Every year I am just a bit too early. Too early that is, to see flocks of brilliant blue wings flutter across the prairie skyline making their way to spring nesting spots.
Little handcrafted bird houses sit atop fence lines throughout the roads around Craven, Saskatchewan – especially just east along route 99. And each year, mountain bluebird couples migrate back, often times taking up residence in the same box as years past – that is if they get there before the tree swallows. Continue reading
I can almost feel it. The windows are down and my face meets with warm summer breeze, zipping down gravel back roads of the prairies.
Taking in the seemingly static landscape in its glory.
Fluffy white clouds slowly move in front of me, tall green grasses sway, and ducks, coots and sanderlings scatter along road side ponds as I pass. Continue reading
Earlier this month I returned to one of my favourite places in the province ~ the Waskesiu region. During my time there, I stayed at Elkridge (you may have read my post about that here) for a few days and then reconvened with my friend Brad Muir, owner of Sundog Sled Excursions.
I had visited Brad last year for a nature trek where we scoured Prince Albert National Park’s boreal forest in search of wildlife. While we did follow fresh wolf tracks for nearly two hours, they ended up eluding us. During that visit I was also fortunate to go on a brief but exhilarating sled dog run. Continue reading
Winter. Fun. Yes, say this out loud. Winter fun. And now say the words together. For it really is possible to have a fun winter vacation on the Canadian prairies. People are doing it. You should too.
Even though temperatures hovered around the -25 to -33 mark during our stay at Elk Ridge Resort in northern Saskatchewan, you wouldn’t have known it. Elk Ridge was packed. I even tried to sneak in for a last-minute spa appointment as I had three days to spend at the Resort and nope, much more prepared people had beaten me to the punch.
Continue reading
Some days its too snowy or cold to go anywhere far to seek out wildlife. Or just treacherous. Last year while scouting snowy owls I managed to get really stuck in a snowdrift – on a gravel road – by myself. But you don’t have to go far to see wildlife, why not invite them to come to you?
I have a few a lot of feeders in my backyard. Currently, I feed about 70 birds a day and two families of squirrels. What can I say? It makes me happy. So therefore, today’s wildlife Wednesday is dedicated to some of my little (backyard) friends. Continue reading
When I visited Cabo in December I found a myriad of bright colours nearly everywhere I looked. From its turquoise waters to potted red Christmas poinsettias, the dull browns of the desert to the vibrant greens of the palms, eye candy colour is found with each glance.
Below is a roundup of photos featuring rainbow colours collected during my visit. As you will easily notice, many of these photos could represent multiple colour categories!
The answer >> jellyfish. Simply stunning creatures. If you need a moment of peace, watch this video. That is all. Carry on.
You’re welcome.
P.S. These beautiful specimens are from the Vancouver Aquarium in British Columbia Canada. Fascinating aren’t they?
Because lions deserve to live – help me cause an uproar.
I am hoping to appeal to any animal lover who reads this because when species disappear, whole chains of ecosystems change forever.
National Geographic has been working with communities in Kenya and Tanzania to implement a smart, affordable solution that is making a big difference. It’s called a boma.
Everyday lions are killed in communities that keep livestock. Livestock is the livelihood of many African communities. Because they live in such close proximity, lions kill livestock and then lions get killed. There is a solution and you can help. Continue reading
I wish I could fluff up and keep warm from the chill of winter just like this little beauty from my backyard.
Happy Wildlife Wednesday!
Housefinch
Question of the day
Do you have any regular visitors to your backyard?
There are so many things that come to mind when I think back about my time in Uganda such as witnessing whole families on boda bodas, remembering the rich the taste of baby bananas and my failed attempts to avoid the red, red dirt that seemed to get everywhere. My iPhone ear buds are forever stained. But the chance to experience both a land and river safari are memories that will never be forgotten.
Which is a really good thing, because apparently I forgot to write about it last year.
My time spent at Murchison Falls National Park was brief (3 days in total) but I was still able to fit in some solid and incredible safari time.
About Murchison Falls National Park & Paara Lodge
Murchison Falls National Park is the largest park in Uganda. It is found in the northwestern part of the country and spreads inland from the shore of Lake Albert around the Victoria Nile. The park is home to the famous Murchison Falls, also referred to as the Kabarega Falls, where the Nile River squeezes into a narrow gorge, 7 meters wide before plunging 43 meters below.
Murchison Falls is best viewed from the top. It’s about a 45 minute walk up from the bottom to the top.
Travellinlady ~ Jenn Smith Nelson 