Out for a run

As a jogger I am often out and about at odd times of the day and night.  When the need to stride strikes, I head out.  I know that I am taking more of a risk in the early morning hours and right around dusk, since this is the time when our local wildlife are most active therefore I prepare myself for a safe outing where I make lots of noise using my keys and always take well traveled routs. At 5PM on a bright tuesday afternoon I wasn't my regular consciences self.  I left my house at the base of Tunnel Mountain. I was headed to Tunnel Mountain road, a rout I often run because of the challenge the hills present and the nice easy down hill back home after the 5 or so kms.

On a normal run I might see a squirrel racing across my path,  large black ravens headed for some neglected human food and Mule Deer munching on my lawn as I depart. On this day about 3/4 of my way back home, I was greeted by an incredible young male elk.  He stood approximately 6.5 feet tall with an impressive, expanding fuzzy rack.  As he heard me approach his head popped up from his grassy snack.  I stopped, let him know that I wasn't a threat and as swiftly as I could grabbed my iPhone to capture this impressive beast.  Here is the picture I snapped.

Submitted by Lindsey Heenan, Sales Manager, Discover Banff Tours