Postcard #24: Montreal

Caption: Montreal
Le Centre-ville (vu du Mont-Royal)
Downtown (view from Mont-Royal)
Photograph: Michel Degray
Postmarked: October 16, 2011 (from Yancy)

Obviously this is not your typical view of the downtown skyline.

My friend Yancy sent me this postcard during her stay in Montreal for a research conference. She mentioned that finally on their 6th day in Montreal, they (she and her fellow researchers) got to tour around and even hiked up Mont Royal. At the top of Mont Royal, they were able to oversee the whole city. And because this was in Fall (October), they were actually able to see the skyline juxtaposed with the Fall colors - just like on this postcard.

Annnnd, not only am I currently in Canada, I'm off to see Yancy tomorrow! So this postcard is perfect =)

Postcard #6: Black Bear Cub

Caption: Black Bear Cub (Ursus americanna)
Weighing about a half pound at birth, Black Bear Cubs usually arrive in early February while the female is denning up against the winter cold. The tiny naked newborn cuddle against their mother for warmth and to nurse. Mother bears are fiercely protective of their cubs and will fight to the death to protect them.
Photographer: Michael H. Francis
Postmarked: June 9, 2010

I received this postcard from my good friend Yancy when she visited Yellowstone National Park. Even in the summer (June), she mentioned that the park is quite cold. Though sightings of wildlife made it worthwhile - she reported having seen bisons, bears, deers, elks, etc etc. When I went to Yellowstone - granted it was quite a few years before Yancy - I definitely didn't see as much wildlife. I did remember the cold; I also saw the good Old Faithful geyser.

I did manage to see a very angry bison; my father and I actually got an extremely clear head-shot of it before it started chasing us. The two of us half-jumped and half-slid down this slope (it seemed more like a cliff at the time...), and luckily it didn't follow. I'm still unsure what exactly we were thinking...