On the trips I guide, before we leave, we often talk about what we want out of the trip. With one of the groups, they really wanted to see wildlife. While you can never guarantee anything with wild animals, they are generally most active around sunrise and sunset and these are your best chances to see them. We decided to take long breaks at lunch, canoe into the evenings, even if it meant setting up camp in the dark. It paid off! We saw a herd of elk grazing by the river, we saw a black bear scramble up a steep cliff, plus lots of smaller wildlife. I never knew red squirrels could swim, but I have now seen two of them swimming across the North Saskatchewan River through fast, choppy water. They get to the other side, shake themselves off, and scurry up the bank.

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.