Day 5.5: Where the Sheep Are - Evening Drives Near Banff

Female Bighorn sheep with young.
Mt. Norquay, Banff, AB. 

Sometimes adventure happens after dinner, too.  Hence, the Day 5.5 bonus edition of the Gypsy Wagon Adventures.

We took a short drive along the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive which passes Two Jack Lake and Lake Minnewanka.  This 13 km loop had several lovely look-outs with easy parking and captivating mountain and lake views. We did not see any wildlife along this route.

After, we headed up to the top of Mount Norquay to experience an unobstructed view looking south over the town of Banff.  I had read that this was a great way to get a free view instead of forking out big dollars to ride up the Sulphur Mountain Gondola.  I've never been up the gondola; however, this view was stunning and we were treated to three sightings of female Bighorn Sheep with babies.

Two Jack Lake off the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive. 

Alexandre wanted to touch the water and Dominic was getting into photography.
Lake Minnewanka. 

A pair of Golden-mantled ground squirrels were flitting in and out of the rocks. These ones were not so over-fed as the ones by Lake Louise. 

Finally, some really, truly, wild, wildlife! 

Looking south over the town of Banff, AB from the Mt. Norquay access road. 

They are still posing for me.