Recently I drove up the Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise. It wasn’t the best of days, overcast and with the occasional rain shower. The sun would sometimes burst through for a few seconds, making the light very variable to say the least. However, I have found that days like these can have wonderful surprises in store, as everyone else has stayed home.

This day was no exception, although after quite a few hours of seeing nothing, not even a deer, I was beginning to doubt my wisdom in being there. As it was, I got to see a beautiful red fox, an animal I have never before seen here. The fox didn’t hang around and I only got two decent shots in focus from my idling and badly positioned car before another car scared the fox away, never to return. Still, to me a magical encounter, however brief.

I see youA very aware fox prepares to move away, Bow Valley Parkway, Alberta.