Trumpeter Swans passing though on their annual migration. Interestingly these swans actually fly north to winter over on the Crooked River north of Prince George where warm springs keep parts of the river open all year. The trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the heaviest living bird native to North America and the largest waterfowl in the world with a wingspan that can exceed 10 ft (3.0 m). Ness Lake, Northern British Columbia, Canada.
Snow has arrived in the Rockies and a young moose calf starts to experience its first taste of winter. Moose are the largest of the deer family by some margin; they stand up to 2.1 m (6.9 ft) high at the shoulder and the males can weigh up to 700kg. I have also included a shot of its mother. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Yak taking a rest. Adapted to high altitude with larger lungs and hearts than normal cattle, they continue to produce foetal haemoglobin their whole life to increase oxygen carrying capacity. Conversely at low altitudes or above 15 degrees C (59 F) they begin to suffer from heat exhaustion due to a thick layer of subcutaneous fat combined with a lack of functioning sweat glands. Nepalese Himalaya. Nepal . Shot with Fuji Velvia slide film.
