I realized that before we leave Montana, I should include a photo from Glacier National Park which was established in 1910 and thus is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. GNP encompasses 16,000 square miles of Montana bordering Alberta and British Columbia. On the Canadian side is Waterton Lakes National Park, another breathtaking example of the beautiful snow covered mountains surrounding a crystal clear lake. Bison and Woodland Caribou were common to GNP before 1900 but were hunted to extinction. Grizzly Bears, wolverines, wolves, and Canadian Lynx are native to the park and are protected due to their small numbers in the lower 48. The good news is that the populations have stabilized. GNP has nearly every other large mammal: moose, mule and white tail deer, elk, black bear, mountain lion, badger, mink, fisher, marten, river otter, and porcupine. The main road through the park is the "Going to the Sun" highway, constructed during the depression by FDR's (CCC) program of putting the unemployed to work in the National Park Service. It is 53 miles of hairpin turns going up and over the Rocky Mountains. About five years ago I was driving the highway and as I went over Logan Pass at 6,646 feet, there were a couple dozen cars along side the road -- i.e. "animal traffic jam" very similar to Yellowstone. There were three Mountain Goats by the side of the road. I was able to get a parking place so could spend as much time as I wanted. As you might imagine everyone was taking photos. Some with their "point and shoot" and some with professional gear. I have mentioned this before, but if you are really looking for a great photo, don't leave until you get one. Most people took a photo out of the window of their car as they drove by. Some jumped out of their car, took a photo, and jumped back in their car and off they went. My best photo was this one -- about 45 minutes after I arrived there. That really wasn't a very long wait for a good photo. Photographers Practice Patience with a Passion.
No comments:
Post a Comment