Location: Burstall Pass, Alberta, Canada
Participants: Sarah, Mclean Patrick Latter
Time: 5 Hours
Weather: -3 °C (26.6 °F)
Directions
Drive south from Canmore on Spray Lakes road for about 45km. There will be turn off for ‘Burstall’ and a large parking lot.
Gear
- Cross Country Skis
- Cross Country Boots
- Cross Country Poles
- Food
- Water
- Warm ski jacket
- Warm fleece
- Warm socks (or 2 layers of socks)
- Toque
- Thermal underwear
- Snow-pants or gaiters
- Gloves
Story
I loved the trail we did last week so we decided to do it again but this time on cross country skis instead of snowshoes. The skis made for a much faster/easier trek, especially coming back, as it was mostly downhill.
There weren’t to many surprises until we reached the flats and I nearly skied right over one of these guys.
There were 7 ptarmigans following us down the trail and we hadn’t even noticed. They would run right along side us, periodically stopping at shrubs to eat.
A ptarmigan! How cool is that!
How special to see those birds! That must have been a special day out on the snow.
That is so cool. It’s amazing what you see while hiking, snowshoeing and skiing.
Sent from my iPad
Wow I have never seen a bird like that before! Gorgeous image. As well as Sarah of course!
I love encounters with animals like that; way to go, Tay.
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wow never seen or heard of a ptarmigan! The things you learn from Blog Sites, oh and beautiful photos as usual.
Wow LOVELY photos!!
Good lookin’ little birds, and friendly too. 😉
Very cool. I wonder why the Ptarmigans followed you, that’s interesting.
Love the bird – so cute against the snow
They know you are good humans who do not eat them. They like you for that and trust you.
Hard to see. Looks just like balls of snow
Angelic…
Beautiful photos!
Birds are really beautiful!
I’ve never heard of a “ptarmigan” before. Learned something new – thanks!
Now that is what I call some serious camouflage!
I love the color white.
Wow those birds are beautiful, they’re almost invisible against the snow, if it wasn’t for their beaks and beady black eyes!
It’s been a long time since I’ve skied around ptarmigans, too long. I loved having them for company on rambles and ski trips in AK. Nice photos!
What incredible camouflage… does their plumage change in spring and summer???
Absolutely beautiful photos – thank you for sharing! 😀
Beautiful! I love ptarmigans, even though I’ve never seen one. I particularly like the photo with the group of birds, because it looks almost black and white, except for the little bit of lichen on the tree. I’m not surprised you didn’t notice the birds – they’re like little ghosts!
Personally, that would be a hard exposure to get right! Love your photos 🙂
Stunning!
Such ethereally beautiful creatures! I have never seen anything like this. Wonderful. Simply awe-inspiring nature.
So sweet, the little white birds:-)
The white on white of the cluster of ptarmigans – just exquisite
I have enjoyed both the snowshoeing pictures and the cross country pictures! I was able to engage in both activities when I lived in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont … not so much here in Virginia.
Great shots of the ptarmigans.
Beautiful birds! They’re almost like ghosts against the snow.
No wonder you didn’t notice those little sweeties! They’re perfectly snow-white. Beautiful 🙂
Fantastic capture of white on white 🙂
I’ve never heard of ptarmigans before, but these are very beautiful fellows!
Wonderful white on white.
I have never seen a snow bird in my entire 66 years so thanks so much for posting these pictures – WOW!! These birds are beautiful…
Simply amazing photography!
Reblogged this on Duchessoblunt's Blog.
The ptarmigans blend in so well with the snow cover.
Reblogged this on Red Fish Agency.
AMAZING! 🙂
Wow, what a wonderful experience! And beautiful photos, too.
I can feel the chill! Great post!
Wow Beautiful Images – Especially adore the ptarmigans.
I have never once heard of a ptarmigan until now – oh my gosh, they are beautiful! And such great photos of everything once again. I’m not sure where you find the energy to do all that you do but I’m glad you share it.
Lovely shot.
How cool is that? Never heard of these guys, so cute.
I like how you cpture the different tones of white between the snow and the ptarmigans. Nice Photos.
Looks cold 😉 and fun… love the birds…
OMG, they are like snow 🙂
Fantastic, Thanks for passing!
These are great! Love the bird. 😀
How fortunate you are to see so much of nature’s beauty! Thank you for sharing with us.
really liked the photo of the ptarmigans
Ontario’s winter is leaving much to be desired this year, I’ve only been able to get out skiing once so far, so little snow!
I love the white birds! My name is Robin and I look for birds in pictures! Thanks also for all the Canada pictures for the past months I have followed you!
Never ever heard of a ptarmigan! How beautiful… Just stunning…
Way cool. You make me want to get my snowshoes on. Lovely pics.
What lovely little birds!
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I’d love to see ptarmigans but that still looks entirely too cold for me 🙂
very nice, enjoyed the Ptarmigan pictures
Boy, talk about good disguises! LOVE this!
Beautiful pics of the white Ptarmigans against the snow; they are so well camouflaged. I understand in the summer their plumage turns speckly brown to camouflage against bare rock. Nature’s systems – so very clever!
The picture of the white birds are amazing.
Sweet! Talk about “as white as snow”!
Reblogged this on Catalyst Quotes and commented:
This is a beautiful photograph!
Unbelievable! At the weekend I was thrilled to walk within a hundred feet of Golden Plover, I can’t believe you got this close to ptarmigan. I must get back to Canada some time soon. By the way this is easily my favourite Photography site on wordpress.