The author of this piece, Malik Merchant, is on the canal between Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake on the Lake Minnewanka Loop Drive, with Cascade Mountain in the background. After the snow melts, the canal’s water turns emerald green. The canal generates electricity for nearby residents; March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: A Visitor for Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
The weather is favourable, and the roads are clear. Which way do I go for a scenic and exciting day trip? Banff to the west or Drumheller to the east? One hundred and twenty-five kilometres from Calgary, I did both this month. The first one to Banff was when my car got stuck after a significant snowfall. I was helped by two beautiful couples from Syracuse and Edmonton. Then, a few days later, the snow melted after some warm days, and I made it to Banff again on March 17-18, 2024. Then we had plenty of snow in Southern Alberta once again!
When I visited Drumheller in the Canadian Badlands on March 25, I discovered that the area had yet to receive significant snow, like Calgary.
I truly lucked out as my instinct led me to visit the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, which I had earlier, but this time, the experience was totally different. To my utter surprise, after crossing the historic suspension bridge — which re-opened in January 2024 after a few years of repairs — and following an artificial trail, I encountered one of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen: The Mountain Bluebird. Enjoy the photos from both my trips to Banff and Drumheller. For my readers’ information, I have joined the Canadian Landscapes Facebook Group, and I post pictures in the Group. It is a group worth joining if you love or take photographs and wish to share them — click HERE.
1. BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Contrast this canal photo taken March 7, 2024, with photos taken March 17-18, 2024 (above and below) after a warm spell across Alberta, including Banff, melted the frozen canal; Lake Minnewanla Loop Drive, Banff National Park, March 7, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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After a warm spell, contrast this photo of the canal taken on March 17-18, 2024, with the photo taken March 7, 2024 (see previous photo); Lake Minnewanla Loop Drive, Banff National Park, March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A young boy builds a sand castle at Johnson Lake, taking advantage of the warm weather, on March 17-18, 2024, at Lake Minnewanka Loop Drive, Banff National Park. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of Pilot Mountain from the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of Castle Mountain from the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), Banff National Park, March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A view of Castle Mountain from the Bow River at a bridge crossing on Hwy 93, near the Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A freight train crosses the Storm Mountain Lookout Point on the Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park, March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Freight train passing through the Storm Mountain Lookout Point, Banff National Park, March 1718, 2024. Video: Malik Merchant
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Rundle Mountain at sunset from the Vermillion Lakes, Banff National Park, March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Mallards on Vermillion Lakes cross a sunset reflection of the iconic Rundle Mountain, Banff National Park; March 17-18, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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2. DRUMHELLER – HORSE THIEF CANYON AND THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
Horse Thief Canyon, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The beautiful Mountain Bluebird near Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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The beautiful Mountain Bluebird near Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A mountain bluebird flies into the grassland where the first bird is perched and settles on a shrub a few metres across (see next photo); Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Beautiful Mountain Bluebirds near the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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Moments later, “Oh, my friend has disappeared!” A beautiful Mountain Bluebird near the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful Mountain Bluebird near Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
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A beautiful Mountain Bluebird inflight near the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, Drumheller, March 25, 2024. The bird is small but features long wings and tails. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.
Date posted: March 27, 2024.
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