prairies

There are a few things the prairies are good for. Big hay fields, grain silos, frighteningly cold winters, and thunderstorms. Its very big here. They always say that the mountains are big, they make a person feel small. But there is something a bit haunting about being able to see for miles around. It really is majestic, in its own way.

People who come from coastal areas often tell me that they miss the mountains. Or that they were disoriented by the lack of a skyline. I've never really felt that here. Yes, its big. Yes, its open. But I've never felt like there was an absence from the horizon. I do appreciate the mountains more when I go back home, but some how, without my knowing or permission, this little flatland has endeared itself to me. I'm not saying I'm never leaving; but its been a nice few years getting to know this place.

First thunderstorm of the season was yesterday evening. And another littler one today. A good thunderstorm party is something that this place sure knows how to throw. Good sound effects, spectacular sights. And on the plus side, not a lot of rain. Although a bit of rain could be a very good thing right about now. But perhaps I should hold my tongue, because I see their calling for more of that this weekend.

I was planning on trying to find a few more sights that really epitomize the prairie life. I saw a silo in the distance and thought for sure I could make it. But then I came across something else that this city is really good for: pot holes. This one wasn't the largest, wasn't the worst, and sure wasn't the only one. But fear for the undercarriage of my car and the suspension forced me to turn around and hightail it out of there. Not that we don't see some just as big and bad in the city.

down by the water

Do you remember the good old days when you measured a day on the amount of dirt that you could cover yourself in? The day wasn't complete if you hadn't soaked your shoes, gotten mud on your shirt and preferably put a few holes in the knees of your pants. And possibly the knees of your legs, too. Ahh, those were the good days, indeed.

A few days ago I had one of those days. Saskatoon spring chose to grace us with some beautiful weather, and I only had two hours of class. So, with the entire afternoon and still part of the morning stretched out in front of me, I set out to get dirty.

Ok, that wasn't my real purpose. But it ended up being the way things went. Because there is something else the Saskatoon spring chose to grace us with that week: a hail storm. So things were a might wet. Although most of that was probably from the several feet of snow that we have been saving up from winter that has just managed to melt away this past week.

So armed with my rubber boots, I set out for Warman. Muddy as ever there. Almost couldn't get my car out of my parking spot. Almost couldn't retrieve my boot from the mud puddle.

A few hours with the horse and then it was back home. A few days earlier I had been walking through a park near my house and I noticed a lovely little bench that was, err, inaccessible. And it endeared itself to me. So, because it was so lovely and I was just itching with free time, I set off with my faithful camera and went to capture the moment. Check it out below.



Please come and sit



More mud, more puddles. All in all, a pretty spectacular way to spend the day. And over the last few days, the weather has held. Terrifyingly windy, but the sunshine is here, and that is really all we can ask for right now. That, and no snow. But I have my doubt we won't get a snowstorm before May is over. This is Saskatoon, after all.

But in the mean time, I am enjoying the spring that is being offered. During study breaks and on my walks to school, that is.

from the horse's mouth

Oh the days for cold and snowy visits to the horses. The wind was brisk, the paths were muddy, the horses were pushy. And shedding. I think I ended up wearing most of the hair that I managed to comb off my horse. But for all the chilly weather we've been having lately my horse is shedding like spring is coming and he doesn't seem to regret it. I hope he's right.

the Peruvian

Silk

die nacht ist schon

Discovered today that in order to take pictures at night, you really need a tripod. Tried anyways, and managed to get some pretty good shots of the moon. Other things I learned tonight - April is still not the month to be outside at night for prolonged periods of time, especially the day after a snowfall; also, when standing outside on a street corner, crouched down for that perfect angle, don't be surprised if people give you strange looks. And cross the street to avoid coming too close.

The gulls (notice I leave out the "sea" part - we are in Saskatchewan, after all; or, as a friend of mine once tried to call it, Saskawanawatchewan) are out every night. I can hear them from my house when I get home after dark. When driving over the bridge I can see them in mass numbers reflecting the street lights. Literally hundreds of them. When I first saw them I swore they were bats. Have yet to get a picture because I am pretty sure its illegal to drive and photograph. For some reason.

All in all I enjoyed how these shots didn't quite get into focus. Tripod-schmipod. Who says you can't go low budget and get a good product?

day at the dog park

This weekend was the first really beautiful weekend that we've had since spring started to suggest that it might be coming for a visit. There is still a lot of snow yet to melt, and the mud means that your feet get wet and dirty and your car gets bogged into awkward spots that it probably shouldn't have been in the first place. But the sun was shining and the breeze was moving around the fresh air in such a way that it was impossible to not enjoy it. So away we went to the dog park.

Highlights of a lovely day out:

Playing dog bowling. Strange dog: 1, myself: 0.

Getting the car high centered on mud ruts. But managing to get through and make to the "trucks only" parking where we proudly placed our car between two massive trucks and secretly worried if we would ever get out.

A tree stripped of its bark, a work of a hungry porcupine this winter. They certainly can get the job done when they want. I have seen a few trees like that in the past weeks. Disappointed that I have yet to see the culprit.



birds



Swainson's Hawk



Today, I was attacked by a bird. In most people's lives this would be a strange and unfortunate story that might even be the unusual incident they have to report for that week, month, or perhaps even year. For me, however, this is relatively common place. After all, someone who drives for a living is more likely to get into an automobile accident as they are more frequently on the road than your average person. As someone who works regularly with wildlife, I have more than my fair share of close-calls. And actual incidents. As a result, most people who know me respond to such a remark with a bored nod of their head or the standard reply of "again?"

As most bird-attack stories go, it was fairly benign. The bird took a half-hearted flying leap at my face in an attempt to make it seem tougher than it really was, changed course mid-attack and ended up grabbing onto my pant leg with its talons. Which left me dragging a hawk around the room before I was finally able to dislodge it.

Perhaps normal people would have been terrified by such an experience. I imagine that not too many years ago, I certainly would have. Oh how your perception of the world changes.

Ferruginous Hawk

Let's face it, accidents happen. To me, accidents happen a lot. I'm not sure what the inciting factor is, but I feel that it is a careful combination of bad luck, clumsiness, unpredictable situations, with just a shake of Murphy's law thrown in for good measure. For example, not too many people (but I know they are out there) can admit to being taloned through supposed talon-worthy falconry gloves by an angry Snowy Owl. 



And then there was the time I got attacked by a Saw-Whet Owl. For those of you who don't know, the average size of this full-grown cutie is 20cm. And this one was still growing. Admitting you were attacked by a bird the size of a Mandarin is not the easiest thing to do. Occasionally I like to claim that there were 50 of them and that they cornered me in a dark alley. In reality I was attacked by a baby owl - the size of a Mandarin - with an injured eye.



Long-Eared Owl


Of course I was also jumped by a deer fawn. Orphaned, before you can go ahead and leap to my rescue with a claim of "those mama's can get pretty mean". Nope, this little guy was all by itself. I guess the weeks of bottle feeding were going to his head and he was feeling a might bit stronger. Good for the deer, bad for me.

So there you have it. A few of my more memorable animal attacks by a soon-to-be wildlife vet. There are many more, but honestly, who needs to rehash every scratch, puncture, bite and near miss? All in a good day's work.

Because that's the thing about treating wildlife. They don't thank you, they don't appreciate your efforts, they often try to kill you or maim you, and when everything is said and done, they don't write. How inconsiderate.

Kestrel

spring

Today Saskatoon was beautiful. The sun was out, the snow had melted and you could start to see a bit of green from all the wetness we have had lately. It was warm, the sort of spring weather when you think to yourself that it might be time to pull out those shorts and sandals. Gone was the slush, the ice, the mud. Only sun, warmth and green trimmings.

And then I woke up. After the defeat of realizing it was Monday took over, I got up and peeked through my blinds to the sight outside. Yep, another muddy and slushy day.

Sorry to break it to you folks, but winter here does not end quite that simply. Especially in the face of the several centimeters of snow that our westerly neighbours received this past weekend (sorry, but better you than us!). No, winter here persists well into the so-called summer months, with last year the last snow fall occurring in May.

We have been getting a quite bit of melt happening here in the last few weeks. Which means that my street is flooded and most people seem to be turning their front lawns into swimming pools. Every morning and afternoon as I walk to school I kick myself for not bringing my rubber boots home from the barn. They say that those from the coast adapt by growing webbed feet. I have suspicions that the only thing stopping the prairie folk from doing the same is because it would be harder to find snow boots that fit.

These photos are actually from last summer - June maybe, I can't quite recall. They are my pre-SLR photos, but my point-and-shoot is no slouch when it comes to details. As you can see I have a bit of a thing for trees. And sunlight. There is something peaceful about watching sunbeams escaping through the leaves, dancing with the changes in the wind.

Happy spring, folks. When it eventually gets here.

river walk

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was chilly and muddy and a bit windy, but it was still a fantastic day to embark on a walk by the river after months of being walled in by ice and snow. Spring has officially been upon us for weeks now, but Saskatoon is always a bit late to the party when it comes to warmer weather. But no matter - a bit of fresh air, cheerful company and a new skookum camera all make for a good day.

South Saskatchewan River

Of course I may have been more appreciative of the beauty of the day because the shadow and gloom of my little basement suite was depressing me a bit more than usual. There are rarely days when I feel claustrophobic in my little home, but yesterday was one of those days. It was just so very convenient that I happened to have a new camera to break in and a favorite hiking trail.

Richardson's Ground Squirrel

It can be fun to discover the city. I had made this walk many times before, but it was interesting to see the city with different eyes. I need to redevelop my animal hunting skills because there were many times I would have walked right by critters and would have missed some pretty good shots. The geese were out in full force, however. It doesn't take anyone too observant to catch them and their drunk-frat-boy party noise.

What was supposed to really only be an hour or so walk ended up taking a couple of hours - to be quite honest I actually lost track. A lot of the side walks were flooded out which I discovered only by falling through the ice on top. Several hours and two wet, cold feet later and I was honestly ready to get inside and get warm.

Canadian Geese

Best part of the walk? This little guy, who was so busy stuffing his cheeks that he spent about five minutes posing for us. I was concerned at first that I might not get my camera out in time to catch him, but it turns out I had all the time in the world. Good eating, little fellow. Enjoy.

Eastern Chipmunk