A Calculated Risk

Banff National Park, Alberta

It can be hard to fathom the ledges and rock faces where mountain goats are usually spotted. Although it often seems that they are precariously perched, it's important to remember that they have evolved to thrive in high altitude environments. Their feet are well-suited for climbing steep, rocky slopes, with inner pads that provide traction and cloven hooves that can be spread apart as needed. The tips of their feet also have sharp dewclaws that allow them to virtually stick to the rocks and avoid slipping. After spotting this particular goat high on the rock face, I made my way up a nearby ridge to get into position for a photograph. I watched as he carefully made his way along, grazing as he went, obviously not the least bit concerned that a predator would follow him out there! With each careful step he was calculating the risk, despite their adaptations, a wrong step could, and sometimes does, prove fatal for these creatures.