Named for its mule-like ears, the Mule Deer
also has a rope-like tail with a black tip.
We have two species of deer around the Lake: Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer.
White-tailed Deer are seen mainly at the valley bottom (discussion of white tail, facetious comments).
Mule Deer are seen mainly on the mountain slopes. It has always struck me as a little odd that every description of this deer mentions not just its ears and tail, but also its black brow. Yet, my sightings have only shown the faintest trace of such a feature.
This changed yesterday when I finally saw a Mule Deer with a truly black brow.
The first Mule Deer seen yesterday had only the normal touch of darkness on its brow.
However, the second one had clearly read the guide books and had chosen to conform to the script.
Bank slump
Creeks are brimming with water after days of warm rain and snowmelt. A few have burst banks while others merely cut into a bank that will give way on another occasion.
When a creek takes a serpentine course, the outside of the bend erodes and that material is transported to the inside of the bend or forms islands in the middle.
Near the top right of this picture, Kokanee Creek flows into Kootenay Lake. Slightly upstream (on a line from the lower left to the middle) is a long bank that is collapsing as it is undercut by the creek. After awhile the undercut topsoil slumps into the creek. Ultimately, the creek will break right through and reach the lake along a new path.
Despite both the physical evidence of bank slump, and Park signs that warn people to stay clear of the edge, visitors often stand on spots about to collapse.
