Canada - Sept. 4th

We started our Friday with a trip to a wolf center outside of Golden.  You can learn all about this place at their website: http://www.northernlightswildlife.com/about_us.html

It is a very small educational center with just four wolves. 

The wolves here just serve as ambassadors to their cousins in the wild, the guide told us.  They were brought here from less than desirable habitats - from zoos to homes where they never should have been pets.  They will never be reintroduced to the wild.  Volunteers gave a presentation just outside the fence, where they told us the truth about wolves.  There were many things we didn't know or understand, and with all the talk about them in our state, it was good to hear this side of it.

The owners of this establishment are seen as the alpha male and female of the pack.  The wolves are kept in just over one acre of land, with only two sides exposed to humans so they are easily able to stay out of sight and have their privacy.  The owners do take them out to freely roam the wilderness quite often.  Here's Maya coming back from her outing.  (They only put them on a rope when walking by tourists at the facility)

The wolves in their home habitat:

 

 

They had all four wolves together before, but a superiority battle broke out between the two females and they had to split them up.  They said this happens often in the wild, and the result is usually one leaving the pack.  Because these wolves are unable to leave, the owners had to find a way to let them co-exist in relative peace.  You still see the battle through the fence from time to time.  When Maya returned from her walk, Aspen greeted her with a tail raised high, which is to say "I am the boss".  A lot is communicated by the position of a wolf's tail.

After that enlightening visit, we headed into the small town of Golden.  There were a few galleries and shops to check out, but I was most interested in this bridge.

 

From woldweb.com: "The covered, timberframe pedestrian bridge that spans the Kicking Horse River in Downtown Golden ranks as one of Canada’s longest single span timber frame pedestrian bridges. Built by volunteers from all over the world it is evidence of what community corporation can accomplish."

 

I must admit it made me a tiny bit uneasy when I looked up and saw their methods of joinery...but it really is true timber frame construction and I love it.

 

 

Our picnic lunch of the day was at some wetlands known for good birdwatching.  We heard bird songs every now and again, but didn't really see any birds!  It was peaceful though.