One evening I waned to change up my routine, and talk a walk somewhere new. Hopefully, spot something new too. I decided to take a walk on some Government of Saskatchewan land, and spend sometime with some wildlife. From every fishing, fur, and hunting licence that is sold within the province 30% of the revenue gets put into the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund. Currently, over 215, 000 acres of land has been purchased, and all of this land is open for pulic use... as long as the activities occur on foot only, and don't include camping, or littering, or intrusion on management treatment (which can include cattle grazing or haying). So I parked my car on the edge of this land, and proceeded to walk in. This little piece of land did not disapoint. It was a beautiful little piece of property. I saw many different animals, along with different plants, and enjoyed my time doing it. These lands are little hidden gems in our province, and are among many efforts to help conserve the land base that is the prairie. I not only walked in on the property, but also decided to walk along its boundaries along the grid road that runs along the south boarder of the property. It gave a new view as I spent time wondering down the gravel road. I seen many things down that short run of road. A few animal tracks, and lots of water! I was glad I went for walk down the gravel road since I got a great glimpse at the habitat that existed in the water, and in the neighbouring property. All the flowers, green grass, and water gave a nice fresh feel to the world. I also got the pleasure of seeing a beaver that night! Then on my way back home, as the sun was setting. I was lucky enough to witness some beautiful refelctions. All in all a very productive evening, and one that was definitely worth the drive, effort, and time. I am so very thankful that the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund exists and helps to provide opporunties like these to the people of the province.
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After a few weeks of "awakening" time things are starting to come out in full bloom. Spring is in full swing, and things are looking great so far. The second set of annuals are blooming, both wild and in the flower bed. More and more birds are being seen as a walks in the evening stretch longer and longer. But most importantly, seeding is fully underway. It is great to see people finally out there since they had to wait so long. In Saskatchewan, this year was the latest spring melt in recorded history. So spring is finally here, and things are finally starting to green up. The outdoors is in full transition to summer mode! I am seeing more variety now in the birds that I spot enjoying the water along the road ways. This pair I caught the other night swimming seemed to be enjoying themselves. I even got to see what it looks like when they decide to scratch a scratch with their foot! Spots of yellow and green are showing up everywhere. As I walk along the roads you can see it coming through everywhere in the ditches. Nature is waking up, and making sure to show it. You can see it happening from the fresh green grass to the next set of wildflowers in bloom. Right now one of my favorite native prairie flowers is in bloom, the prairie golden bean. It is rumored that when this flower is in bloom it is a signal as to when to put cattle back out to pasture. Considering the look of the grasses around, and the time in which is usually shows up I would have to agree with this sentiment. The horsetails are also starting to pop out of the ground. Things are definitely start to green up. Not only on the ground, and around the sloughs, but also the trees. The trees are starting to green up just nicely! The freshly worked spring fields also accompany the fresh green. The birds are singing, and playing in the water. Spring is really here! The sights of spring are all around. Nothing is more testiment to that than the site of this in the fields along the country roads. The green trees, the birds, the green grass, and animals out exploring amoungst the machinery. All reasons why spring out in farming country is best experience. Things around are slowly starting to look more and more like spring. Walks are getting more active with all the animals I am seeing along the country roads I walk. It is amazing the things you notice when you slow down and walk the roads you normally travel at higher speeds your vehicle. You get to see new details in many things. Like how neat the old bird houses look perched on the fence posts. Which leads to me asking myself, "whether or not they are still used, when were the last time they were updated, and finally who put them up there?" When you slow life down a little bit it also amazing to see the patterns that you can find in fields. Imprints left from the last person that was there working it; imprints that made it through winter, but will be replaced by new ones once the field is worked. Oh the things you see when you take the time to slow down, and walk down those old familar roads. While walking you get the chance to notice animal interactions that you normally would have missed. I stood for a while and watched this guy go after the poor bird. He would not let the bird get away either. It was quite the funny interaction to witness. Though I do feel sorry for that poor bird that was just tring to take an evening swim. But then you notice the skies starting to change, and turn around to see the skies open up in what would qualify as beautiful piece of natural art work. After being caught up in the light and clouds. You turn around to see someone cleaning themselves up. Then just a little ways down the road you see the ducks having a good swim. You also get a moment to apprechaite the relfections found in the water. Thank goodness for all the water the spring brings. Not only does it help the world turn green, but it gives some interesting perspectives in the waters reflections on days that the wind is low. It is spring days like these that one can't help but love the fact they come a water tower town. Where it only takes a minute to walk out of town and apprechaite all the reflections that can be found down country roads.
First flowers to bloom in the flower bed
Spring is blooming, and therefore I am behind on all things that keep me indoors. I enjoy being outside a little to much come spring that as of now I spend most of my time outdoors a day. Also with being outdoors I love being on the move. So the walks, and trips to see various environments start. So get prepared for overdue blog enteries, with lots of pictures. Though I hope to keep on top of things a lot better than I just have. I appoligize for being so late in writing & publishing this entry. Spring came in slow this year with a slow snow melt. This was very good thing however, since with an well above average snowpack on the eastern prairie landscape had it been a quick melt we would have experience a lot more issues with flooding than we did. It was agonizing to watch the snow go away so slowly, but there is always a silver lining to every cloud. However, the ice did move quickly. For which I believe no one was more glad to watch it melt off the local sloughs than the geese. Who had been back (and the usual singal to spring) for weeks, but were greeted here with snow and froozen over water bodies. They finally were able to enjoy their time in the water. Shortly after their arrival came back another spring bird that livens up the prairie landscape with its song. The Blackbirds were back! Now, while out walking I knew for sure that spring had indeed finally come! On the walks I am also got to see some another critter enjoying his time swimming. I found this particular character along a road ditch that had been flooded out from a slough in the neighbouring field. He made an excellent subject to watch for a while. To bad this little guy creates so much damage, and has population numbers so high it is now is considered a pest. Beavers can be a very peaceful thing to watch. However, as peaceful to watch they can be equally damaging to roads, and other structures, as they keep busy to hold back water. At this point the local people get a chance to make a little extra money by collecting beaver tails to take into the local Rural Municipality office. The bounty helps keeps number under control, and gets the local people involved to protect the miles and miles of road access for farms. It may not seem to be the most suitable solution for some people, but for the people who live out here with these guys as neighbours they certainly know the multiple solution the bounty can be. These three were watching everything moving around them. Those that think that agricultural fields don't have habitat for wildlife would be pleasently surprised. I get to see all these guys while I walk down roads along well used fields. Sloughs that are left in the field can make a nice habitat for many speicies. The look of spring! During my walk I noticed the excellent sky conditions. I knew that the skies would open up that evening to show my favorite thing about prairie skies.... the sunsets! So after my walk I went on an adventure to find the perfect spot to shoot them. I ended up in this neighbours yard. And well... .... nothing disapointed. The colors were amazing, and the setting was perfect! After that things really got moving, and spring was coming in at full force. More walks, more time outside, and even more animal spottings. The ice off the lake is always the greatest thing to see. The clear reflections that get to show through on the open water are beautiful. Spring is officially here, and it looks amazing! Now if the fields could just dry out, and the farmers could get on the field the world would be perfect. But one can only ask for so much at a time, and having this beauty after a long winter is enough to keep this girl satisfied for at least a few days. |
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