30 



WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



becomes still more heavily obscured with cold lead- 

 coloured clouds. Bad weather is coming without 

 doubt. If only it would snow there would be 

 no lack of Caribou. Even while I am writing, 

 occasional snowflakes fly past, stinging my face. 

 Further writing is impossible to-day. At intervals 

 during the night flurries of hard snow blew against 

 my tent, yet altogether there was scarcely enough to 

 whiten the ground. The day broke dull and grey, 

 but before nine o'clock the sun came out. Now if 

 the Caribou would only come, the light is good and 

 there is so little wind that any animals crossing the 

 river can be easily heard. A Canada jay is sitting 

 upon a twig above my head. He seems to be 

 watching the pencil with wondering eyes. Down 

 he comes ; now he is not more than a foot or so from 

 my head. Who's there ? Well, that certainly beats 

 anything I have ever known for impertinence. 

 Evidently it was my glasses that fascinated the bird, 

 for he suddenly darted at them and had them in his 

 bill before I realised his intentions. Throwing up 

 my hands, I frightened the rascal, and he dropped the 

 glasses Before I could replace them the stillness 

 of the morning was broken by repeated sounds of 

 splashing in the river. Caribou had crossed and 

 landed close to where my canoe was hidden. 

 Fortunately they kept clear of my trail. It was 

 only a small herd, but they came within range and 

 I made two exposures. Scarcely had I reloaded 

 the camera than another and larger herd came into 

 view. What a superb sight they presented as they 

 walked with quick steps along the lead which 

 would give me the best chance with the camera ! 



