I love owls.  When I walk the trails, I am always on the look out for them.  I know they are out there watching me but I can never find them.  This is why I got so excited when I saw a great grey; sitting on a fence post, out in the open.  

We were coming back from Nordegg after spending the day there.  I saw the owl and hoped it would remain there while found a spot to turn around.

It was a beautiful sight.  We pulled over and grabbed the camera gear.  The owl didn't mind being the center of attention.  In fact, it put on a show.

As we watched, it sensed movement in the tall grass.  It's head moved from side to side.  After a few moments the owl dived into the grass.  It grabbed lunch and flew back up to the fence post.  We witnessed the hunt, the catch and the consumption of a large rodent.  

The owl devoured the mouse.  When all was said and done, it looked like it had a big smile of satisfaction on its face.

What a wonderful experience to see this beautiful bird in the wild.  Just to see it was amazing but to see it in hunting mode was a once in a lifetime experience.

The news of an earthquake in northern Alberta brought back some memories.  I was at a campground west of Nordegg on August 9, 2014.  It was the final day of a three day camping trip.  I woke early to get everything packed.  The morning was calm and quiet.  Everything was in the back of my vehicle except the items on the picnic table.

I approached the table and noticed the water rippling in my water jug.  I looked around listening for a low flying helicopter on the approach or some other reason for this to be happening.  All was silent.  This happened at about 7am.

On the way home I stopped at Rocky Mountain House for fuel.  I was there at approximately 9am.  At 9:28am a 4.1 earthquake happened.  It was located 31km WSW of Rocky.  If I would have still been at the campground, there would have been more than the water in my jug shaking.  It turned out that the small ripples were a precursor to the bigger event.

That weekend was definitely one to be remembered not just because of the earthquake but also an incredible hail storm.  I just got the tent set up and everything in place.  The coffee pot just went onto the camp stove when I heard some thunder.  The storm came up so quickly that I just had enough time to shut the stove off and run for cover into the tent.  I didn't even have enough time to get inside my vehicle.  

The hailstones pelted the tent so hard that I thought they would rip through the top.  The fly sheet held tight.  One hail stone hit my finger so hard that the nail turned black.  Some of the stones were as large as loonies.  That was the third hailstorm to hit that area in the previous week. 

Fresh air, sunshine, loons calling, hail storms, earthquakes; just another day in paradise.

https://www.facebook.com/Ramblings-of-an-Outdoor-Girl-1015659961820012/?ref=bookmarks


 

 

The snowshoes got dusted off today for the first time this winter.  Snow depth on the lake surface along the Amisk Wuche Trail was perfect for snowshoeing.  I made my way down the hill on the south side of the parking lot and put the shoes on at the bottom.  X-country ski tracks outlined the shore.  I headed east toward the boardwalk.

On the way, I noticed a number of holes where muskrats had bored to the surface.  The underwater plants brought above the ice were frozen into little heaps.  Animal tracks created designs in the snow.  There were elk, coyote, deer and mouse trails.

I veered south when I got close to the boardwalk.  This route took me alongside a large beaver dam and into a small slough.  I accessed the trail just before my favorite section; the one that with huge spruce trees that form a canopy overhead.

I hiked to the bench that I usually stop at for a break.  At that point I put the snowshoes back on and ventured out to the lake once again.  Large, fluffy snowflakes began falling.  They surrounded me during the entire trek back to the parking lot.

I should have put the skis into the vehicle.  The temperature was perfect for outdoor activities.  I'll be sure to bring them on my next visit to Elk Island.

On the way home I stopped at the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation Area and took advantage of the

perfect ice on the snowbank rink.  Since I was there last, some benches have been added so skaters have a spot to sit to put their skates on.  They must have flooded it earlier today.  Mine were the only marks on the surface.  

So far I've had the kicksled, skates and snowshoes out. The snow is minimal this winter but there is enough to enjoy and there have not been many days with frigid temperatures so it has been great for outdoor activities.

I am trying to figure out when would be a good time to make my annual trek to Jasper.  Going to the mountains never gets boring.  There is always something different to see or experience.  I've done the Ice Walk in Maligne Canyon a number of times.  Each was different in that the guides were never the same and the scenery is never the same.  It is always a photographer's paradise.  Last year was the third or fourth time that I've gone but I had yet to see an ice formation that looked like a forest fairy.  

It is things like this that I look for when my camera is close at hand.  The textures, colors and formations of ice are never the same from year to year and that is what I love to capture.

I still feel the excitement build as I catch the first glimpse of the mountain peaks.  They are a welcoming sight.  Sure I can do all my favorite things like snowshoeing, x-country skiing, ice skating and hiking close to home but there is just something special about having the mountains surround me.  Hiking through a trail in the mountains where the smell of pine permeates the air is an experience like no other.

The second most favorite thing that I love doing is taking the half day train tour from Jasper to Dunster BC where you get to experience a little general store that also serves as a post office, a vet supply store, a hardware store and much more.  The cost is reasonable for a scenic rail trip that takes up the entire afternoon.  The train leaves Jasper at noon and winds through the mountains on the way to Dunster.  A tour bus picks you up there and brings you back to Jasper.  The guides on my previous trips have all been very knowledgeable about the area from the salmon run at Rearguard Falls to the pine beetle that is invading the forests.  There was and is always something new to learn.

(I've posted some additional photos at https://www.facebook.com/Ramblings-of-an-Outdoor-Girl-1015659961820012/?ref=bookmarks)
 

I left for work in the dark and returned to home in the dark today but the drive was amazing none the less.  The tree branches were covered in a thick hoar frost from the overnight fog.  The fluffy snow from the past couple of days created a white blanket on the ground.

Ice crystals filled the air.  Light from the headlamps reflected off of them.  The twinkling crystals combined with the frosty branches created a 'fairyland' for me to drive through.  It may have been dark but the scenery was fantastic.

The drive home was even better.  It must have been foggy during the day because the tree branches were coated with an even thicker layer of frost.  If the clouds clear and the sun is shining in the morning, it is going to be an incredible sight.

The snow that fell over the past couple of days has brightened the landscape.  It has covered the brown, sand covered banks left by the sanding trucks and snowplows.  I've been waiting for more snow to arrive and now that it finally has, I found it rather funny that I was looking at photos of my garden from 2015.

I think that happened because the gardening magazines are beginning to arrive and the Facebook posts from gardening sites are becoming more frequent.

June 20

Looking through the photos brought back some great memories from last summer.  My favorite little birds, the ruby throated hummingbirds, came from the south at the end of May and stayed until September.  They provided hours and hours of entertainment at the bean teepee and the nectar feeders.

For many years I have planted scarlet runner beans to attract the hummers.  They love the bright red flowers that the plants produce.  In the first years of planting, I grew them on a trellis but since installing

July 21

the raised garden beds, I've created a teepee from wood stakes.  It provides support for the beans and creates a shady spot for the backyard cat to sleep.  I situate the teepee in the bed closest to the deck so I can have a great view of the action.  It helps to have hops growing on the deck rail.  The vine creates a blind for me to sit behind so the hummers cannot see me.

The beans are fast growing and need minimal care.  The hummers, bees/wasps and butterflies have a smorgasbord of food for the summer when the plants begin to bloom and I have a daily dose of relaxing entertainment that I enjoy immensely.

I've posted a number of hummingbird photos on my Facebook page.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/Ramblings-of-an-Outdoor-Girl-1015659961820012/?ref=bookmarks 


 

Fluffy snowflakes began falling last night.  They dusted the tree branches.  That, combined with the left over hoar frost from the night before, created a perfect Christmas card scene.

There has not been much snow this winter so even the smallest amount is welcome.  This afternoon the snowfall totaled about an inch on my deck.

The seeds in the tray bird feeders were covered.  As soon as I shook the snow off, the birds came down from the tree tops from every direction.  There was a feeding frenzy.  While I was outside, I heard some bird calls that were new.  A flock of waxwings filled the branches of the willow next door.  They didn't come to feed but there was a regular rotation of nuthatches, chickadees and redpolls until the grosbeaks and jays showed up.

It was nice to see the blanket of snow this morning.  There are still a few lazy flakes fluttering down.  When I glanced out the back window I saw the silhouettes of the deer raiding the remaining sunflower seeds.  It was nice to see the results of the snowfall this morning.  Conditions should be great for the x-country skiers this weekend.   

 

The bird feeders were full of action this afternoon and I was home to witness it.  The deck tray feeder 

Incoming!

filled with sunflower seeds had grosbeaks, bluejays and chickadees take turns with a hairy and a pileated woodpecker.  I haven't seen that big red head in the backyard for a few weeks.  This afternoon I glanced out the window and saw the head pop up from behind a stump.  It flew up to the hanging tray feeder and decided to sit right in the middle of it.  It didn't take long for it to fly onto the deck.  The visit was short.  Three bluejays took on the pileated woodpecker and won.  It retreated to a rotting snag.


The female pine grosbeaks came in numbers.  I saw six of them feeding at the same time until one aggressive little lady flew in and took over, scaring the others off.  She stayed until a hairy woodpecker landed in the feeder and scared her away.

The activity at the feeders was very entertaining.  I could see the different personalities emerge; some aggressive, some passive.  Some of the larger birds didn't mind having the little chickadees fly in for a seed while others wanted to be alone.  

Just before dark the deer came through the trees and into the yard.  The few seeds that were left in the tray feeder were soon gobbled up by the tallest four legged visitor.

 

I have always loved the outdoors.  The freedom of being in the fresh air, in the wide open spaces where no walls 'pen' you is a feeling like no other.  To stand under a night sky watching for falling stars or the aurora dancing across the sky is my kind of reality entertainment.  I could be outside 24/7 in any kind of weather.  I have the clothing for every season or weather condition. 

Growing up on the farm I remember being in the bush a lot.  I recall playing 'stump jump' in the spring when the slough was full of water.  Once in awhile I would miss the stump that I has jumping to and fill my rubber boots, if I had them on.  Most times I was barefoot.  I recall building rafts that I hoped would float down the creek that was flowing with spring run off.  Then there was the time that I wanted to sleep under the stars.  I just wanted to lay there and look up to the heavens and wonder if anyone else was out there.  Mom kept reminding me of the skunk that wandered around the bush where I wanted to bed down.  I could be one of those people that lives in a cabin, off the grid, in the middle of no-where.  Maybe I'll put that on my bucket list.  I better get one started since this is the second thing that I have thought of in a couple of days.

During Christmas break, I had sleepover visitors.  My grand-daughters were with me for a few days.  They live in an urban area but when they come to Gramma's house, they are nature lovers just like me.

There is a bird feeder on my deck.  They can name all the birds that come to the feeder.  The deer make appearances in my backyard.  "Gramma, the deers are coming in the trees."  When they see this, they scoot to the window seat in my room to watch.  We were outside and the black capped chickadees were flying from the willow tree to the tray feeder.  I called out 'chick a dee dee dee' and the elder of the two girls answered 'cheesburger'.

During summer sleepover visits we go to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre.  There is a spruce bog there with benches to sit on under the towering trees.  The girls watch the squirrels run up and down the trunks.  They listen to bird calls and try to recognize them.  They take their magnifying glasses and view the different mosses covering the ground alongside the boardwalk. On the last visit in October, we took paper and crayons and were doing leaf and bark rubbings.

Last week when the girls were here, we spent 3-4 hours outside each day.  The Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation Area is only 4km from my house with lots of opportunity for outdoor play.  We packed up the ice skates, x-country skis and the sleds.  The ice rink is well maintained with very few users.  The trails are groomed and track set.  The little hill that we found was the perfect for sledding.  There was lots of giggling, laughing and some very rosy cheeks.  Needless to say, they slept really well as did I.

There is a cook house beside the rink with a wood stove inside.  We brought wood and lit a fire so we could warm up and have snacks.  Both the girls can talk me through step by step on what should be done to light a campfire.

The weather was perfect for us to be outside.  Each morning they asked if we were going skating.  They both have an appreciation for nature.  I wonder if one or both of them will be packing their pillow and blanket under their arm to find a spot in their backyard to watch the stars.

Today was the day that I got 'back on the horse that threw me' so to speak.  I purchased a kicksled last spring, just before the snow began to melt.  My grand-daughters had fun with it on the driveway a few times.  I got out on it only once.  That was the beginning and the end of my winter sledding fun for 2015.

When I purchased the sled, the vendor was great.  He provided me with lots of helpful tips.  Move forward on it like a scooter.  It is flexible so it is easy to turn.  Wear cleats to assist with kicking and braking.  Keep your foot centered on the foot pad.  All good advice but when one actually puts it into practice, one should stay on a trail with gentle sloping hills.  Let's just say that one was not so gentle and it had a curve at the bottom.  It was more challenging than what this greenhorn should have been on.

Whoopee!  I came down that hill like a race car driver.  It's all fun and games until you end up head over heels.  Before I knew what happened I found myself in the underbrush on one side of the trail and the kicksled tipped over on the other side.  Bad move.  That's all I can say in hindsight.  It took months for my bruised shoulder to heal but it is good as new now so I ventured out with the sled this morning.  I wanted to try a new trail and the description for the Hayburger Trail at Elk Island National Park sounded perfect; 12.2km of flat terrain.  My goal was to stay out of the shrubs.

I could not have asked for a better day.  A cloudless sky with plenty of sunshine was overhead.  The wind was minimal and the temperature was perfect; not too warm or too cold.  I packed up and layered up to give kicksledding a second chance.

There was nobody else on the trail today.  It was me and Mother Nature.  The snow conditions were perfect.  The hard packed snow made for easy sledding.

I had to get the hang of kicking and switching feet.  The first hill appeared and it was a gentle one.  I did stop at the top and come up with a plan as to how I was going to bail out if things went sideways like the last time.  I made it to the bottom and remained upright.  Success!

The next hill had a gentle slope as well but it also had a curve at the bottom.  Success again!  I was getting the hang of it.  There were many straight away sections on the trail where I practiced the switch over of kicking legs.  I was totally enjoying the ride.

What a great day it was to 'cruise' through the forest on the sled.  My camera gear was fastened to the seat back so I didn't have to carry it.  I tied a blanket to the seat so I had a nice spot to rest my legs when I wanted a break to take in the surroundings.

It was ironic that before leaving the house today I listened to a radio talk show.  The host was interviewing a life coach who spoke of finding a way to get rid of the 'brain chatter' that everyone experiences.  She said for some it may be tuning out and going to the gym.  For others it may be a bike ride.  For me it is just being outside.

My 'brain chatter' consists of deadlines, phones ringing, crowd noise, distracted drivers and so much more.  When I am outside I leave the chatter behind and focus on the sights, sounds and smells around me.  There is no technology in my pocket and there is no thinking of what is sitting on my desk.  I take the time to stop and watch the chickadees flit from branch to branch.  I listen to their 'cheeseburger' songs.  I watch for animal tracks and try to figure out what else was walking on the trail before me.  I pay attention to the shadows that are cast across the trails as the sun shines through the trees.

My outing was quiet today but for the birds and the breeze.  I stopped on the trail so I was not hearing the crunch of my boots on the snow or the sled runners.  The trees creaked in the wind as they swayed back and forth and a pileated woodpecker called out from a treetop.  

The trail brochure said it should take 3 to 4 hours to hike the loop.  I walked some of it and used the sled for some of it and it took 2.25 hours to get back to the parking lot.  That included numerous stops.

What fun I had today.  There were no wipe outs.  I remained upright and had a very peaceful couple of hours in the fresh air.  I am looking forward to my next outing with the sled.  

There are a number of videos on You Tube about kicksledding.  If you live within the Edmonton, Alberta area, the company that I purchased my sled from also rents them.  The fee is reasonable and would make for a fun outing for anyone that wanted to give it a try.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/KicksledAlberta/?fref=ts or http://www.kicksledalberta.com/