Elk are impressive and best viewed in the Spring before rutting season. Keep your distance, and don't stop your car right next to them for a photo either - you don't want to end up like this guy. If you visit Banff or Jasper for any length of time, you're probably going to see some Elk.
Anytime of year you can find Elk. They're most obvious in the Winter and Spring. We see so many animals I had to make a post earlier in the year and have a few more coming. On most of the hikes we do we see cool animals, such as Bears so there's no shortage of great material.
The best spot to view animals in Banff is just up the road to Norquay Ski Hill. Even if there are no sheep or goats it's still a great view. One time we were filming and in a 15 second window there was a Grizzly Bear, a herd of Rams and a deer.
The herd of goats is often in this spot as the grass is most delicious. No one owns these goats, they live in the park and do their own thing. No curry for you!
Mount Rundle is a sight to behold. Next year I'd like to climb it, there must be lots of critters up there.
This buck was spotted near Bragg Creek. If we don't see deer when driving around there, it's weird. If it were hunting season you could take this one out with a club.
There were a few of them in the area and they are used to people. I don't think you can hunt within so many meters of a road so they are safe in town all year round. There's so many deer here but these were particularly photogenic. For all you hunters who got skunked this season, you're just not applying yourselves.
Speaking of hunters, this coyote is doing well. This is up in Jasper, they aren't that easy to see since they hide in the grass. This is number 3 for the year.
Coyotes love rabbits. This hare was in the alley last weekend, it's turned white for the winter. Not the best photo, I just hope it's around in the spring. We want some baby rabbits.
Coyotes also eat ground squirrels. This one lived on the island in the pond right off the highway as you get into Banff. It's an ideal place to have a picnic.
Here we have a Marmot, found high up in the mountains. We spotted this one above Lake O'hara - more posts incoming. It's a magical place that is so nice they only allow one hundred people there per day for part of the year.
This herd of elk was spotted on the lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. Another good place to see animals in the Banff Area and worst case, you get an epic view of the lake from the Dam.
All photos taken with an S20 or iphone14 pro