found doing the same movement in the dead of winter? This type of endurance observed in such a small bird can spark a desire to learn more about bird watching.

Bugs are another form of wildlife that is often overlooked, but dragonflies and butterflies are beautiful, hardy visitors to our mountain parks. Next time you see one try turning your binoculars upside down for a closer look. This will give you an instant microscope and an entry into a whole new world. Plants, lichen and the smallest of insects become a kaleidoscope of color when viewed this way.

Many visitors to mountain areas are hoping to see wildlife and lots of it. Eager travelers pepper visitor centre staff with questions about the best places and times to see bears and moose. They share stories with fellow travelers hoping to pick up tips on where to find the ‘bigger’ game. They pore over wildlife guidebooks eager to find out more about their favorite species and where they might be found. And still, a certain frustration persists. There is not a bear around every corner. The herd of bighorn sheep shown on a travel brochure is not seen every day. So what is a traveler to do? Well, research and persistence can greatly increase your odds of spotting wildlife.

Travel brochures can sometimes leave a person with the impression that wildlife lurks on every corner. Not likely. Animals in our mountain parks have large territories and may be reluctant to show themselves to humans. Think of your own habits. If a friend was looking for you, would they be able to find you by looking in your living room window every afternoon? Chances are you might be in at work and only there in the evenings.

Do some reading on your favorite animals and find out where they like to hang out. Bighorn sheep can be easy to spot when they move down to lower elevations for winter foraging, but when they move to higher elevations to birth, it may be difficult to see them at all. If there is a specific species you want to see, consider adjusting your travel plans to increase your viewing chances. If you are already in the area, evenings and early mornings are good times year-round to spot many animals. You may need to set an alarm so you can get a jump on the crowds, but it is well worth it.

Another trick of experienced wildlife watchers is to fill in around the time spent watching bigger species with some small, but interesting animals. Squirrels and chipmunks are relatively easy to spot and always entertaining as they race over the forest floor, retrieving and storing the year’s cone harvest. Watching birds can give us some hints about the mountain environment as well as sparking a lifelong passion. For example, did you know that the American Dipper, a small black bird seen ‘dipping’ at the knees in fast moving streams can be found doing the same movement in the dead of winter? This type of endurance observed in such a small bird can spark a desire to learn more about bird watching.

Bugs are another form of wildlife that is often overlooked, but dragonflies and butterflies are beautiful, hardy visitors to our mountain parks. Next time you see one try turning your binoculars upside down for a closer look. This will give you an instant microscope and an entry into a whole new world. Plants, lichen and the smallest of insects become a kaleidoscope of color when viewed this way.

. So what is a traveler to do? Well, research and persistence can greatly increase your odds of spotting wildlife.

Travel brochures can sometimes leave a person with the impression that wildlife lurks on every corner. Not likely. Animals in our mountain parks have large territories and may be reluctant to show themselves to humans. Think of your own habits. If a friend was looking for you, would they be able to find you by looking in your living room window every afternoon? Chances are you might be in at work and only there in the evenings.

Do some reading on your favorite animals and find out where they like to hang out. Bighorn sheep can be easy to spot when they move down to lower elevations for winter foraging, but when they move to higher elevations to birth, it may be difficult to see them at all. If there is a specific species you want to see, consider adjusting your travel plans to increase your viewing chances. If you are already in the area, evenings and early mornings are good times year-round to spot many animals. You may need to set an alarm so you can get a jump on the crowds, but it is well worth it.

Another trick of experienced wildlife watchers is to fill in around the time spent watching bigger species with some small, but interesting animals. Squirrels and chipmunks are relatively easy to spot and always entertaining as they race over the forest floor, retrieving and storing the year’s cone harvest. Watching birds can give us some hints about the mountain environment as well as sparking a lifelong passion. For example, did you know that the American Dipper, a small black bird seen ‘dipping’ at the knees in fast moving streams can be found doing the same movement in the dead of winter? This type of endurance observed in such a small bird can spark a desire to learn more about bird watching.

Bugs are another form of wildlife that is often overlooked, but dragonflies and butterflies are beautiful, hardy visitors to our mountain parks. Next time you see one try turning your binoculars upside down for a closer look. This will give you an instant microscope and an entry into a whole new world. Plants, lichen and the smallest of insects become a kaleidoscope of color when viewed this way.

reading on your favorite animals and find out where they like to hang out. Bighorn sheep can be easy to spot when they move down to lower elevations for winter foraging, but when they move to higher elevations to birth, it may be difficult to see them at all. If there is a specific species you want to see, consider adjusting your travel plans to increase your viewing chances. If you are already in the area, evenings and early mornings are good times year-round to spot many animals. You may need to set an alarm so you can get a jump on the crowds, but it is well worth it.

Another trick of experienced wildlife watchers is to fill in around the time spent watching bigger species with some small, but interesting animals. Squirrels and chipmunks are relatively easy to spot and always entertaining as they race over the forest floor, retrieving and storing the year’s cone harvest. Watching birds can give us some hints about the mountain environment as well as sparking a lifelong passion. For example, did you know that the American Dipper, a small black bird seen ‘dipping’ at the knees in fast moving streams can be found doing the same movement in the dead of winter? This type of endurance observed in such a small bird can spark a desire to learn more about bird watching.

Bugs are another form of wildlife that is often overlooked, but dragonflies and butterflies are beautiful, hardy visitors to our mountain parks. Next time you see one try turning your binoculars upside down for a closer look. This will give you an instant microscope and an entry into a whole new world. Plants, lichen and the smallest of insects become a kaleidoscope of color when viewed this way.

ll worth it.

Another trick of experienced wildlife watchers is to fill in around the time spent watching bigger species with some small, but interesting animals. Squirrels and chipmunks are relatively easy to spot and always entertaining as they race over the forest floor, retrieving and storing the year’s cone harvest. Watching birds can give us some hints about the mountain environment as well as sparking a lifelong passion. For example, did you know that the American Dipper, a small black bird seen ‘dipping’ at the knees in fast moving streams can be found doing the same movement in the dead of winter? This type of endurance observed in such a small bird can spark a desire to learn more about bird watching.

Bugs are another form of wildlife that is often overlooked, but dragonflies and butterflies are beautiful, hardy visitors to our mountain parks. Next time you see one try turning your binoculars upside down for a closer look. This will give you an instant microscope and an entry into a whole new world. Plants, lichen and the smallest of insects become a kaleidoscope of color when viewed this way.

found doing the same movement in the dead of winter? This type of endurance observed in such a small bird can spark a desire to learn more about bird watching.

Bugs are another form of wildlife that is often overlooked, but dragonflies and butterflies are beautiful, hardy visitors to our mountain parks. Next time you see one try turning your binoculars upside down for a closer look. This will give you an instant microscope and an entry into a whole new world. Plants, lichen and the smallest of insects become a kaleidoscope of color when viewed this way. Some wildlife watchers become so engrossed they forget they were looking for the charismatic mega fauna.

So next time you find yourself wondering where all the wildlife went, try turning your binoculars over for a different look at our mountain parks. The search for wildlife can be as much fun as the actual spotting. And chances are, when you are spending this much time exploring, you will come across the wildlife experiences you were looking for.

Some Wildlife Watching Reminders

Don’t get too close – If the animal changes its behavior as a result of your presence, chances are you’ve gotten too close. This is especially true in fall and spring when animals are desperate to replenish fuel reserves. Every time they are chased away by human observers, they use up energy needed to survive.

Don’t feed wildlife – Not only is it dangerous to humans, it is not good for animals. It can create a dependency that will turn them into nuisances or prevent them from eating the food that will keep them healthy.

Limit Use of Calls – Bird calls or mp3 files with animal calls can allow you to bring animals in closer for viewing, but prolonged use can greatly disturb wildlife and disrupt normal behaviors.