visited the Aga Khan Garden in Parkland County near Edmonton on Sunday, January 28, 2024, I drove 115 km to Elk Island National Park which I had visited for the first time last June. Due to the late setting of the sun, I was unable to capture the glory of the night sky then, and I hoped to be able to see the starry filled sky this time around. But it was not to be because of cloud coverage. The National Park is part of Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, and the sky is filled with millions of stars that will fill you with awe. Astotin Lake is where you want to be for “the best, safest and most accessible place to view the sky at night.”
A beautiful and symbolic indigenous exhibit of a Star Blanket at the Visitors Centre, Elk Island National Park. The blanket lies deep within stories and spirituality, and indigenous people use the Star Blanket to honour individuals at times of life-changing events such as births, graduations, vision quests and marriages. It is used to honour those who have passed away and to accompany them to the Spirit World. To give a Star Blanket is to show utmost respect, honour and admiration. January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
My best experience of the night sky was at Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park when I saw the Milky Way with my naked eyes, in addition to millions of stars and a few planets. This was in October 2022, during the annual Dark Sky Festival, which draws visitors from around the world.
What about the animals? I saw only a few compared to last year, when I saw hundreds of bison, elks and beavers. I drove several times by the Bison Loop road, on Elk Island Parkway, without any luck. I also drove through the road leading to the Park Administration and Operations without seeing elks and bison that I had seen last summer.
Red (Adirondack) chairs at a lookout point, Astotin Lake Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
I lucked out in the Tawayik Lake area. The two bison that I saw there were majestic. I saw them grazing, resting and rubbing their bodies against hard surfaces. I took hundreds of photographs. The previous evening, the drive to the parkway from Tawayik Lake provided me with a truly incredible view of the forest, as the setting sunlight brought out wonderful colours from the branches of the bare trees. I also visited the attractive educational visitors centre located just past the main south side entrance of the National Park. At Astotin Lake, I took a walk to the wooden Living Waters Boardwalk.
I may not have seen many animals but the little that I saw still made my visit a memorable one. The Days Inn by Wyndham in the town of Lamont was very comfortable with clean rooms and an excellent complimentary continental breakfast. The Gondola’s Steak and Pizza restaurant where I had really enjoyed a pizza as well as a steak last June, failed me this time with their burger. My best meal experience was when I returned to Calgary and got tandoori chicken tikka masala and daal maash from Pak Foods, along with freshly prepared naan.
Enjoy the “elkless” photos from Elk Island National Park!
Children’s playground, Astotin Lake Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Panel display on local wildlife, Astotin Lake Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Living Waters Boardwalk, Astotin Lake Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of the Visitors Centre, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison grazing by the roadside, near Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison grazing by the roadside, near Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison by the roadside, near Tawayik Lake Trail, staring down at the photographer, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison by the roadside, near Tawayik Lake Trail, with eyes fixed on the photographer, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison beginning his nap by the roadside after grazing near Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison in deep sleep by the roadside after grazing, near Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Effect of sunset on a forest of trees on the road to Tawoyik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Effect of sunset on a forest of trees on the road to Tawoyik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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View of Astotin Lake, from a lookout point on the road leading to the park’s Operations Centre, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A panel explaining the dark sky features at the Astotin Lake Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison crossing road, near Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Having crossed the road, Bison grazing by the roadside, near Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison, having crossed the road, find a new grazing area by the start of the Tawayik Lake Trail. Note how close they are to the visitors’ bench, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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Bison scratching against a panel located by the start of the Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Bison having crossed the road, taking a rest by the start of the Tawayik Lake Trail, Elk Island National Park, January 29-30, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: January 31, 2024.
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