tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24695274962548194742024-03-14T07:54:06.961-07:00Wow MomentsRobert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-71840681654842143812020-03-14T16:38:00.001-07:002020-03-14T16:38:43.946-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi9LOwO2R2OXF2ZxTMKvNq9BrZWhcmhYfM0PGmkBQqA8XjiiIfDWbtKx_HmNnhF2zkGEePlBm4hmXyLyDMVWgK_l9gs7x1QxUhWS0J2DRYgsU1dX1qA5n8odVI0hyrW4dh4OWldWGpS7J/s1600/P1250100+Frosty+Mtn.+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi9LOwO2R2OXF2ZxTMKvNq9BrZWhcmhYfM0PGmkBQqA8XjiiIfDWbtKx_HmNnhF2zkGEePlBm4hmXyLyDMVWgK_l9gs7x1QxUhWS0J2DRYgsU1dX1qA5n8odVI0hyrW4dh4OWldWGpS7J/s400/P1250100+Frosty+Mtn.+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As moisture laden clouds disperse from the high peaks we sometimes see hoar frost covered mountains such as this beauty along the Icefields Parkway. I enjoy this scenic drive no matter which season we do it in. Each time reveals different characteristics of this rugged landscape.<br />
<br />
Especially in winter we do have to be aware of road safety issues. This road lies in a trench of the rocky mountains and can get tremendous amounts of snow at one time. I try to monitor the weather predictions ahead of time. A vehicle has to be in good condition, fueled up and have good winter tires to begin. The highway can be bare and dry but shady places or on hills can suddenly become ice covered.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquGJb03esXzMkOCsk5NAO3uxy0PmCFzWErxsw0QJt9gRfsyhq9o02xH-SmT7NRH5bTeMWWEGkfrG9wGpVumNUIA2bfL9Cy_m7Wo4nEmTcvcIgQcjDX3PwFEfrJnrKlW-XO4Y9QMXX5bQI/s1600/P1250120+Icefields+Parkway+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquGJb03esXzMkOCsk5NAO3uxy0PmCFzWErxsw0QJt9gRfsyhq9o02xH-SmT7NRH5bTeMWWEGkfrG9wGpVumNUIA2bfL9Cy_m7Wo4nEmTcvcIgQcjDX3PwFEfrJnrKlW-XO4Y9QMXX5bQI/s400/P1250120+Icefields+Parkway+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icefields Parkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am amazed at what some visitors to this area do for a pastime. Skiing or snowshoeing I can see but ice climbing? Certainly not for me but amazing to see.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KdQmeZr4UiOroKmYZNjen9pxLEbkPojltiyf1ra83SPqoSjuZzi94n7c0GMlBZsJJ8pGgxG9OodWYYVcsNysNy7WhsimcgzDNF5TpkQVBIDFmX_0tIpZQn7Twlk49SMwkqZd7pUtTQh6/s1600/P2270093+Ice+Wall+Climbers+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KdQmeZr4UiOroKmYZNjen9pxLEbkPojltiyf1ra83SPqoSjuZzi94n7c0GMlBZsJJ8pGgxG9OodWYYVcsNysNy7WhsimcgzDNF5TpkQVBIDFmX_0tIpZQn7Twlk49SMwkqZd7pUtTQh6/s400/P2270093+Ice+Wall+Climbers+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Ice Fall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsX1HsszhtmDRfKDDozJ86QLIHnZL1GHjNGqfcgpheJaMS1N1ObjVtfq3Q7Mq1p6uhO7UKAdksdqE82FCV-Q_PDaIZRZ8j_mbTGoKyIb-6wan3xyWBMoImuG_U0OJKlKV6f96dAmIOIka/s1600/P2270094+Ice+Climbers+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsX1HsszhtmDRfKDDozJ86QLIHnZL1GHjNGqfcgpheJaMS1N1ObjVtfq3Q7Mq1p6uhO7UKAdksdqE82FCV-Q_PDaIZRZ8j_mbTGoKyIb-6wan3xyWBMoImuG_U0OJKlKV6f96dAmIOIka/s400/P2270094+Ice+Climbers+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Climbers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have always found ice to be very brittle so I would not be trusting of metal pegs pounded into ice a few hundred feet above firm ground. Interesting to watch for sure.<br />
<br />
I stand in amazement at the wonders of the Columbia Icefield itself though. It is a beautiful and rugged time machine demonstrating Nature's power and fragility. On this trip a few bighorn sheep graze and nibble at rough plants that have managed to grow on these rocky heights. The height of land at the top of the icefields parkway is the border between Jasper and Banff National Parks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkGl_DHyW0WN5_ZXvnclSzro05r-fPFxauIdd_yFFzo7LGfuWuahqITEweyPykDbJu-3vErRo8fDiFEgCUs85azbzaENh_r6IkjaO39wFMqgZwmtxQglSSy84paUQr_CzxhIxGQWXPLHu/s1600/P1250150+Sheep+at+Columbia+Icefields-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkGl_DHyW0WN5_ZXvnclSzro05r-fPFxauIdd_yFFzo7LGfuWuahqITEweyPykDbJu-3vErRo8fDiFEgCUs85azbzaENh_r6IkjaO39wFMqgZwmtxQglSSy84paUQr_CzxhIxGQWXPLHu/s400/P1250150+Sheep+at+Columbia+Icefields-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky Mountain Sheep Grazing at Columbia Icefields</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Less than an hour drive from the top of the icefields, we turn east down the David Thompson Highway toward Kootenay Plains. Here, we leave Banff National Park. Amazingly, there is almost no snow here. It is a natural area that receives little snow each winter that borders on the top of the North Saskatchewan River draining some of the Icefields area. It has been dammed to form Abraham Lake, Alberta's longest man made lake. This area has been used by native people for thousands of years for wintering and hunting are due to its milder climate. It is also a natural grazing region for wildlife to over winter.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Uzng37dgsNbAyVdjLtyb4xxfQHM6XUj9drYpIkdcSKUyFt8rrnzKr09Bsliq9qBA-lgGdKiObgwA2LcgDQE3P6qBwG1ki0UBSIpk_nX-1F8v8SRpZnS97RyAxWY_4SZ9cPFmInf4uB9T/s1600/P2270156+Abraham+Bubbles+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Uzng37dgsNbAyVdjLtyb4xxfQHM6XUj9drYpIkdcSKUyFt8rrnzKr09Bsliq9qBA-lgGdKiObgwA2LcgDQE3P6qBwG1ki0UBSIpk_nX-1F8v8SRpZnS97RyAxWY_4SZ9cPFmInf4uB9T/s400/P2270156+Abraham+Bubbles+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Methane Bubbles Trapped in the Ice on Abraham Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have driven by this lake numerous times over the past several years but never stopped to look at the famous bubbles. Today I gingerly made my way down to the lake to take a look. Good thing for ice cleats on my boots or the wind would have blown me to the far end of the dam. These picks also helped get down to the lake from the steep shoreline. As the dam is drained over the winter, the ice sinks too so caution is advised while wandering around this area. It is beautiful for sure.<br />
<br />
Each season should be visited in Jasper, Banff, the Icefield Parkway and the David Thompson Highway regions. It is surely one of Alberta's outdoor wilderness treasures.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-11587495635402542452020-02-03T15:16:00.000-08:002020-02-03T15:16:07.449-08:00Robins Ice Fishing<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEHXiS0EKLr_2awDRrFtJ3pdrYD8BGOX-jQkS7Ej6MuBX8X4H6AhrpUEudBqMNqBeJZzwbGdAJlxQKSaaBcijjXcOhIRKfLUNTdwQ-VbpPS6oaBy5r_rhebF-rL__j-bQThh8RDTOz6n4/s1600/P2020140+Robin+With+Stickleback+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEHXiS0EKLr_2awDRrFtJ3pdrYD8BGOX-jQkS7Ej6MuBX8X4H6AhrpUEudBqMNqBeJZzwbGdAJlxQKSaaBcijjXcOhIRKfLUNTdwQ-VbpPS6oaBy5r_rhebF-rL__j-bQThh8RDTOz6n4/s400/P2020140+Robin+With+Stickleback+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin Ice Fishing with Stickleback</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have already survived a couple weeks of temperatures approaching -35 this winter but we are now closer to average; this morning -14c. American robins, are very common birds hopping around our landscape in summer but unusual here around the first of February. Instead of hopping across our rain-soaked lawns listening for earthworms in summer, there are several now hopping on the ice of a storm-water lake in Edmonton picking tiny stickleback fish from shallow open water along the shoreline. Also joining the fishing derby are a few magpies.<br />
Red squirrels are watching from the tops of naked tamarack trees as they feed on new buds and protest my intrusion.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87QMWawhVVyWlc0GTCulZUAa0EugGj_YcxsPPxPPFH37U6gqrfLpZfOoiH-GgQLqASuVRkJOgCcMxADIF-d8zrk4-0wlGm11ws5-fFfVR_rekq5RT8prFlPlqNDIKP7MhcYJ0-MC4t5rN/s1600/P2030185+Red+Squirrel+Chattering+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87QMWawhVVyWlc0GTCulZUAa0EugGj_YcxsPPxPPFH37U6gqrfLpZfOoiH-GgQLqASuVRkJOgCcMxADIF-d8zrk4-0wlGm11ws5-fFfVR_rekq5RT8prFlPlqNDIKP7MhcYJ0-MC4t5rN/s400/P2030185+Red+Squirrel+Chattering+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Squirrel Chattering Between Bites in a Tamarack Tree<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am always pleasantly surprised when I can go for a walk in our beautiful city parks and am able to watch and photograph wildlife of surprising nature. A couple nights ago while driving home around midnight a coyote watched my cautious approach then jaywalked behind me.<br /> Last week my hawk-eyed wife spotted an unusual white bird sitting on a snow-covered wooden fence. I had to do a doughnut and drive back for a second look. A leucistic magpie was enjoying a meal with a more familiar colored black and white magpie. After showing this photo to smarter people than I am, they told me that it could be called an "Imperfect Albino" because it does not have pink eyes. It does have pinkish colored beak and feet as well as very white feathers. Apparently it would require a DNA analysis to be sure if it is an albino 100%.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pnoyr3HmgGWpjVu_hDa0SxtZM2bE9ZuNc794CwzJZ5pq069O_NjIwVynJmO9PPM9Y7bpv5L_d7GzQxPaDtGuavTebYT_-KIukZOWYwF5cQPr2Nk06u9sSbe9POMJdYhYQRSrBpFQ2GPo/s1600/P1230076+Albino+Magpie+2-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pnoyr3HmgGWpjVu_hDa0SxtZM2bE9ZuNc794CwzJZ5pq069O_NjIwVynJmO9PPM9Y7bpv5L_d7GzQxPaDtGuavTebYT_-KIukZOWYwF5cQPr2Nk06u9sSbe9POMJdYhYQRSrBpFQ2GPo/s400/P1230076+Albino+Magpie+2-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leucistic Magpie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
If I'm learning anything and having it pounded into my thick skull is to be sure to pack a camera with me wherever I go. We never know when another of Mother Nature's miracles will spring upon us.</div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-64150520388029705132020-01-22T14:44:00.000-08:002020-01-22T14:44:09.422-08:00Sheep Hunting With Camera<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGQ3EdOa_wlsVXCnPQDEjXOYj8CmK7YwbAyABVr1R9YkwIA-Tu6ZXBdHdyTr4FVUhK11U_J7CFVDfLkihQ1VaJQzYYloWT3kFZCinmqMYE8PB7j9-giENiR6BGALMLcm-MdhRc-SA2fFl/s1600/PB140244+Ram+with+Ewes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGQ3EdOa_wlsVXCnPQDEjXOYj8CmK7YwbAyABVr1R9YkwIA-Tu6ZXBdHdyTr4FVUhK11U_J7CFVDfLkihQ1VaJQzYYloWT3kFZCinmqMYE8PB7j9-giENiR6BGALMLcm-MdhRc-SA2fFl/s400/PB140244+Ram+with+Ewes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flehming Ram</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Besides the spectacular scenery in Jasper, I got to spend four days with Rocky Mountain Sheep during their rut late last fall. I was hoping to get a few shots of head banging but that did not happen. I spent mot of my time with a herd of about 50 animals. There were about a dozen rams of various ages and sizes and I'm pretty sure that they already had their pecking order well established so there was no need to waste any energy on a dominance struggle.<br />
Sitting quietly upon the side hill among a mixed herd of wild animals and allowing them to do what ever they want to is a feeling like no other. As I first encroached on their pasture, they were very wary of my intentions. I crossed the opening slowly until I found a comfortable place behind a wind-sheltering rock and sat down. Within a few minutes the female sheep were back to feeding, chewing cuds and dodging amorous rams. The rams did not care about me at all; they did care about their sexy ewes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDMIAZRXH1MTpiLD7bKCK7N7WIwHWGAX8nO61LgIuiQ1qSEb_wKMRfUq5nN-NofoS8X9wKMgBO9g5SUKnPCdJyuacBiYarz_0QqINKGEm1OssScmViJ2_cJzBWej2T1reObE0BPcvHWB3/s1600/PB190187+Resting+Ewe+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDMIAZRXH1MTpiLD7bKCK7N7WIwHWGAX8nO61LgIuiQ1qSEb_wKMRfUq5nN-NofoS8X9wKMgBO9g5SUKnPCdJyuacBiYarz_0QqINKGEm1OssScmViJ2_cJzBWej2T1reObE0BPcvHWB3/s400/PB190187+Resting+Ewe+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cud Chewing Ewe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I figure that I must be doing a good job when the herd wandered past me within a few feet and some even lay down to comfortably chew cuds. (Wouldn't our lives be better if we had to pause in our busy days to chew our cuds?)<br />
Trying to figure out the body language of the rutting mountain sheep is another story for study. A ram may be laying down chewing away when suddenly he will get up and march directly to an unsuspecting ewe. She may be grazing calmly and here he comes, head tilted sideways, neck outstretched and lips extended for a sniff of her back end. Sometimes she will jog ahead a few steps but he is persistent. Once he has had a good sniff, he will curl his lips back and inhale her scent. Her taste will let him know how close she is to be ready for breeding. Once he has her figured out, he may pursue other nearby opportunities or strut over to another ram, displaying his dominance. Occasionally he will strike out with a front foot, trying to get the attention of a sheep not taking him seriously.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjZnsE4xJQ3_t0ZQZwcKNjbDNA4yC9CZRsu75C8p-Xud5psi3ch7xWgrQhTxkM6W_iGiHPW8JB7mIxe5sB74tSDvclmaRx8jSs6NT6-yB2dT3WNhQiTzwjaP7ley21XaKlcdH1X4Ws4V4/s1600/PB190047+Ram+With+Ewes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjZnsE4xJQ3_t0ZQZwcKNjbDNA4yC9CZRsu75C8p-Xud5psi3ch7xWgrQhTxkM6W_iGiHPW8JB7mIxe5sB74tSDvclmaRx8jSs6NT6-yB2dT3WNhQiTzwjaP7ley21XaKlcdH1X4Ws4V4/s400/PB190047+Ram+With+Ewes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ram With Ewes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For me, the antics of the sheep is very entertaining but it is also a part of my own rejuvenation of spirit. Time spent in such a fine "sit-spot" is medicine as good as any bought in the drug store. Depression seeps away, lungs are re-freshened by this crisp mountain air and worries are forgotten.<br />
I decided to try a different herd if I could find them early one morning. I drove toward Maligne Lake and saw nothing but tracks on the way there. At the lake, I was the only person left in the whole world, I was sure. I walked down along the shoreline toward a glowing sunrise. I could hear the river babbling behind me but no other sound. I stepped around the corner, out of sight and sound of the running water and sat down. There was no sound happening at all. How often can we find a place today where there is no sound? I was sure that I could hear the sun rise beyond the cloud and mist rising from some still open water. Far off, an owl called a couple times, then nothing again. I was able to make a couple photos of this beautiful place but for me, the silence was as spectacular as the scene lighting up in front of my eyes. Life is good.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUAsR2bz0hBpFw7bjeHuF5nL5gNIU12tooBU6zAqzE__-1x4d7-wp_btxkQYkW4Msm2j2IoG_9k0iiN-TdlK2fqeoCDmTyJv4Tf40-n5rVxbVny7J5f-Ysb_B0ujEzCJS3HIvCCCougIR/s1600/PB200236+Malign+Lake+AM+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUAsR2bz0hBpFw7bjeHuF5nL5gNIU12tooBU6zAqzE__-1x4d7-wp_btxkQYkW4Msm2j2IoG_9k0iiN-TdlK2fqeoCDmTyJv4Tf40-n5rVxbVny7J5f-Ysb_B0ujEzCJS3HIvCCCougIR/s400/PB200236+Malign+Lake+AM+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty Sunrise on Maligne Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-9622674960912739222020-01-02T11:00:00.001-08:002020-01-02T11:00:27.601-08:00<b>Bald Hill </b>Robert Scriba<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF45yBOC3xx_wKcdWuDJ33dlRbTIjJAhtg1mKSYZhlkCF5mXyCv48fgIhrfUhTkzEEm4Tr5dLYOScIhmkURoZBEgk-OT0h1S7lJOltMHpKdIfPoLZ6Z89-EdL1zrtfbyjx5SZmOfOuSJ8/s1600/Top+of+Bald+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLF45yBOC3xx_wKcdWuDJ33dlRbTIjJAhtg1mKSYZhlkCF5mXyCv48fgIhrfUhTkzEEm4Tr5dLYOScIhmkURoZBEgk-OT0h1S7lJOltMHpKdIfPoLZ6Z89-EdL1zrtfbyjx5SZmOfOuSJ8/s640/Top+of+Bald+Hill.jpg" width="640" /></a>Bald Hill from the top looking south</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bald Hill is the center piece of a small farming community of Heart Valley, Alberta. At the end of the road to the south is the Bad Heart River and to the north is Kakut Creek. The two watercourses join about five miles to the east to form the point of the "Heart". The wide point of the heart north west of this hill is about five miles in width. As I said to start, this area is a mixed agricultural area. It is to the point of the heart that my grand father from Germany settled in 1927. To the south of this viewpoint is where my Great Grand Parents settled in the same year. That copse at the top right hand side of this photo is the home my Dad lived in after taking over his grand parents homestead. Living this near to Bald Hill made us aware but almost dismissive of it. We took it for granted and did not really think too much about it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For some reason lately, I have been wondering, "How tall is Bald Hill?" The land all around this dominant feature of our community seems generally flat but there is a slight slope away from the hill to the creeks. This week while on our Christmas visit to see family and friends, I took my GPS and drove through the country to try to get some accurate figures. Modern technology is a fantastic tool which destroys myths that have been ingrained in our thoughts for most of my lifetime. This hill used to be a treacherous climb on a bicycle for young, adventurous boys. The south side was not too bad but the north side got to be extreme. There used to be only a slight track made by tractors looking for a shortcut to the other side. It was a pair of ruts with a center of prairie grass. If it rained it was impassable. In winter, large snow drifts obliterated this trail. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A friend of mine and I once raced our bicycles down the north side. He was braver than I and was ahead until a stick flipped up into his front wheel spokes. I was able to witness a spectacular tumble and had to endure his whining and crying over his broken wrist and damaged bike.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The top of the hill has never been broken for farming so it is still a well known Saskatoon patch interspersed by native grass, odoriferous silver willow and stunted aspen. It is sometimes used as pasture to a few horses. I wonder if native people ever used this hill as a camping site or hunting outlook?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My GPS tells me that the east-west road along the south side of the hill is 655 meters elevation. The top of Bald Hill is at 698 meters. The north side road is at 639 meters. This makes the actual height of the hill to be a measly 59 meters or 195 feet. This is about the height of two large spruce trees. Wow, I could have sworn that it was a lot taller but we all know how things seem to shrink as we get older.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For further info, the range of Saddle Hills, to the south is about 815 meters so about 217 meters taller than Bald Hill. The Bad Heart River is about 60 meters deep so if we inverted Bald Hill and placed it into this creek, it would disappear.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Smokey River valley to the east is about 154 meters deep.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jWSpR7WaXpLuSiQH9bjpwRkPTePeB55xcuYrJIgBpmG3izvKXMjBDJMkHNREvvoLfxChTlpINxaSGI5QQFBiMBTbnfkY00ke_I6ESDfLMswm5Pz0AVVpui7C9ZhRYsSGigLKhJp_-1Mx/s1600/IMG_0240%255B977%255D+Bald+Hill+from++the+South+West.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jWSpR7WaXpLuSiQH9bjpwRkPTePeB55xcuYrJIgBpmG3izvKXMjBDJMkHNREvvoLfxChTlpINxaSGI5QQFBiMBTbnfkY00ke_I6ESDfLMswm5Pz0AVVpui7C9ZhRYsSGigLKhJp_-1Mx/s640/IMG_0240%255B977%255D+Bald+Hill+from++the+South+West.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Hill from the South West</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I wander through my home community, I'm reminded of how this place has changed in my lifetime. Many families lived and farmed on this land. We used to fill a large school bus to Wanham but there are no kids other than the few at the local Hutterian Colony below the north side of the hill. Individual farmers have been bought out and moved away. I think there is only one or two farmers other than the Colony farming within the drainage of the hill. It was a wonderful place to be raised and live as young boys.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-64869204689325451952019-02-13T13:02:00.001-08:002019-02-13T13:02:20.835-08:00Beaver Has His Wood Stove Fired Up<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lCSrndK0GjiR79NBAvtoynQLSdnkCTc0kHPnzoCOEKJ2hpVnyaA1J27Y5kiHsnun908WVuRKTyAJIV7LFj5TdCcqdVyVyGFpZVfJxzc5TLdMl2oda9goMTukmAXL729Sm8toj07_088r/s1600/P2130088+Steamy+Beaver+Lodge_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lCSrndK0GjiR79NBAvtoynQLSdnkCTc0kHPnzoCOEKJ2hpVnyaA1J27Y5kiHsnun908WVuRKTyAJIV7LFj5TdCcqdVyVyGFpZVfJxzc5TLdMl2oda9goMTukmAXL729Sm8toj07_088r/s400/P2130088+Steamy+Beaver+Lodge_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Vapour Rising From Beaver lodge Vent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Beaver Has His Wood Stove Fired Up</b> this chilly morning. It is -37c at Elk Island National Park this morning, but the sun is shining. It is an optimistic sun. We all think it is much warmer when the sun shines through the ice fog.<br />
I did not realize that beaver cut firewood as well as food, lodge, and dam material. It is so cold in the park that the beavers have lit their wood stove, as evidenced by smoke rising from the lodge chimney. Every beaver lodge I came across today was smoking. Actually, the vapor we see rising from this beaver lodge is heat escaping through an air vent that the beavers build into their lodges. The vapor is most noticeable on cold days and when backlit by the sun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdx7iWOXD0Gs0TDZ47l0lAbSDf61LmB_UpvfwTXAUIS6E3cu8b31YNtVjShN0bfEM4hoHK_u49Oj0Ff0NHc1NLo_RUD0_TpSpem_Ypi5RYYnlf5_ZcBRnwCV2RUT-CxoBuGPg8JL98BKU/s1600/P2130163+Elk+Herd_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdx7iWOXD0Gs0TDZ47l0lAbSDf61LmB_UpvfwTXAUIS6E3cu8b31YNtVjShN0bfEM4hoHK_u49Oj0Ff0NHc1NLo_RUD0_TpSpem_Ypi5RYYnlf5_ZcBRnwCV2RUT-CxoBuGPg8JL98BKU/s400/P2130163+Elk+Herd_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk Herd Grazing and Browsing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ungulates were all out grazing and browsing this morning. A few elk still snuggled warmly in beds but most were up and about. Bison, moose and white-tailed deer were also up and about. None seemed to be out of sorts in any way due to the cold weather.<br />
I do enjoy being out in the park early in the morning hoping to see wildlife and beautiful landscape. The cold weather adds a bit of drama and tension to the land but life goes on. The cold seems to bother us and our equipment far worse than the wildlife.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt3RcZzmXBXjzgV3lgbY8E9dX2HvdMkSjCuxUkRXVA7Hcfj88yJH0UduPM2dya7ocQzISoJF_MKCRFqYIdV6E5HNwVVcdGK-OWsBs0C11hikFQDD1iqfzOJGoqu9XNSL8ecs5blsZJzx4/s1600/P2130005+Chilly+Sunrise_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt3RcZzmXBXjzgV3lgbY8E9dX2HvdMkSjCuxUkRXVA7Hcfj88yJH0UduPM2dya7ocQzISoJF_MKCRFqYIdV6E5HNwVVcdGK-OWsBs0C11hikFQDD1iqfzOJGoqu9XNSL8ecs5blsZJzx4/s400/P2130005+Chilly+Sunrise_4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise Star Burst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-4618753884298447742019-02-11T08:41:00.001-08:002019-02-11T08:41:05.236-08:00Cold Feeding Challenges<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEArq1UaQxLKPppRNkOh0Bgvmaz16z4ElZeNyKfGVNIT43Aw-Lpe8oCJ9SACA0Mr3sS_V2QVFP5x5YyWxYqKfLAn-qUOj75ZCZSN_I0j49gbuojSXbd-OiSwLlGDVAI0ok7Ss0JZtdrsqh/s1600/P2040194+Chilly+Chickadee_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEArq1UaQxLKPppRNkOh0Bgvmaz16z4ElZeNyKfGVNIT43Aw-Lpe8oCJ9SACA0Mr3sS_V2QVFP5x5YyWxYqKfLAn-qUOj75ZCZSN_I0j49gbuojSXbd-OiSwLlGDVAI0ok7Ss0JZtdrsqh/s400/P2040194+Chilly+Chickadee_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluffy Chickadee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the past couple weeks, Albertans have been struggling with a prolonged cold snap. Our outside temperatures have rarely been above -20 degrees and most often been around -30 or colder. Wind chill factor has often felt another 10 degrees of cold. Mother Nature has also blessed us with about a foot or more snow to add to our miseries. Most of us have warm homes or offices to live and work in, but many others are challenged to be working long hours outside. Vehicles and equipment never operate efficiently when it is so cold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even as we struggle in our chilly lives, wildlife also work hard to maintain life and warmth. Each of our winter habitants has various strategies to find food and stay warm during the roughly six months of dark chill. I drove out to a couple of parks in the area to see how some of them are making out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elk Island National Park is a great place to find ungulates during winter. Whether it is snowing or sunny, all have to find food. I selfishly enjoy stormy days for photography even though it is more challenging for the wildlife. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg9YPV12vT5P2rovabC7oak6Yy_wQt62qprPLMgGxr0YVjS3bDNQG6xdeg-2kFRYGe3ny2UZ1sXh-E6sNdmDfbDN6pt2nW3jsFjKLyZNzOzvkL1j3YfzYhjMmVm2gRhmdrNZMrildXFGc/s1600/P2020032+Feeding+Moose_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg9YPV12vT5P2rovabC7oak6Yy_wQt62qprPLMgGxr0YVjS3bDNQG6xdeg-2kFRYGe3ny2UZ1sXh-E6sNdmDfbDN6pt2nW3jsFjKLyZNzOzvkL1j3YfzYhjMmVm2gRhmdrNZMrildXFGc/s400/P2020032+Feeding+Moose_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browsing Moose in Snowstorm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moose are no doubt very well adapted to winter weather. Long powerful legs easily propel them through deep snow and over hidden deadfalls. They are very tall and have a long reach enabling them to stretch out for tall, tender willow and aspen twigs. Moose are constantly on the move nipping frozen branches before laying down to chew their cuds. Long dark, coarse guard hairs help shed water and prevent fine inner hair getting wet. Moose have no natural predators in Elk Island Park at this time as the wolves that were here a few years ago were shot by neighbouring ranchers. Bull moose have dropped their antlers by now and will begin growing new ones soon. The bane of moose is ticks. Ticks will be infesting them and we will start to notice bald white patches where hair has been rubbed off to try to relieve itching. Sometimes, hundreds and thousands of ticks will infest one moose and can eventually kill it. Starvation, blood loss, and exposure can be causes of moose mortality due to ticks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gkLxzulno4d6k-CtE24faMIlLQXi5J3MnEJl_aupEORt-1Qflacu9GftWpAcMwOJ2xreBin9EDskW7hhQLeyBzFNfoaro3Hg5fr_42zuWB_RpMGpfD9hXgywu3MkA7GfHd4-AQrLt27X/s1600/P2020075+Snow+Feed_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gkLxzulno4d6k-CtE24faMIlLQXi5J3MnEJl_aupEORt-1Qflacu9GftWpAcMwOJ2xreBin9EDskW7hhQLeyBzFNfoaro3Hg5fr_42zuWB_RpMGpfD9hXgywu3MkA7GfHd4-AQrLt27X/s400/P2020075+Snow+Feed_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plains Bison Feeding in Snowstorm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bison, often called buffalo, live and are very well adapted to life on the plains and forest of the park. Plains bison use their massive heads and cloven hooves to shovel snow off grassy graze. The front half of their bodies are covered by long, dark brown shaggy fur coats. When the wind howls across open plains they face into the storm for protection. When they lie down to chew their cuds, snow can completely cover their shaggy body providing additional insulation and camouflage. Bison eat only grass and are bothered by no predators in this park. Bison are prolific breeders so Elk Island Park managers send excess animals to other places that want to introduce healthy and pure bison to areas that they have been extirpated from over the past 150 years. Bison from EINP have been sent to Banff and Grasslands National Parks, Russia, and many different states. EINP is home to purebred and disease-free herds of both plains and woodland bison. The two distinct species are kept separated by a fence and the Yellowhead highway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVirUN4yDJnBHdwURrWA-2kk2KMwLgke3Uynx9EDXgXAHTf4AtOng814R8vcOOiz1TvOwR6dWU8vZfAjvtsR78AinIp2o3S7UuGOo1j79eud3-5sRSLidsgvEMvJ6bDKkd3RMpwTZZzBN/s1600/P2020051+Snowing+Bison_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVirUN4yDJnBHdwURrWA-2kk2KMwLgke3Uynx9EDXgXAHTf4AtOng814R8vcOOiz1TvOwR6dWU8vZfAjvtsR78AinIp2o3S7UuGOo1j79eud3-5sRSLidsgvEMvJ6bDKkd3RMpwTZZzBN/s400/P2020051+Snowing+Bison_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding is a Challenge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wapiti, or more commonly called elk are common in EINP but can be more challenging to find due to their naturally skittish nature. They are browsers and grazers so there is plenty of choice feed for elk. They do have to paw deep snow from grassy graze. Elk don’t seem to be pestered by ticks and since there are no wolves here, they have no natural predators within the fenced park. Elk will drop their antlers within the next month or so and begin to grow a new set immediately after. The dropped antlers of all deer family members provide nutrient-rich food for rodents throughout the coming year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7A7uhMesyRi5YosKzUy-jm8RnPIZjusIcA3T5Q_vTUrIh46TzOxzdtDOJs4QC3VehA1umEcDFAnO-wvUC3lE-YKvifxzU_hS9ILbLME8LceoJx7Z10OAQAj75bPd0VqyyyeCnPEiJwmW/s1600/P2020078+Wapiti+Bed_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7A7uhMesyRi5YosKzUy-jm8RnPIZjusIcA3T5Q_vTUrIh46TzOxzdtDOJs4QC3VehA1umEcDFAnO-wvUC3lE-YKvifxzU_hS9ILbLME8LceoJx7Z10OAQAj75bPd0VqyyyeCnPEiJwmW/s400/P2020078+Wapiti+Bed_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Elk Bedded Down in Snowstorm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In East Edmonton, along the North Saskatchewan River lies Hermitage Park. Within this municipal park, bird watchers have placed several feeders filled with seeds and suet to assist many of the winter-hardy birds through this challenging season. Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, purple finches and Downey woodpeckers are busy collecting seedy meals. Magpies and blue jays are also aggressively choosing favourite seeds. Several Mallard ducks also wander beneath the feeders collecting dropped seeds. The main struggle for the small songbirds is to find safe roosts where they can huddle together out of the wind and snow. They will use woodpecker holes, downed logs or hide in protective branches of evergreen trees. They do have to watch for hungry weasels or house cats and predatory birds such as hawks and owls. If they cannot gather enough food during the day to fuel their small bodies, they will die. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfuSm8_Vd0tWRs96w-m_l-Jr2dRlHpmEpSJAz2qR3swTRQylc26UeW-NTf9WIphoYAGj6zOcXHZyfrbOaiHq_XYKxwRwiYilPDP0zP6LkjVB7EGGiSzKnK-pcbAjWdJr89Oip3RvzGkmE/s1600/P2060286+Chilly+Blue+Jay_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfuSm8_Vd0tWRs96w-m_l-Jr2dRlHpmEpSJAz2qR3swTRQylc26UeW-NTf9WIphoYAGj6zOcXHZyfrbOaiHq_XYKxwRwiYilPDP0zP6LkjVB7EGGiSzKnK-pcbAjWdJr89Oip3RvzGkmE/s400/P2060286+Chilly+Blue+Jay_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilly Blue Jay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the amazing sights I watch in this park happens in one of the storm-drain lakes. For some reason, there are three or four small openings in the ice near the shoreline. There must be small springs or inflows here that attract tiny fish called sticklebacks. Today, several magpies are fishing together with a lone mallard female bobbing in the largest opening. The magpies gather three or four fish in their beaks and fly off to hidden stashes or to eat in peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIAcgxUfaF2wYEBZYtQTz5U1Lt0h0d54xmcvJ0UOY1Pq1TLljaM0-E2_AuOY-JB4zY-Ew4RflGI4I0u3OggwR-oYmi07-4cPvJ40QOtYZeCA8NSwKGpArzyPEpD74zxEetnpXwzeIqLBN/s1600/P2040228+Fishing+Magpies_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIAcgxUfaF2wYEBZYtQTz5U1Lt0h0d54xmcvJ0UOY1Pq1TLljaM0-E2_AuOY-JB4zY-Ew4RflGI4I0u3OggwR-oYmi07-4cPvJ40QOtYZeCA8NSwKGpArzyPEpD74zxEetnpXwzeIqLBN/s400/P2040228+Fishing+Magpies_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Fishing Magpies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of the birds could fly south to warmer climes for winter but others are confident enough to stay and make a living in this wintery region. Mammals have no choice to migrate from this area. They are all descendants that have survived here since the ice age about 12000 years ago. It gives me great pleasure to be a casual observer of how Mother Nature provides for Her creatures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7XC5Naxg7pJWID3tABWQTZWJ4ET9p79P2ehzckHl2u4h8L8Oq2IQR5zeT1PezF7LcuKOIkI8TDCkRKXGBZ-QBMH-zD1cMO9QNNZN4WNla9mfTdJpgTgLab5wE1y6TctDtFkPWdw0qAXC/s1600/P2060313+Snow+Track_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7XC5Naxg7pJWID3tABWQTZWJ4ET9p79P2ehzckHl2u4h8L8Oq2IQR5zeT1PezF7LcuKOIkI8TDCkRKXGBZ-QBMH-zD1cMO9QNNZN4WNla9mfTdJpgTgLab5wE1y6TctDtFkPWdw0qAXC/s400/P2060313+Snow+Track_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who Landed here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert Scriba</div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-311315015078085752019-02-05T08:10:00.001-08:002019-02-05T08:10:29.468-08:00Sit Spot, Sit Company<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><b style="font-size: 16pt;">Sit Spot, Great Sit Company </b>Robert Scriba</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last weekend Fay and I cashed in our Christmas present to ourselves with a trip to Jasper National Park. As we raised our kids when we lived closer, we often visited this quiet park to watch wildlife and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery. It has been about two years since we last enjoyed a relaxed time in this place. There have been big changes, most notably, the color of the mountain cloaked forest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaPARYsfb0NlVhyphenhyphenY3GCkqEyT69EnDOMEHvlrHt-Mx9kKXMhcXfMQEjgoxT8uYRQUnrPW96WwPw5vx9fQ_dg-1dpgGZn-_EKAdgi-wLbVDnS2Yhq1Rxz5oHx7eJrIaSuKKMEpBIehsjkHq/s1600/P1260527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaPARYsfb0NlVhyphenhyphenY3GCkqEyT69EnDOMEHvlrHt-Mx9kKXMhcXfMQEjgoxT8uYRQUnrPW96WwPw5vx9fQ_dg-1dpgGZn-_EKAdgi-wLbVDnS2Yhq1Rxz5oHx7eJrIaSuKKMEpBIehsjkHq/s400/P1260527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Elk grazing under a Mountain Pine Beetle-killed pine tree. Note the pines forest in the background has also been killed off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It used to be green but is now red. The Mountain Pine Beetle has ravaged the mature Lodgepole Pine forest. This native to B.C., beetle has progressed in its pine harvest from British Columbia over the Rocky Mountains into Alberta. It has also adapted to Jack Pine forest and could eventually range all the way across the Boreal forest into Eastern Canada. There seems to be no way for man to halt this progression. The rusty red coloured pine trees are now dead and drying up. Within a couple of years, the red needles will fall off leaving only pitchy, tinder-dry tree skeletons. Coupled with the dry, often windy climate of this park, and dry fuel of the needles and trees, there is a very real possibility of massive wildfires in the years to come. Jasper park residents, wild and human are at very high risk. This pesty invasion has already changed the landscape enormously and will continue to for years to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, we will continue to watch Mother Nature’s wonders with awe and respect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my greatest pleasures is to find a spot where I can sit and contemplate, maybe even meditate. I prefer a natural spot where there is little sign of human activity which is increasingly becoming more challenging. As I get a bit older each year the hills become steeper and longer and human settlement encroaches further and deeper into wildlands. I am happy to live fairly close to parks where I can go to get some wilderness time but trails are long to escape the sounds of vehicular traffic. Even when I hike back to a human vacuum, it seems that a commercial airliner rumbles overhead, marring cloudless skies with long white contrails. I continue to try my best to find a good sit-spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2LcNY5tAWDfT0h8h3laY5CXuaMSrpdEXlXcUL-yIwYV89hb1xU4_3-pDSBh9sCZ-tYhuYqJOA-Uq7dwAO1Vn2cH1HQRGK0zupiMJHKTYtA-n_ddgmWHh8h9alCZsCFuk-1xUGH072j5t/s1600/P1250014+Sheep+Herd_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2LcNY5tAWDfT0h8h3laY5CXuaMSrpdEXlXcUL-yIwYV89hb1xU4_3-pDSBh9sCZ-tYhuYqJOA-Uq7dwAO1Vn2cH1HQRGK0zupiMJHKTYtA-n_ddgmWHh8h9alCZsCFuk-1xUGH072j5t/s400/P1250014+Sheep+Herd_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep in Jasper National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What makes a good sit-spot a great sit-spot is when I find great sit-company. This company can be as small as a lively chipmunk, a carnivorous warbler or as large and bold as any bear. This weekend I found a couple of great sit-spots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first was on top of a knoll overlooking Talbot Lake and the Athabasca River. A steady, sometimes gusty breeze blew the rumbling sounds of busy traffic away like the dust that swirled off to eventually fill the distant lake. Snuggled down just over the rise of the bald hill lie a herd of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. This herd of sheep contained several rams, a few ewes, and a few yearling kids. Some grazed and some lie contentedly chewing cuds. I was spotted, of course, when I opened the door of my pickup about a half mile away. They monitored my plodding progress as I followed a well-beaten path uphill through juniper and willow covered sand dunes. They knew where I would appear on the knoll below them and watched carefully as I made my way to a bare rock where I could sit comfortably and relax.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLkifnawJcJPn40nctYjAwe19CPt3AkjE3ThlqVTi0q0rSI409UtVAFCQlIYN-GDojHKH_4WysM5ifuxmGSMeW6HYdkys3uudv0NJqEC9FdPwLSXdpedvXyOHOjFIA_HvHPSWyF2F9zIR/s1600/P1260439+Sheep+Grazing_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLkifnawJcJPn40nctYjAwe19CPt3AkjE3ThlqVTi0q0rSI409UtVAFCQlIYN-GDojHKH_4WysM5ifuxmGSMeW6HYdkys3uudv0NJqEC9FdPwLSXdpedvXyOHOjFIA_HvHPSWyF2F9zIR/s400/P1260439+Sheep+Grazing_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep are relaxed and grazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The herd relaxed as I sat down. All approaches to their group were watched as each sheep laid facing all points of their compass. The relied upon their spectacular eyesight and intimate knowledge of this hill to give each other ample warning in case of trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P3SNnNaSGWXM9hg2x187y5xKMaigJJD95-FMjOfA4XlsgQ58tT49y2EIRSq8DTNT1d4XhikcAPfrEj9v-MnUqTmQfNEn-49Ixd_2EElAWbNv5gzU4R0CqozXyA4YvBjUSshLz8-GLxPu/s1600/P1250070+Just+Checking_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_P3SNnNaSGWXM9hg2x187y5xKMaigJJD95-FMjOfA4XlsgQ58tT49y2EIRSq8DTNT1d4XhikcAPfrEj9v-MnUqTmQfNEn-49Ixd_2EElAWbNv5gzU4R0CqozXyA4YvBjUSshLz8-GLxPu/s400/P1250070+Just+Checking_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ram Checking a Ewe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The annual late autumn rut is over for these sheep but one ram is hopeful that a ewe may not have caught. He got up suddenly to wander over to check her arousal state. After a thorough and lengthy sniff, he raised his head and curled his upper lips and inhaled deeply. This “flehmen response” carries pheromones to an organ in the roof of his mouth. This will tell the ram any information about the ewe’s state of arousal or willingness to mate. Disappointedly, he wanders away, nipping at dried hillside forage before lying back down to chew his cud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeLOl0u1ORUC3-uH8OqyR7im-3XHKjA7DamBXcJi2mOm_c8OzRaNdXqFqEKZEsbgp6ATzweD6Gkk9pcdMJWyOf9xVdYIBEsPmIg8O1DxejeL0k5p0Nz5SuGNQtYUSMezO-a2HvsVvnCy0/s1600/P1250080+Ram+Flehming_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeLOl0u1ORUC3-uH8OqyR7im-3XHKjA7DamBXcJi2mOm_c8OzRaNdXqFqEKZEsbgp6ATzweD6Gkk9pcdMJWyOf9xVdYIBEsPmIg8O1DxejeL0k5p0Nz5SuGNQtYUSMezO-a2HvsVvnCy0/s400/P1250080+Ram+Flehming_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ram Flehmen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have found many times in the past that wildlife carries on around me if I sit down and relax. After a few minutes, birds appear flitting through tree branches and foliage nearby. Just about anywhere, once wildlife has spotted you, they are on high alert, wondering at your intentions. Humans are predators and not always best friends to wild animals. We walk too quickly, we’re noisy, we’re intrusive, different and unnatural in the wild world. Wildlife notices when we pause, sit down and look non-predatory. They relax as we relax. Our body language can be read and interpreted depending on our actions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMO2Rjcy0seWbO4XqbAITAYyoVaxSRAhyDwDzA2avLN6hAflvDxtqiiewy4CIKFUtAOQoBH1D0Soh1fR8wtIQyGHjAEwka8ZFuAoixNpMQETAjUol7bP1QdCqNpjVZ52Co9CujAkVjtRp2/s1600/P1250100+Ram+Chewing_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMO2Rjcy0seWbO4XqbAITAYyoVaxSRAhyDwDzA2avLN6hAflvDxtqiiewy4CIKFUtAOQoBH1D0Soh1fR8wtIQyGHjAEwka8ZFuAoixNpMQETAjUol7bP1QdCqNpjVZ52Co9CujAkVjtRp2/s400/P1250100+Ram+Chewing_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bighorn Ram Chewing his Cud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, it helps when we are in a park where humans are a more common intrusion into wildlife homes. The sheep I’m watching have been visited many times before but their natural instinct is to make sure I’m not going to get inside their personal safety zone. I’m not carrying any food or enticement for them so they are not going to crowd me either.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have also got a comfort zone that I don’t want wildlife inside of. I don’t get too close to rutting animals or mothers with vulnerable young. Bison, moose, and elk can and will hurt you if you don’t mind your manners. Of course, I’m extra careful when dealing with predators. If there is any chance of large cats or bears being in the area, I know how to use bear spray and carry it where it is handy and ready for instant use if I feel threatened.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholAfpWAk8DpNnugWn3eTyuOvgGi1HOYVBCms9TzymNWK5pJUhkhCM1pHHOUV83-2ONaM_binso1A2-t9E-iHGjNxMCk46TzUne-ATS0pEs-FoA10Gs55M_rrucXFGdzSnDGLrHTla89Ei/s1600/P1260316+Bull+Elk+Club_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholAfpWAk8DpNnugWn3eTyuOvgGi1HOYVBCms9TzymNWK5pJUhkhCM1pHHOUV83-2ONaM_binso1A2-t9E-iHGjNxMCk46TzUne-ATS0pEs-FoA10Gs55M_rrucXFGdzSnDGLrHTla89Ei/s400/P1260316+Bull+Elk+Club_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Elk (Wapiti) Grazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another strategy to approach and watch wildlife is in your vehicle. Wildlife often grazes near roads because of the cultivated grass that grows in the right-of-way. Grass growth is generally lusher in ditches because of exposure to more sunlight and water. This makes it easier grazing for ungulates that use fewer fuel reserves to gather their meal than grazing in the forest. Moose also find more shoot growth on trees which border open areas such as roadsides as their sunny side branches reach out for sunlight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1Qw3B4KUxXtCmCz56fhvxTx8oyjJiIxan_qWbBUQIlli-yzH9NBnRU5nirC-deJgCfljpNkvIsbyK7T8O0hkG1GmFwCTtWTSu2OnWeUzO9WbeJUxcSEKieWEP4mWHNT9voz6xtKcCHjY/s1600/P1260326+Elk+Cud+Chewers_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1Qw3B4KUxXtCmCz56fhvxTx8oyjJiIxan_qWbBUQIlli-yzH9NBnRU5nirC-deJgCfljpNkvIsbyK7T8O0hkG1GmFwCTtWTSu2OnWeUzO9WbeJUxcSEKieWEP4mWHNT9voz6xtKcCHjY/s400/P1260326+Elk+Cud+Chewers_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk Cud Chewing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wildlife becomes accustomed to vehicles roaring past them on the roads but is alerted by vehicles that slow down or stop. It helps sometimes to stop a fair distance away from them until they become aware of your intentions. Sometimes you can then slowly and gradually approach until you are within range of your camera. I try not to disrupt their activities. I also try to stay inside or right up against my vehicle. To wildlife your vehicle is one entity so if we get out and wander around, we become another entity that is more threatening than what they are accustomed to. Wildlife outside of parks is often less tolerant of vehicles and people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day after my time with the sheep, I came upon three elk bulls grazing near the highway. Several vehicles had stopped on the road shoulder watching for a few minutes before driving off. Someone got out of their vehicle and crossed the highway to get a photo with their phone. One of the bulls was on instant alert and watched until this person left. The elk soon calmed and went back to grazing. A few minutes later they felt comfortable enough to lie down and begin to chew their cuds. To me this is the ultimate reward; wildlife relaxed enough with our presence that they carry on with life, even putting themselves in the more vulnerable position of lying down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It does not have to be the large glamorous or dangerous wildlife that can provide great company. Often, it is smaller creatures who are most entertaining. Squirrels, chipmunks, and birds are often very curious, very active and humorous to observe. They are certainly more numerous and easier to find than the big ones.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ut0nVzIi_uyl7Gkd0fJSUVqbl4UXWW5cPyLwSE2rZiNYM040J0EfxlLop0aeKdzyzwv41BeEjVaD3hF9AQf82NckwhCiT-x116btx1bhIsJ1A2rBRVVDpH8lzTLKDCpVPiMn4M5XvD1/s1600/P1260182+Chatterer_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ut0nVzIi_uyl7Gkd0fJSUVqbl4UXWW5cPyLwSE2rZiNYM040J0EfxlLop0aeKdzyzwv41BeEjVaD3hF9AQf82NckwhCiT-x116btx1bhIsJ1A2rBRVVDpH8lzTLKDCpVPiMn4M5XvD1/s400/P1260182+Chatterer_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Active Red Squirrel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are many factors that cause wildlife to accept our close presence. If all these various factors align, then we can have a very gratifying experience that we will remember for years. For me, there is nothing as memorable as when a curious wild critter feels comfortable enough to approach for a closer examination. I’ve had it happen many times with birds, bears, moose and even one of the Rams last week. I’ve often been rewarded by wildlife that goes about their daily life challenges despite my close proximity with great memories and photographs. Relax folks. Find a great sit-spot and if everything aligns, hopefully, you too will experience great sit-company.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-82251314732347971472019-01-21T15:56:00.001-08:002019-01-21T15:56:54.845-08:00Frosty Alberta Tour I have never yet got a good photo while sitting in my easy chair. That said since we had to make a weekend trip to Calgary for a birthday celebration, I decided to take the side roads. I never know what wildlife or scenes we may find around the next corner. I turned off highway13 in central Alberta onto a random secondary highway and within a few miles spotted a snowy owl sitting in a stubble field. It was not the pure white one that I am looking for but any owl is worthy of a couple shots at least.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL7ymeK8UjiY-IyOV8Vky_NLGbcAUeXuwE4ZddP_zs6GcUud1Mp6R5Rj9g8MMefJdItxzaNH_vrFOaqeOyjONtr0S-SWdUKzGav-hYpyR80XdiqxJBiHB8VKMbLm2jWb5jjMLU7Yt_nf9/s1600/P1191096+Snowy+Owl_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL7ymeK8UjiY-IyOV8Vky_NLGbcAUeXuwE4ZddP_zs6GcUud1Mp6R5Rj9g8MMefJdItxzaNH_vrFOaqeOyjONtr0S-SWdUKzGav-hYpyR80XdiqxJBiHB8VKMbLm2jWb5jjMLU7Yt_nf9/s400/P1191096+Snowy+Owl_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A few miles further, for some reason something looked very much like another snowy owl sitting in a pure white snow bank. This one was the pure white owl I was looking for. It sat too far out in the field and it took a few moments to re-spot it once I got stopped. Too bad it is so far away but I took a shot or so anyway. One day all the owl and snow gods will cooperate and I will find the camouflaged shot I'm hoping to get without disturbing the owl.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG4zYaEhicn0g8FIfDYq54xwBOFPgig8pPNQdBssebgbo0gXtYROypGHMcPEc_eBg7JsJOWde7bn4IJHUfdbECb_dSTjwkhEIauZhYVpA_w_bc8Vpw9h1U2cxKjFxx1Oa_7ZAXSKCHIZv/s1600/P1191107+Hidden+Snowy+Owl_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG4zYaEhicn0g8FIfDYq54xwBOFPgig8pPNQdBssebgbo0gXtYROypGHMcPEc_eBg7JsJOWde7bn4IJHUfdbECb_dSTjwkhEIauZhYVpA_w_bc8Vpw9h1U2cxKjFxx1Oa_7ZAXSKCHIZv/s400/P1191107+Hidden+Snowy+Owl_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is an owl hiding in the stubble</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once again rine frost provided spectacular scenery highlights. A frosty stubble field and fence line caught my eye. It is a challenge to capture the beauty you see with your eyes on the camera. Sometimes it works and other times, I can't get the scale of the scene before me. When we stop to listen to the silence of the land, soon faint music can be sensed. A slight breeze encourages tinkling frost flakes falling from tree limbs, distant birds chittering in treetops or the crunch of snow under our feet are noticed. Off in the distance, we can see a heavy bank of fog that has drifted off leaving this beauty in its wake. Sunlight glitters jewel-like off every frosty crystal and glints like fairy dust in the air. I can feel these icy specks bouncing against my cheeks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44JBxWwmyuQ_Oqewn5LLVDKSMRpho8eFH2DAKs7MiD2t09u7sP7m6OgZFBpGBZBNd3BURkUmVEdZkdWJWm-KoH_zb5VDYoJJDC3mLVFi3DMjdFHiMcs0s1LhyphenhyphenQpePL_CL8QnaWCJVgYlD/s1600/P1191127+Frosty+Stubble_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44JBxWwmyuQ_Oqewn5LLVDKSMRpho8eFH2DAKs7MiD2t09u7sP7m6OgZFBpGBZBNd3BURkUmVEdZkdWJWm-KoH_zb5VDYoJJDC3mLVFi3DMjdFHiMcs0s1LhyphenhyphenQpePL_CL8QnaWCJVgYlD/s400/P1191127+Frosty+Stubble_4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosted Wheat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> This area is dotted by oil industry activity. Pump jacks show off successful drilling and invisible pipelines carry crude to central storage plants miles away. Today though, the pumps are quiet as if pausing from their labours to enjoy the surreal scenery surrounding them.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxi0AlWOdL7u6n5YEMYF3PX4qciYvCtjPuLJLs68WwSkKm9dhPTO1UaYwW4f_UliyEv3BJX9cpNQ5wRIiVue7Z6CjTTlhzX6q-nick3ohJBI1ivDrdu9-Xe2IVx-lLeMMg_KznwtmOK2fi/s1600/P1191110+Frosty+Pumpjacks_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxi0AlWOdL7u6n5YEMYF3PX4qciYvCtjPuLJLs68WwSkKm9dhPTO1UaYwW4f_UliyEv3BJX9cpNQ5wRIiVue7Z6CjTTlhzX6q-nick3ohJBI1ivDrdu9-Xe2IVx-lLeMMg_KznwtmOK2fi/s400/P1191110+Frosty+Pumpjacks_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quiet Pumpjacks</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> The highlight of our day showed up quickly and unexpectedly. Beside the gravel road we traveled trotted a red fox. I stopped a few yards away and it paused for a few moments to check us out before deciding we were harmless.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsLgXJfZjXtknaVrFV73P0a8lHMKnf2DEMnu-M5KUniANM1p2h6cENnwPDuqqeur2H6kCwIZxv7_XpsNaXw6CUZ2R-9WEsIQdAACkGBs9lEEeTVHN6YIfhZULpViLMlZgDxozf3UgYzG5/s1600/P1191131Foxy+Check.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsLgXJfZjXtknaVrFV73P0a8lHMKnf2DEMnu-M5KUniANM1p2h6cENnwPDuqqeur2H6kCwIZxv7_XpsNaXw6CUZ2R-9WEsIQdAACkGBs9lEEeTVHN6YIfhZULpViLMlZgDxozf3UgYzG5/s400/P1191131Foxy+Check.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking Us Out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> It continued hunting. What a pleasure it is to sit quietly with one of Mother Nature’s top hunters. It trotted along, then paused for a quick rest before a silent to us squeak prompted his attention.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JTZ0JSp98GZtZ6ooseSMDVorBZsmLEJAkXrHKfTYRE8WPHpHYxHS-MJskC6LBSnHYbQ2TfBh7mWjWgwNs78wyXML3fVew1FEiOdONLZsoiNawv2Fg8zuIaOKiaMFFKqTmIJtuKjCaH0d/s1600/P1191141+Foxy+Rest_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JTZ0JSp98GZtZ6ooseSMDVorBZsmLEJAkXrHKfTYRE8WPHpHYxHS-MJskC6LBSnHYbQ2TfBh7mWjWgwNs78wyXML3fVew1FEiOdONLZsoiNawv2Fg8zuIaOKiaMFFKqTmIJtuKjCaH0d/s400/P1191141+Foxy+Rest_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick Break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> After a few steps with cocked ears and twitching nose, he paused before leaping in the air and pouncing, nose and paws disappearing into the snowy stubble. No luck. It tried again with similar results. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OqiVFpbKdSd7ZnEj1huWV9Qeh_DwOdK86Mbz419vXeFaRlQLjSEdrXpljhfl6OF2lfIjAeeG_11qSbroScxUFFdtTl50K-55O3CBllBRn3dFbPIYZ6vyQ9Ptt_iBfmpbKO_Vn-ykV7WA/s1600/P1191145+Foxy+Pounce_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OqiVFpbKdSd7ZnEj1huWV9Qeh_DwOdK86Mbz419vXeFaRlQLjSEdrXpljhfl6OF2lfIjAeeG_11qSbroScxUFFdtTl50K-55O3CBllBRn3dFbPIYZ6vyQ9Ptt_iBfmpbKO_Vn-ykV7WA/s400/P1191145+Foxy+Pounce_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foxy Pounce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Another truck pulled up in front of us and the fox decided that was too much company so it bolted, quickly disappearing behind a nearby ridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOVd59K8hXcQU8taroFMjshyphenhyphenuZFUc86P_nFZoR7YcaucrmVctnfcnRk6CK3KOeet-gR8ntFjjSKSeAmyF-7JJnMl8rD9qthZt2Mw9q83cdWE8wxh0XPiAHOdjhPmFfvM5ptVD2ymOdS8u/s1600/P1191146+Fox+Nose+First_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOVd59K8hXcQU8taroFMjshyphenhyphenuZFUc86P_nFZoR7YcaucrmVctnfcnRk6CK3KOeet-gR8ntFjjSKSeAmyF-7JJnMl8rD9qthZt2Mw9q83cdWE8wxh0XPiAHOdjhPmFfvM5ptVD2ymOdS8u/s400/P1191146+Fox+Nose+First_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe This Time<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Safe Travels </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Safe Photos too everyone.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Let's not disturb the wildlife. Having wildlife go about their lives while we watch quietly at a respectful distance is good for all of us.</span></div>
<br />
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-46896171249815607332019-01-18T11:43:00.001-08:002019-01-18T11:43:26.013-08:00Alberta Prairie Tour<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Alberta Prairie Tour<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The prairie is far from being a flat, empty landscape to be driven across while fast asleep. It is an amazing landscape that is full of life, historic relics, colourful sunrises, and beautiful vistas. <br /> I just spent a few days babysitting my brother’s home place northeast of Calgary and did a bit of touring while doing so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xIo-8Sr4_B75yt53RlciVAeHkzmPx4xOoj3ZhqA4vSeq03WwBBXFrEE3rPkYa9chhMCJb0RAnVakHkiwjn7g6f5tfPmWWGntwEWxVtrLBkkkZ5wkv82SCE3DkMROV5iQDMQ0jUsV6SAz/s1600/P1110682+Great+Horned+Owl+Male_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xIo-8Sr4_B75yt53RlciVAeHkzmPx4xOoj3ZhqA4vSeq03WwBBXFrEE3rPkYa9chhMCJb0RAnVakHkiwjn7g6f5tfPmWWGntwEWxVtrLBkkkZ5wkv82SCE3DkMROV5iQDMQ0jUsV6SAz/s400/P1110682+Great+Horned+Owl+Male_4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Great Horned Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not have far to go before spotting a pair of Great Horned Owls roosting in his mixed spruce, aspen and willow windbreak. The smaller male seemed to be a bit more nervous than his mate. She followed me and the herd of cats that follow me around, with a swiveling head and huge yellow eyes. It is impossible to sneak up on any owl unless you can be less noticeable than a field mouse hidden under grass and snow. Owls are one of my favourite predators and are a real treat to see and photograph.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQLUmMGOAg4N508OakL0-Cn-Y2J12dFJ6siGk2Sw7ReEO4aqPwStcROxHoaqSp2Lk9j77-OHKoBExyiRyMOc9ZfAYBVgBE3dFDKlBKLUiESMptRKEMRZiVNiAdS0dWrj7q0gh32Etgim8/s1600/P1110661+Great+Horned+Owl+F_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQLUmMGOAg4N508OakL0-Cn-Y2J12dFJ6siGk2Sw7ReEO4aqPwStcROxHoaqSp2Lk9j77-OHKoBExyiRyMOc9ZfAYBVgBE3dFDKlBKLUiESMptRKEMRZiVNiAdS0dWrj7q0gh32Etgim8/s400/P1110661+Great+Horned+Owl+F_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Great Horned Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I just want to mention that I have just acquired a new camera, finally retiring my Nikon D300s. The new one is an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. It is a much smaller and lighter system that is much lighter and smaller than the DSLR system. I have much to learn with the new camera system so I’m learning as I go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
As with any camera system, I am concerned with the quality of the final print. Print quality is the reason I switched to a new camera. The Nikon, now more than 10 years old, did not have the ability to capture fine details of objects unless very well lit. Dim light and shadows were not my friends. When I look at the photos that I made with the Olympus, I very impressed with the detail captured in the feathers and tree trunk, even in this challenging light.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Shadows, bright early morning sunlight, dark and white feathers all seem to me to be well rendered in this photo. By the way, I chose a Panasonic Lumix 100-300 F4-5.6 lens to partner with the Olympus camera. I thought that the price to power ratio was what I would get the most value for my limited budget.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
With this 4/3rds system, this will give me a 35mm equivalency of up to 600mm. power. If I need more I can still add a teleconverter down the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Prairie landscape is dotted by windbreaks similar to my brother’s. Wherever pioneers settled on this vast land, most planted trees for shelter from relentless west winds that can blow incessantly. It is amazing the difference a shelter of trees make to the liveability of prairie people, livestock and wildlife. If you watch closely you will see twiggy nests that provide homes for owls, crows, magpies, and hawks. Smaller grassy nests abound in willow and caragana hedges built by numerous songbird species as well. In winter time songbirds are flitting, twittering and gleaning in the tops of the spruce trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
One of the days was very foggy and a brisk breeze blew in from the southeast. Dense fog coated everything with a thick layer of “rime ice” on the southeastern facing side of trees and fences. Rime ice is formed during heavy fog and is often very spikey in shape. More commonly found in our area is hoar frost which will completely coat the whole tree. Hoar frost is formed by very humid air contacting cold objects. For a photographer looking for interesting subjects, these days are not for hiding indoors. Weather days are a great time to go for a drive hoping to find how the land and its wild critters are making out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The first place I searched was the shelterbelt in hopes of finding the owls nestled in the white frost branches but they were not there today. With luck, I might find a snowy owl somewhere but that did not happen either. Instead, I found a few herds of mule deer. I enjoy them too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJnncvrIeI9DgaD-vLM8S9VBSjj0BVBymWOE8yJNLtqbozJOVMO4vF48NTzpkJgtCs5FGP7tZtmUygWxDHV-EqfW7_5IkN7FDxLv0gfzlX-pqVXMrDdGO_My3NGswzWu1xjnTuIJqi3eI/s1600/P1161078+Does+and+Bales_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJnncvrIeI9DgaD-vLM8S9VBSjj0BVBymWOE8yJNLtqbozJOVMO4vF48NTzpkJgtCs5FGP7tZtmUygWxDHV-EqfW7_5IkN7FDxLv0gfzlX-pqVXMrDdGO_My3NGswzWu1xjnTuIJqi3eI/s400/P1161078+Does+and+Bales_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy Farmscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I love the look of this prairie farm scene. The crop got harvested, the straw is baled up, the barn partially hidden behind the mixed wood shelterbelt and the curious but cautious mule deer does all work together to show off a typical rolling farmscape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
A few miles further I came across this herd of mule deer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOYiSMl0W6AIDoWjMOyO4mLnVk5E_p_WEQY64TPaY7o_z0MD3AjxWkqxaKFtMAUZb_o6nQbUKRbaHx78dK_4NSTFVlyrdNDxdgFxbyi465PBa9DWLQHu1saWBAQFNcoJhOHFgqBVj8g0U/s1600/P1161044+Mule+Deer+Herd_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOYiSMl0W6AIDoWjMOyO4mLnVk5E_p_WEQY64TPaY7o_z0MD3AjxWkqxaKFtMAUZb_o6nQbUKRbaHx78dK_4NSTFVlyrdNDxdgFxbyi465PBa9DWLQHu1saWBAQFNcoJhOHFgqBVj8g0U/s400/P1161044+Mule+Deer+Herd_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule Deer Herd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Mule deer bucks and does were all gathered together behind this natural prairie shelterbelt nestled on top of a coulee. It is a perfect place for the deer to rest and chew their cud while watching for predators or nuisance photographers. Now that rutting season is over all members of this herd can relax together without the stresses and battles of mating rituals. Soon the bucks will lose their antlers and in May the does will give birth to spotted fawns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In the photo below, I really like the purity of the foggy scene. All aspects of the land are hidden in the white veil except for the herd of deer and the hint of a stubble field.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7u5wIfi0Bi0M6hLrzR6XqjnOnxB1GEA113DbmLk6RqMv_TWWVVYOfTF8kFQupWcDdyFSSRx_tL-q3QUzyq2-Ldb_NTWykNQt5mqeKxnlZpaeog7ZbGZnVW10V4FtrExCb8H55bxaT829/s1600/P1161000+Foggy+Mule+Deer_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7u5wIfi0Bi0M6hLrzR6XqjnOnxB1GEA113DbmLk6RqMv_TWWVVYOfTF8kFQupWcDdyFSSRx_tL-q3QUzyq2-Ldb_NTWykNQt5mqeKxnlZpaeog7ZbGZnVW10V4FtrExCb8H55bxaT829/s400/P1161000+Foggy+Mule+Deer_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy Mule Deer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Another scene I like is how cattle are managed during winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Here, cattle are grazing on a crop that was swathed but never harvested. Rich grain is fed along with straw that aids in the rumination of the feed while the cows chew their cud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbXpUkH1DB1DxOXq0D2JAq_F8NH5mx_k2NQkFlY-2mtA73j5qyQsmmAB7qemz7DEmNrP7uI2hrj4-zE505F7lznfU_cGJtejijOyW2ohY1hx2NIhac_D-dFOLQ0ukXUE3jmFRcGTkB1CU/s1600/P1080369+Swath+Feeding+Cattle_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbXpUkH1DB1DxOXq0D2JAq_F8NH5mx_k2NQkFlY-2mtA73j5qyQsmmAB7qemz7DEmNrP7uI2hrj4-zE505F7lznfU_cGJtejijOyW2ohY1hx2NIhac_D-dFOLQ0ukXUE3jmFRcGTkB1CU/s400/P1080369+Swath+Feeding+Cattle_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swath Feeding Cattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
To add variety and interest to prairie landscape I often look for abandoned machinery of farmyards. Below is a threshing machine that was parked beside a small wetland slough. The threshing machine still provides a roosting area for the watchful ravens and in spring there will be a robin nesting on a hidden conveyor out of sight or access for predatory birds or weasels. Beside the thresher is a binder, now little more than a reminder to the valuable role it played in getting the crop ready for the thresher. Up front, it looks like a plow is parked. It was instrumental equipment in its day used to turn over the sod changing prairie land to agricultural land.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDAASWhww0X2jjFfX-h8FbO_XmXmzQ2bl0WA-Letlsduzswagl8_PPSLOWW2ZVmcc71K5n4GTUedGHvSo1zA-FUkxnjwPHo-Wj3N_uBz6EIV47s8FXi3S4kqT-OlM9KkzgPb2kflYCljm/s1600/P1161027+Threshing+Machine_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDAASWhww0X2jjFfX-h8FbO_XmXmzQ2bl0WA-Letlsduzswagl8_PPSLOWW2ZVmcc71K5n4GTUedGHvSo1zA-FUkxnjwPHo-Wj3N_uBz6EIV47s8FXi3S4kqT-OlM9KkzgPb2kflYCljm/s400/P1161027+Threshing+Machine_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threshing Crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On another day of touring, I came across this machinery. I call the photo: “Succession”. The combine reduced the manpower required to harvest grain crops and allowed individual farmers to harvest their grain when it was ready, not when the community-owned threshing machine made its way to your own farm. I think it also started the downfall of the “family farm” as it used to be. Cooperative manpower had to be used while threshing but with the combine, we could harvest our crops without neighbours help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5tJkJHDRqF8SFnlubonNK3fz1LolPXGc3y5QbXd1LDbuKQLNDXqoew-t7esWJR49iKkOl1PGJnlY3oZT3wYpsdTtTmdZrj2WoyUHcyKwKFu0PeKHR6dl1UXSTH0JBW9MD8JLJQ43G1Ve/s1600/P1140899+Succession_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5tJkJHDRqF8SFnlubonNK3fz1LolPXGc3y5QbXd1LDbuKQLNDXqoew-t7esWJR49iKkOl1PGJnlY3oZT3wYpsdTtTmdZrj2WoyUHcyKwKFu0PeKHR6dl1UXSTH0JBW9MD8JLJQ43G1Ve/s400/P1140899+Succession_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Succession</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Finally, I wonder at the history and stories that could be told by the walls of abandoned buildings. This massive barn was once someone’s pride and joy. It sheltered cattle, horses and sometimes even threshing crews. Remember the rich smells and peaceful crunching of chewing hay or the rhythmic, tinny sounds of milk hitting the bottom of a tin pail. I can hear a cat meowing for a squirt of fresh, warm milk. I love mares-tail clouds skittering across wind-blown skies as if the ghostly horses just escaped the barn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9qWrTjuJyVPPh60HXbmJf1zF1ThmOxRWoYVRGR2cHLAPVMkakpDcpMhY4ZwYiNbTSbBzpWB6MkO4jSRFpAPIAOValFeLDBi_SO71mEwZm5pZMVcNIViYrdC-w2akHsNy6WQetLF-MXA3/s1600/P1140809+Barn+and+Sky_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9qWrTjuJyVPPh60HXbmJf1zF1ThmOxRWoYVRGR2cHLAPVMkakpDcpMhY4ZwYiNbTSbBzpWB6MkO4jSRFpAPIAOValFeLDBi_SO71mEwZm5pZMVcNIViYrdC-w2akHsNy6WQetLF-MXA3/s400/P1140809+Barn+and+Sky_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghostly Barn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For landscape photos, I chose the Olympus M. Zuiko 12-40 F-2.8 lens and sometimes experiment with a polarizing filter. In this case, it works decently.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
If you get the chance someday, take the backroads that criss-cross the prairie landscape. It is impossible to get lost as all the roads are in a rectangular grid pattern. The worst that can happen is you may get a bit of mud or dust splashed onto shiny paint. The best things happen when you spot a herd of deer or spectacular scenery. You may also wonder at the lives of the men, women, and kids that made this often unforgiving land, home.<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-35253010784458394262018-02-02T09:37:00.000-08:002018-02-02T09:37:35.234-08:00Elk Island National Park Tour<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLweDdAo3B_ScMPBKiQOaBxl16KnH8FcfT3ei3YzJ824Z8k4hxjRcfYikzl00OVqSkyfd2iRRd0VQZPxZnWgHFkqmPtbVDO7HmzN1K3d8Cf15kmiD0kxdpPdpS8QROVQ7wB3cE626eSuB/s1600/_DSC3613_24977-4+Bison%252C+Moose%252C+elk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLweDdAo3B_ScMPBKiQOaBxl16KnH8FcfT3ei3YzJ824Z8k4hxjRcfYikzl00OVqSkyfd2iRRd0VQZPxZnWgHFkqmPtbVDO7HmzN1K3d8Cf15kmiD0kxdpPdpS8QROVQ7wB3cE626eSuB/s400/_DSC3613_24977-4+Bison%252C+Moose%252C+elk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose, Elk, and Bison Together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As we entered EINP on highway 16 east of Edmonton we spotted a rare sight; moose, elk, and bison grazing together in the same open field. Naturally, I have to stop to get a photo of them. This is the first morning after a major snowfall in this area. About eight or ten inches fell within a couple days and the sun is shining its brilliant relief over the land. All creatures welcome the warmth even though the temperature is still about -15c. Life goes on and the critters have to eat. Each of these herbivores chose a different diet of the available plants growing in this field.<br />
On the "Bison Route" fresh snow has already been broken by adventurous travellers so we follow the tracks carefully. The brilliance of the sun and fresh snow clean the countryside up very nicely. Gone is the scuffed and dirty looking snow. It is a beautiful day to be a wanderer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7EPXTWwf70bW3xDhOZhDXDqW3-lUwhQIrm-WfxEwzxEscxbE7uax1B3ozBzX1ROZpv_AMfyT0B9Spi3eC_DBNzWhClQQlsZo-rsoApTGO0wSdtQ1w6c9A3U-OFMaq5XxemkyGXzuqRMM/s1600/_DSC3618_24982-4+Fresh+Snow+Track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7EPXTWwf70bW3xDhOZhDXDqW3-lUwhQIrm-WfxEwzxEscxbE7uax1B3ozBzX1ROZpv_AMfyT0B9Spi3eC_DBNzWhClQQlsZo-rsoApTGO0wSdtQ1w6c9A3U-OFMaq5XxemkyGXzuqRMM/s400/_DSC3618_24982-4+Fresh+Snow+Track.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison Loop Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have always enjoyed the sky after a storm.<br />
<br />
A little further down the road, we came across one of many snow-covered lakes that dot the landscape of the park. Each of these ponds are full of life, whether frozen over or not. This one is home to a beaver family and quite possibly muskrats as well as hibernating frogs and uncountable water bugs, freshwater invertebrates and fish that have adapted to live in low oxygen water such as sticklebacks.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw3AtwQMl8Np1YeMF6b-Ewn_W3ZRQjnQ_0WumyF1i6WJiX9VVJtM6DyhFWcnnz8dOGojQVR6jnPF6c-agM2iQLxlZPuly9pM5NfH5RYPSGlFSZOhjCV5zfQhwW_5-U1Zql7fmgkY58upQ/s1600/_DSC3623_24987-4+Winter+Beaver+Lodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw3AtwQMl8Np1YeMF6b-Ewn_W3ZRQjnQ_0WumyF1i6WJiX9VVJtM6DyhFWcnnz8dOGojQVR6jnPF6c-agM2iQLxlZPuly9pM5NfH5RYPSGlFSZOhjCV5zfQhwW_5-U1Zql7fmgkY58upQ/s400/_DSC3623_24987-4+Winter+Beaver+Lodge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What hidden life drama occurs under this calm shining cloak of fresh snow and ice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A visit to Elk Island National Park would not be complete without an encounter with bison. They are very large animals, the bulls weighing up to a ton. The north side of Highway 16 has plains bison while the south side has woodland bison. Excess, disease free bison are shipped worldwide to assist in repopulating former landscapes that was onced grazed by them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A_BH1tKmhY4laySqELxLGlzpS8JgGkhn36gLotDuPDl2qze_D8fgndk5wK_T4Z_0qra0JKxTLtPsau46JgBnxsACOtIN-lFTx-IBYS3Np6Q1xQDRhhg9LPDkurPVPKPZs_-JOJex0qY1/s1600/_DSC3645_25009-4+Fresh+Snow+with+Bison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A_BH1tKmhY4laySqELxLGlzpS8JgGkhn36gLotDuPDl2qze_D8fgndk5wK_T4Z_0qra0JKxTLtPsau46JgBnxsACOtIN-lFTx-IBYS3Np6Q1xQDRhhg9LPDkurPVPKPZs_-JOJex0qY1/s400/_DSC3645_25009-4+Fresh+Snow+with+Bison.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plains Bison Bachelor Party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I enjoy a tour of this park often as it is close by and easily accessed. We can walk one of many trails or drive the north half.Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-64572810636373639612017-09-21T09:17:00.000-07:002017-09-21T09:17:37.563-07:00Prairie Tour Beauty and wonder are everywhere, including the vast prairie of southern Alberta. We took a drive to see what we could see last weekend.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYu__WC28FHRoebt9FJfg0OO_Xqu0P1LhG25EFe-bPlPx1tGclMkhNg5lKFc4qlXv8gvfjDtEr6Xq1gRaUkGQbq-7LQ-EhvY5gvrxyMpnfCoNNStYKlZFqviw2oA6cUo9-n38JdbGvuSw/s1600/17-09-16-DSC3060_24427-+Prairie+Home-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYu__WC28FHRoebt9FJfg0OO_Xqu0P1LhG25EFe-bPlPx1tGclMkhNg5lKFc4qlXv8gvfjDtEr6Xq1gRaUkGQbq-7LQ-EhvY5gvrxyMpnfCoNNStYKlZFqviw2oA6cUo9-n38JdbGvuSw/s400/17-09-16-DSC3060_24427-+Prairie+Home-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once comfortable prairie home overlooking the land, can you imagine the lamplight welcome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /> The first thing that grows on us as we travel is the distance and the size of the prairie. It is not flat, it may seem so, but it undulates and dips and rolls and then is cut by a dry coulee or shallow river and dotted with duck-dabbling potholes, small lakes and waterfowl filled wetlands. It is anything but featureless, or boring if you see.<br />
I often think of the pioneers and immigrants that settled western Canada and the USA who traveled across this expanse in a wagon drawn by oxen or horses. Some people went mad by the distance. For weeks they bumped and rattled and banged across the land.They came upon obstacles such as creeks, gullies, hills, bumped over rocks, forded rivers and were buffeted by wind, thunderstorms, blizzards and feared grass fires and bison. With great optimism, one foot in front of the other, they forged ahead to a lonely homestead somewhere beyond the next hill. Often their homes were made from the sod they lived on and eventually, perhaps, a small house with a wood floor. We have to remember as we travel along our modern highways at 60 miles an hour that they were lucky to cover 10 or 15 miles per day. We also have to remember that it is not so long ago, barely 120 years that Alberta was beginning to be settled and much of it in the past 70 years. My grandparents settled in Heart Valley in 1927.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcGAXKYU3gpZW1LUe0yVgGvK6dHoe_0Vb0dKL4D0naE8KaBPyX2EzZejTD_RVeNzy0fMq392iTqSusfH-LhLCY0DEuL3vNn756W-7Qe7DXQsmZhMyZ9ueD4VNOoh3i77YHTKOim3S9c1L/s1600/17-09016-DSC2961_24329-+Homestead-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcGAXKYU3gpZW1LUe0yVgGvK6dHoe_0Vb0dKL4D0naE8KaBPyX2EzZejTD_RVeNzy0fMq392iTqSusfH-LhLCY0DEuL3vNn756W-7Qe7DXQsmZhMyZ9ueD4VNOoh3i77YHTKOim3S9c1L/s400/17-09016-DSC2961_24329-+Homestead-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreams, aspirations and hard work abandoned to relentless prairie elements</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have an aunt of my Mother who left Gosper County, Nebraska in 1898 or so with three or four kids in a Red-River cart drawn by oxen headed for Wetaskiwin, Alberta, about 2300 kilometers, to join her oldest sons on their farm. She made it on her own and I can't imagine what her experiences must have been.<br />
Now, all we can do is admire the land and wonder about past dreams and lives as we speed past old homesteads, tumbled down log homes and barns and old school sites left, today remembered only by a metal plaque. Faded white churches and groomed graveyards dot the prairie landscape reminding us of and commemorating brave and adventurous pioneers who worked hard to build our country.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTFH4X4FvUQNmdnXBWOxaVTbl0Sz1_zh78ADnYpDZef_jr_0DSV_Mqtd-liUIKeMWEIzMsxRwr646W4XBADuhU0dla8_NjOUz6cg8CYvPvUZCk34yP0YW1Chmlsb-6CavYX1Nld2USV_K/s1600/17-09-17-DSC3173_24540-+Antelope+Gas+Field-4l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTFH4X4FvUQNmdnXBWOxaVTbl0Sz1_zh78ADnYpDZef_jr_0DSV_Mqtd-liUIKeMWEIzMsxRwr646W4XBADuhU0dla8_NjOUz6cg8CYvPvUZCk34yP0YW1Chmlsb-6CavYX1Nld2USV_K/s400/17-09-17-DSC3173_24540-+Antelope+Gas+Field-4l.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpjacks, gas wells, train tracks, fence lines, and cattle all compete with native Pronghorn Antelope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This weekend was a reminder of the durability of the place and the wildlife we watched as well as the continued trials of living on this vast land. We see so-called progress wherever we look. Gas wells, train tracks, fences and invasive cattle graze where once herds of buffalo wandered. Small herds of Antelope compete with the cattle and struggle with barbwire fencelines. Huge grass fires that are so troublesome and tragic for modern-day residents were once a natural rejuvenation of the prairie grassland.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0moGYb9pQeF3ZQJZEJcSQGvh90uqmJDsCebvtB-cLi5c9k5Ikf8Qu-foVUKrL_KM_BPZmqiMtUIrumJGA2-3KndG9KBJm1RDskmhwPiYZk4riKG6dXtI0Gf8strvBRt05dBjgikgZ03q/s1600/17-09-16-DSC3142_24509-+Prairie+Fire+Skull-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0moGYb9pQeF3ZQJZEJcSQGvh90uqmJDsCebvtB-cLi5c9k5Ikf8Qu-foVUKrL_KM_BPZmqiMtUIrumJGA2-3KndG9KBJm1RDskmhwPiYZk4riKG6dXtI0Gf8strvBRt05dBjgikgZ03q/s400/17-09-16-DSC3142_24509-+Prairie+Fire+Skull-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human-caused prairie fire killed cattle and destroyed homes and property.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's enjoy the beauty that is still here despite our best efforts. The wildlife can adapt if given the chance. We see antelope grazing in harvested wheat fields and geese, grouse, and larks enjoy nothing better than a harvested field of peas or wheat.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCDgaZbX23HOCMF7XRyB9ZeeOxCMEkUIZxBeTB4etsMh7uqKaQpr1p6BT-2I-YqOHXdyN0UdHgoB_P08-m5uMeQ73nCOOtSWbPJIoPUjROa5IjsfqC_WRLci3ZAa2u5XMPcXSXHwaHUZx/s1600/17-09-16-DSC2988_24355-+Antelope+Herd-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCDgaZbX23HOCMF7XRyB9ZeeOxCMEkUIZxBeTB4etsMh7uqKaQpr1p6BT-2I-YqOHXdyN0UdHgoB_P08-m5uMeQ73nCOOtSWbPJIoPUjROa5IjsfqC_WRLci3ZAa2u5XMPcXSXHwaHUZx/s400/17-09-16-DSC2988_24355-+Antelope+Herd-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchful antelope, a good looking buck watching over his harem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgv-O4wsLDnt_Md4_xVUaCZojuQYcauo4meYfNDUtJ-u37s0w7E-UNacmbCSNXuQVNUdeDVW7m30bdwOnR06-gWRaVsP4jHrliMdkEZaflntK45vEWqflUDlACh4XRWex2sQaNMOLJPjR/s1600/17-09-16-DSC3116_24483-+Deeer+and+Cranes-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgv-O4wsLDnt_Md4_xVUaCZojuQYcauo4meYfNDUtJ-u37s0w7E-UNacmbCSNXuQVNUdeDVW7m30bdwOnR06-gWRaVsP4jHrliMdkEZaflntK45vEWqflUDlACh4XRWex2sQaNMOLJPjR/s400/17-09-16-DSC3116_24483-+Deeer+and+Cranes-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curious White-tailed deer with Sandhill Cranes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsMt_83neCFMvboLHLQi_PyYuAa6r0keghRY-POGDcQdw7MArSDq4VJL7vuswCtkPZ3-7tnZ2Jb1uIWHRXdqhWpa0HcZgO1Rvd2O86j7UX51iEOWhm3u-myIY_TAyOiwPzj6JjMzWV44z/s1600/17-09-16-DSC3132_24499-+Antelope+and+Cranes-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsMt_83neCFMvboLHLQi_PyYuAa6r0keghRY-POGDcQdw7MArSDq4VJL7vuswCtkPZ3-7tnZ2Jb1uIWHRXdqhWpa0HcZgO1Rvd2O86j7UX51iEOWhm3u-myIY_TAyOiwPzj6JjMzWV44z/s400/17-09-16-DSC3132_24499-+Antelope+and+Cranes-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhill Cranes fly over antelope at smokey sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We enjoy the richly coloured sunset caused by smoke from forest and grass fires to the south and west of us.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje62-kFWAKA3KAQeGd_4njZ-3YT6oJvKbxMyBXiTKbYAx2kV3OidrevTDyshNb7WzjJlZzhexa4-BJpwOiI2SpV3eUMKiXXS14zkK9XYQULD0Ly-Aq3CK1_llFZx_Haj5Lm2Iw7D0tU-ES/s1600/17-09-16-DSC3070_24437-+Prairie+Deer-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje62-kFWAKA3KAQeGd_4njZ-3YT6oJvKbxMyBXiTKbYAx2kV3OidrevTDyshNb7WzjJlZzhexa4-BJpwOiI2SpV3eUMKiXXS14zkK9XYQULD0Ly-Aq3CK1_llFZx_Haj5Lm2Iw7D0tU-ES/s400/17-09-16-DSC3070_24437-+Prairie+Deer-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule deer trail through prairie buckbrush toward early evening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is a good land, a resilient land, a rich land but it requires care. There is very little real prairie grassland left. It must have seemed easy to early pioneers; just stick the plow in the ground and plant your seeds. They worked the vagaries of weather, desolation, and isolation. Neighbours and friends were valuable assets, bartering labour and goods, and building communities. Piles of rocks and abandoned homes are stark reminders to us that it may not have been so easy after all.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-42551615691661907842017-09-20T13:42:00.001-07:002017-09-20T13:42:36.372-07:00First Combine Remembering past experiences is often fun, or traumatic, depending on our perspective.<br />On our tour this past weekend I came across a restored John Deere 25A combine pulled by an AR tractor. This combination has been restored and is displayed by Battle River Implements at Killam, Alberta. This is the same model combine that my family first purchased in about 1963 or 64. Ours was pulled by a John Deere model 70 instead of the AR.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm_o_QxptRx_GHPCnCblc95LwBrnUupSwiVwkGHdbdOe9jBJ4RJaM1hxQngdgV3hBi1g5KbvtJBAAAzC0fNwrz4jJAw3laonQsO126jwlhzTqt2KT5G0rHkLopp0xYciPtRB_C9xlw_P3/s1600/2017-DSC2959_24327-+JD+25A+and+AR-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm_o_QxptRx_GHPCnCblc95LwBrnUupSwiVwkGHdbdOe9jBJ4RJaM1hxQngdgV3hBi1g5KbvtJBAAAzC0fNwrz4jJAw3laonQsO126jwlhzTqt2KT5G0rHkLopp0xYciPtRB_C9xlw_P3/s400/2017-DSC2959_24327-+JD+25A+and+AR-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Deere Model 25A</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Up front, at the bottom of the table in front of the canvass roller, there is a small square hole to drain rainwater from.It is covered by a small metal plate, to hold grain from leaking out, held on with a 1/4 inch bolt requiring a 7/16 wrench to tighten. My job was to put that plate in place every morning. I was often accused of not tightening bolts enough and losing things. One day I tightened it and then made sure it was tight by giving a little more effort, but then snapped it right off.I recall to this day the one-sided, irrational discussion there was about this broken bolt.<br />
If you look between the elevator, just to the left of the reel, and the hopper, I used to fit in there. It was my job to crawl up in there to hold the end of the grease gun hose to make sure all fittings got grease while the old man pumped the grease gun. Once again, there were several discussions about holding the hose straight, cleaning the nipple, getting all the nipples and is the grease coming out yet? and so on.<br />
Our combine had a small engine on the side which ran the combine. There were ropes tied to the seat of the tractor which were pulled to lift the reel up or down. A lever was used to lift and lower the six-foot table. No hydraulics on these machines. One of my jobs was to ride behind the 25-bushel hopper to spread out the grain so we could travel maximum distance before emptying it. We had to be very careful when emptying the hopper as the truck had to be very close as the auger spout did not stick out very far beyond the combine. Plenty of hand gestures were used to get this accomplished without scraping any valuable green paint off onto the old Ford 3/4 ton. When the truck was full, after about 3 hoppers, we shoveled the grain into the bin by hand.<br />
I recall a particularly wet autumn when we were harvesting fescue. Many times the whole unit got bogged down in wet fields and needed to be towed out. A troop of kids ran behind the unit filling in the muddy ruts before they either filled with water or froze in place. The big idea was finally stumbled upon by someone to the dread of my dear old mother. She was to drive the mighty BR tractor towing the 70 and combine. The thought was that if we used a long enough rope, she would be through the mudhole and on firm ground by the time the big unit got there and she would be able to pull everything through without getting bogged down.<br />
Now, we have to remember that the BR has maybe 30 horsepower and the 70 has about 60, so there is not great strength here, or traction, That BR could not have broken a doubled up binder twine.<br /> We did, however, have a cable, maybe 50 feet of it with two hooks on so that was attached to the unit. All started well, until the first soft spot. Mother was tightened right up and of course, she spun herself down to stuck. Some long-range discussions were held. Joe had to back his unit up to pull mother out. Joe could not back anything up, especially if there was a joint in the middle. The coordination required to back the tractor-combine combination up at the same time as Mother got into reverse and backing required loud 50 foot-commands that caused more noise and smoke than the two tractors and combine produced together. This is actually where global warming began.<br />
Eventually, all was untangled and moving forward harmoniously, until the end of the field where a sharp, left-hand corner was required. Mother got there 50 feet ahead of Joe, and she turned without looking back; I think she spotted and was distracted by some choke-cherries ripening at the edge of the field. She began to pull the 70 sideways well before the corner threatening to pop the front tire with the taut cable. Gutteral German commands frantically wafted across the fieldscape demanding order in the field. I don't know how this crop ever got harvested that year without murder committed in the fescue.<br />
For some reason, however, I do still look at this combine with affection. There are more stories to be told and I'm sure the combine could tell even more if it could. What a huge difference to the modern harvesters of today.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRb9s25aSAzdeQVWQEgnLMsVQ9Wj0QpgWoVqaRZ_pdMp-WbMZrwPt0aOxV0rITQlFKKJkIAcUGgBR6GPZEkKVVB-dJl7hgSVFzSx4IlwcrjA1WOnv9kX1Xtl1kMz64gu8eGMZ09sOP6an/s1600/2017-DSC2956_24324-+JD+25A+and+AR-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRb9s25aSAzdeQVWQEgnLMsVQ9Wj0QpgWoVqaRZ_pdMp-WbMZrwPt0aOxV0rITQlFKKJkIAcUGgBR6GPZEkKVVB-dJl7hgSVFzSx4IlwcrjA1WOnv9kX1Xtl1kMz64gu8eGMZ09sOP6an/s400/2017-DSC2956_24324-+JD+25A+and+AR-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Deere Model AR tractor with 25A combine. 60 years ago this was modern grain harvesting equipment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca </a>Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-12726961266152348492017-07-19T16:16:00.000-07:002017-07-19T16:16:21.169-07:00Local Excitement We really don't have to travel far from our homes in Alberta to see exciting wildlife if we spend a bit of time. A bit over a month ago I went for a walk from my home in the center of Sherwood Park. Here is a small storm-water lake where there are several species of birds that mate, have babies and some just like to hang around. Countless Canada Geese nest and raise their broods as well as two pair of Red-necked Grebes, mallards and Common Golden-eye. In the bush and brush Magpies, Crows, Red-winged Blackbirds as well as various song birds including Robins, Sparrows and Warblers. The whole process of raising bird families is a fascinating study of behaviour, territory, love, devotion and diligence, caring and protection. Human mammals don't have exclusive rights to emotions according to birds. A pair of White Pelicans surprised me one morning and I had to run back home for my camera talking to myself all the way about always carrying the camera. "Serve you right if they fly away before you get back," I muttered. How many times have I missed a great opportunity for a good photo by not carrying the equipment, even on a short trip?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1U8CXM-dSsTR1OMnl4Q4OWd9FC4C5lGxuChcrOflVe67u5dfx4fOsfZSurowlzd1vS96ibL437HB-l6XXYvqO4VuVO6dSXSbbeIFvZjEpEVBLf11kZhrDUj9MKPq2TANI_alKb9fjr35/s1600/109-DSC0085_21715-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1U8CXM-dSsTR1OMnl4Q4OWd9FC4C5lGxuChcrOflVe67u5dfx4fOsfZSurowlzd1vS96ibL437HB-l6XXYvqO4VuVO6dSXSbbeIFvZjEpEVBLf11kZhrDUj9MKPq2TANI_alKb9fjr35/s400/109-DSC0085_21715-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preening Pelicans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Two weeks ago we took a drive to the north-east part of Alberta where we had not explored before. Fay, my reliable critter spotter cried out, "An owl! I think." As I turned the truck around to go back we watched along the fenceline in the bush and sure enough, a Great Grey Owl sat watching us. I managed a couple of quick shots before another vehicle came along and we had to move.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq0ByLVWFf6phvn7MK4E1bOwbxixJDo1mkUVp5c8UkJUh4pnImPFbfd0kYLpx30fOJ8QUh_Y0Y84p__XnaYh3jIP8Z4SbRrCe2iOo_JHq6jup8AvgLxdO3rvcHbbjnboLs8oZE_1pE13P/s1600/2017-DSC2097_23516-+Great+Grey+Owl-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQq0ByLVWFf6phvn7MK4E1bOwbxixJDo1mkUVp5c8UkJUh4pnImPFbfd0kYLpx30fOJ8QUh_Y0Y84p__XnaYh3jIP8Z4SbRrCe2iOo_JHq6jup8AvgLxdO3rvcHbbjnboLs8oZE_1pE13P/s400/2017-DSC2097_23516-+Great+Grey+Owl-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Grey Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Right in the town of Bonneville is a large wetland lake alive with the cacophony of bird calls. We were immediately attacked by a pair of Black Terns that were protecting their three precious eggs laid on a shallow mat of old cattails. I was promptly bombed by an accurate "crap bomber" who shot a white streak across my eye-glasses.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMx_201r6-den4R1p0BMy0q-2l0z4gge6FBsv8Nz7RnCCwe1W1LUpmfohI0BKL-LiTuPZOepsosCej6pcZVXinYTymURqaa1E90kGdZcHG99Q5vT6jTERIBgL2mTKn8ZMTZukuzjhANkf/s1600/2017-DSC2202_23615-+Black+Tern+Nest-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMx_201r6-den4R1p0BMy0q-2l0z4gge6FBsv8Nz7RnCCwe1W1LUpmfohI0BKL-LiTuPZOepsosCej6pcZVXinYTymURqaa1E90kGdZcHG99Q5vT6jTERIBgL2mTKn8ZMTZukuzjhANkf/s400/2017-DSC2202_23615-+Black+Tern+Nest-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tern with Eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A little further down the boardwalk we noticed what appeared to be a dead muskrat laying on top of a pile of reeds, then two more. I was becoming alarmed about what was happening to the furry critters when one suddenly moved in Fay's binoculars. "It's alive!" she exclaimed and sure enough,with a bit of time each dozzy muskrat woke from their siesta and went about muskrat business.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOPfHcbNJj9EcmOvGRAQG2nUz161ewYcmJPi3F_UiuRL0pV9I_2-k4iqZmRFv_KsZwXbIOnDlN44Cw66H_dtitvncDD4Mpwh5uDVPFRPfnoLqkQ7xzfx6LrqXow_Pdn8RMq8AYSAXoZ_y/s1600/2017-DSC2182_23595-+Muskrat+sleeping-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOPfHcbNJj9EcmOvGRAQG2nUz161ewYcmJPi3F_UiuRL0pV9I_2-k4iqZmRFv_KsZwXbIOnDlN44Cw66H_dtitvncDD4Mpwh5uDVPFRPfnoLqkQ7xzfx6LrqXow_Pdn8RMq8AYSAXoZ_y/s400/2017-DSC2182_23595-+Muskrat+sleeping-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muskrat Pretending to Sleep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the distance, on a floating reed island a very large flock of Franklin Gulls were packing sticks and reeds, darting in and out of sight with frenzied activity. Through shimmering heat waves we could see hundreds of nests and scruffy looking babies crying for food and attention. Grebe sand ducks also paddled and dove and dipped while American Coots called and darted in and out of reedy cover with tiny red-beaked black babies in tow.<br />
Over there a muskrat dragged a freshly peeled cattail to a reed platform for it's snack.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_LRFVZVxdYwMVdH_Xc9cGFl54taNgecPIv-d8oYFy-b8zyKCJpYraFEjJ0sOWYurgISumB_8WEWL8ZJCfl8bTGmHnKjskF8PVR2D1unqB_j_zBApyLaF28E48PkkN8D9JEcaV7RTdHKn/s1600/2017+DSC2128_23546-+Muskrt+Feeding-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_LRFVZVxdYwMVdH_Xc9cGFl54taNgecPIv-d8oYFy-b8zyKCJpYraFEjJ0sOWYurgISumB_8WEWL8ZJCfl8bTGmHnKjskF8PVR2D1unqB_j_zBApyLaF28E48PkkN8D9JEcaV7RTdHKn/s400/2017+DSC2128_23546-+Muskrt+Feeding-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muskrat Feeding on a Cattail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yesterday I took a short, half-hour drive to Elk Island National Park to relax for a couple hours. Within a few minutes I stumbled upon a young American Bittern trying to hide amongst the cattails.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfosRMojHkD4jYx-JDGost1M1XLsjWJryevYlpj04FgqRVVy7eP4lKrHA8ZroO-MfLNVMwjfS2Ar4c4nqQYpvu4qldcJRjWjqz-9WflZAyz4cZCXcqyrcndboA02os3G7FC7v97xHAu8tD/s1600/2017-DSC2327_23740-American+Bittern-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfosRMojHkD4jYx-JDGost1M1XLsjWJryevYlpj04FgqRVVy7eP4lKrHA8ZroO-MfLNVMwjfS2Ar4c4nqQYpvu4qldcJRjWjqz-9WflZAyz4cZCXcqyrcndboA02os3G7FC7v97xHAu8tD/s400/2017-DSC2327_23740-American+Bittern-4.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Bittern Hiding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is one bird that has teased me with its distant booming call but I could not see it well enough to photograph. This day was my lucky day. I spent over an hour with it as it made its way to various cattail perches to groom and preen. It is no wonder that they are difficult to photograph. When they stand still they hide in plain sight behind a cattail or down amongst the old, bent-over mat of decaying reeds.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCI8nOMGxaA81qbeuxromo1ic34pyidVWQgkUi8Mq2Az6anhGdIKBd-Y-6LdTXYBTJeJXITzDcZo4c8RpGhWNInSTrGXFbN3C6Ey-KAFON-QEk_Ywxx5fFPAiTxm3bQgkWAI9nFCKoPew/s1600/2017-DSC2430_23843-+American+Bittern-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCI8nOMGxaA81qbeuxromo1ic34pyidVWQgkUi8Mq2Az6anhGdIKBd-Y-6LdTXYBTJeJXITzDcZo4c8RpGhWNInSTrGXFbN3C6Ey-KAFON-QEk_Ywxx5fFPAiTxm3bQgkWAI9nFCKoPew/s400/2017-DSC2430_23843-+American+Bittern-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young American Bittern Stepping Out<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Take a drive or take a walk and be sure to take your camera or binoculars with you. You never know when or where you will see some of Alberta's interesting wildlife.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZCBjyyNgfO3hU8qPRcdkfM3QvEZPpKh9bLWXToRlwO5JOZ2h4sP5hvZNQFfZm3djcvCXE3l65NLGhin7-DCBGb3Rr496h3FlaFHMT-BZcn4bkigTRh_VClMHZH2NeQRKWT-tm1vaQH0o/s1600/2017-DSC2054_23476-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZCBjyyNgfO3hU8qPRcdkfM3QvEZPpKh9bLWXToRlwO5JOZ2h4sP5hvZNQFfZm3djcvCXE3l65NLGhin7-DCBGb3Rr496h3FlaFHMT-BZcn4bkigTRh_VClMHZH2NeQRKWT-tm1vaQH0o/s400/2017-DSC2054_23476-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule Deer Doe<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><br /></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-47313018835551679642017-05-29T11:02:00.001-07:002017-05-29T11:02:16.508-07:00Bird Photography Time Spring time in Alberta is always a welcome relief from long cold winters. Ice and snow disappears, daylight hours overpower dreary darkness, leaves flush and birds arrive from extended winter holidays. Geese are generally the first to advertise their arrival with loud honking and beating wings. Before dawn, I am awakened by an amorous robin trilling promises of love, devotion and fat worms to all sweethearts who can hear. In the nearby pond I can hear frogs cricking, red-necked grebes chortling and mallard drakes quacking their best pick-up lines to seemingly deaf hens. The real call of spring for me is the red-winged blackbirds territorial declaration overpowering the muttering of black American coots.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfCeOcl2bggiBsRDBFVpCvkI7Vm-TxkqqinSM6OxFRcLP9kslOz6UORyfW4ktxDx6Ce2nTuchFdYoDlNzlxQHjlPVI2ze_-tae4vO_3W8-iYFTlakj0DmI_NYPPIa5oaWu0_peqIR3Q5J/s1600/83-DSC4907_17135-+Red-winged+Blackbird-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfCeOcl2bggiBsRDBFVpCvkI7Vm-TxkqqinSM6OxFRcLP9kslOz6UORyfW4ktxDx6Ce2nTuchFdYoDlNzlxQHjlPVI2ze_-tae4vO_3W8-iYFTlakj0DmI_NYPPIa5oaWu0_peqIR3Q5J/s400/83-DSC4907_17135-+Red-winged+Blackbird-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-winged Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While out walking, I enjoy watching the interesting lives of the familiar residents and am thrilled when I get to see some new visitors. My faithful Leupold binoculars help with the details and nuances of bird identity but my memory is not always good enough to transfer to a guide book, so I try to get photos for ID clarification. I have found this endeavour to be very challenging and a way to add interest to a nice walk wherever I am that day. There are birds to be found on every trail and even if walking for a short distance, I can find interesting birds to watch. The everyday lives of even the most common birds is a fascinating study of lives, not unlike our own, only at high speed.<br />
Mates choose nesting sites with all the care that we do. They want the best neighbourhood, closest to good food, away from potential danger and a safe place for the kids to play and forage. No human family is as protective as mother goose and gander. Watch the grebes as the busily fish and forage for their new chicks and mate while she sits on her nest. With a quick call, the parents change places, allowing the brooder to groom, preen and forage. Never are the little grebes far from watchful parents.Mallard hens monitor their clutches as the ducklings paddle furiously to keep up while learning to catch their dinners.<br />
It amazes me how quickly the young birds change. We must not forget that they have to be big and strong enough to migrate south within about four months or less. Everyday the geese change from cute, yellow down to greenish-grey pin-feathers to the magnificence of adult plumage. Each bird has their own unique colouring, reasons unknown and cute/ugly to anyone but their mothers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaW9GRZ1kganADqaJbyWQSbSAHLZTCfgKIC7CBfjJeugRBHLbpV7uW3AJOz1-90gGXliTI4d-Yl_0exeLujVTDAi65MpMAvGfSM-wsr-ZW4BjZtRa6_VgT4frPH8nGzuV0BgEhi5dChEB/s1600/003-DSC4705_585-+Canada+Goose+Family-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaW9GRZ1kganADqaJbyWQSbSAHLZTCfgKIC7CBfjJeugRBHLbpV7uW3AJOz1-90gGXliTI4d-Yl_0exeLujVTDAi65MpMAvGfSM-wsr-ZW4BjZtRa6_VgT4frPH8nGzuV0BgEhi5dChEB/s400/003-DSC4705_585-+Canada+Goose+Family-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doting Mother Goose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While out bird watching or photographing their lives, we must be mindful and respectful to them.<br />
It is not cool to disrupt their lifestyle as every waking moment in summertime is devoted to growing strong enough to migrate and to surviving a constant threat from predators. Baby birds are favourite food to many predators such as eagles and hawks, fish, mink and otters, magpies and ravens or crows. If photographers find a nest and spend too much time there, predators will also find it and eat the contents. If we flush the guarding parents they may abandon their clutch to try another place or time. Every time the birds are frightened away they are using fat reserves required later in the season or they are prevented from foraging to build up those reserves.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QeUAhrtybggurxFbAIKIufW-RMgKEWKR8TJkjL8jLQtXRnJeNiutNKpCxyLOZ35d-D7lythyphenhyphenG-6qcbK2IjFcDPPfFxS9F_7FdfDKdIQZe9Ytr2IpU5pRXRc3t7o1fDe-NflsLlPK9e4W/s1600/2017-DSC0063_21695-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2QeUAhrtybggurxFbAIKIufW-RMgKEWKR8TJkjL8jLQtXRnJeNiutNKpCxyLOZ35d-D7lythyphenhyphenG-6qcbK2IjFcDPPfFxS9F_7FdfDKdIQZe9Ytr2IpU5pRXRc3t7o1fDe-NflsLlPK9e4W/s400/2017-DSC0063_21695-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preening Pelican</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have to take care of ourselves too. Nobody wants to get mugged by an irate goose as they are very powerful and fearless. Watch the body language of the birds to see their reactions to your presence. If you are in a city park, you will be able to get closer than if you are on a wild lake. Wear comfortable clothing of muted colours and move slowly. Sit down to enjoy the ambiance of the place and you will find that wildlife will calm down and carry on with their normal activities. Nothing likes to be stalked. They see us as predators stalking for food that they do not want to become.<br />
There are many websites that help and guide us to ethical bird watching and photography.<br />
Get out and enjoy our natural world. Take your kids and teach them as well as the birds in front of you are teaching their broods.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mindfulbirding.org/">http://www.mindfulbirding.org/images/mindful/pdfs/complete.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-62581395568801708362017-05-10T20:35:00.001-07:002017-05-10T20:35:22.585-07:00Alberta Spring What a relief, spring has sprung in Alberta. No matter that the past winter was not too bad and certainly not as bad as it can be, the long frozen darkness is finally lightening and greening.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIRp12pJWUueD5wcEVnO9IOjCtE0R-_pyJXENOKgXBLGVCg20j897KnnSPwZQYIXOQiG-JGDnQiDGEA1WzJje-bGGjHCoaqNgE0sCwP7aG7WnH15Gp1vjKdqfIyT-0R3ywwiARYqS4JOd/s1600/104-DSC9989_21624-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIRp12pJWUueD5wcEVnO9IOjCtE0R-_pyJXENOKgXBLGVCg20j897KnnSPwZQYIXOQiG-JGDnQiDGEA1WzJje-bGGjHCoaqNgE0sCwP7aG7WnH15Gp1vjKdqfIyT-0R3ywwiARYqS4JOd/s400/104-DSC9989_21624-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Goose Splash-down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Canada geese have been back from their winter holiday for about a month or so and a few hearty mallards with them. Now, with the greening trees I see most of the regular summer time birds are back with mates and building new nests. On my regular walk around the storm water Broadmore Lake, I can hear Red-necked Grebes calling as they gather nesting material.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzLEScOXwxruXbY92Z5NIAgQpLJOvVkj38T4wxN8Dd426D9ihrtsROhAWLAaSct_G6PY0gysF0UVw-c8rbF40QR_b25sVBrkAcZVjofFW-OX2w_PHdUcW3_-WI5mTk8dJz64O3pzKh_n3/s1600/104-DSC9993_21628-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzLEScOXwxruXbY92Z5NIAgQpLJOvVkj38T4wxN8Dd426D9ihrtsROhAWLAaSct_G6PY0gysF0UVw-c8rbF40QR_b25sVBrkAcZVjofFW-OX2w_PHdUcW3_-WI5mTk8dJz64O3pzKh_n3/s400/104-DSC9993_21628-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked Grebes Gathering Nesting Material</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mallards are tipped, wigwam up, feeding on invisible-to-me duck snacks. There is a Common Golden-eye with an unusual rusty coloured cheek patch resting on the island shore line. There is another Golden-eye couple paddling and diving as they bond and get to know each other. There was even a Common Merganser pair resting on the island among several nesting geese. Magpie squawked a warning over it's covered nest while it's mate warmed their precious clutch of eggs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl3YuLd-ptEbfOUPWQimb1lH0zvyvcecURjxHXoCn4H7vkbZ2IxjflaO5YUvTHpfrJKc4UTTTi5qViulNShb4Ybl21wewP8qPLE9hQqx9ytd2bKHCWyVLFEw6EuLm-H9_JjlxJuCf4PSp/s1600/104-DSC9867_21502-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl3YuLd-ptEbfOUPWQimb1lH0zvyvcecURjxHXoCn4H7vkbZ2IxjflaO5YUvTHpfrJKc4UTTTi5qViulNShb4Ybl21wewP8qPLE9hQqx9ytd2bKHCWyVLFEw6EuLm-H9_JjlxJuCf4PSp/s400/104-DSC9867_21502-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Island Provincial Park Buffalo Jump</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Most of all, I enjoy watching the countryside green up. With the warm sun coaxing leaf buds, then fully flushing trees with bright and fresh leaves, the drab greys and tans are highlighted with brilliant greens.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySOZFm7HqHDQQp3AF2vZUd5MgpN63kB3l4kxCQhbx67ugi9n7m14PywuJNKq_8kyjEOsouKOlm8hyIo5pfm8XsEotAcpgjSlBIH7qBwpr3KaUIWFT7rA0hH8NoR-m3FjggJhVcPf9QVdn/s1600/104-DSC9947_21582-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySOZFm7HqHDQQp3AF2vZUd5MgpN63kB3l4kxCQhbx67ugi9n7m14PywuJNKq_8kyjEOsouKOlm8hyIo5pfm8XsEotAcpgjSlBIH7qBwpr3KaUIWFT7rA0hH8NoR-m3FjggJhVcPf9QVdn/s400/104-DSC9947_21582-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birch Catkins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Willow and Birch catkins, Black Poplar sticky-buds and fresh leaves along with bunches of Trembling Aspen groves greening blotches on the river breaks and bottom lands bring renewed optimism to the land. This morning I could smell rain in the air blended with pungent poplar sap to refresh the cool air. What a great time of the year.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08cMkrTWQghTT41I-fPywRMXgaIA0x8RC66KIojA6ge3m-3_vtoTDPldCJ3rrOMN8rYI8PI9wzi1e5cHnSlJLmRS63GoR4cmAfZf3wuftmko20zQ9LdGkS1Lsnn7q_c3oecYT9QqPvHCd/s1600/104-DSC9964_21599-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08cMkrTWQghTT41I-fPywRMXgaIA0x8RC66KIojA6ge3m-3_vtoTDPldCJ3rrOMN8rYI8PI9wzi1e5cHnSlJLmRS63GoR4cmAfZf3wuftmko20zQ9LdGkS1Lsnn7q_c3oecYT9QqPvHCd/s400/104-DSC9964_21599-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky, Pungent Black Poplar<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-9503203693021709212017-05-05T10:05:00.000-07:002017-05-05T10:05:12.554-07:00Leupold Binoculars A pleasant surprise came in the mail yesterday. A brand new set of Leupold 10x42 binoculars. I couldn't wait to open the package and try them out. They are fantastic; crystal clear with my eyeglasses on and without. They are light weight and comfortable to use.<br />
<br />
A month or so ago, I sent my old set to The Korth Group at Okotoks, Ab. on the advice of their sales rep Troy Flasch, who I met at the Edmonton Sports show. I had my previous set of Leupold Binoculars for about a dozen years and they have seen some tough use in all climates and weather conditions. I am a wildlife watching guide that has worked at Knight Inlet Lodge in B.C.'s temperate rainforest and enjoyed a Norman Carr safari in Zambia where I watched my first leopard. Those binos hung around my neck in Yellowstone and the Yukon as well as a full season with Polar bears and Beluga Whales at Lazy Bear Lodge at Churchill. I have struggled to identify thousands of birds and wondered at the delicate details of a grizzly's chin whiskers and dexterous lips. Weather has never crossed my mind when using them. Torrential downpours in the rainforest and the heat in Zambia or the frigid temperatures and snow of Northern Manitoba or Albertan winters have never caused me to hide those Leupolds in the safety of their protective case.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyZUruSlEg7i95bIiNrCH0Z6dKcuX-OSPDKfUBC2Dkmm-z-HOLjINP78ZTUGnuaYQUSO9xDYZ8OG0mZfM_VwiTbbjCaUB7rR0RTXEB-yoAFd9tBjdNpNnOvA9rlQgL7TMuPVxfartsNIj/s1600/105-DSC9851_21486-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyZUruSlEg7i95bIiNrCH0Z6dKcuX-OSPDKfUBC2Dkmm-z-HOLjINP78ZTUGnuaYQUSO9xDYZ8OG0mZfM_VwiTbbjCaUB7rR0RTXEB-yoAFd9tBjdNpNnOvA9rlQgL7TMuPVxfartsNIj/s400/105-DSC9851_21486-4.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leupold BX-2 Cascades 10x42</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I try now to purchase the best equipment that I can afford and these binoculars priced in the 500.00 to 700.00 range work very well for me. Believe me when I say that I have tried several different brands of cheaper glass only to be disappointed with foggy lenses, eye strain and fuzzy viewing. I am very careful about who I pass my binoculars to. People can be very careless and drop them or set them down in a puddle of mud or smear the lenses with their sticky fingers. I also hate to miss the action that occurs at the exact moment you pass your binos to a guest or wife. They should have their own set if they are going wildlife watching.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqBaiWADAttQ8Kw5ehO_W4fCiSvMCtn4WYSdtDh0nDZghjKA_-B3XHPeOJqHY1KIYxg0Ctg_TfTTa03QKcmIyl-zwDU6qvTtqlzaXgPOHn9YXT-HhaTehkSH0GsxjIw3MMGJmzPB1i6im/s1600/Leopard+Portrait+2+-194-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqBaiWADAttQ8Kw5ehO_W4fCiSvMCtn4WYSdtDh0nDZghjKA_-B3XHPeOJqHY1KIYxg0Ctg_TfTTa03QKcmIyl-zwDU6qvTtqlzaXgPOHn9YXT-HhaTehkSH0GsxjIw3MMGJmzPB1i6im/s400/Leopard+Portrait+2+-194-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopard in the Grass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Most good equipment comes with "Lifetime Warranty." Most manufacturers give you a booklet of fine print which details myriad ways for them to avoid paying out on this warranty. The most common issue used is human use. If you use your equipment you will probably damage it eventually, unless you only go to the opera. I would like to thank Troy at the Korth Group and Leupold for replacing my well used binoculars. I will continue to use my equipment to enjoy spotting and studying our fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.korthgroup.com/">www.korthgroup.com</a>Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-57495164979930573632017-04-11T13:27:00.000-07:002017-04-11T13:27:49.541-07:00Movie Stars Move It requires a lot of work to move movie stars, even though they are not divas. Nothing but the best for them including fresh bedding, secure trailers, cautious drivers, nutritious food and plenty of fresh water. They get sweet treats, fresh air and even though we try to travel incognito as best we can, they do get visits by many fans.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD5AX1KwjBqgQb8RXULFoidut1sE7t3ZsjqekSUZTuAMvq-qzTkCshpLO9SJSw8ZVU_O8pWEQALD41884qv3Oi1tsHUc961Rx2CAwwMxDxTbzY6b1aO_rTkkDOiNd4WC5Uk30y6zhq3-F/s1600/104-DSC9318_21151-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD5AX1KwjBqgQb8RXULFoidut1sE7t3ZsjqekSUZTuAMvq-qzTkCshpLO9SJSw8ZVU_O8pWEQALD41884qv3Oi1tsHUc961Rx2CAwwMxDxTbzY6b1aO_rTkkDOiNd4WC5Uk30y6zhq3-F/s400/104-DSC9318_21151-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betty enjoying a cool bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some bears require their own transportation and don't like to share accommodations or trailers. Ursula and the black bear we know as Barney prefer their own company while Betty and Whoopper like each others company but do need their own separate beds and cages. Each bed has been stuffed with fresh, dry wheat straw that the bears spread with giant paws to their own specifications and comfort.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoK4d0p0DWl_81e6mr0YbP6kN96GDAPHWDpz9Onqk3HtSiUVhgWQkCC1L0Blzo-973q2IhFe5QRhSihoPrjRt2wEwLPPpHr2Lw0j8-MYT2BkYzX-KVO9C2yNr9sKUdySpGrSuRERBgDn1/s1600/104-DSC9520_21266-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoK4d0p0DWl_81e6mr0YbP6kN96GDAPHWDpz9Onqk3HtSiUVhgWQkCC1L0Blzo-973q2IhFe5QRhSihoPrjRt2wEwLPPpHr2Lw0j8-MYT2BkYzX-KVO9C2yNr9sKUdySpGrSuRERBgDn1/s400/104-DSC9520_21266-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zeke enjoying a walk and good scratch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Along with the bears we are accompanied by four skunks, two porcupines, two American Bulldog pulling champions and a superior acting snooty black cat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVbxQhUqwTgPfjZcfJNCLeTJldojmscG1chJpRX-UOcFVThkmRsdiLPuMrvS1XpPDT8_831eOJN2Rrri476JGSNh7EFkd7BP98iVRWxHr-43KrTD3MO86vh8X9pPIZqsK9GRZPr64GMX3/s1600/104-DSC9440_21225-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVbxQhUqwTgPfjZcfJNCLeTJldojmscG1chJpRX-UOcFVThkmRsdiLPuMrvS1XpPDT8_831eOJN2Rrri476JGSNh7EFkd7BP98iVRWxHr-43KrTD3MO86vh8X9pPIZqsK9GRZPr64GMX3/s400/104-DSC9440_21225-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loaded Skunks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We are moving from Discovery Wildlife Park at Innisfail, Alberta to the Papanack Zoo at Wendover, Ontario, about an hour south east of Ottawa. Papanack Zoo has been recently purchased by new people who vow to improve conditions for their animals. Their animals are very well fed and look to be in great shape. It is not perfect but with hard work from dedicated, caring staff improvements will happen.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70PZrgW6-Q9ByCr7a3k07leJK2tl98-sRlBQkiSJnhZ0Zyq73tlMn2C6ZZdukSH_-LV2N3FgpFN8m5RFI58ikrtCpJMOvlJwXO5OHl83vCeOTDSXCesxzesnJVzXwTQ_duyymmo-ZfyRz/s1600/104-DSC9353_21176-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70PZrgW6-Q9ByCr7a3k07leJK2tl98-sRlBQkiSJnhZ0Zyq73tlMn2C6ZZdukSH_-LV2N3FgpFN8m5RFI58ikrtCpJMOvlJwXO5OHl83vCeOTDSXCesxzesnJVzXwTQ_duyymmo-ZfyRz/s400/104-DSC9353_21176-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper loading his trailer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ruth LaBarge is Mother Bear to this family of stars. She has raised and trained them from before their eyes were open. Ruth has been training animals for more than 40 years. She is gentle and very caring while using positive reinforcement and treats to extract bear's true desire to do good work. Ruth trains other animals as well. She has had cougars, horses, dogs, porcupines and skunks as well as other bears that have passed on. Her kids were raised around animals of all types and their Sunday outings often included hunting for baby skunks in old dumps or searching for baby porcupines. They raised, trained and showed horses for many years and travelled the USA and Canada doing shows or movies.<br />
Ruth told me about chasing a skunk one time in hopes of capturing it. "I had a system," she explained, "but someone forgot to tell the skunk." She grabbed the skunk as it was running away and it "shot me a full load, right in the face. I had to ride home in the back of the truck, Tomato juice did nothing and there were no commercial solutions to de-skunk me. I finally washed myself in gasoline and it took several days before I didn't stink too bad."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xbqz9hi1aYDuEFqEMaQwPjnFteuGoOGBRLmZVBRKRtVUKcq8aSjIT-n7Sj5Fm485MjIx9r4uX7v6_DdVX7Fjj6IJ2QsmPWGw7YLZK8x_pQYDvMum6jT18jAhpHMJfwtmXOj-CT26DEO/s1600/104-DSC9617_21322-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7xbqz9hi1aYDuEFqEMaQwPjnFteuGoOGBRLmZVBRKRtVUKcq8aSjIT-n7Sj5Fm485MjIx9r4uX7v6_DdVX7Fjj6IJ2QsmPWGw7YLZK8x_pQYDvMum6jT18jAhpHMJfwtmXOj-CT26DEO/s400/104-DSC9617_21322-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth and Skunk entering Ontario</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Whoopper is the largest bear standing eight feet tall and weighs about 1400 pounds. He is a dedicated and versatile actor with many movies and commercials to his credit. Anchorman, Last Trapper, Grizzly Falls as well as Samsung Washing Machine, American Express and many more commercials.<br />
<br /> Betty is Whooper's sister born in 1998 and she stands about six feet six inches weighing about 850 pounds. She also has many movies and commercials to her credit such as Anchorman, Grizzly Falls, Dr. Doolittle and Budlight, Pepsi and Rice Krispies.<br />
<br />
Ursula is the oldest bear born in 1993. She stands about seven feet tall and weighs about 1000 pounds. True Heart, Vikings, Ethan Allan Furniture, Twinkies and many more commercials are amongst her many credits.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ0F710Lqt9ifv8mjVctltAf_zOA6Bud3uOx3mcW0g8F7z3pzF3dvhRV0k6xUXH3XoQBAL0L8FbB5U3d9JLrMy7-LnGNngSFf_BXTN22i_btgA2xMy6BhyphenhyphenVpTJ7xyOwUkp7NvZXApX1Qj/s1600/104-DSC9383_21198-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ0F710Lqt9ifv8mjVctltAf_zOA6Bud3uOx3mcW0g8F7z3pzF3dvhRV0k6xUXH3XoQBAL0L8FbB5U3d9JLrMy7-LnGNngSFf_BXTN22i_btgA2xMy6BhyphenhyphenVpTJ7xyOwUkp7NvZXApX1Qj/s400/104-DSC9383_21198-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ursula enjoying final rest under her favourite tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Bonkers is the gentle Black Bear standing about six feet and weighing around 650 pounds. He starred in Jungle Book, Gentle Ben, Brokeback Mountain and General Hospital.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsZeSxRoNDvJB5DibCkON_dlUmsF13rirDKLiQuLIkJebmCm3HLcmzMUjnlUIH_vCfEuBe-Gd7e8afc8tZqhA_6s-ZAhaZqlnLLYTouC-1xes_86SOzRyQ6Gl1WoZgPrTRiQQyivsQTFO/s1600/104-DSC9361_21183-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsZeSxRoNDvJB5DibCkON_dlUmsF13rirDKLiQuLIkJebmCm3HLcmzMUjnlUIH_vCfEuBe-Gd7e8afc8tZqhA_6s-ZAhaZqlnLLYTouC-1xes_86SOzRyQ6Gl1WoZgPrTRiQQyivsQTFO/s400/104-DSC9361_21183-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonkers being bribed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Each of the professional bears has many talents including snarling, teeth showing, standing on marks, throwing things, some can be ridden, some can be hugged or sat beside.<br />
<br />
We loaded onto our trailers with the setting sun on March 31. Early next morning we headed east into an Albertan big sky sunrise. By the end of the day we had travelled more than 1000 kilometres to Moosomin, Saskatchewan. After feeding and watering everyone settled down for a fast sleep. The following day we travelled through water logged Manitoba where large snowdrifts were still piled into shelter belts and along the shady side of buildings. Some silt-laden rivers are roaring bank full north toward Hudson Bay.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffvCFY_rlyEWz3EmqK4zNTAT4Hr78Szlgz3s07v0Sre8tDJKYwryvEs_Gx2QvfNmlQ8Xhjdx2kVStQMFl122q6chCHQHPmGnL3rT64gGAZQBGCxxTgZUpeh6CD1YZlXmMV0GK7_krBIIz/s1600/104-DSC9661_21356-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffvCFY_rlyEWz3EmqK4zNTAT4Hr78Szlgz3s07v0Sre8tDJKYwryvEs_Gx2QvfNmlQ8Xhjdx2kVStQMFl122q6chCHQHPmGnL3rT64gGAZQBGCxxTgZUpeh6CD1YZlXmMV0GK7_krBIIz/s400/104-DSC9661_21356-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /> After another long day travelling more than one thousand kilometres we pulled into one of Ruth's friends riding stable at Thunder Bay, Ontario. All critters were fed and watered and bedded down. A fine kitchen racket accompanied great food and some drinks. Every bed and couch was filled by sleeping drivers and navigators. In the morning a few good friends showed up to have photos taken with some of the menagerie. We toured the stable and admired many spectacular show horses. It was late morning before we headed toward Cochrane, Ontario. The fourth day we finally ended up at the Papanack Zoo after supper. After travelling more than 3500 kms. everyone was happy to reach their destination. It is a big and diverse country that we drove through; Rolling and flat prairies, Canadian Shield and forests interspersed by rivers, lakes and potholes as well as small towns, cities and diverse peoples.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GvWEWPttykjDencEXZE27IkOy8rvV_94LbvwHj27nJ49yihSn-pzktXyTo_QkLPKx2dMtz5W22YhQQ99Ogczis3Y1KN4vaOFWur1HV8jxBJdK0bu28CvohaESo3ZnOlaJ6T7CEQDh__c/s1600/104-DSC9449_21229-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GvWEWPttykjDencEXZE27IkOy8rvV_94LbvwHj27nJ49yihSn-pzktXyTo_QkLPKx2dMtz5W22YhQQ99Ogczis3Y1KN4vaOFWur1HV8jxBJdK0bu28CvohaESo3ZnOlaJ6T7CEQDh__c/s400/104-DSC9449_21229-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobble head bear enjoying Canadian scenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The bears were very happy to get out of their mobile homes to roll in a mud puddle and explore their new digs. They don't seem to mind where they are at as long as Momma Grizz is nearby.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bearwithus.biz/">www.bearwithus.biz</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-24782124370463109992017-01-27T15:48:00.001-08:002017-01-27T15:48:25.078-08:00Beauty of Hoar Frost As a reward for suffering through several days of depressing fog, the sun threw back its foggy blanket revealing a crystalline coating of white brilliance covering the landscape. Every blade of grass, tree limb, fence line or machine was covered by a thick white garland of hoarfrost. Each icy crystal glistened as the sun reflected off each facet, In some places it seemed too thick and heavy to be true. The whole country was covered by it, like a blanket of snow, but not. The land looks clean and bright after the dullness of the past few days. Optimism abounds once again. The land is coming back to life as the sunshine predicts warmer weather, bad news for the hoar frost. Already I see crystals falling ground ward, nudged on by light breezes that are helping to warm the land. By days end, all branches and stalks are free of their frosty covering, revealing their true skeletal formations.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgPezkn64jrxK21et3D8D-_Bvrp2yk0-iXuCvawUxhfsAM7Hqxm8R_zNIYxkEgn_UJPulz9kvgcmErLABwL0awHTSE4dnymHarEIX7IGgv5HWBMQ-Q-KqcuHJpp2c4ym3Kis2NI937eQU/s1600/101-DSC8784_20666-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgPezkn64jrxK21et3D8D-_Bvrp2yk0-iXuCvawUxhfsAM7Hqxm8R_zNIYxkEgn_UJPulz9kvgcmErLABwL0awHTSE4dnymHarEIX7IGgv5HWBMQ-Q-KqcuHJpp2c4ym3Kis2NI937eQU/s400/101-DSC8784_20666-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunburst Through Aspen Forest<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I marvel at the beauty as I travel down one of the frosty roads in Elk Island National Park looking for elusive bison or deer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJWtVFelJXWWoyAu96aNfs0sw8YmwYXH6r7wXcS2Z9qiubXuydJyL3JggaT2SetL5NXdnEzC8hSQ5zWWeKgq1R55RRfMR49b9WtAFQEayv_syWeMd9l5GhSCZ84HMa9EC8DIUh-xaDrZR/s1600/101-DSC8775_20659-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJWtVFelJXWWoyAu96aNfs0sw8YmwYXH6r7wXcS2Z9qiubXuydJyL3JggaT2SetL5NXdnEzC8hSQ5zWWeKgq1R55RRfMR49b9WtAFQEayv_syWeMd9l5GhSCZ84HMa9EC8DIUh-xaDrZR/s400/101-DSC8775_20659-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every Tree is Lined by a Thick Coating of Hoar Frost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I spot a couple of bison as I travel down the highway. They are still in the fog but it is lifting and the fence is very well defined by a thick coating of frost.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHxkjIvzqJp5jTdmJOfSuBHuofvHKlaL-37uq4IUP07ed0fT5uIylCrVdmkE511UfKb0x7hwOnDA0R2az8QC69l7R5Hs-lVdcvyZUcARH34lQMAQzu3sZ9ppEiQSu01g8m84aDYC_tgh1/s1600/101-DSC8727_20612-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHxkjIvzqJp5jTdmJOfSuBHuofvHKlaL-37uq4IUP07ed0fT5uIylCrVdmkE511UfKb0x7hwOnDA0R2az8QC69l7R5Hs-lVdcvyZUcARH34lQMAQzu3sZ9ppEiQSu01g8m84aDYC_tgh1/s400/101-DSC8727_20612-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peering Through the Fence at Grazing Bison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Further into the park I see a Mule Deer doe with a pair of last springs fawns. They are browsing and resting amongst frosty willows.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnS_PJ2UxJO_DXXF8ajBooMUDwP4gOL9tqPy49aq035wp3IkvknBe9td7YX_ozZWjlng9kSY6U5u8FsmAJ2GNOvpn_hC9UDck8UYDJ5efX5MSM57Uc3bxpH4_kXGBQrFt_NxrJIJgZWnY/s1600/101-DSC8840_20721-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnS_PJ2UxJO_DXXF8ajBooMUDwP4gOL9tqPy49aq035wp3IkvknBe9td7YX_ozZWjlng9kSY6U5u8FsmAJ2GNOvpn_hC9UDck8UYDJ5efX5MSM57Uc3bxpH4_kXGBQrFt_NxrJIJgZWnY/s400/101-DSC8840_20721-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule Deer Doe Browsing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk3RJmPQx9HFanG-7Yb2MrWwPMMj8sp7c-8piqkXBGZ9ZMQ4dL-S0AcnthHjgOcPXrc9penymO_NxTE5NzaADnZR8jqnWmDZPPKZcmgr2-xkTG6RrsQITTbBp0pVAbq4bea0SeffXuAUl/s1600/101-DSC8859_20740-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk3RJmPQx9HFanG-7Yb2MrWwPMMj8sp7c-8piqkXBGZ9ZMQ4dL-S0AcnthHjgOcPXrc9penymO_NxTE5NzaADnZR8jqnWmDZPPKZcmgr2-xkTG6RrsQITTbBp0pVAbq4bea0SeffXuAUl/s400/101-DSC8859_20740-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I Lay Still You Can't See Me Cud Chewing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I leave the park travelling the back roads through farm country. Even the old machinery and buildings have attracted a thick layer of frost.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQybyZLTEIWWyKpIeNqnuOTmz6fMka0XV1l1c-WcwIMyyU30gFG5tdKRNO1Bq_YeT-JnbFQd7FvXuV_IoRSk_tUwDCiwfutCUyLKLFopMTlB9T5A62EDLZyy8jpLT5K6_EFi7W3JypEdaZ/s1600/101-DSC8710_20595-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQybyZLTEIWWyKpIeNqnuOTmz6fMka0XV1l1c-WcwIMyyU30gFG5tdKRNO1Bq_YeT-JnbFQd7FvXuV_IoRSk_tUwDCiwfutCUyLKLFopMTlB9T5A62EDLZyy8jpLT5K6_EFi7W3JypEdaZ/s400/101-DSC8710_20595-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse Drawn Dump Rake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK29xXXHLng25TvYdkBHd8lYRRlai6ClY7nRTkcWgu179N0P_BPTUWclxhgJIAhAzfnYKFEM7ErGSs2vK0NQqGvSVTldM5aywWwQNOSvL9JfC-NaBEY2yoftop_7O9Lgf1lENFwCOcEtxd/s1600/101-DSC8719_20604-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK29xXXHLng25TvYdkBHd8lYRRlai6ClY7nRTkcWgu179N0P_BPTUWclxhgJIAhAzfnYKFEM7ErGSs2vK0NQqGvSVTldM5aywWwQNOSvL9JfC-NaBEY2yoftop_7O9Lgf1lENFwCOcEtxd/s400/101-DSC8719_20604-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tractor Drawn Wheel Rake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The beauty of the frosty landscape is a wonderment of beauty seen a couple times each year. It is rare enough in this region to be enjoyed and marvelled at each time it happens. I do not always have the time to get out to enjoy it at the right time, but this was pretty good. We live in a beautiful world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca </a>Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-81026862582357884642016-12-28T17:20:00.000-08:002016-12-28T17:20:00.191-08:00Weekend of Owls<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Owls have always
been a mysterious fascination for me. I think that it may be because of their
mysterious lifestyle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past few
days I enjoyed photographing several snowy owls as well as one Great-horned
owl. I also spent time just watching them as they sat, all-knowing on their varied
perches. Most of the snowy owls sat on tall roosts such as power-poles, barn
roofs or fence posts. Two sat in the field, half buried in snow. Perhaps they
had caught their mousy meal already and were waiting for me to move along so
they could enjoy their lunch in peace. Each owl sat motionless with hooded
eyes, with only their head swiveling to show life. They can turn their heads a
full circle, or 360 degrees but rarely do so. Most often they swivel up to 270
degrees or a ¾ turn. Humans can only do 180 degrees maximum. Owls can also do a
full 180 degree tilt up and down, Their eyes do not move in their socket like
ours do. Less body movement makes owls less likely to be noticed by potential
prey.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHYMvpiX0x4ubG6SSasKNDLkUk1rnwdoM_FlD0ANulJd0jxJ7XSyJT9X-ug2_TTZxdwb0UZCV-mLDYjzPfFalLUxShyW3_72oh_Tbka6boi_cxd2CI_KVz-8k4HghzrzY-yHQ6w2P5RXk/s1600/99-DSC8320_20209-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHYMvpiX0x4ubG6SSasKNDLkUk1rnwdoM_FlD0ANulJd0jxJ7XSyJT9X-ug2_TTZxdwb0UZCV-mLDYjzPfFalLUxShyW3_72oh_Tbka6boi_cxd2CI_KVz-8k4HghzrzY-yHQ6w2P5RXk/s400/99-DSC8320_20209-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Snowy Owl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the hungry
owl spots a meal, they lift off very quickly and glide down on muffled wings to
silently grab their unsuspecting prey. Mice, shrews, lemmings, squirrels, voles,
rabbits, hares, ducks, as well as smaller birds are all potential prey. They
hunt from perches or by gliding over open fields and meadows or ponds. Some
hunt in the forest as well. The great-horned owl often take prey such as
squirrels, grouse and hares in forest landscapes. Owl nests have been known to
contain pet collars as well, so mind your small dogs and cats when walking or
playing outdoors. They all have tremendous eyesight and hearing as well. We
used to watch Great Grey owls swoop off the tops of poplar trees and plummet into
two feet of snow after invisible mice rustling around in their snow covered
lairs more than 50 meters away. The great grey could pin-point and grasp that
mouse using only mouse-rustling sound directed into their facial disc ears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One owl sat on
the peak of a granary while a pigeon, a potential meal, sat watchfully in the
auger hole of the neighboring granary, hoping not to become the meal.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPvKNkZd1_edwHkEbx4Mu95VRzDZ7SLF2emz2N0xZyyHPj1Kp5JC-GSk12UbXuW7oJ3GFQnixK2CRlFqQXsVMINhXwPAJszn8P7iyCb5owgthzxojoR5SK8g-XMzXEMYlVLtZZKIOL-Yc/s1600/99-DSC8261_20150-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPvKNkZd1_edwHkEbx4Mu95VRzDZ7SLF2emz2N0xZyyHPj1Kp5JC-GSk12UbXuW7oJ3GFQnixK2CRlFqQXsVMINhXwPAJszn8P7iyCb5owgthzxojoR5SK8g-XMzXEMYlVLtZZKIOL-Yc/s400/99-DSC8261_20150-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl on Granary While Pigeon Watches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snowy owls have
been quite common over the past few years far south of their normal range. This
southern irruption is due to healthy owl populations in the far northern
nesting grounds. Come winter time, they have been migrating south in search of
food on the prairies and even along the sea shore. While down in more populated
regions of the country photographers and owl watchers have enjoyed great
viewing and photo opportunities which may also put some stress on the birds.
Generally, they are quite skittish if we get too close to their roost. Some
will tolerate us within 50 to 100 meters or so but many will flush when you get that
close so they are using up valuable body fat and calories needed to survive. It
is a good idea to allow them to relax and watch from a comfortable distance. Use
good binoculars or a telephoto lens to get closer looks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJzpvSp0FKo5mOCd7aNG7Hhoh9laXPuAyKGm_rPsR-avqaWnx1aGYLXeCWZXVz2ZmsRGkXVyAJ8fTHsPgvFW90iCaKTwbJSzEicOi73oUsjxrfKmY7RcPEMnjJJ_wK2qXru39EosqEOlz/s1600/99-DSC8142_20031-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJzpvSp0FKo5mOCd7aNG7Hhoh9laXPuAyKGm_rPsR-avqaWnx1aGYLXeCWZXVz2ZmsRGkXVyAJ8fTHsPgvFW90iCaKTwbJSzEicOi73oUsjxrfKmY7RcPEMnjJJ_wK2qXru39EosqEOlz/s400/99-DSC8142_20031-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl Watched by Cows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally, males
are whiter than females and the older they get the more white they are. Older adult
males will have very little black barring in their plumage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also enjoyed
spending time with a young Great-horned owl that likes to hide out in my brother’s
windbreak. His lighter colored plumage indicates his young age but not sex.
Unlike the day-time hunting snowy owl, the Great-horned owl prefers hunting at
night or in early dawn or dusk. The GHO prefers to roost and sleep the day away
from pestering crows, magpies or threatened song birds. He may also carry part
of his latest meal to his roost for a snack later in the day. I once saw one
carry half of a snowshoe hare to his day time roost.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lJSCLPQadWeWwOqkDRrKgRhZZPv_IXJnreb2PRFyKVz63V3V5XRXDl8qvMNqeCgUKxPiJeg-iNJhlofcaE5j697shqLfGxrxQ8gktlhM68USI_UPX2pe2e2NVF3vjl6cjWOgAcdH3UqQ/s1600/99-DSC8217_20106-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lJSCLPQadWeWwOqkDRrKgRhZZPv_IXJnreb2PRFyKVz63V3V5XRXDl8qvMNqeCgUKxPiJeg-iNJhlofcaE5j697shqLfGxrxQ8gktlhM68USI_UPX2pe2e2NVF3vjl6cjWOgAcdH3UqQ/s400/99-DSC8217_20106-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owl Roost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While out hunting
for owls or other birds there is always the chance of seeing other wildlife and
spectacular scenery. This weekend was no exception. Several herds of deer
were together, accompanied by bucks in hopes of catching a doe in heat. It is past the rutting season but there may be a chance that a doe did not
catch the first time in heat.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwQF8qtHtUYnJCRTAjuFRix1mKw14Csq0M89OxvDPLnwOv1E7noCNfm9d6pHCNtKXgn4TmXWMCHqjBY06iU4GbFYgDT31umd2jsie5K3YODK2PsqDnIxAfyWxTaQG03EBbf2ZcgywLMmY/s1600/99-DSC8071_19960-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwQF8qtHtUYnJCRTAjuFRix1mKw14Csq0M89OxvDPLnwOv1E7noCNfm9d6pHCNtKXgn4TmXWMCHqjBY06iU4GbFYgDT31umd2jsie5K3YODK2PsqDnIxAfyWxTaQG03EBbf2ZcgywLMmY/s400/99-DSC8071_19960-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule Deer Watching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also enjoyed a
welcome Chinook as its warm wind swept across the prairie. The temperature
warmed up by more than 20 degrees overnight after the snowstorm and chill of
the past few days. We could see the clear blue Chinook arch hanging above
the mountains to the west chasing the grey cloud cover east. Wind picked up
causing drifting along fence lines and ditches as well as chasing snow snakes
across the highway.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvckPeVJr0LOMjsQgddPi-nTq6cfciyXj8Nh3cNrjHmUfmAsYo8fpJ0sldGlEgmdjRrf4ZOu-8IBNRflMXXJPcprUc1UF51ptOq8ylSyjQqLk-3T5FCxIHsNNAKalM5oLSOEIFV2eMI7t/s1600/99-DSC8326_20215-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvckPeVJr0LOMjsQgddPi-nTq6cfciyXj8Nh3cNrjHmUfmAsYo8fpJ0sldGlEgmdjRrf4ZOu-8IBNRflMXXJPcprUc1UF51ptOq8ylSyjQqLk-3T5FCxIHsNNAKalM5oLSOEIFV2eMI7t/s400/99-DSC8326_20215-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinook Arch to the West</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Owls are beautiful
and magnificent predators and rare birds to see, so enjoy it when you do. Take
time to enjoy the scenery and other wildlife, especially when the weather is so
pleasant.</div>
Relax yourself and enjoy the
experience of owl watching. <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a> </div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-10135551942097108742016-11-29T16:40:00.002-08:002016-11-29T16:40:42.714-08:00Another Moosey Day The snow is very crunchy as I walk through the mature aspen forest. It is a crispy -4 degrees and the fog is just lifting with a promise of blue skies and light wind. Hoar frost clings and sparkles from every branch and rose bush thorn. I am hoping to photograph a moose in the hoar frost. Got to have a goal, eh?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMGTcaxzNKhF7gJ29U509Ykr24DVcrlJJHUC6_T9VhOHF6WkdQec3DKFemIRZlD0DJOWSmtEr-2V1tWgL_ySUnjJV2s23NfbZq9MxrsDqBIpKpJSv_Ywu4LtLi6Zjop_j5gvZXFSvxGzb/s1600/97-DSC7821_19712-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMGTcaxzNKhF7gJ29U509Ykr24DVcrlJJHUC6_T9VhOHF6WkdQec3DKFemIRZlD0DJOWSmtEr-2V1tWgL_ySUnjJV2s23NfbZq9MxrsDqBIpKpJSv_Ywu4LtLi6Zjop_j5gvZXFSvxGzb/s400/97-DSC7821_19712-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosted Ginseng</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I head southeast down the trail the sun tries to peak through the fog and into the forest depths. It is low at this time of year; never clearing the tree tops and glares right into my eyes and camera lens. In the distance I can hear a loud tap, tap,tap on a dead tree. I pause as I try to locate the tapper.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzxrv9h9TDfZORT-mZk0Un50UlniiZT6-XMpuYjogx84XTlkgE1DK7rXDa5rnwMPTYkGHvwQh5L6oTdfCczRdC57-z-tnjlZe_wOBYymer4yp0szMAy271duJGIgSre-CN-y8xdmv8g3X/s1600/_76-DSC4152_16560-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzxrv9h9TDfZORT-mZk0Un50UlniiZT6-XMpuYjogx84XTlkgE1DK7rXDa5rnwMPTYkGHvwQh5L6oTdfCczRdC57-z-tnjlZe_wOBYymer4yp0szMAy271duJGIgSre-CN-y8xdmv8g3X/s400/_76-DSC4152_16560-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapping Pileated Woodpecker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Eventually a Pileated woodpecker is revealed. It is a large, colourful bird with a very distinctive flight pattern that I recognise as it dips and dives toward a new tree. They are often very skittish. I wander on and enjoy the morning. It is so peaceful and quiet except for my crunching shoes in the snow. I will never sneak up on a moose with this racket. Even a bison hears me and takes off .<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sQEN2PXwK-1NnDn9gJ9pX8rCLZlqD3x-Bi-DjCtf2RHhrgi_o63ocijFC_m_a8Sq_i_frOVdZ8eHHRVbIc44i3-efQWiIA5u7sxlXeYA_szGdudYMZvDt7pYHm1mD-iLm_jhlzgsR5rv/s1600/97-DSC7790_19683-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sQEN2PXwK-1NnDn9gJ9pX8rCLZlqD3x-Bi-DjCtf2RHhrgi_o63ocijFC_m_a8Sq_i_frOVdZ8eHHRVbIc44i3-efQWiIA5u7sxlXeYA_szGdudYMZvDt7pYHm1mD-iLm_jhlzgsR5rv/s400/97-DSC7790_19683-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchful Wood Bison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I enjoy many of the plants that are frosted heavily and eventually wander onto a ridge overlooking a small lake. It is dotted with muskrat push-ups and still has a narrow strip of open water. I watch in the distance as a pair of bald eagles fly beyond the horizon. I enjoy sitting here on the edge of a well used buffalo wallow overlooking the scenery absorbing the peacefulness of the world in this quiet spot. It is hard to imagine that 20 miles away is a big city with over a million people struggling for survival.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pmDnq5YgSIV9HqQ3WFx5Q4s02D89C2KqMgkAsFOX9g8uQOgsuRZnCiTuL-rhxr6qA96ZanueE1mRi53_9BQTeXXcSaMCFgUmGyfrNOO14cjDpGqfbKg4t6eTb3nadlU5OrNZaH57oeIk/s1600/97-DSC7829_19720-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pmDnq5YgSIV9HqQ3WFx5Q4s02D89C2KqMgkAsFOX9g8uQOgsuRZnCiTuL-rhxr6qA96ZanueE1mRi53_9BQTeXXcSaMCFgUmGyfrNOO14cjDpGqfbKg4t6eTb3nadlU5OrNZaH57oeIk/s400/97-DSC7829_19720-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty Lake Shore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is a different kind of survival, a more basic type of life and death survival of the fittest and the aware. Even though I am in Elk Island National Park, the wildlife don't know what that means.They rely upon their natural wits to survive and I am a potential predator to them. I am not natural to their world. They may be familiar with my shape but I am not a natural addition to their forest habitat. I am noisy, I am clumsy, I stink and I look and act oddly. I point my large eye at them which makes them nervous. They all pay particular attention and monitor my where-a bouts and actions. All I can do is walk slowly and try not to appear too predatorial. They know I am here.<br />
<br />
I leave the viewpoint heading back into the forest. It is a very mature aspen forest that is heavily browsed by moose,deer,elk and bison. There is very little chance for new aspen to grow beyond the reach of the tall browsers. Most of the underbrush consists of raspberry canes, rose bushes and cropped off aspen. Plenty of sunlight penetrates the thinning aspen as they mature and get blown over. They are tall for this region; probably 70 feet or so. Most aspen around here is the Parkland type that grows very short and stunted. There are plenty of rotten snags and blow-down which I climb over. They provide nice resting spots for tired legs and aching back also.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc7XzU5G84UN52tGkvV7MfaWaxmjFjsBq5eSWS9rMV4DwghbIYDW6BV17YKqeKW2-Nlq55Ip8X161gBLmyzR3x6O9Jt4tdcN_s9MVtL3QqIBjuINBbgw14DX8hJvtuMRq0PdjxrOBtFW9/s1600/97-DSC7765_19658-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc7XzU5G84UN52tGkvV7MfaWaxmjFjsBq5eSWS9rMV4DwghbIYDW6BV17YKqeKW2-Nlq55Ip8X161gBLmyzR3x6O9Jt4tdcN_s9MVtL3QqIBjuINBbgw14DX8hJvtuMRq0PdjxrOBtFW9/s400/97-DSC7765_19658-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watchful Cow Moose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As I walk I pause and watch often. I see a cow moose in the distance, just her head poking through the trees watching me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1u0OtB79YtnQV-HWsQre1EEjuTo2oaJaQR2TEeNbpF3MvWNlT8lt87vfSk4QcTNC470hQZMXrEWQqPaCdjO2xqyHmPVvlyYip2RtBo6koGJVgFbKplar-59IoletahqQ8aDwBNWn9fVt/s1600/97-DSC7902_19792-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1u0OtB79YtnQV-HWsQre1EEjuTo2oaJaQR2TEeNbpF3MvWNlT8lt87vfSk4QcTNC470hQZMXrEWQqPaCdjO2xqyHmPVvlyYip2RtBo6koGJVgFbKplar-59IoletahqQ8aDwBNWn9fVt/s400/97-DSC7902_19792-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rutting Bull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A little further there is a bull watching but he is distracted by something else. It is a cow that must be in oestrus. I watch him as he is not letting her get too far away. She must not have caught during her first heat and is now coming on again.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHsR_HAQqlFveruysFRa27_NGTZwz36N1SR15hJzwhyYRa7UUeewAmfxZuchO9gdoFh9T2BPpmaXI7olpsLs01IqQdbW0nMmEOwTSvy6bIsEMa-TERRG48_s6degFt87jsCBUP20-GQJT/s1600/97-DSC7873_19763-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHsR_HAQqlFveruysFRa27_NGTZwz36N1SR15hJzwhyYRa7UUeewAmfxZuchO9gdoFh9T2BPpmaXI7olpsLs01IqQdbW0nMmEOwTSvy6bIsEMa-TERRG48_s6degFt87jsCBUP20-GQJT/s400/97-DSC7873_19763-4.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browsing Bull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I see a pair of antlers and a moose lying on the edge of a small marsh. He is watching me carefully as I approach. I am sure he is the same moose that I saw and photographed a week or so ago. He is very tolerant but I take my time getting to a blown down tree upon which I sit. He has a hole through his right antler which I recognise. He gets up and begins his noon time lunch. For half an hour he browses upon tender aspen shoots and then he casually lays down and begins to chew his cud. I am only a few feet away but he is unconcerned. I snap a few more pictures and then take my leave with thanks. I am honoured to have this opportunity once again. I am humbled by his acceptance of me in this wilderness setting. Thank you.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3BQ0z0wDY0ERdE1tdedU1G_C7501C1BNuKOw3cQ-3eonCqN20g3cpkzllRX0FRdRn14ruMkoBQCEYnDuVsF-XLQQM8kaFjCHmvBqEw-HV6GfE7DUt_PTI1QBWq5zqpBvNm5a6LedtEJ/s1600/97-DSC7888_19778-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt3BQ0z0wDY0ERdE1tdedU1G_C7501C1BNuKOw3cQ-3eonCqN20g3cpkzllRX0FRdRn14ruMkoBQCEYnDuVsF-XLQQM8kaFjCHmvBqEw-HV6GfE7DUt_PTI1QBWq5zqpBvNm5a6LedtEJ/s400/97-DSC7888_19778-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Ease</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a>Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-87446906557891514562016-11-14T10:16:00.000-08:002016-11-14T10:16:02.724-08:00Moosey Type of Day I thought I was treading softly and quietly through the grass and bramble shin-tangle toward a couple of bull moose that are browsing about 200 meters away in the mature aspen forest but I wasn't. Within a few steps, they take off at a brisk pace and out of sight. I carry on with faint hopes of possibly catching up but fail to see another until I almost step on him. He is suddenly standing right in front of me having been aroused from his afternoon slumber in a quiet grassy hollow. We stand stock still and analyse each others intent and then relax.<br />
I cautiously step back a couple of steps and snap a couple of photos while he stares me down with mild curiosity. Wanting to appear harmless and relaxed, I sit down on the wet ground and take a few more photos after adjusting my camera. He turns his back to me and stares off into the forest, ears cocked to what only he can hear. I move a couple of steps away to a fallen aspen tree and sit down more comfortably. His ear flicks in my direction and I can see him surreptitiously watching me from the back corner of one eye.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxfwl9xU1202PDlTCJR_6Gc9oIiXUE8tNa-_zbMWoFeflRe4ahmYfxGvZWPEPn8PiSTgHwzvWbybGhNBpoHSvp7xnri4z2xShfv3eUy0zpmusOzJaWDjRr1OUCF4N_yB_ifaBULT88Z7x/s1600/_DSC7313_19469-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxfwl9xU1202PDlTCJR_6Gc9oIiXUE8tNa-_zbMWoFeflRe4ahmYfxGvZWPEPn8PiSTgHwzvWbybGhNBpoHSvp7xnri4z2xShfv3eUy0zpmusOzJaWDjRr1OUCF4N_yB_ifaBULT88Z7x/s400/_DSC7313_19469-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Browsing Bull Moose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The sun is bright and warm for the 13th of November here in central Alberta instead of cold and snow covered as it should normally be. The aspen forest has long lost its leafy foliage which lay matted on the ground, silenced by last nights rainfall. It is mid afternoon and the autumn sun sits low in the southern sky with a slight whisper of breeze wafting my scent directly toward the bull. Deep in the distant forest, I hear a woodpecker tapping his exploratory notes on a dead tree as the bull begins to munch his cud.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLps7FH_iTcU9jKqC1BEtYOvMHziiBvoYhbxLC42Ckz7X6hNCOwwHX7a_sZQwV7ydkfXFUBdOGrm_thZPigGQaGJe4xPeXB9iDu6-1nr1c8oEen3ag7r31UrWp56QzxErjmr_bne6Tf0E/s1600/_DSC7270_19426-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLps7FH_iTcU9jKqC1BEtYOvMHziiBvoYhbxLC42Ckz7X6hNCOwwHX7a_sZQwV7ydkfXFUBdOGrm_thZPigGQaGJe4xPeXB9iDu6-1nr1c8oEen3ag7r31UrWp56QzxErjmr_bne6Tf0E/s400/_DSC7270_19426-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bull Moose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I take out an apple that I carry for my snack and begin chewing on that. He turns around to face me as if I invited him to afternoon lunch. He steps closer to me and begins to nip off some tender shoots of aspen about 10 feet away. I bite and chew as he nips and chews like we are taking tea together. Never have I been in such privileged company. For over an hour we dine and chat as the sun slowly settles toward the south western horizon. I have an hour to walk out of the bush so I finally bid him good-bye thanking him profusely for his gracious company. This is one of those unforgettable days that I am so thankful for. It brings us down to what is really important and meaningful in our busy lives. Two diverse species, possible predator and prey sitting down for lunch without fear enjoying each others company.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYp2_a1n886yW21krZ1i5HkS4_u9X12eql2oxJnQ2LuHNphd1unpzm2feWcuVRfiTwKkOHo8RRohMneU_ftQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-33364341030278377002016-10-16T06:39:00.000-07:002016-10-16T06:39:33.397-07:00Back Seat Action<div class="MsoNormal">
I drove away from
the ritzy downtown hotel with my elderly guests and within about thirty
seconds, I could fell movement from the back seat. There was some groaning and
grunting as well as heavy breathing. Then there seemed to be sounds of
exasperation and impatience but being the gentleman I am, I did not look back
to see what might be happening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was driving a happy
couple to their fifty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration at a posh hotel in
downtown last night. On the way to their celebration, she nattered on about the
weather, the news and other polite subjects. I asked, “What was your wedding
day like?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was pleased
to recall in her mellowed but obvious English accent: “It was 1961 when we were
married in the Lake District of England and it was a beautiful day, sunny, warm
and everything was perfect. Then we honeymooned in London. The hotel was grand,
we went to the opera and a show and just wandered downtown. We ate delicious
food and it was all very nice and we had a grand time.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I picked them up
after their supper a little after nine and they both slid, or shall I say
manoeuvred themselves into the back seat of their sedan, a favoured position for
lovers as I can recall from my youth. He is right handed so he took the
passenger side and she took the seat behind me, the driver. He wore his grey
suit with dapper red tie and she wore a beautiful, but modest, knee high dress
with red jacket and accompanied jewellery. He is of medium height and slightly
overweight complete with thin comb-over and she is a tall, slender, beautifully coiffed and sophisticated proper English lady.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I drove I
could hear their frantic but excited directions; <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter, “Can you help me darling? Can you find it? Pull it out."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jean; “Yes, here it is.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter; “Lift it up, that’s it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jean; “Can you point it over here dear.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter groaning; “Twist it round?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jean impatiently; “Can you feel the slit?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter excitedly; “Oh yes, here it is. Can you lift up a bit?
Oh damn, I missed.” More grunting and thrashing around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I drove on with a grin on my face. I can just imagine the
frustration of it all in that tight backseat, and at their age.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jean: “Come on darling, try again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter; “Lift up and twist it round. Pull it sideways, that’s
it, I can feel it, aahhh, there it is if I can just push a little harder. I can
almost reach it now.” More grunting and heavy breathing and the car is shaking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly there is the sound of a “click” and a sigh of
relief. “There it is, we managed it. We got the seat belt attached.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I smiled with
relief as I was about to pullover to give them a hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What were you
thinking?<o:p></o:p></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-70269944124506274922016-08-01T14:42:00.001-07:002016-08-01T14:42:51.938-07:00North Saskatchewan River Trials<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week I heard about a heavy oil pipeline breech
that occurred along the North Saskatchewan River in Western Saskatchewan. This
spill is not that large in comparison to others but is estimated about 250,000 liters, equal to about two and a half rail cars or seven B-train truck loads. The main
problem with this spill is that it is close to the water intakes of several
cities and towns downstream. Water had to be shut off for the cities of North
Battleford and Prince Albert. This is a major disruption to businesses and
life-styles of the people in these cities and smaller towns. It may be weeks
before these water systems get back to normal. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ivVw2RMM8H5QQ3tBqMLHKaN38vLQIkpIlwQdWLgZfF3e7KYj1MLfH6GPQGScwiiluxzu6n7lJlBIgfGeYuQW4I28JtCaMwsnjlyRd-eH6d8vmK_RFQdy0UjZ5O1X4RXKqiJn3EWr_6fY/s1600/87-DSC5813_18014-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ivVw2RMM8H5QQ3tBqMLHKaN38vLQIkpIlwQdWLgZfF3e7KYj1MLfH6GPQGScwiiluxzu6n7lJlBIgfGeYuQW4I28JtCaMwsnjlyRd-eH6d8vmK_RFQdy0UjZ5O1X4RXKqiJn3EWr_6fY/s400/87-DSC5813_18014-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Saskatchewan River Near Oil Spill Location After 6 days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I drove out there
to see for myself what it looked like. I stopped at three different places
along the river, within a few miles of the leak. This is a slow paced, meandering
river, about 200 to 300 meters wide and dotted with islands and gravel and sand bars. It
is silt laden and at this time the river level has dropped from the higher levels
of a week ago due to heavy rain and warm weather melting snow pack in the
mountains. I could not see any evidence of an oil spill. The oily sheen on the
water shown on television reports is not apparent to me now. If I did not know
better I would not have believed that a heavy oil spill had happened just
upstream. There are still many people working on the river with boats, booms
and equipment of all sizes and shapes trying hard to recover as much oil as
possible.<o:p></o:p>I could not see any oil on the beach or smell any in the air. Husky oil is taking this spill very seriously.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduRIxGoGqCN3RLa0VsNBmtxoeJW3C0aEEvD_bX-2MHKT3YF3ks4GFyw73NdD-dzufMEduGIAWCKMjuAO6jSQ37d762bvijbXm9IFLIAOHxfSg666X1LwjtvUhKjW-zyF7M0m8zB-QGvPh/s1600/87-DSC5892_18091-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduRIxGoGqCN3RLa0VsNBmtxoeJW3C0aEEvD_bX-2MHKT3YF3ks4GFyw73NdD-dzufMEduGIAWCKMjuAO6jSQ37d762bvijbXm9IFLIAOHxfSg666X1LwjtvUhKjW-zyF7M0m8zB-QGvPh/s400/87-DSC5892_18091-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil Booms, Men and Equipment Working to Clean Up Oil Spill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know the
size of pipe that allowed the oil into the river or the pressure that the oil
moves through it. I don’t know how far from the breech that a shut-off valve is
located so whatever is in the pipe still has to drain through the break once
the valve is shut off. You can imagine how much oil might be in a pipe that is
36” or so in diameter and several miles from a shut off valve. All of these
stats will come out in the investigation into this incident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_20GhIJj93t7hst7hMT0petasHDF8c1QbtVci9tmbbEuCQGaKMr_gwsRuXSzgiPz9oMKWhgAg_HLuZz414FXBCy5-h5wKYPZDyoC_b2CSqI6xxkXBpI7LIqKEsJCjElZusmKlo8NoyWB/s1600/_DSC3927-web+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_20GhIJj93t7hst7hMT0petasHDF8c1QbtVci9tmbbEuCQGaKMr_gwsRuXSzgiPz9oMKWhgAg_HLuZz414FXBCy5-h5wKYPZDyoC_b2CSqI6xxkXBpI7LIqKEsJCjElZusmKlo8NoyWB/s400/_DSC3927-web+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abraham Lake in Winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The North Saskatchewan River begins its
prairie meandering from the Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, drip by drop
from the Rocky Mountain Icefields and snow pack. It is fed by numerous
tributaries as it flows through the foothills and then into Abraham Lake backed
by the Bighorn Dam. From this dam the river continues its eastward trek through
Rocky Mountain House, past Devon then through Edmonton. It is contained within
a major river valley as it continues eastward into Saskatchewan and through
North Battleford then through Prince Albert before joining with the
South Saskatchewan River, about 1400 kilometres from its source. The combined rivers eventually flow into Tobin Lake and onwards to empty into Lake Winnipeg
which empties into Hudson Bay through the Nelson River system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trials of this
river system began over two hundred years ago with the fur trade, exploration
and settlement by the British and Hudson Bay Company. The river systems that
flow into Hudson Bay drain more than one third of Western Canada and were the
main highways and exploration routes toward the riches of the new land. Fur was
the hot commodity of the day especially beaver. Beaver were almost wiped out
due to high demands of the European fashion trade. Beaver pelts as well as
other furs such as wolf, lynx, and weasels were traded for beads, colourful
cloth, steel knives and axes, as well as muskets and powder which quickly had
the natives reliant upon these modern conveniences. Missionaries followed the fur trappers to
isolated regions in their attempts to convert and educate native people to
Christianity. Alcohol was added to the trade goods over time which did no good
at all for the traditional way of life for the native tribes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAYXSIWbn5okuxGRPEvp7BH5NvMSIkkJignJ3j7WQhTBJzsIkWhY1FwU1v2BZ1knRRlpQQOE2ajurpU9sWAlvDNobW1ymT9eSQLzAO3D6qR5f7icVX0aal6jqSOPgcuzdK2LjJ4pfxI2r/s1600/87-DSC5883_18082-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAYXSIWbn5okuxGRPEvp7BH5NvMSIkkJignJ3j7WQhTBJzsIkWhY1FwU1v2BZ1knRRlpQQOE2ajurpU9sWAlvDNobW1ymT9eSQLzAO3D6qR5f7icVX0aal6jqSOPgcuzdK2LjJ4pfxI2r/s400/87-DSC5883_18082-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westhazel School 1912 to 1958</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 150 years
ago the first settlers surged across the broad prairie landscape after escaping
Europe in search of free land and resources. Farmers turned over the rich and
diverse prairie in hopes of growing wheat. Spectacular forests were laid flat
and turned into lumber and railroad ties. As the railroad expanded westward it
carried floods of people searching for a new way of life far from the ravages
of crowded England and Europe. There was little thought given to the changing landscape.
Within a few years Bison herds were totally wiped out to make way for cattle
and fenced farmland. Less than a hundred years ago oil was discovered at Turner
Valley in Southern Alberta and then after the Second World War it was discovered
at Leduc, on the breaks of the North Saskatchewan River in central Alberta.
Since then there has been a constant and determined race to find and extract as
much oil and gas from the prairie and forested landscape of Alberta, Northern
B.C. and Saskatchewan as possible. Once the oil and gas has been found, it has
to be transported by truck, rail or pipeline to be refined and then distributed
to end users. In Canada it would be almost impossible to find anyone who does
not use oil products. Heat for our homes, fuel for our cars directly or through
the use of plastics, paints, preservatives, clothing and almost anything else
you can name. Oil products are also one of our main exports and tax bases which
fuel our vibrant economies and consumeristic lifestyles.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_TSQRLnR5x_oIelu4txtOFfiw8iJNRpcJ-wXaq2k2J2HlLiaKFDfUIRg4jbrPuxuLaAW7sPezdP9vDVL0wswrtOZUF_TR8n31cDFfvfse7Dcq0mrlv6c1L3AM19zTsZlPOIW-aIFyiaq/s1600/87-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_TSQRLnR5x_oIelu4txtOFfiw8iJNRpcJ-wXaq2k2J2HlLiaKFDfUIRg4jbrPuxuLaAW7sPezdP9vDVL0wswrtOZUF_TR8n31cDFfvfse7Dcq0mrlv6c1L3AM19zTsZlPOIW-aIFyiaq/s400/87-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rail versus Pipeline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forestry is another of the main industries
which we depend upon for employment and taxes. Vast tracts of Boreal forest is
harvested along the upper reaches of the North Saskatchewan River and its tributaries.
There is an ever increasing demand from the forest from home builders and pulp
and paper. Lumber, raw logs and pulp is exported around the world on the backs
of trucks, rail and shipping. In order to supply these demands, roads are bulldozed
into the wildlands and blocks of timber are cut down, dragged out then trucked
to mills for manufacture. As more and more timber is harvested, companies
expand into steeper and more rugged terrain. The more ground opened up, the
more strain is put on the landscape, the creeks and rivers as well as the
critters that live there. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuFvgLYka7H153JgZgvIi4uGYWHsFxfT4QWgYHWww3vlfu8PXetBooA2VZAhpv8_Of3E2KM6Cki44g4Rssd76VhnfJYwYuH5zGWaunOAL8QAtZz0wiq1Fc4ZlKYh2RoIrbvvJaKPk5_s2/s1600/_30-DSC3723_5764-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuFvgLYka7H153JgZgvIi4uGYWHsFxfT4QWgYHWww3vlfu8PXetBooA2VZAhpv8_Of3E2KM6Cki44g4Rssd76VhnfJYwYuH5zGWaunOAL8QAtZz0wiq1Fc4ZlKYh2RoIrbvvJaKPk5_s2/s400/_30-DSC3723_5764-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foothills Cut blocks Planted to Singular Species Pine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harvested trees are replaced with planted trees but
much of the rich natural diversity of the original forest takes years to be
restored. In some cases, newly planted cut blocks are sprayed with herbicides
to reduce grassy competition.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHgzKmlDds8pm4qPFMdmMCGxI_PkUrFMeh-5O-PWHUbGaR07Wdu8nwK1XWEOBhZIanV0bVkx_shBo23pc1juKTxzeo5lJ-jQuGFtl6DiyOMICMbsNI6bdmIpnFxl0xCpd6SftkwaDDQIy/s1600/19-DSC0007_4274-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHgzKmlDds8pm4qPFMdmMCGxI_PkUrFMeh-5O-PWHUbGaR07Wdu8nwK1XWEOBhZIanV0bVkx_shBo23pc1juKTxzeo5lJ-jQuGFtl6DiyOMICMbsNI6bdmIpnFxl0xCpd6SftkwaDDQIy/s400/19-DSC0007_4274-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slash Pile Waste to be Burned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Agriculture is
another one of the main industries that feed our insatiable economy. Farms are getting
larger as margins get smaller so there is tremendous incentive to produce as
much as possible from every arable acre. Low areas are drained, bush land is cleared
and any native prairie land is plowed under in the attempt to grow grain or
feed livestock. Artificial fertilisers are spread in greater volumes and more
herbicides are sprayed to kill any weeds that may compete with the growing
crop. Pesticides and fungicides are sprayed as well to kill off any voracious
predator of our canola, wheat, corn or peas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU39-kfeA1N7nef-fRs_CvZEli44ngjQjUjMRKkxh1DZ8G2lDYKydrQ2AZbIZ1AtuVLASs4GY4Nlnmr5BIDmQ9B-af09ws8FUwmJgc4_Z6w_fEVgQ7V2zGLEkm7LMl00bdNtTfp4UANim/s1600/87-DSC5889_18088-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU39-kfeA1N7nef-fRs_CvZEli44ngjQjUjMRKkxh1DZ8G2lDYKydrQ2AZbIZ1AtuVLASs4GY4Nlnmr5BIDmQ9B-af09ws8FUwmJgc4_Z6w_fEVgQ7V2zGLEkm7LMl00bdNtTfp4UANim/s400/87-DSC5889_18088-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agriculture and Oil Mixed Land Use</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In agriculture we
have exchanged a very diverse mix of plant life for a singular crop which is
great for the farmer but not always the best for our landscape. Pesticides
reduce the good bugs as well as the bad ones. Honey bees are one of the good
bugs that are harmed by pesticide spray. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGR-JlLvHTmOaoUUNs6DW13BIkkZoUIjjuXcHwUEjLNlD-ZfGwRQFuRhVQ89yXXr7M39_EMCjmskoHsNK6u1AP_58pqzh8d-TCCb9BkNCRUVxKVeIcnjnqHY_NkS-T9IAVul5K0CEna-L/s1600/87-DSC5827_18028-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGR-JlLvHTmOaoUUNs6DW13BIkkZoUIjjuXcHwUEjLNlD-ZfGwRQFuRhVQ89yXXr7M39_EMCjmskoHsNK6u1AP_58pqzh8d-TCCb9BkNCRUVxKVeIcnjnqHY_NkS-T9IAVul5K0CEna-L/s400/87-DSC5827_18028-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprayer Tracks into Wheat Field. No Weeds or Bugs Allowed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each of our main
industries occurs on the drainage system of the North Saskatchewan River.
Forestry occurs in the upper drainage region of the river. Many of the
tributaries that drain into the main river contain large tracts of land that
have been logged off. The loss of the mature forest causes rainfall to run off
quicker, snow melt to happen faster and the land heats up more causing the
small streams and creeks to warm up faster. Warm water holds less oxygen than
colder water resulting in stress to bugs and fish living there. Extraction
roads and creek crossings result in greater siltation of the small water courses
with the faster runoff of rain and snow melt. More access to the land adds
stress to wildlife trying to survive in the busier land. Caribou, for example,
require old growth forest, are stressed by loss of suitable habitat to wander
through while searching for unique food and stress competition from other
ungulates and predators such as black bears, grizzly and wolves. Our government
is now out in the forest shooting wolves from helicopters and setting poison
baits in the hope of reducing predatory pressure upon dwindling caribou herds.
They should be reducing resource development in caribou habitat and allowing
forests to regrow before more land is opened to resource extractors.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All-terrain
vehicles are now exploring the back country where they could never get to
before. With more access roads being built, ATVs can easily expand their range.
They cause noisy disruption and stress to wildlife that are always on high
alert to the dangers humans present. ATVs are also one of the major causes of
landscape degradation due to rutting, mudding, stream bed disruption, erosion
and access in winter time for wolves to caribou and sheep habitat on snowmobile
trails.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61WlCdSAs-3PwDcU6aMlfJOZh1FobsOY0F_BAoKyKLY7uSyr7zI6TCHAoFg2i7fLvOunU1ha3vf39wuJlCOlnQG722I9kDjbv_BHbSjYuLu2cq7qi2ygt8DXBoen0Eid39r_1Lr-wJgpK/s1600/25-DSC1068_5188-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh61WlCdSAs-3PwDcU6aMlfJOZh1FobsOY0F_BAoKyKLY7uSyr7zI6TCHAoFg2i7fLvOunU1ha3vf39wuJlCOlnQG722I9kDjbv_BHbSjYuLu2cq7qi2ygt8DXBoen0Eid39r_1Lr-wJgpK/s400/25-DSC1068_5188-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ATV Rutting. These ruts are knee deep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oil and gas extraction
occurring within the river drainage system require cut lines and roads to open
access to miles of back country that was previously wilderness. Road and
pipeline right-of-way’s reduce forest cover and increase traffic to sensitive
wildland habitat. Erosion, access and stream bed destruction all add stress to
the landscape including the river itself. Every year we hear about a pipeline
that has spilled major quantities of raw oil into a muskeg, a river or onto the
landscape somewhere. These spills are very difficult and expensive to clean up.
There is no way to recover all the oil spilled into any of the watercourses.
The spilled oil is extremely toxic to wildlife living in and around muskeg,
lakes and rivers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot imagine
how they would clean up such a spill in the winter time. It would be impossible
to clean up under the ice and snow covered stream. We are not sure about how
differently the oil reacts to icy cold water in comparison to the warmer water
in mid-summer. As the oil slick moves downstream, it will continue to affect
each watercourse it flows through. Codette Lake, Tobin Lake are both reservoirs
that are created by dams on this river near the town of Nipiwan. Both lakes are
lined by resorts and are great fishing destinations. As this oil slick
continues downstream it will continue to impact and add to the cumulative
stresses of the countryside, the people and wildlife that live in the region.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to ask
myself how much more can the river take? What happens if a large spill happens
upstream of Edmonton? This large city cannot shut off the water intake for very
long before it becomes a major hardship to over one million inhabitants.
Edmonton is threatened by possible spills from rail way or trucking accidents.
It is threatened by pipeline breech or refinery accident. Every day, the river
itself as well as the lakes it flows through are threatened and polluted by
increased siltation and chemicals washed into it through storm drains. People
who pour paints and chemicals or medicines and cooking grease into drains or
who wash their cars on the driveway threaten the health of the river, one small
drop at a time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Farmers add
tremendous chemical loads to the river through runoff from fertilised and
sprayed fields. Fertiliser loads in the river add to increased algae levels in
lakes it flows through or into. As the land heats up, so does the river and
lake water temperature which promotes algae and weed growth which uses up valuable
oxygen required for fish. Chemical pollutants flowing into the river also add
to the toxicity of the river water requiring more cleaning before human usage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The North
Saskatchewan River contains about 10 species of fish including the rare Lake
Sturgeon which some anglers are now catching with some regularity. They do have
to be released but how much stress can they take? How much fish can we safely
eat that are caught in the river?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us consider
the cost of human exploitation to the land itself. What value do we put on
pristine wilderness and plentiful wildlife? How valuable is it to us to be able
to show our grandchildren a clean landscape where we can see a grizzly bear or
a caribou? How can we rate or compare the value of our life to the life of the
other creatures of the land or the health of the land itself?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qa7y_srOxAWO1krlKyeGWOrHLTjf5TMrqvjpZZy3SO87Bl29NW4USrAyKQFwXkMEUvQMkO3ahvb20S_wA2Fz0cPwrz8RdbhKX0dA3zP0aPc53husBI4OU-7GTKT2gdgHKZfctz1K9_R_/s1600/_30-DSC3885_5880-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qa7y_srOxAWO1krlKyeGWOrHLTjf5TMrqvjpZZy3SO87Bl29NW4USrAyKQFwXkMEUvQMkO3ahvb20S_wA2Fz0cPwrz8RdbhKX0dA3zP0aPc53husBI4OU-7GTKT2gdgHKZfctz1K9_R_/s400/_30-DSC3885_5880-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Horses in Clear Cut. Can we not all live in harmony?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are corporate
profits and stock holders share values really more important to the future
long-term health of the earth? I know that we have to make a living but do we
need to extract all of earth’s resources immediately to appease our insatiable
money greed? Can we not slow down and rebuild or restore the habitat that we
are damaging before we move on to the next project? How many companies do we
see use the land, remove the resource then claim bankruptcy leaving their
environmental damages in their wake? It seems that they are playing a game and
never had any intention of reclaiming their damages. There are now thousands of
abandoned well sites and mines scattered across Western and Northern Canada
that nobody will clean up until the government may do some. Is the North
Saskatchewan River, or any other river, going to be able to handle the
increased requirements on it to feed our growing population as we pave over
more pristine forest and farmland? I fear for its future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSibzBaLpW6-_CWGCaTC8D2kbqkEuYXVv6gjuvTUrhGQELGMPDdIgspeNGoJkPiPC83LIx6IIHtAlUQ7VAL8SY93zy-Bp2W3Fvh1IH5IzRUunBqASkSN9p4EzkcoVbyPcGu_91IIDinSV/s1600/16-DSC8691_3283-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSibzBaLpW6-_CWGCaTC8D2kbqkEuYXVv6gjuvTUrhGQELGMPDdIgspeNGoJkPiPC83LIx6IIHtAlUQ7VAL8SY93zy-Bp2W3Fvh1IH5IzRUunBqASkSN9p4EzkcoVbyPcGu_91IIDinSV/s400/16-DSC8691_3283-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Saskatchewan River Bridge at Ft. Saskatchewan<br />What is the value of clean water and land?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a></div>
Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-7281003273314087942016-06-15T15:49:00.000-07:002016-06-15T15:49:01.311-07:00Coot Baby What did I ever do to you?<br />
Why did you dress me in this costume? When my daughter looks back on her own styles of clothing and hair, she often asks us why we allowed her to wear these ghastly clothes.<br /> What is the purpose of this unique feathering for such a little tyke? With its big feet, big bill and very oddly colouring, it has very little resemblance to it's parents. Is this some kind of a joke pulled on its parents to see if they would actually look after and nurture this baby? What did Dad say when presented to his offspring, freshly sprung from its egg?<br />
I have many questions when I look at this unique little duckling. There must be a plan.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BlNACjzMURVkmjEfd018-CsY7YljkaCeqkUm0IjevvqPOq4Lr1eC2nEegI7aBwdq1vS0U2pWGdLY7r8IvvbQe9czUBZSYvDCNHHULx4oIwWVN8KtcNEKOpG-FhAEnjgAE4fKM4yDq3VI/s1600/83-DSC5019_17247-4+Coot+Baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BlNACjzMURVkmjEfd018-CsY7YljkaCeqkUm0IjevvqPOq4Lr1eC2nEegI7aBwdq1vS0U2pWGdLY7r8IvvbQe9czUBZSYvDCNHHULx4oIwWVN8KtcNEKOpG-FhAEnjgAE4fKM4yDq3VI/s400/83-DSC5019_17247-4+Coot+Baby.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Coot Feeding Youngster</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a>Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469527496254819474.post-77018281421475630272016-06-12T16:44:00.001-07:002016-06-12T16:44:21.463-07:00Heritage MarshFollowing a hot tip, I thought I should wander around Heritage Marsh located in Eastern Sherwood Park.Rain threatened and sometimes drizzled but it was a very nice day to be out wandering around in Mother Nature's wonders. The marsh is a series of flood-water lakes that help to hold run-off water providing beautiful and varied waterfowl habitat. I did see a rare, for me, American Bittern, but by the time I saw and identified it, it was flying too far away for a photo.Also spotted was a Sora but could not get a photo through wind-blown cattails.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tWZ6BXL4vCsOwoXQZoJWlh_RvKzCETt8ZDW_quIxOnbPs3XdRdFRthRSenHAow2fBZK-UEh6J745cLsugAACZ8hOIva75Y3xGaFOBUntRi67SrNW7U1F4DSK_rlqiEaXCaTmT_1oi7CA/s1600/83-DSC5051_17279-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tWZ6BXL4vCsOwoXQZoJWlh_RvKzCETt8ZDW_quIxOnbPs3XdRdFRthRSenHAow2fBZK-UEh6J745cLsugAACZ8hOIva75Y3xGaFOBUntRi67SrNW7U1F4DSK_rlqiEaXCaTmT_1oi7CA/s400/83-DSC5051_17279-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewers Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did manage a few good Red-winged Blackbirds as well as a Brewers Blackbird all nesting in the tangled cattails.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkQ1rytWQ-iA1ARrJXo6koVTRjMScLhKLYYmDnCaDG3TlerOuLavUMKgg37yFXmxlc3pW5brgHkKkKsZT0HWsQ1S5-1idR8zNYkN7wY-6QK1b6gn5hRbx1yz6CWdg0Lk7RvL9iwo7_Exk/s1600/83-DSC4907_17135-+Red-winged+BB+F-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkQ1rytWQ-iA1ARrJXo6koVTRjMScLhKLYYmDnCaDG3TlerOuLavUMKgg37yFXmxlc3pW5brgHkKkKsZT0HWsQ1S5-1idR8zNYkN7wY-6QK1b6gn5hRbx1yz6CWdg0Lk7RvL9iwo7_Exk/s400/83-DSC4907_17135-+Red-winged+BB+F-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Red-winged Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_Ft4GWQTXuV1X2bn-W8ufx1xelXl-nqeaXDn6d21TYaUgZf9ZXyXASasWMbbvGnA-Xufja7C3rkd9Dg4X3Br0gVGLgg1_gyFBn8vcwA1S4nZKbtdXtnMRj-gNPbRiOMhhoh06fOcuz_m/s1600/83-DSC4859_17087-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_Ft4GWQTXuV1X2bn-W8ufx1xelXl-nqeaXDn6d21TYaUgZf9ZXyXASasWMbbvGnA-Xufja7C3rkd9Dg4X3Br0gVGLgg1_gyFBn8vcwA1S4nZKbtdXtnMRj-gNPbRiOMhhoh06fOcuz_m/s400/83-DSC4859_17087-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Red-winged Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A pleasant surprise were Cedar Waxwings that were nice enough to pose for me fairly close in decent light.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCPKd8jVktJntt_S1DqUrjBlHtbf-3PNVBQ-hrCWzK6vnsHkfZ34lNuW4EQAKIN6Mc3gPflpRadhoNdhiIFhQ47m6nQMWRF1WzaGSxIA3JTRNKZYziWL69j46U8-07JtAwMPbTv20tXg8/s1600/83-DSC4942_17170-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCPKd8jVktJntt_S1DqUrjBlHtbf-3PNVBQ-hrCWzK6vnsHkfZ34lNuW4EQAKIN6Mc3gPflpRadhoNdhiIFhQ47m6nQMWRF1WzaGSxIA3JTRNKZYziWL69j46U8-07JtAwMPbTv20tXg8/s400/83-DSC4942_17170-4.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Waxwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The best sighting of the day was an American Coot family that I managed to get a few shots of through swaying reeds, willows and cattails. Talk about cute-ugly babies striving for attention with their wild and colorful hairdos.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwl7AnrYBKjqYUliFRoJz6TkQddE5QEOk6zsPHreTsyNOkYYZxEF6c1N41Mh8wKqLgqdjTaIYCHSnZ7Db0mMMWJEhZl6NTMaivGVVgdLaEDt7zjOWEzub89HJqqU9xx_N-afS_GD2fgyT/s1600/83-DSC5009_17237-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwl7AnrYBKjqYUliFRoJz6TkQddE5QEOk6zsPHreTsyNOkYYZxEF6c1N41Mh8wKqLgqdjTaIYCHSnZ7Db0mMMWJEhZl6NTMaivGVVgdLaEDt7zjOWEzub89HJqqU9xx_N-afS_GD2fgyT/s400/83-DSC5009_17237-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby American Coot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtYMYf3CDy2iuawO0rBxyjDz2xTxsiDbtDxRLXVnPS2yp4HXINhJWDKLisWXq7j6fytASRIQ-E1uIAF_MYOyCXLE60H0gLMuHYKsGQtPsXUI6mxY6UMulQtPuFFWe5JNvXy-_SYildAJL/s1600/83-DSC5019_17247-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtYMYf3CDy2iuawO0rBxyjDz2xTxsiDbtDxRLXVnPS2yp4HXINhJWDKLisWXq7j6fytASRIQ-E1uIAF_MYOyCXLE60H0gLMuHYKsGQtPsXUI6mxY6UMulQtPuFFWe5JNvXy-_SYildAJL/s400/83-DSC5019_17247-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Coot Feeding Baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.wildviewfinders.ca/">www.wildviewfinders.ca</a><br />
<br />Robert Scribahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10899805821214364411noreply@blogger.com0