VOLUME 44 | NUMBER 3 | FALL 2014 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $10.00 CDN Nature Alberta CELEBRATING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

WATERFOWL LAKE IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK, WITH MOUNT CHEPHREN IN THE BACKGROUND. RICK PRICE

feature article Bats in your Hair and Other Wildlife Myths and Misconceptions

NATURE ALBERTA A GREAT GRAY OWL COMING IN FOR A LANDING! SEE THE “FIRST HAND” STORY PG 32. DR. SHARIF GALAL

ALPENGLOW ADDS FIRE AND VITALITY TO OUR SUBJECTS.” SEE JOHN WARDEN’S COLUMN, PG 16. JOHN WARDEN FALL 2014 1

Nature Alberta: Nature Alberta is composed of natural history clubs from across the province. The aims of the Federation are: Celebrating our natural heritage (a) To encourage among all Albertans, by all means possible, an increase in their knowledge of natural history and understanding of ecological processes; (b) To promote an increase in the exchange of information and views among natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (c) To foster and assist in the formation of additional natural history clubs and societies in Alberta; (d) To promote the establishment of natural areas and nature reserves, to conserve and protect species, communities or other features of interest; (e) To organize, or coordinate symposia, conferences, field meetings, Contents nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or dissimilar nature; NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 44, NUMBER 3, FALL 2014 (f) To provide the naturalists of Alberta with a forum in which questions relating to the conservation of the natural environment may be discussed, so that united positions can be developed on them, and to Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO...... 2 provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. Alberta Issues in Brief...... 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Ted Hindmarch Nature Alberta News...... 12 VICE PRESIDENT: Linda Howitt-Taylor SECRETARY: Claudia Lipski Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta BY JOHN WARDEN...... 16 TREASURER: Christine Brown PAST PRESIDENT: Chuck Priestley Eyes on IBAs: A Birder’s-Eye View on Cooperation APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Christine Brown, Ted Hindmarch, Joseph Hnatiuk, and Conservation BY BROOK SKAGEN...... 21 Geoff Holroyd, Chuck Priestley, Linda Howitt-Taylor ELECTED DIRECTORS: Jennine Pedersen (ANPC); Claudia Lipski, (BLN); FEATURE ARTICLE: Bats in your Hair and Other John & Linda Stewart (CFNS); Lu Carbyn, (ENC); Elizabeth Watts (FEIS); Wildlife Myths and Misconceptions BY LORNE FITCH...... 24 Martha Munz-Gue, (GN); Jennifer Okrainec (LLBBS); Lloyd Bennett (LNS); Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony Blake (RDRN); Chris Olsen (VRNS); Nature Diary: Flying Squirrel BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN...... 31 STAFF: Petra Rowell (Exec. Dir.)

First Hand: The Great Gray Owl…and a little bird! BY DR. SHARIF GALAL...... 32 CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. Edmonton, AB Book Review: The Reindeer Botanist: Alf Erling Porsild T6G 2T5 1901–1977...... 34 Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Speculation on how Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) arrived Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 in Southwestern Alberta BY GEORGE W. SCOTTER...... 38 Friends of Elk Island Society, Box 70, 9929 – 63 Ave, Edmonton AB, T6E 0G9 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 Up Close Naturally: What do “Bugs” Do When Lac La Biche Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Winter Comes? BY MARGOT HERVIEUX...... 41 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 Black Coyotes or Coydogs? BY DICK DEKKER...... 42 Red Deer River Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 Vermilion River Naturalists, 5707 - 47 Avenue, Vermilion, AB T9X 1K5 The North Raven River Conservation Site...... 44 AFFILIATES: Grey Wolves, Black Wolves, Red Wolves, and Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Black Coyotes BY DICK DEKKER...... 45 Alberta Mycological Society Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada Beaverhill Bird Observatory J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Book Review: Wild Wolves We Have Known...... 46 Beaver River Naturalist Club Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL...... 47 Big Lake Environmental Support Society Little Creeks and Rough Fescue BowKan Birders Appreciation Society Club Page: Friends of Elk Island Society...... 48 Calgary Bird Banding Society Purple Martin Conservancy Cochrane Environmental Action Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society Committee Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Crooked Creek Conservancy Society Association PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, Crowsnest Conservation Society The Wagner Natural Area Society 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Edmonton Naturalization Group Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Ellis Bird Farm Preservation Society PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake EMAIL. [email protected] Friends of Blackfoot Society Stewardship Assoc. Friends of Elk Island Society EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO Friends of Jasper National Park [email protected] CIRCULATION.TED HINDMARCH LAYOUT.BROKEN ARROW SOLUTIONS INC. CELEBRATE NATURE ALBERTA THANKS TO THE PROOFREADERS WHO ASSISTED IN PRODUCING THIS ISSUE: SERVING NATURE FOR OVER 43 YEARS!!! SANDRA FOSS, ELAINE GERMYN, SUZANNE LORINCZI, VAL SCHOLEFIELD, JUNE VERMEULEN. MANY THANKS TO THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER WANT TO SUBMIT ARTICLES NATURE ALBERTA DEADLINES ARE: The opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 28 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 31 articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, photos THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 31 or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 30 damage to such articles. LINDA KERSHAW/WWW.ANPC.AB.CA 2 NatureAlberta Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO

BEAUTIFUL CLIMATE CHANGE underfunding climate change A number of years ago, climate research and adapting strategies. change was being touted as a After all, “ignorance is bliss” is it blessing for Canadian farmers not? And as the Canadian rock Wheatgrass in Native Grassland.” You because it would lengthen group Trooper sang back in ’77: can download the pdf for free at: the growing season and give We’re here for a good time, not www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details. crops more sun and increased a long time! cfm?p=11094; or warmth. Even the United Nations www.foothillsrestorationforum.ca/ Intergovernmental Panel on CRESTED WHEATGRASS crested-wheatgrass-control Climate Change (IPCC) took a somewhat positive view of the When Crested Wheatgrass HUNTING WITH DRONES impact climate changes would (Agropyron cristatum) was It’s hard to believe that any hunter have on crop yields. My reaction introduced here back in the 1930s, with even the slightest ethical was: oh yes, but also more it was a godsend for erosion principles would use helicopters erratic weather patterns, more control and early spring grazing or drones to track and chase game drought, more floods, more hail, – which reduced grazing pressure animals; fortunately it’s a rare event more wind – all those things that on native grasslands – plus it as far as we know. Nevertheless, damage or wipe out crops, no was drought resistant. But, as there have been incidents in the last matter how well they are growing. with almost all alien species, it created problems, and still does. few years, as well as the promotion Well, it now seems that the IPCC It is invasive on native grassland, of drones as a hunting aid. Most and other researchers have come out competes for soil moisture jurisdictions in Canada and the to realize that the agricultural and nutrients, is long-lived and U.S. are moving to either ban such negatives are already outweighing is a prolific seed producer with so-called hunting (as Manitoba and the positives and will continue seeds that can develop into Saskatchewan did this summer) or to worsen. I hate to say I told new plants very quickly. And, clarify the rules regarding hunting you so, but it’s nice to be proven although young plants are tasty from the air. correct. On the positive side, as for grazers, it becomes more and I first became aware of this issue Globe & Mail business columnist more useless – except as fuel for from a Globe & Mail article by Tu Eric Reguly said: “We humans grass fires! – once it goes to seed; Thanh Ha, “The case against drone- might drown in a flash flood or almost nothing wants to eat the aided hunting” (page A3, Wed, Sept burn to a crisp in a midsummer dry, gone-to-seed plants with their 10, 2014). Using the term “hunting” heat wave, but we’d die with our razor-sharp seed heads. seems to be a dubious use of that stomachs full” (“The heat is on”; word – but then again, bear baiting, page 32, Report on Business, June We’ll probably never get rid of which is legal in Alberta, is even 2014). it, even if we wanted to – but it can be managed. To that end, the more unsportsmanlike! Not to worry, though: our federal Saskatchewan Watershed Authority It needs to be noted that there government has taken action has an excellent four-page fact is an important place for drone- through cutting, eliminating or sheet on “Managing Crested aided research, such as in counting FALL 2014 3

EDITOR’S PAGE cont’d…

wildlife; that would likely save On the Covers: lives by reducing helicopter crashes FRONT COVER carrying biologists. Fall is a great time for photographers: clear vistas, bright colours… and not as many tourists in places like Banff National Park. Rick Price captured a number of lovely images, including this one on ISSUES Oct 2, 2014, at Waterfowl Lake, with Mount Chephren rising in the The issues that affect Alberta keep backdrop. Mount Chephren is named after the 4th Dynasty Egyptian piling up, and you will note that pharaoh. Originally, it was named Pyramid Mountain, but because the “Alberta Issues in Brief” section there was already a peak so named in Jasper National Park, it was (starting on page 5) is longer than renamed in 1918. usual. What Nature Alberta does INSIDE FRONT COVER with that section is simply give “The Great Gray Owl is one of the largest our readers a brief synopsis of and tallest owls in the world.” So begins Dr. those issues – which range from Sharif Galal’s charming story about a Great the positive to the benign to the Gray Owl and a pesky little Red-winged downright chilling. But regardless of Blackbird near Bragg Creek (in “First Hand” the type of issue, they are all worth page 32). Sharif was thrilled to witness and thoughtful consideration, whether it photograph the event; it was, as he says, “one of the most touching moments I have seen during fifteen years of photography.” is Trumpeter Swans, the Site C Dam, Pronghorn research, Julie Gelfand’s “Alpenglow,” says John Warden, “adds fire and vitality to our subjects.” John’s articles and Environment Commissioner’s report photos continue to enthrall readers. This edition’s submission, “Freeborn’s Lament,” is no or any of the others. different. The “Freeborn” in the title refers to early 1900s climber Frank W. Freeborn, who was a charter member of the Alpine Club of Canada. You will find it beginning on page 16. Despite the great temptation to use sarcasm or provide editorial INSIDE BACK COVER comments on some of the items, From these photos, it is obvious that Jean we keep to reporting the facts and/ Connor’s backyard is a classic bird lure: feeders, berries, diverse vegetation. While it is or what was said about a particular expected that numerous species will come to issue, while avoiding obvious the feeders, it is perhaps unusual to see those propaganda. Because of limited in the photos feeding together, in particular space, we can only provide an the three Corvids in the one image (a Magpie, a Blue Jay and lower introduction to an issue in “Alberta down at the suet feeder, a Crow). As Jean said: “We sure were Issues in Brief.” However, it does surprised seeing these different birds watching one another while allow readers who wish more detail eating at the same time. My friends loved the pictures and said, ‘it’s like all the people that come to your home.’ Ha, ha… yes, everyone’s to expand their knowledge, using a welcome here.” variety of internet or other sources.

INSIDE NATURE ALBERTA BACK COVER This edition, as usual, is chock- Trying to determine how different species of flowers arrived where full of fascinating, informative and one finds them is often a challenge for botanists in the absence of definitive information. It is the floral equivalent of a “whodunnit”! entertaining articles as well as This time, Bitterroot is the subject of George Scotter’s intriguing wonderful photography. Personally, article, “Speculation on how Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) arrived in I’m very excited over Nature Southwestern Alberta” starting on page 38. Harvey Abraham’s lovely photo is of a pink-phase Bitterroot.

Want to Switch your subscription from hard copy to the full Phone today: (780) 427.8124; or Switch? COLOUR e-version and get even GREATER enjoyment Email us: [email protected] or of Nature Alberta while REDUCING paper use. [email protected] 4 NatureAlberta

Alberta’s great new initiative, “Notable Conservationists” (page 14), which in effect is a Naturalist Hall of Fame. You can read about one such naturalist, Elsie Cassels McAlister, on page 15. It has been very gratifying as Nature Alberta Editor to receive so much superb material from so many excellent authors and sources. Having too little material has never been my problem! Having said that, you are welcome to provide Nature Alberta with your own Alberta-based stories and articles and photos…or simply letters commenting on the magazine’s content. I look forward to hearing from you!

NATURALLY, YOUR EDITOR WISHES YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS! FALL 2014 5

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

Pollinators Update: No Benefit to Soybeans from Neonicotinoids? The U.S. Environmental Protection treatment or sprayed, ostensibly to Meanwhile, Ontario beekeepers Agency has concluded that combat insect pests of those crops. have launched a lawsuit neonicotinoid seed treatments However, hundreds of scientific against two big chemical provide little or no overall papers have linked neonicotinoids companies, Syngenta AG and benefits to soybean production – directly and/or indirectly – to Bayer CropScience, alleging in most situations. Published widespread losses of beneficial that their pesticides have data indicate that in most cases insects, (including pollinators), caused widespread bee deaths there is no difference in soybean aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates which has driven up costs and yield when soybean seed was and avian species. reduced honey production. treated with neonicotinoids versus The beekeepers allege that the Notwithstanding the scientific not receiving any insect control companies were “negligent” in conclusions, the issue and its treatment. the “design, sale, manufacture solution is complicated by intense and distribution” of neonicotinoid Corn and soybean, along with lobbying from the pesticide industry pesticides. The lawsuit may many other crops, are treated and parts of the agricultural sector become a class action suit. with the neonicotinoid group of – and the government response to pesticides, either through seed the lobbying.

New ESRD Minister Environment Commissioner’s 2014 Fall Report Kyle Fawcett, PC MLA for The 2014 Fall Report from Julie The report – well researched and Calgary-Klein, has been named Gelfand, Canada’s Environment factual – is an interesting and the Minister for Environment Commissioner, was tabled in the important document well worth and Sustainable Resource House of Commons on Tuesday perusing, if not reading in its entirety. Development (ESRD). Mr. Fawcett, Oct 7th. The Report specifically As might be expected, the Canadian who is thirty-fours years old, examines the following issues: Government does not come out is a graduate of the University looking good. It is available on the • Mitigating Climate Change of Calgary, with a bachelor of Office of the Auditor General of arts degree in political science • Environmental Monitoring of Oil Canada web site (www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/ and economics. He was born Sands internet/English/admin_e_41.html). and raised in Calgary and now • Marine Navigation in the lives in Calgary’s Mount Pleasant Canadian Arctic community. Bill Werry has been • Implementation of the Canadian named as his deputy minister. Environmental Assessment Act, Responsibility for Parks has been 2012 moved to ESRD. The Tourism, • Departmental Progress in Parks and Recreation ministry Implementing Sustainable has been integrated into other Development Strategies ministries, with tourism and • Environmental Petitions Annual recreation becoming part of the Report new department, Culture and Tourism. 6 NatureAlberta

Site C Dam Given Approvals On October 14th, 2014, both the touted – perhaps to make it seem restrictive fishing on the Peace River. federal and B.C. governments more palatable – as producing Officials with Wood Buffalo National approved environmental enough potential electricity to Park asked that cumulative impacts certificates for the construction power 450,000 homes; however, of all three Peace River dams on of the hydro-electric Site C Dam few if any ‘homes’ will actually the Peace-Athabasca Delta (80 per on the Peace River. The earth- be powered by the dam unless cent of which is located within the filled dam, just southeast of Fort they’re in California, which has park’s boundaries) be taken into St. John and close to the BC- long been suggested as another consideration when reviewing the Alberta border, will be 69 metres destination for BC’s surplus project. high with an 83 kilometre-long electricity. There are many other problems reservoir. Its expected negative A joint review panel report associated with the dam and with effects are an issue for Alberta as released in May concluded that BC Hydro’s proposal, which is why well as BC. the permanent negative effects of the dam has been opposed by many In granting the approvals, BC the dam and reservoir would be local farmers, ranchers, Treaty 8 Environment Minister Mary significant and irreparable. Lost First Nations, rural residents and Polak and Federal Environment would be: thousands of acres environmentalists. The cost to BC Minister Leona Aglukkaq both of prime farmland; First Nations taxpayers is certainly one point of stated that the dam is in the traditional-use land and resources; contention: the estimated cost of public interest, with the benefits heritage sites; and wildlife a minimum of $7.9 billion is from justifying the considerable adverse habitat (with the resulting severe, 2011; as well, according to the World environmental, social, agricultural unmitigable effects on fish, plants Commission on Dams, as a rule and heritage effects. and wildlife). Approximately projects of this size go into at least 30,000 acres in total would be 50% cost overruns and often much The Site C Dam has been impacted. The panel also found more. Perhaps even more unsettling controversial for many years, that the province and BC Hydro is that many, if not most, of the LNG having been rejected twice in (which is a Crown corporation) projects may never go ahead due the 1980s as too expensive and have failed to look at alternatives to construction costs and a glut of too damaging. The benefits in to the Site C dam in particular, supply. Thus, the predicted windfall 2014 appear to be limited to geothermal energy which could of government revenues is, as BC construction jobs and electric potentially power all of BC. Finance Minister Mike de Jong said power for the potential Liquid Oct 21st 2014, “not quite as lucrative Natural Gas (LNG) exporting as it once was.” The government has projects that the BC government THE ALBERTA CONNECTION: responded with legislation to slash has been hoping will go ahead. During the hearings, both Alberta the already low tax rate, plus add tax Site C, potentially producing Environment and Sustainable incentives 1,100 megawatts of capacity Resource Development (ESRD) annually, is intended to power and Parks Canada (on behalf B.C. Energy Minister Bill Bennett fracking operations, mines and of Wood Buffalo National Park) has said that if the project were LNG compressor stations as well expressed deep concerns with the approved, construction could start as pipeline pumping to the west potential damage the dam would as early as this coming January, coast. As BC Premier Christy do to this province, especially in with a completion date of 2024. The Clarke stated: “You can’t power conjunction with two other BC approvals may be moot, however, up these huge [LNG] facilities Hydro dams – the W.A.C. Bennett and not just because of the vague without more power, so BC and the Peace Canyon dams – need and cost to taxpayers; First Hydro’s going to have to build having already significantly altered Nations are likely to take legal action Site C – we’re in favour of making the flow of the river into Alberta. to defend what they see as their that happen.” Site C is being One of the results may be more constitutional rights. FALL 2014 7

Southwest Calgary Ring Road Concerns BY LISA DAHLSEIDE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WEASELHEAD/GLENMORE PARK PRESERVATION SOCIETY [email protected]; 403-200-7111

The Weaselhead/Glenmore Park expensive to construct, we submit experts to help come up with viable Preservation Society and Calgary that it will be extremely expensive design choices. Options exist for River Valleys hosted a Public and disruptive to maintain in the Alberta Transportation where the Open Forum on October 7, 2014, medium and long term as the river is given the space to move the goal of which was to educate substrate continues to settle. and shape the environment freely. the public about the current SW An open concept design that spans The dynamics of the meandering Ring Road design for crossing the Elbow River valley would allow Elbow River, its alluvial aquifer the Elbow River Valley, South for this. Positive local examples and the entire hydraulic ecosystem Calgary`s drinking water source. can be seen on Stony Trail crossing should be much better understood It was apparent that many citizens the Bow River at Bowness Park, or by the engineers developing the are equally as concerned as we seen along the current 37th Street causeway. Current plans will alter are, with standing room only; the crossing Fish Creek Park. the ecosystems, biodiversity, water Cedarbrae Community Centre had quality, fish habitat and more, while The designers will be given direction 400 plus people packed in the reducing forest rejuvenation and from the government about what gym, all eager to learn and express increasing risk of forest fires over should be considered. If the main their concerns. the long-term. concern is, “make it the cheapest”, Technology is available to that’s what we will get, regardless Realigning and restricting the river construct the best road possible of the long term costs. If the cost to will result in sediment loading. with enhanced environmental the environment and community is Air-born salt and other by-products mitigation that will respect the the main concern, then we can get a will impact the drinking water integrity of the Elbow River Valley. river crossing with reduced impacts in the Glenmore Reservoir. The The Weaselhead Preservation on the drinking water source and wetlands contribute to maintaining Society hopes for a design that will valued Weaselhead Natural Area. water quality by filtering and reduce the impacts on this valued cleaning water prior to entering the VISIT WWW.THEWEASELHEAD.COM FOR area. Our high level concerns with Glenmore reservoir and we fear MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING MAPS the cut-and-fill design include the this has not been considered in the AND ILLUSTRATIONS. settling of the berm over the long latest road design plans. term; the realigning and restricting of the meandering Elbow River; the There is no other natural area long term effects on water quality, comparable to the Weaselhead Park SOCIETY MISSION: parks, community and wildlife. within Calgary City limits and the The Weaselhead/Glenmore Park long-term effects due to noise, light The South West Connecting Preservation Society (a Nature Alberta and biodiversity loss need to be Calgary Ring Road Geotechnical Affiliate Club) works to protect the addressed. Technology is available Assessment (Thurber, 2006) flora and fauna of the Weaselhead to construct a road with minimal confirms that there are almost 20 and Glenmore Parks and to preserve sound disturbance to the area, as meters of alluvial and lacustrine the integrity of the Elbow River. well as reducing the environmental deposits on the Elbow River valley www.TheWeaselhead.com impacts and allowing a wildlife bottom. The sand and gravel at corridor. the surface may be compactable in the short term, but the lacustrine In late winter or early spring deposits at depth are notorious for 2015, Calgary River Valleys will be settling over the long term. While a hosting a workshop calling upon cut-and-fill design may be the least 8 NatureAlberta

New Pronghorn Management Guides ARTICLE FROM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY NEWSROOM

Biologists from the U.S., Mexico, said co-author Paul Jones, Senior Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Canada have collaborated Biologist with Alberta Conservation Associate Conservation Biologist and for the first time to produce Association. “This is the first time co-author Renee Seidler said, “This recommendations to protect and that biologists from these three document pulled current information manage North America’s fastest nations have joined together in the from some of our best, current land mammal – the Pronghorn common interest of informing the resources on Pronghorn management (Antilocapra americana). conservation and management of and summarized it all in one place. Pronghorn. No matter what part of It will aid biologists, conservationists, Pronghorn are endemic to North the Pronghorn range you are living managers, and land owners alike in America and numbered an or working in, the issues facing the making the most informed decisions estimated 35 million in the early animals are the same.” for Pronghorn conservation.” 19th century. Today, about 700,000 remain and more than half of those Some of the ongoing priority FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS STORY, live in Wyoming. [The Alberta issues faced among scientists and OR TO TALK WITH RENEE SEIDLER, PLEASE population has been estimated at agency biologists include managing CONTACT SCOTT SMITH AT 718-220-3698 OR EMAIL [email protected]. between 10,000 and 20,000 - Ed.] Pronghorn under the pressures The guides provide the latest “state- of industrial development and of-the-art” Pronghorn management understanding and mitigating the * Pronghorn females usually give recommendations on such topics as impacts of linear infrastructure birth to twins, but there is a high assessing habitat and life histories, (roads, fences, etc.) on the animals mortality rate of fawns during the harvest, predation, and population as they move across the landscape. first month of life. dynamics. These topics were updated and among those highlighted in this “These guides are the product edition of the guide. of collaboration across borders,”

PRONGHORN IN A WYOMING GAS FIELD. JEFF BURRELL/WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY FALL 2014 9

Conserving the Waldron WALDRON LANDSCAPE. KYLE MARQUARDT INFORMATION FROM NCC WEBSITE

The Waldron Ranch was established The Waldron in 1883 as what was then called the Conservation Walrond Ranch by Duncan McNab Project, McEachran of Montreal, with composed financial backing predominantly primarily from England’s Sir John Walrond- of native Walrond. An option to acquire habitat, is a conservation agreement on an area of the 30,535-acre (12,357-hectare) incredible Waldron lands was negotiated diversity, between the Nature Conservancy rich history and spectacular scenery. had a direct impact in assisting with of Canada (NCC) and the Waldron Those who drive along the ribbon conserving this landscape for all time. Grazing Co-operative Ltd on April of pavement known as the Cowboy The Waldron Grazing Cooperative 3, 2013. Trail (Highway 22) know this positioned to purchase the adjacent landscape well. This was the first opportunity since property known as the King Ranch, the late 1800s to conserve this On September 11, 2013, NCC’s which extends the property of the landscape for all time, ensuring Alberta Region publicly announced Waldron an additional 4,200 acres (1,700 the protection of the headwaters the historic agreement and the hectares). NCC and the Cooperative are consisting of critical streams and urgency to raise the remaining $3 now looking into potentially placing an rivers for the entire Canadian million to meet fundraising goals. additional easement on this property as Prairies, which provide water for The total project cost more than well, therefore assuring the entire block millions of Canadians and countless $37.5 million, with The Waldron of deeded land will remain intact and wildlife species, while still allowing Grazing Co-op members making conserved for all time. it to be a working ranch landscape. the largest donation. The Alberta The Waldron is the largest remaining The Waldron Conservation Project government provided $12.2 million, block of deeded (private) land along is in Alberta’s southern foothills, Ottawa $4 million and the Calgary the eastern slopes of Alberta. The rough situated in a broad valley between Foundation $1 million. fescue grasslands that dominate the area the 70,000 acre Bob Creek Wildland NCC has now announced that the provide essential services, including Park (the Whaleback) to the west Waldron as we know it has been water filtration, carbon sequestration, and the 97,000 acre Porcupine Hills officially conserved; NCC would soil protection, and forage for both Forest Reserve to the east along like to thank all donors who have domestic and wild animals the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Advertising in Nature Alberta Full details, including rates and sizes, Nature Alberta is now accepting a limited are available at: number of advertisements for future issues. online: www.naturealberta.ca Ad rates vary from $35 (business card size) to email: [email protected] $249 (full page), X2 for colour. phone: (780) 427 – 8124 10 NatureAlberta

Industry Footprint Grows in Endangered Parks Canada Rejects Caribou Habitat Maligne Lodge in FROM AWA NEWS RELEASES, OCTOBER 10 & OCTOBER 14, 2014 Jasper Over 560,000 hectares has been two decades. Demand for liquids- auctioned for new oil and gas rich gas accounts for much of the In the Spring 2014 Nature Alberta, leases in threatened Alberta intensive energy activity in caribou we reported on the Maligne Tours woodland caribou ranges since ranges in northwest and west proposal for a 66-suite luxury hotel October 2012. There are no central Alberta. plus 15 tent cabins along Maligne meaningful surface disturbance Lake’s north shore. There was Significant energy extraction is limits on these leases even though considerable opposition, not least of possible while steadily recovering the federal government directed which was because the development caribou habitat. Alberta could provinces in October 2012 to was in violation of Parks Canada’s place total surface disturbance reduce industry footprint within policies and contrary to the National limits within caribou ranges and their caribou ranges. A further Parks Act. give companies alternatives to 35,000 hectares of oil and gas prove tenure, to motivate longer- On July 25, 2014, Parks Canada lease sales in caribou range are distance directional drilling and announced that it has rejected the planned from mid-October to early pooling of leases. In that way, hotel proposal. The extensive input December 2014. energy companies could still extract they received from Canadians and Meanwhile, extensive logging is very significant resources while the goals of Canada’s National occurring within and adjacent aggregating and reducing their Conservation Plan, were cited as to two endangered west central surface footprint. Significant forestry factors in the rejection of the luxury Alberta caribou ranges, counter activity is possible outside caribou hotel. to extensive evidence that forest ranges in west central Alberta, However, 13 other elements of re-growth, not new harvesting, while steadily recovering caribou the Maligne Tours proposal were is required for caribou recovery. habitat. AWA’s analysis suggests accepted by Parks Canada subject These caribou populations, the that a broad regional agreement to more detailed design-level Little Smoky and À La Pêche, are to share wood fibre quotas across proposals. This includes the up to 15 the focus of Alberta’s upcoming west-central Alberta would enable tent cabins and other fixed-structure caribou range plans, the first plans logging to stop in caribou range elements. Many of the original Alberta will provide as required and buffer areas, yet would reduce ecological and environmental under the federal caribou recovery total regional forestry cuts by only concerns are still valid, including strategy. 15-20%. the precedent that would be set. It Alberta Wilderness Association Energy and forestry footprint in has been reported that Ecojustice (AWA) has called on the Alberta caribou ranges stimulates deer, will be taking the matter to court government to develop meaningful, moose, and predator populations, on behalf of the Canadian Parks enforceable rules to reduce robbing the caribou of their ability and Wilderness Society and the industry’s footprint in caribou to minimize overlap with predators. Jasper Environmental Association habitat. Provincial range plans Provincial scientists assessed Alberta because even the commercial required under the federal boreal woodland caribou as ‘endangered’ overnight accomodations (the tent caribou recovery strategy should in 2010, though the province has cabins) are prohibited by the Park’s provide tools to achieve this step. not yet updated their listing from management plan. It remains to be ‘threatened’. Caribou recovery is seen how Parks Canada will respond Over 80% of caribou ranges in both technically and biologically to the detailed proposals, though northeast Alberta had bitumen feasible, according to scientists. it has said that it is considering leases as of 2011, and population changing the 2010 management plan rates for caribou there have FOR MORE INFORMATION: CAROLYN to get around that. declined by an estimated rate CAMPBELL, ALBERTA WILDERNESS of 5-15% per year over the past ASSOCIATION, (403) 921-9519 (CELL) FALL 2014 11

Trumpeter Swan Removed from Alberta’s Threatened Species List FROM ALBERTA GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASE, JULY 30 2014 Collaborative efforts have resulted of Albertans to preserve our in the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus province’s biodiversity.” buccinator) being removed from This and other changes Alberta’s threatened species list; to the at-risk species list it is now identified as a species are the result of science- of special concern. This means, based recommendations while still vulnerable, it is not brought forward by Alberta’s immediately in danger. Endangered Species Robin Campbell, when he Conservation Committee and was Minister of Environment its Scientific Subcommittee. and Sustainable Resource As part of this work, four Development, stated: “I’m pleased additional species were added HTTP://ALBERTA.CA/RELEASE the Trumpeter Swan can now to the threatened species list due A recovery plan for each of the be removed from the threatened to declining or small populations. listed species will be created species list. This success is a These species are: Athabasca and put in place with help from testament to the hard work, Rainbow Trout; Bull Trout; Pygmy stakeholders to protect and careful planning and commitment Whitefish; and Western Grebe. rebuild these populations. Gravel Pit Proposed Associated Aggregates Inc. has trout and maintaining flows in the Alberta, the County’s development applied to Clearwater County for a North Raven River. Another site, officer, Eleanor Pengelly, stated: development permit to operate a the 125 acre Leavitt property at “Thank you for your inquiry regarding gravel pit (the Hankinson Pit) on a the headsprings of North Raven the Hankinson gravel pit. We received property adjacent to the Stainbrook River, was purchased in 1997 for a development permit application for a Springs property and bordered by $152,695 with Buck for Wildlife gravel pit on SE 18-37-05 W5M. Due to the North Raven River (also known funds by the Crown to ensure the proximity to the North Raven River, as Stauffer Creek). This proposal integrity of this stream. Millions of we have asked the applicant, Associated has created considerable angst dollars and thousands of hours of Aggregate, to supply an Environmental because of the potential damaging volunteer manpower have gone Assessment Report for the proposed pit. impact on the watershed, the into restoring the North Raven The report will need to address issues North Raven River and its fishery. River into the healthy environment identified by Alberta Environment and it is today as Alberta’s top trout The Stainbrook Springs property Sustainable Resources as relevant to stream. The North Raven River is was jointly purchased in 2001 this proposal. Once we receive that one of very few spring-fed creeks for $139,000 by the Alberta report, we will consider the application in all of Alberta. This stream is Conservation Association, Alberta complete. The next step after that will highly renowned as a blue-ribbon Fish and Game Association and be sending the information package out brown trout fishery. Trout Unlimited Canada to protect to affected parties for input and then groundwater supplies for the North This isn’t the first time a gravel pit the development permit application Raven River. The site is bordered has been proposed for the area; in will be presented to by the North Raven River and fact, this is the sixth attempt in the the Municipal Planning contains a number of groundwater last three years. The final decision Commission for a springs, which are critical habitat is up to Clearwater County. In decision.” for spawning and rearing of brook response to a question by Nature 12 NatureAlberta

Nature Alberta NEWS Magazine Archives Now Online! Nature Alberta & Now online: the first five years of Nature Alberta magazine, starting with Vol 1, No. 1, January-February 1971. Cheyenne Lemery, Nature Alberta’s Back then, it was simply called • Vice President: D. A. E. Communications Specialist, wants the Federation of Alberta Spalding (of the Edmonton you to know that Nature Alberta Naturalist (FAN) Newsletter and Natural History Club) has its own YouTube channel now. later the Alberta Naturalist. You • Secretary: Ian Halladay (of All kinds of “good stuff” is there for can find them at naturealberta.ca, the Calgary Field Naturalists you to view. Visit: under Publications (scroll down Society) youtube.com/naturealberta past “Submission Guidelines”). • Treasurer: Helen Schuler It’s fascinating to read these (of the Lethbridge Natural articles from the past and see the History Society) names associated with the writing Have a read; it’s worth it! At and goings-on; the first issue even some point next year – Nature listed all the members of FAN at Alberta’s 45th Anniversary! – that time. Also included are the we hope to have an index of names of the original executive all the articles in the magazine of FAN: a who’s who of famed going back to Vol 1, No. 1; naturalist excellence: volunteer Michael Rowell is • President: Dr. M. T. Myres (of busy working on it. the Calgary Field Naturalists Society)

The Bookstore Nature Alberta’s publication The Atlas of SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS . . . Breeding Birds of Alberta (1995) is almost Nature Alberta would be most grateful to receive a sold out and will not be reprinted. If you Christmas donation so we can continue our nature want a copy for yourself or as a gift, now education, conservation and citizen science projects. is the time to get it! Price is $24.95 (plus To make an online donation, go to our website gst & shipping). The follow-up The Atlas of (naturealberta.ca) and click the Donate button on the Breeding Birds of Alberta: A Second Look is left. Alternatively, you can mail a cheque to: Nature also $24.95 (plus gst & shipping). Alberta, 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB, T5M 3K6. The Bookstore has about twenty other titles Or, you can be a partner with Nature Alberta through that you may wish to purchase, either as a gift – it’s almost ongoing support via direct debit; your monthly or Christmas! – or for yourself. Go online to naturealberta.ca/ recurring gift allows us to plan ahead and respond to store and click on “Books” under “Categories” for the full list. conservation issues around the province. FALL 2014 13

Being a Member of Nature Alberta Nature Alberta provides a five YNC FAMILY MEMBERS dollar membership discount for 1 YEAR FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: members of our corporate and $25.00 e-version; $40.00 hard copy affiliate clubs: the “Extended • Family Membership includes Membership” category. It has enrolment in the Young come to our attention that some Naturalist program (will receive clubs and their members may an e-version Nature Wild not be fully aware of changes to Magazine, notices of all YNC our Extended Membership fees events, etc.). and options; as well, some club websites need to be updated. • Family Members will receive the e-version of Nature Alberta This is a good time to remind magazine or for an additional everyone of all the membership $15.00 surcharge, can receive a options. Membership rate changes hard copy. DID WE MENTION were approved by the Board at our • Family Members will receive CHRISTMAS? Jan 2014 board meeting and went 10% off NA merchandise and into effect 1 Apr 2014. The rate For the person who has books except items that are changes are documented as part already reduced or on special. everything except a of our Policy and Process Guide membership in Nature document and were announced • Each Family Membership has Alberta…why not a gift in the Winter 2014 issue of our one vote at the Annual General membership to Nature Alberta magazine (Page 9). The changes Meeting. are reflected on all renewal so they, too, can enjoy our notifications (both hard and E-mail EXTENDED CLUB magazine?! For families with MEMBERSHIP versions), and on our on-line younger children, gifting the 1 YEAR EXTENDED CLUB membership site. The new prices MEMBERSHIP: Family Membership and thus are included in each magazine. $20.00 e-version; $35.00 hard copy making them part of the Here’s the gist of it all. Young Naturalist Program is • Available to any individual who ideal. Go for it! Plus – have INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS is a current member in good yourselves a really great 1 YEAR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP: standing of a Corporate or $25.00 e-version; $40.00 hard copy Affiliate club of Nature Alberta. Christmas!! The applicant must provide • Individual Members will receive the name of their Corporate or the e-version of Nature Alberta Affiliate Club. magazine or for an additional • Extended Members will receive $15.00 surcharge (to help cover the e-version of Nature Alberta the substantial costs of printing magazine or for an additional and postage), can receive a hard $15.00 surcharge, can receive copy. a hard copy (previously • Individual Members will the Extended membership receive 10% off Nature Alberta discount was offered only merchandise and books except with the e-version but is now items that are already reduced or available with both e-version on special. and hardcopy and covers • All Individual Members may vote both individual and family at the Annual General Meeting. membership categories). 14 NatureAlberta

Introducing Alberta’s Notable Conservationists

“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants” –Isaac Newton

Do you remember what inspired is named. While your interest in the natural world? these names Was it something that was always may be familiar, part of who you are, or did others their personal around you foster this curiosity? histories Perhaps you even had a mentor including how - a naturalist, teacher or family they developed member who shared outdoor an affinity or experiences with you. Or, maybe connection you are the mentor! to the natural world might NOTABLE CONSERVATIONIST GRANT MACEWAN STOPS TO VISIT Working in collaboration be less known. WHILE ON A HIKE (1968). PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES OF ALBERTA (J.182) with the Fish and Wildlife Notable Historical Society, Nature Conservationists Alberta has recently launched aims to provide a glimpse into an online project called Notable what may have motivated the Conservationists to recognize and purchasing a copy people who continue to inspire honor Alberta’s humble heroes of of the book Fish, the naturalists of today. the natural world. In this case, we Fur & Feathers. have defined a conservationist as In some cases, these people have Many Notable someone who works to protect been our friends, colleagues Conservationists natural resources, including and teachers. Dawn Dickinson, stories originate educators, amateur naturalists, a long time member of one of from this wonderful landowners, biologists or Nature Alberta’s clubs (Grasslands resource. conservation groups. We want to Naturalists) was one of the first Purchasing a spotlight people past and present names nominated for Notable copy online for who have showed dedication to Conservationists. Martin Paetz yourself or as a sharing and protecting Alberta’s was also included to begin the gift is a great way natural resources. Notable list. Porcupine Stone Productions to support Nature Conservationists are the stories of donated an audio interview with Alberta and projects like Notable those who inspire us. Paetz, Alberta’s first provincial Conservationists. fisheries biologist. The interview Some of the names making their You can purchase a copy of has been turned into a video way onto the growing Notable Fish, Fur & Feathers, view our specifically for the project and is Conservationists list will ring a current list of Alberta’s Notable currently online. bell: for example Joseph Burr Conservationists and nominate Tyrrell, the namesake of the Royal If the stories about the people new names online by visiting: Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller; behind Alberta’s conservation are http://naturealberta.ca/nature-in- or Grant MacEwan, for whom of interest to you, please consider alberta/notable-conservationists/ MacEwan University in Edmonton FALL 2014 15

ELIZA (ELSIE) CASSELS Federal Bird MCALISTER Sanctuary. A STORY FROM NOTABLE Today, CONSERVATIONISTS; AN ONLINE RESOURCE DEVELOPED the area is COLLABORATIVELY BETWEEN NATURE known as ALBERTA AND THE FISH AND WILDLIFE the Kerry HISTORICAL SOCIETY Wood Nature Centre and Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. McAlister’s time was often in demand as a lecturer on birds. Elsie Cassels McAlister was born Audiences FRONT (SEATED), 3RD FROM RIGHT: ELIZA CASSELS MCALISTER. RED DEER & in Scotland in 1864. She met ranging DISTRICT ARCHIVES, P7014; OLD TIMER’S REUNION; [1934] and married William Cassels from school with whom she established a children to women’s groups would was strongly opposed to shooting homestead south of Red Deer, gather to hear her speak on topics birds for collection or research. Her Alberta in 1889. including bird identification and impressive ability to identify birds by McAlister began her involvement preservation of natural habitats. sight and call was developed through in the Alberta Natural History Those who met her often noted a lifetime of observation and years of Society (ANHS) in 1902 after her approachable demeanor, experience in the field. moving to Red Deer. As an early energy and knowledge of the Elsie Cassels McAlister passed away member, she helped establish natural world, attributes that likely from a stroke, November 12, 1938. Purple Martin colonies at Sylvan contributed to her success as an Lake. McAlister’s involvement in educator and speaker. “I know of no prettier sight than a an early campaign for the creation flock of Redwings flying back and She was also a keen writer and forth over their nesting grounds in the of a provincial park covering contributed her observations to The the Red Deer River Canyon was morning sunlight, trilling their lovely Canadian Field-Naturalist between call note and spreading their scarlet unsuccessful in 1906. However the the years of 1920 to 1935. Her work idea would evolve over the years wings to show the gorgeous scarlet and was also published in the Red Deer cream-edged shoulder patch as they into the development of the Red Advocate. Deer Bird Sanctuary. This initiative hover over the nest.” –Eliza Cassels was undertaken successfully years McAlister was actively involved in McAlister later when she became the first fieldwork for over 40 years of her To learn more about McAlister and woman to hold an official position life. Her interest in the flora and other Alberta Notable Conservationists in a Canadian natural history fauna of the Red Deer area are online, visit: http://naturealberta. society; she was vice-president of documented in correspondence ca/nature-in-alberta/notable- ANHS between 1917 and 1924. with respected naturalists, conservationists/ ornithologists and friends including A successful application by ANHS one of Alberta’s renowned TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALBERTA’S CONSERVATION HISTORY PURCHASE A COPY to the Commissioner of Canadian biologists, William Rowan. National Parks was made in 1923 OF THE BOOK FISH, FUR & FEATHERS ONLINE to have the land designated as a While homesteading, McAlister AT: HTTP://STORE.NATUREALBERTA.CA/ relied on subsistence hunting but 16 NatureAlberta

Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta

Freeborn’s Lament BY JOHN WARDEN JOHN WARDEN

In 1907 after climbing Mount “I tried to catch the scene with my that come to us intuitively. We know Sir Donald in British Columbia, camera, but the result is only a it when we see it, but to artistically Frank W. Freeborn, a mountain faint suggestion of the majesty and capture and convey majesty is a much climber and charter member of the beauty of the original.” more difficult undertaking. Alpine Club of Canada, articulated Freeborn was right. Majesty is My response to Freeborn’s lament was a problem that many nature not a simple aesthetic quality. It’s to take on majesty as a project and, like photographers face: one of those emotional responses the jigsaw puzzles of mountain scenery that my Mother so enjoyed, examine each of the pieces to see where they fit and how they contribute to the finished picture. For help, I turned to another mountain climber, Arthur P. Coleman. Coleman was also a founding member of the Alpine Club of Canada and in 1910 became the club’s second president. A professor of geology at the University of Toronto, he was a climber who made the first ascent of Castle Mountain near Banff in 1884. Coleman was also a writer, a photographer and an artist. As noted by author David P. Silcox: “Painting was, for [Coleman], both a poetic and a descriptive pursuit, a way of wrapping an artistic expression around a phenomenon he was interested in or moved by.”

ENGULFED BY THE MOUNTAINS AT MORAINE LAKE. JOHN WARDEN FALL 2014 17

LET THE MOUNTAINS BE AS TALL AS POSSIBLE. JOHN WARDEN

Majesty, for sure, is an artistic “Lifting their heads serenely among though, surrounded and engulfed by expression and Coleman, who drifting clouds, [the mountains] them, then we begin to experience made eight expeditions into the give one a poignant feeling of the majesty. But how can we artistically Rockies, was definitely moved by difference between man’s world convey this towering, high view mountains. On the 31st of July and God’s. Here was purity and aspect of majesty? Let the mountains 1908, having left from Edmonton measureless peace. Here one might be as tall as possible. Compose the for his second attempt at think high thoughts. photograph so that the top of the summiting Mount Robson, he and mountain or highest point of interest The highest point of the mountain his expedition approached the is at the very top of the image frame rose in sheer cliffs above a very mountains. From Coleman’s book, or, by showing only part of the wild valley. [...] From our perch on The Canadian Rockies: New and mountain, imply that it towers even the rocks there was a magnificent Old Trails, we get our first clue: beyond the top of the frame. view of the central Rockies, “Then came the imposing portal of including the Columbia Icefields.” A high view, though, is not the only limestone cliffs and once more the piece of the puzzle that is majesty. Mountains in the distance are majesty of the mountains engulfed Coleman’s description of Roche Miette nice. Certainly, they can be scenic. us, the huge block of Roche Miette as “a huge block that overshadows When we’re IN the mountains overshadowing us for half a day.” them for half the day” offers another Here, close to home, on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, we can begin putting our picture together. To go beyond a snap shot or selfie and dip our toes into the artistic realm of the majestic, we start with a sense of being engulfed by the mountains. Mountains tower and loom over us. They have a high view and Coleman’s descriptions from his climbing expeditions give us that sense:

SHOWING ONLY PART OF THE MOUNTAIN IMPLIES THAT IT TOWERS EVEN BEYOND THE TOP OF THE FRAME. JOHN WARDEN 18 NatureAlberta breath in the frosty air. Wow! This guy is majestic I thought to myself. And indeed, he is as you can see from the photograph. His size in the image though, is amplified by the contrasting scale of the plants in front of his face. And such is the case with mountains. Add a tree, a person, or wildlife to our mountain images, anything from which size can be inferred and instantly, we create scale. In doing so, we also begin to interact with the image. Bison have provided me with another critical characteristic of majesty, that of power. Bison in general are big and powerful and the bull I saw that winter was a juggernaut. I could see the light in his eyes and his frosty breath as he ploughed through the deep snow. From these cues, the bison’s power was visceral. That same feeling of bone-deep power is found in Arthur Coleman’s evocative HE WAS HUGE, WITH A MASSIVE HEAD, MADE EVEN LARGER BY HIS HEAVY COAT OF mountain descriptions of tumbling WINTER HAIR. JOHN WARDEN glaciers, precipitous slopes, and sheer walls of ice. And when Coleman fell clue. Size, bulk and massiveness bull bison in winter at Elk Island through the snow into a deep crevasse are also contributing factors. Mount National Park. He was huge, and was saved only by his ice axe, Robson is a particularly good with a massive head, made even he experienced firsthand the dangers example. Seen from the west on larger by his heavy coat of winter posed by the powerful forces at work the Yellowhead Highway, Robson hair. Frost and snow covered his in the mountains. is a huge and massive mountain face and I could see his warm that is awesome in its majesty. LINES ARE ANOTHER EFFECTIVE COMPOSITIONAL TOOL THAT CAN CONVEY POWER. JOHN WARDEN Capturing that size, though, can become an obstacle to appreciating and artistically expressing the quality of majesty. One of the compositional techniques that can help with that problem is scale i.e. portraying comparatively, the size of a mountain. Coleman, like many photographers and painters effected scale by positioning a tree in the foreground of his canvas or print, thereby allowing us to judge from the relative size of the tree the mass of the mountain looming over and around it. My own experience using scale might help to illustrate this concept. I remember seeing a big FALL 2014 19

survival. He represents an enduring capacity to overcome the cold, the winter and the seasons. Snow and ice can also represent the slow and powerful grinding force of glaciers. To see all of these power-related compositional features though, we need illumination, the interplay of light and shadow, colour and cloud. Coleman wrote of how “blue and purple shadows began to creep from point to point, till all was soft and ethereal” and it is in this kind of interplay that the mountains begin to come to life. Soft light, diffused MOUNTAIN LIGHT AND THE INTERPLAY OF LIGHT AND SHADOW, COLOUR AND CLOUD. by cloud and mist, gives us a sense JOHN WARDEN of the breath of the mountains and when something as massive as How then can we, without angle of point of view, the more mountains or bison are breathing, falling into a crevasse ourselves, powerful the feeling we derive from they exude power. Dark colors add a artistically express the power lines. taste of foreboding danger and hard of mountains? We go back Symbols are also a useful technique light like that of mountain alpenglow to the basics of composition in photography for conveying adds fire and vitality to our subjects. and an understanding of the power. If we go back to my bison psychological significance of Hard light also reveals textures which image as an example, his weary shape and form. Shapes are a compositionally convey age, the last winter face, covered in frost, ice and basic element of design and are of the four characteristics of majesty. snow, speaks to us of the power of used to convey meaning. In any A young bison is not likely to be photograph or artwork, shapes and forms speak to us in the “FROM OUR PERCH ON THE ROCKS THERE WAS A MAGNIFICENT VIEW OF THE CENTRAL ROCKIES, language of power. Triangles, like INCLUDING THE COLUMBIA ICEFIELDS.” – ARTHUR COLEMAN. JOHN WARDEN the triangular shape of my bison’s head or the triangular shape of mountains, add a dynamic tension and energy to an image. Squares and rectangles, on the other hand, communicate solid stability. Even implied shapes bring energy and life to a photograph and the result is a more powerful image. Lines are another effective compositional tool that can convey power. The severe, angled, and jagged lines seen in towering cliffs and precipitous slopes can be isolated, emphasized and exaggerated in a composition by the choice of point of view. The greater the 20 NatureAlberta design and composition we can now, with a new heightened awareness, pull the pieces of our puzzle together, building, layer on layer, an image of our feelings for majesty. Will the result be more than a shallow suggestion of the original? That’s why we’re on a vision quest. Go! Majesty, solitude and wonder are there for those who search.

Bibliography Coleman, A. P. (1911). The Canadian Rockies: New and Old Trails. London: T. Fisher Unwin. Freeborn, F. W. (1908). A Day at Sir Donald. Canadian Alpine Journal, 1, 214. VEINS AND STRIATIONS HAVE ETCHED THE MOUNTAIN’S ROCK FACE, EXPOSING AN AGED AND Gillis, A. (2011). Aesthetics, Art, Liberty, and ANCIENT COUNTENANCE. JOHN WARDEN the Ultimate. Retrieved from Journal Of Macrodynamic Analysis, 6.: http://journals. considered majestic, whereas A similar sense of age can be felt library.mun.ca/ojs/index.php/jmda/article/ an old, wise and powerful bull, in the furrowed lines and heavily view/258/150 may well be. Texture is a major textured bark of old trees. Age, Girling, A. C. (2009). A.P. Coleman: Geologist, Explorer (1852 – 1939) – Science, Art & component in my photograph of like the symbolic power of snow Discovery. Retrieved from Victoria University the bison and that texture greatly and ice, talks to us of an enduring Library, Toronto: http://library.vicu.utoronto. adds to the feeling of age and capacity to withstand the ravages ca/apcoleman/index.htm therefore majesty. of time. Silcox, D. P. (2009). On the Art of A. P. Coleman. Retrieved from A.P. Coleman: Another example of age can be Frank Freeborn set out the Geologist, Explorer (1852 – 1939) – Science, found by the east park gates in problem and Arthur Coleman Art & Discovery: http://library.vicu.utoronto. Jasper. There is a mountain there helped us to discover the four ca/apcoleman/artist/amateur_page_1.htm whose veins and striations have corner pieces of our jigsaw The Alpine Club of Canada. (Published etched its rock face, exposing an puzzle, a high view, size, power annually since 1907). The Canadian Alpine Journal. Canmore Alberta: Alpine Club of aged and ancient countenance. and age. Using the tools of visual Canada.

Author’s Note: As part of my analysis of this project, I created a crosstab checklist, which I’m happy to share with you below. If you think I’ve missed something though, let me know at: [email protected].

A HIGH VIEW SIZE POWER AGE Top of Looming and Scale Shape or Hard Soft Color Symbols Strong Furrowed Texture Frame Towering Form Light Light Severe Lines Lines Mountains Bison Trees Required Clouds

Check out John Warden’s updated website: www.jwardenphotography.com, with a new look and many photographs. Plus, also on the site are his past Nature Alberta articles. www.jwardenphotography.com FALL 2014 21 Eyes on IBAs A Birder’s-Eye View on Cooperation and Conservation BY BROOK SKAGEN, NATURE ALBERTA IBA INTERN

As an Important Bird Areas (IBAs) intern this past summer, I have had the rewarding opportunity to explore the prairies of my home region in greater detail, as well as expand my knowledge about the unique avian species that call it home.

I have traversed through native witnessed the highest diversity of within the water body; Rolling grasslands and scaled coulees birds during the year. Hills Reservoir, Kitsim Reservoir, thousands of years old in an and Kinbrook Island Provincial Located just 7 km south of Brooks attempt to survey the hundreds Park are also included within in the mixedgrass subregion, of bird species found throughout the IBA. Ease of public access Lake Newell is a massive IBA the province’s IBAs. But to my and bountiful marshlands make (spanning 115 km2) encompassing surprise, it was amidst a popular Kinbrook Island a local birding the large, mildly-eutrophic lake southeastern Alberta campground and the numerous islands found and recreational area that I

LAKE NEWELL SCENERY; JULY 2, 2014. BROOK SKAGEN 22 NatureAlberta

CLIFF SWALLOWS ON BARBED WIRE OVERLOOKING LAKE NEWELL; MAY 27, 2014. BROOK SKAGEN

hot-spot, as well as providing Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division) Project. Years later the trails and protection to birds which fall has created and maintained a viewing platforms of Kinbrook in its boundary. However, Lake series of marked inclusive wildlife Marsh are still wonderfully Newell is also heavily utilized for viewing trails within the Kinbrook maintained, allowing the public to recreational fishing and boating, Marsh; the area has been learn more about Lake Newell’s and significant rural and industrial designated as a North American many avian visitors while hiking development has occurred in Waterfowl Management Plan alongside forests of cattails and the surrounding prairie; the IBA meadows of beautiful prairie is vulnerable to potential and flowers. ongoing conservation threats. I have always found birding Lake Despite these ongoing Newell to be a rich and rewarding environmental pressures, bounties experience; congregations of of birds can be spotted along the American White Pelicans, Double- shores of Lake Newell’s extensive crested Cormorants, and gulls are marshlands. The lake is managed regularly seen bobbing throughout by the Eastern Irrigation District the water, while Killdeer, Wilson’s (EID), which utilizes water Snipe, and other chatty shorebirds diverted from the Bow River scurry along the marsh’s edge. for irrigating the surrounding The soothing call of the Common agricultural land. Recognizing the Loon can be heard resonating water body’s importance for both in the crisp morning air, while the environment and agriculture, willows bustle with the sweet the EID (in partnership with melodies of warblers, wrens, Ducks Unlimited Canada and and vireos of varying species. I was surprised to find that such

A SAVANNAH SPARROW AT LAKE NEWELL; MAY 12, 2014. BROOK SKAGEN A COMMON LOON STRETCHES AT LAKE NEWELL; JULY 2, 2014 BROOK SKAGEN FALL 2014 23 vibrant life could be found within an excellently maintained campground, waiting to be discovered by current and future generations alike. Despite the negative stigma surrounding the region’s environmental wellbeing, there are still ecological areas in Southeastern Alberta teeming with life. With each new development, whether rural, industrial, or recreational in nature, the power interest in the great outdoors. So Literature Cited of discussion and cooperation the next time the early morning Eastern Irrigation District. n.d. Kinbrook between stakeholders and the calls of charismatic robins or Marsh Nature Trails (brochure). community can be the difference geese on the move awaken you, Retrieved from www.eid.ca/ documents/publications/Brochure_ between a substantial loss of look to the prairies for your next Kinbrook_Marsh_Nature_Trails.pdf habitat and the creation of one birding adventure; I look forward of the province’s most critically IBA Canada. 2014. Explore IBA Site to bumping into you at the marsh! Directory. Retrieved from www. Important Bird Areas. I highly Happy Birding! ibacanada.ca/explore.jsp?lang=EN recommend the Lake Newell Eastern Irrigation District. N.d. IBA to the avid birders, campfire enthusiasts and anyone with an

SAGEBRUSH AT ROLLING HILLS RESERVOIR; JUNE 11, 2014. BROOK SKAGEN 24 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE

Bats in your Hair and Other Wildlife Myths and Misconceptions LORNE FITCH, P. BIOL.

We’ve come a long way from the time of Aristotle who believed swallows and other birds hibernated beneath the mud in marshes and others who thought migratory birds flew to the moon and there spent the winter. But we aren’t quite free of such notions.

A short list of current myths and • Deer only cross roads at wildlife the feathered, the charismatic, the misconceptions about wildlife crossing signs. pretty, the pursued or the photogenic. include the following: These are humorous, even silly, This gives short shrift to plants, fish, amphibians and invertebrates, indeed • Bats are blind and if they fly too misunderstandings and ignorance most of the species that describe close they get tangled in your about wildlife. To a degree these biodiversity fully. In fact, compared to hair. are innocuous items that might not seem harmful to wildlife numbers of insect species everything • Wolves and coyotes howl at the compared to the two fundamental else is just rounding error. moon. myths that are harmful. The conundrum of too little land and • Hummingbirds migrate on the too many expectations for the land backs of Canada geese. The first is that resources are inexhaustible. The second is we base isn’t a new one but the issues • A lady bug’s spots tell its age. can do everything, everywhere, faced in Alberta bring this into focus. • Snow buntings are sparrows that any time and all the time. These With the discussion come all the old turn white in the winter. two myths underpin many of fairy tales, fables, fantasy, legend • Pike lose their teeth in the our land use decisions. They and myth, along with partial truths, spring. have, to a major degree, become half truths and untruths. Inevitably • Spiders sneak into our beds at public and political realities, even it will come down to ecological night to bite us. though they are fiction. They awareness and the courage to make decisions in the face of conflicting • Birds bang into windows to aren’t real but the fiction becomes and overlapping aspirations. Ogden seek shelter indoors. compelling because it sustains our economic systems. Nash said once, “Progress may have been alright once, but it has gone Not necessarily a myth but a on too long.” With progress and all misconception is that wildlife is its benefits have come costs; one represented by the big, the furry, of the evident costs, with changes in landscapes, has been declines Lorne Fitch is a Professional Biologist, a retired Fish and Wildlife Biologist and losses of fish and wildlife, our and a past Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary. biodiversity treasure. FALL 2014 25

Adverse impacts on wildlife from land use can be There are several misconceptions about the impacts of categorized as follows (taken development on wildlife and the responses of wildlife to from Wyoming Game and Fish human disturbance that need to be addressed: Department): 1. Direct loss of habitat In the process they might have 1 WILDLIFE JUST MOVES 2. Physiological stress and sacrificed other options, and have OUT OF THE WAY. THERE IS NO accepted being profoundly linked behavioral shifts IMPACT BECAUSE WILDLIFE RELOCATES TO UNAFFECTED, to a particular landscape. 3. Disturbance and ADJACENT HABITATS. displacement of wildlife We forget, as we fiddle with the This contradicts a fundamental thermostat and wonder whether 4. Habitat fragmentation and axiom of population ecology. dinner will be roast beef or a isolation Populations of organisms increase pizza, that a wildlife species lives to fill vacant, suitable habitat and 5. Alteration of ecological (or dies) with the immediacy of its then are regulated by the essential functions and process habitat. There’s no take out on the component of their habitat that wildlife speed dial. What wildlife 6. Introduction of is in the least supply. Examples species have done is rolled the competitive, predatory or of essential components would storms, the floods, the droughts, parasitic organisms include winter range for ungulates, the changes in water temperature, 7. Secondary and cumulative breeding, nesting and brood rearing the good and the bad – the effects from increased areas for grassland birds and natural variability of their world access and additional spawning areas for native trout. – into their genetic material as a development Existing populations of wildlife mechanism for survival. Unlike us they are fine tuned to the The impacts are real, based occupy the habitats that are intricacies of their world and are on research, evaluation and suitable; areas that are unsuitable on intimate terms with all the empirical evidence. But, facts are not used, or are used nuances. have a hard time getting infrequently. When development traction on a roadway paved displaces animals from suitable habitats they are forced to use with myth and misconception. 2 ANIMALS SEEN NEAR marginal habitats (that do not meet J. B. MacKinnon writes: DEVELOPMENTS INDICATE all of their life cycle requirements) THEY HAVE BECOME or, they relocate to unaffected ACCUSTOMED TO AND ARE “Denial is the last line habitats where population density NOT AFFECTED BY ACTIVITY. of defense against and competition for resources with Individuals within populations memory. It helps us to an existing population increases. show variable responses and tolerances to disturbance. Consequences of displacement, forget what we’d rather Some animals may acclimate or competition and reduced modify behavior in response to not remember, and then habitat are lower survival, lower repetitious, non-threatening or reproductive success, lower to forget that we have low grade activity. Some species recruitment and lower carrying have adapted to human activity; forgotten it, and then to capacity. All lead to population however, none are in the species resist the temptation to level impacts. at risk category. Some species are remember…It fulfills… Unlike us, who have developed habitat generalists and are not as our need to be innocent of technologies to live in many places, affected by disturbance as other many wildlife species have evolved species. a troubling experience.” to be reliant on specific habitats. 26 NatureAlberta

However, other segments of the Reclamation occurs at a much everything, everywhere, anytime and population may remain very slower pace than that of all the time, with our development sensitive to disturbance. This development and there is a footprint effectively erased behind is particularly true of habitat significant backlog that adds us. At worst it creates the impression specialists, which includes all of to the cumulative footprint. there is still room for expansion of the species at risk. The health The ability to restore land use development and biodiversity is of the overall animal population footprints to a comparable, pre- protected. depends on the ability of all disturbance habitat function is segments of the population to inexact and problematic. effectively use, and have access to 4 THE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL Research on the efficacy limited resources. DISTURBANCE IS SMALL IN of mitigation is lacking COMPARISON TO THE LAND Displacement is not necessarily and typical procedures are BASE AND THE IMPACTS TO evident if some animals remain repeated without an empirical WILDLIFE ARE EQUIVALENT TO THE AREA AFFECTED. visible from an area subject to base to determine adaptive disturbance or human activity. management and rates of The collective area of directly Presence of animals does not success. At larger scales many disturbed land may be small in indicate that the animals are species at risk continue to relation to the land base, but the subject to no negative effects; decline in the face of an influence of the footprint and physiological stress may not be increasing development activity extends to a larger area apparent. footprint, even with the where proximity causes stress, application of a variety of avoidance, increased mortality and administrative protection decreased use. Call this the collateral 3 SEASONAL USE guidelines. damage of a land use activity. STIPULATIONS, HABITAT Avoidance and stress response PROTECTION GUIDELINES, Mitigation has become one of impairs remaining habitat function STANDARD OPERATING those aggrandizing bureaucratic by reducing the capability of wildlife PROCEDURES AND terms that assigns a human RECLAMATION PRACTICES to use habitat effectively. These ARE ADEQUATE MITIGATION intent to compensate for a impacts are especially problematic FOR WILDLIFE RESOURCES loss, without a clear statement when they occur in or adjacent AFFECTED BY DEVELOPMENT. about how the bargain will be to limiting habitats such as critical “Standard operating conditions” struck. Mitigation is politically winter ranges, hibernaculums and have not been researched or sound, but ecologically risky. reproductive habitats. reviewed to determine efficacy at Mitigation might be thought There are varying degrees of the stated objectives, especially about in the same way that avoidance, effects and stress at regional and local scales. technological solutions responses to sources of human Random reviews show significant are employed in smoking, noise and activity. These responses rates of non-compliance with ostensibly to reduce the health include reactions to humans on standard operating conditions; risk but really to maintain foot, to vehicles, ATVs, equipment, oversight is lacking. Guidelines consumption rates. The use roads, noise levels, timing of activity for development are usually of filtered cigarettes precisely and seasonal differences. An impact minimal requirements based on fits this thinking. The tobacco is defined as the impairment of economic/political compromise, company tries to solve a the function of important wildlife and subject to negotiation. Much problem in a way that lets habitat in ways that are discernable, of this attempt to mitigate the consumption of the drug increasing or substantial, even negative effects fails to account continue without interruption. though animals may still be present. for cumulative effects, the additive Mitigation addiction is the feature of land use activities and affliction created in the vain The thresholds start at the outer footprints. hope we can continue to do limits where a reaction or an impact on wildlife is undetected, FALL 2014 27

undetectable or there is no yesterday’s abundant species can negative response. Between the become today’s imperiled ones. 7 IF SOME SPECIES ARE DOING outer limit and the disturbance is The use of trend information, WELL IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IT IS UNNECESSARY TO PROTECT an increasing suite of reactions, especially for species at risk, is THEM IN ALBERTA. responses and effects on wildlife a useful distant early warning There seems to be a tacit assumption that represent a loss of habitat alarm about the effects on land and rationalization that if these species function and effectiveness. There use on populations and on survive elsewhere that is good enough. is a gradient within this “buffer intervention to avert population This assumes the level of concern zone” and no explicit line beyond collapse. This speaks to adopting and protection in other jurisdictions is which it can be said wildlife the precautionary principle that sufficient to maintain these populations populations are protected and should guide targets and limits as over the long term. there is no population level research and monitoring fine tune effect. Within a buffer zone, in the lines that define thresholds. The line of reasoning sometimes proximity to the disturbance follows this — species at risk are often is found increasing avoidance, on the edge of their geographic range displacement and physiological 6 WILDLIFE POPULATIONS and this portion of the population is stress. DO NOT SEEM TO RESPOND not important. However, outliers are QUICKLY TO LAND key to population persistence, given For grassland songbirds, effects USE — THEY PERSIST— things like climate shifts. This argument can manifest themselves as failure AND THAT SUGGESTS PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE ignores the possible genetic adaptations to secure breeding territory, nest UNNECESSARY. that are particular to Alberta and what failure/predation/parasitism and The line of reasoning is if that provides as a long term survival higher rates of mortality with less changes aren’t observed in strategy for the population. recruitment to the population. the short term, the effects are For species at risk, already at In the maintenance of imperiled (and minimal and irrelevant to species diminished numbers, this has a other) wildlife populations we should protection. The conclusion might cascading effect. treat borders as the administrative be that animals adapt quickly lines they represent, not as range and positively to changes. The boundaries. Aldo Leopold spoke 5 KNOWLEDGE ABOUT challenge is that many species eloquently about the fallacy of THE EXACT LOCATION OF react to changes in landscape thinking that someone else will protect THRESHOLDS OF CHANGE structure and to disturbances imperiled species when he said: IS INSUFFICIENT SO with long response times. Current “Relegating grizzlies to Alaska is about APPLYING THEM NOW IS population densities may not UNWARRANTED. relegating happiness to heaven; one reflect a response to current may never get there.” It is difficult to pin down in patterns of land use, but to earlier exact terms when and where changes decades ago. Populations the last wild animal will die as a may continue to decline even 8 consequence of land use and the WILDLIFE IS ABUNDANT; when the degree of landscape HOW COULD BIODIVERSITY BE effects on population integrity. change does not increase. DECLINING? What the last animal dying Negative impacts of landscape Biodiversity isn’t simply about numbers represents is exact precision and a change (habitat fragmentation, of commonly seen wildlife species. failure to apply a threshold early plant species shifts, loss of Abundant population sizes of Canada enough to stave off their demise. connectivity and habitat loss) only Geese, Mule Deer or American History does provide a mirror become apparent after lengthy Robins do not signal that biodiversity to view the list of extirpated time periods. Further population maintenance is being achieved. Nor and now extinct species whose effects (and losses) will be does an influx of English Sparrows, populations developed a negative incurred in the future as a result European Starlings, Brook Trout, trend in the face of human of the changes that took place in Crested Wheatgrass or pansies indicate intervention. History tells us that the past. we can compensate for lost native 28 NatureAlberta

The list of myths could be longer wildlife or plants by substituting not the best of times to survey but the issues raised are in no exotic, non-native species. ungulate winter range. small way related to our general Some wildlife species can co-exist Not all habitats are created equal, lack of ecological literacy. with us, even in urban settings are equally used year-round Survey after survey demonstrates and on landscapes largely used or between years, are equally the value of environmental up for our economic pursuits. distributed, or are equally critical. awareness and education in But, those generalist species However, all habitats have to be public support for environmental do not indicate the full suite of present to ensure species survival programs and actions. Yet, biodiversity maintenance, nor are over the range of variability. All Alberta’s ecological IQ still seems they indicators of healthy, intact habitats have to be connected to too low to achieve progress landscapes. ensure species survival over the on many species and spaces, long term. Redundancy is important especially the imperiled ones. Wildlife may only seem “abundant” and shouldn’t be viewed as surplus Indeed it may be too low to in the limited context of our to a species needs, or to ours. keep other creatures off the lists memory span. Present wildlife of the damned. We need a short diversity, abundance and course in ecosystem awareness, distribution may not equate to 10 MY ACTIONS AREN’T A an Ecology 101, at all levels; past conditions. The shift, the RISK TO WILDLIFE; IT’S THE individual, corporate, agency and losses of spaces and species, ACTIVITIES OF OTHERS political. The curriculum might occurs beyond our awareness and The reasoning includes arguments include the following elements, reckoning. This is the phenomena like: I don’t hunt, fish, watch birds, to get us to a higher plane of “shifting benchmarks”. We think visit parks or care about polar bears of understanding and better the landscape and resources of and tropical rainforests. I don’t kill decision making: today is the “full pie”. It’s part wildlife (or much of it) or cause it of our combined arrogance and any problems. The links between ignorance. The reality is today’s LANDSCAPE INTEGRITY IS wildlife and personal choices to THE KEY TO SUSTAINING pie is a mere slice of yesterday’s maintain wildlife have still not BIODIVERSITY. pie. And so it goes; without an occurred in a major way. I would Maintaining native vegetation appreciation of the progressive remind you of the recent Cows diversity, heterogeneity and thinning of the remaining slice, the and Fish survey that found almost structural attributes is one of pie can, and does, eventually wink no respondents felt they had any the elements. To accomplish out of existence. impact on fish and fish habitat. this requires disturbance So, no one who flushes a toilet, regimes within the range of flips on a light switch or lives in 9 natural variation; this recognizes ABSENCE OF WILDLIFE a home made of wood has any MEANS NO WILDLIFE USE. that fire, flood, drought and impact on fish. How do you spell grazing have built many of the If we don’t see wildlife it must “disassociative”? mean the area has little importance landscape features and created for wildlife. Failure to observe Our settlement patterns, economic the opportunities for plants and wildlife does not equate to wildlife activities, transportation networks, animals to survive and thrive. absence. During the controversy recreational activities and our This implies change is necessary over the proposed drilling of sour homes have a footprint overlain and desirable, within a dynamic gas wells in the Whaleback some on landscapes that have, or had, equilibrium, to keep options 20 years ago the Minister of Energy value to wildlife species. Even available. took a helicopter tour of the elk without direct mortality we reduce In one respect, we humans crave winter range, saw no elk and or remove the productive capacity stability, which is contrary to the concluded there were no wildlife of the landscape for many species. habitat needs of many species. issues. The flight was in August, The result is indirect mortality and a Alternately, our footprint and loss of biodiversity. FALL 2014 29 activities increase the range of disturbances results in habitats Think of riparian areas, native variability beyond what is natural. of decreasing size, value and plants, litter, and wood in Dividing up the landscape into utility. Cumulative effects are stream environments. Ecological smaller and smaller pieces results crucial to measure and model. processes are drivers; fire, in some species failing to find Modeling, a surrogate for reality, drought, herbivory and floods what they need for their life cycle is, nonetheless important, because periodically reset the biological requirements. Species can’t cope we don’t want to turn everything clock. and evolve fast enough to survive we want to do into an experiment Of course we still don’t know the new landscape order and the with the high risk of failure. all of the drivers of the system, new normal. We need to keep the Monitoring, over space and time, even though we are mounting pieces, keep the connectors, and is a key tool for determining unintentional experiments with connect the pieces. status, trends and failures. no monitoring, which could be We need to use both tools, eliminating some. We don’t want SCALE IS IMPORTANT. cumulative effects modeling and to get into thinking that many While we think big about our monitoring to evolve to a more of the passengers are redundant developments we are small effective ecological accounting to ecosystem function. There thinkers about the one attribute practice that aids our decision is a web of interaction and that maintains many species, making capability. Currently it interdependence that can’t be that of big space. Landscape seems we base decisions more on discounted. And of course, bad integrity occurs at both temporal coin tosses than on science and driving by humans can affect all and spatial scales. Creatures predictability. of the passengers, including us; needing big space that is we can fall in both categories currently truncated by all of our A POPULATION IS ONLY AS either spatially or temporally. development zeal can’t wait for SAFE AS ITS WEAKEST LINK. This suggests one of the us to finish and move on, hence The identification of limiting our need to think both in time fundamentally important jobs of factors and ecological bottlenecks biologists and conservationists and in space. Connectivity, the is in its infancy for many species. requirement to move easily and is to develop some level of The acquisition, the discovery ecological literacy and create safely between habitats, occurs at in many cases of that crucial different scales (local, regional, a constituency that knows knowledge seems imperative if we and cares. Very simply, provincial, national and global) are to predict effects on species of and implies a much higher level human decisions can have our development. Below certain a disproportionately greater of human cooperation than we critical thresholds species are at currently display. impact by changing, sometimes risk from variations in habitat irreversibly, the playing field, or from influences from other and the dynamic equilibrium THERE ARE LIMITS AND sources (i.e. weather, predation, of the ecosystem is thrown off THRESHOLDS. disease, human caused mortality). This is surely the hardest one for by the additive effects of our Prudent management of species actions. All of this is important, us to grasp, with our unrealistic entrusted to our care implies we expectations, recurrent frontier as a bureaucrat once said to know enough to at least cause no me, “For those who live in the mentality and the irrational belief more harm. that technology will continually environment”. I’m assuming he nudge the threshold further away. meant all of us since I can’t think KEEP BOTH ECOSYSTEM of anyone living outside the DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. The reality is there is a minimum environment. Maybe some think viable population and habitat size Drivers can be keystone species they do and they are magically for species; we can’t change those like beavers, predators, pollinators immune to the changes affecting rules. Fragmentation, through our or recyclers. Drivers can occur the rest of us. roads, pipelines and other linear at the community level also. 30 NatureAlberta

Creating awareness of “We have lived our lives by Wildlife (the full expression of ecosystem functions, biodiversity) form part of our stories, our processes and relevance to the assumption that what history, our lives, our landscapes; they humans is the first step to was good for us would are also a measuring stick of the health attitudinal and behavioral be good for the world. We of our world. We define ourselves by shifts at individual and the same landscapes, the same sense of community levels. Then have been wrong. We must space and the same diversity of areas we may see, through the change our lives so that it as do wildlife. They can slip to become process of osmosis some only a part of our memory and worse - policy creation at political will be possible to live by we forget them altogether. and corporate levels. Who the contrary assumption, The last myth is we can do without knows, it may catch on and that what is good for the biodiversity and the intact landscapes the circle could expand to that support wildlife. We think we move awareness to national world will be good for us. have broken free of our ecological and global levels. And that requires that we constraints but the reality remains those Wendell Berry, the farmer/ make the effort to know the relationships endure and simultaneously philosopher captured world and learn what is place us within the land and embed this intent and exposed a the land within us. We might consider fundamental myth with: good for it.” moving more slowly on the landscape, with a greater sense of humility and being more mindful of our fellow travelers.

There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story. LINDA HOGAN, NATIVE AMERICAN POET, STORYTELLER AND ENVIRONMENTALIST Like many naturalists, Debbie and Alan Godkin, from Westlock AB, have numerous stories FALL 2014 31 of their experiences with nature – stories they love to share with other naturalists in this “NATURE DIARY” series!

Nature Diary: Flying Squirrel BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN

Sometimes my being a night hawk has afforded me the opportunity to catch a glimpse of nature I might otherwise miss.

Such was the case in the wee I reached for the binoculars and several occasions over the winter, hours one snowy night, when immediately realized that I was usually after midnight. from my living room window, I looking at a Flying Squirrel for That first sighting was in 2003 and saw what I thought was a Red the first time. I watched it as it since then we have had not one, Squirrel. It streaked down the shelled and ate the sunflowers but two Flying Squirrels at the poplar branch and jumped onto with amazing speed for about two feeder at the same time, for two the bird feeder. Since when do minutes, and then in a flash it was (‘05 and ‘06) winters in a row. Red Squirrels feed at night? gone. I spotted it at the feeder on

DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN 32 NatureAlberta

DR. SHARIF GALAL DR. SHARIF GALAL First Hand: The Great Gray Owl…and a little bird! BY DR. SHARIF GALAL

The Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) is one of the largest and tallest owls in the world; it is the second largest after the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo).

Because of its feathers, it in which the bird sits and listens On the other hand, the Red- appears huge and bulky but it for its prey, then swoops down winged Blackbird, (Agelaius has relatively long wings, tail for the kill by snatching it with phoeniceus), is found in most and large head. A Great Gray its talons. It tends to fly for short of North America, especially the Owl can be identified by its distances and only six feet off prairies of Alberta, Saskatchewan, round head without ear tufts, the ground, listening to any Manitoba and Midwest states of big rounded yellow eyes and movement of its prey, Thanks to the US. It feeds mainly on seeds the large grey body. It typically its excellent hearing, it can hear and insects. The Red-winged measures 61 to 84 cm in length very small rodents even when Blackbird can be very aggressive (24 to 33 in.). While it is the they move in tunnels beneath while defending its territory largest owl species in North snow in the dark. from other animals and birds. America, it is really just a ball of It will attack much larger birds, Great Gray Owls are known to be feathers; the Great Horned Owl such as crows, ravens, magpies, very defensive when they have (Bubo virginianus) is still the birds of prey and owls if they owlets in the nest. The female heaviest. The average weight enter. Although relatively rare, does all of the incubating and of the Great Gray Owl ranges there are some reported cases of the male does all of the hunting. between 1 to 1½ kg (2 to 3 lbs). Red-winged Blackbirds attacking Both will defend the nest if they humans who were on their The Great Gray Owl is known feel threatened, even defending territories during mating. for its still-hunting technique against animals as large as badgers, coyotes and bears.

Dr. Sharif Galal is a medical doctor and a researcher of lung diseases at the University of Calgary. He received his M.D. from Egypt and his specialty degree in diving medicine from Stellenbosch University-South Africa in addition to a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences from University of Calgary. Apart from medicine and research, Dr. Galal is an amateur underwater photographer, scuba diving instructor and an enthusiastic wildlife and nature advocate. He currently resides in Calgary, Alberta and can be contacted at: [email protected]. www.flickr.com/sharifgalal FALL 2014 33

DR. SHARIF GALAL

I have seen them several times In fact I was roaming the prairies attacking ravens and hawks but around Calgary looking for In some areas, the Great Gray Owl (or never attacking owls except this kind of owl for almost two Great Grey Owl) is also called Phantom the day I took the photos, near years until I got a chance to of the North, cinereous owl, spectral Bragg Creek. I photographed this photograph not only the owl owl, Lapland owl, spruce owl, bearded male Great Gray Owl when he but the whole story. This is one owl, and sooty owl. It is Manitoba’s was approaching a Red-winged of the most touching moments I provincial bird. Blackbird`s nest. Suddenly, the have seen during fifteen years of blackbird attacked him from photography. How a little bird behind, forcing him to fly away can turn into an angry monster from the nest and chicks. The to the point that it will force an Bull, E. L. and J. R. Duncan. 1993. little bird went ballistic and was owl almost 20 times its size to run Great Gray Owl. The Birds of North very brave, determined to save away for its life! America. The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The its family. I have never seen American Ornithologists’ Union. something like this in my life. References http://beautyofbirds.com/ The owl flew away trying to Wayne Lynch 2007 .Owls of the United redwingedblackbirds.html save himself from the blackbird`s States and Canada: A Complete repeated attacks. The blackbird Guide to Their Biology and was a living missile! Behavior. Johns Hopkins University Press; 1st edition.

If you have a first-hand experience with nature, send it in and share it with other naturalists. After all – there are 8 million stories in the Nature City. Yours…could be one of them. 34 NatureAlberta

BOOK REVIEW The Reindeer Botanist: Alf Erling Porsild, 1901-1977 REVIEWED BY GEORGE W. SCOTTER

This long-awaited biography of Alf The government of Canada Erling Porsild, written by Wendy was anxious to establish a Dathan, provides the reader with herd of reindeer in the North a detailed understanding of the to supplement the dwindling life of an eminent Arctic botanist. wildlife resources and to lay Erling’s (his preferred name) the foundation for an industry path from a young Dane living in intended to improve the economic Greenland to serving as curator of opportunities of the indigenous botany at the National Herbarium population on the Mackenzie of Canada and becoming a Delta. The influx of traders and botanist of international stature is the introduction of firearms to Dathan, Wendy. 2012. The Reindeer detailed. The book is divided into the Arctic had seriously reduced Botanist. Alf Erling Porsild, 1901-1977. three parts, each dealing with a the herds of barren-ground Northern Lights Series, Vol. 14. Calgary: different period of Erling’s career. caribou that formed the basis of University of Calgary [Co-published with Each part could have been a book subsistence for the indigenous the Arctic institute of North America]. 726 on its own. people. A Royal Commission p. ISBN 978-1-55238-586-9 [soft cover] report (Rutherford et al. 1922) Price: $44.95 CAD, $51.95 USD. REINDEER SURVEY / recommended that small EXPLORATION, 1901-1928 experimental reindeer herds be An accomplished botanist, Dr. established in several places. Herschel Island and then to Aklavik on Morten Porsild, the father to Thus in April 1926, Erling Porsild, the Mackenzie River Delta. Bitter winds, Robert Thorbjorn (Bob) and assisted by his brother Bob, was blizzards, ailing dogs, and difficult travel Erling, moved to Disko Island, appointed to make a general conditions were some of the challenges Greenland as the director of the reconnaissance of Alaska and faced before they arrived in the spring of first research station above the northwestern Canada with special 1927. reference to reindeer pasture Arctic Circle. The brothers were Pasture reconnaissance was started in the and other general conditions encouraged to collect plants Mackenzie Delta and later in the Great which would be important to and were rewarded with cash, Bear Lake area. Travelling by boat, canoe, future reindeer husbandry. The the amount determined by the and on foot to nearly inaccessible places, elder Porsild was instrumental in importance of the collection. they met the challenges and received helping secure those jobs for his Thoroughly trained by their the rewards of seeing places few, if any, sons. father, both sons assisted him white men had been. Living in tents on botanical collecting trips to They first went to Alaska and or rustic cabins, such field work was West Greenland. As young men studied reindeer husbandry, physically demanding and dangerous at they had considerable botanical collecting an estimated 5,000 plant times. The brothers collected hundreds knowledge and experience specimens along the way. In the of plants as well as birds, mammals, and travelling in northern settings. In dead of winter they embarked on artifacts of human history for colleagues addition, they had the opportunity a nearly 1,600 km trip by dogsled at the National Museum. In 1929 Erling to meet scientists at the station along the north rim of Alaska to concluded that the arctic coast and and often in their parents’ home. Eskimo Lakes regions of the District of MUSEUM BOTANISTS EXAMINE SPECIMENS, 1959: A.E. PORSILD, H.J. SCOGGAN, W.K.W. BALDWIN. CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE PHOTO COLLECTION FALL 2014 35

Mackenzie had a carrying capacity employee of for at least 250,000 reindeer while Lomen’s reindeer the Great Bear Lake basin could operations in support 300,000 more. Alaska. Andy and Erling CANADA’S REINDEER HERD, were at odds on 1929-1935 the route that Based on Erling’s estimates and should be taken. considering the needs of the Erling urged that indigenous people, Canadian the coastal route government officials entered into he used in 1927 an agreement with Carl Lomen, should be followed known as the “Reindeer King while Andy insisted of Alaska” because of the large a route through the herds of animals owned by his Brooks Mountains company, to deliver 3,000 reindeer was much shorter from western Alaska to the eastern and offered better shore of the Mackenzie River grazing conditions. Delta. That gamble was entirely On 26 December Lomen’s; he would be paid $65 1929, Andy and 12 helpers started other. Bob resigned from the reindeer per head only for the animals that the drive using the route preferred project on 1 July 1933. Unfairly I were delivered safely. Unknown by Bahr. The drive was plagued believe, he received little credit for to those decision makers the by a multitude of problems. his work on the reindeer project or reindeer industry in Alaska was Reindeer possess a strong homing the thousands of plants he collected soon to undergo a spectacular instinct and hundreds escaped or helped to collect. Later in life the decline (Scotter, 1989). to return to their home range. brothers reconciled and Bob made Preparations for the drive Blizzards struck and reindeer a substantial contribution to flora of started in the summer of 1929. wandered away. Temperatures the Yukon by collecting along the Fur clothing, mukluks, sleds, as low as - 45 degrees C were Dempster Highway as it was pushed harnesses, and other equipment encountered. Crew numbers northward toward Inuvik (Cody 2000). were acquired. Then, during dwindled. Wolves preyed on the While Andy was completing the drive, November and December, a herd reindeer. The reindeer mixed with Erling was busy having corrals built of about 3,450 reindeer – 2,900 other reindeer herds or joined at Kittigazuit on the east side of the females, 300 males, and 250 steers with wild caribou. During the Mackenzie Delta to receive the long for draught purposes – were summer, insects often tormented expected reindeer. A house was built carefully chosen and marked. the reindeer until they stampeded. at Reindeer Station and other buildings Erling represented the Canadian Andy was sometimes sick. But were completed. In addition, he government and supervised the the herd slowly made its way travelled to Sweden to recruit Saami selection to ensure that only the eastward. In the end, the long and herders to come to Canada to help best stock was included. tiring odyssey of about 2,600 km, local indigenous people understand all north of the Arctic Circle, took Andrew (Andy) Bahr, more than the principles of reindeer husbandry. 63 months. Only 20 percent of the 60 years of age, was hired from While there he met a rival botanist, reindeer bore the marks placed on retirement in Seattle by Lomen Eric Hulten, with whom he had a hot them at the time of selection, so to lead the expedition largely or cold professional relationship over 80 percent had been born on the through unmapped and unsettled many years. trail. country. He had gained a lifetime On 6 March 1935, Erling Porsild, of knowledge about reindeer in The two brothers grew apart and Superintendent of the Department of his native Lapland and as a former at times refused to speak to each the Interior Reindeer Station, officially 36 NatureAlberta

received 2,370 reindeer. That was opportunities for advancement. Central Experimental Farm. Those fewer than the 3,000 animals Lomen Influential individuals such as domestic battles were replaced with the had promised, but within a few Hugh Raup, an ecologist at Harvard real war over the Atlantic. weeks the birth of some 800 fawns University, and M. L. Fernald, a His botanical research was once again more than recouped the losses. botanist at the Gray Herbarium, delayed when Erling was seconded to were hugely supportive in Erling’s Years later Erling provided the work as the Acting Canadian Consul attempt to get his research writer with a critic of a draft to Greenland during WWII. Family ties published and in securing a manuscript on the reindeer drive and linguistic ability helped him make permanent position at the National (Scotter 1978, 1982), which was an important wartime contribution. He Herbarium. Erling continued to prepared based on files at the assisted in protecting the supply of publish papers of major significance Reindeer Station. He felt that I cryolite required in the manufacture and was finally awarded a Ph. D. made too much of a hero of Andy of aluminum. There was fear that the from the University of Copenhagen Bahr and that Andy himself was cryolite mine in Greenland might fall for “The Vascular Plants of responsible for much of the delay into enemy hands. the Western Canadian Arctic in the drive, which taxed Erling’s Archipelago”, published by the Canada played host to the Ninth patience almost to the breaking National Museum in 1955. This and International Botanical Congress in the point. numerous other publications such summer of 1959, which was attended by Although the reindeer experiment as “Vascular Plants of Continental over 3,000 delegates. Almost everyone was started with lofty goals, it never Northwest Territories, Canada”, at the National Herbarium had an lived up to those expectations. co-authored with W. J. Cody, important role to play in making that Reasons for that failure are partly have shaped our understanding of congress a remarkable success, but covered by Dathan but in much northern botany. none more than Erling. He was the more detail by the writer (Scotter Botanical Excursion leader for trips to Erling entered the controversy over 1972, 1989). the Canadian Rockies and to the Arctic Farley Mowat’s book “People of and Subarctic. the Deer.” In a devastating attack THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM IN On the Rockies Excursion, Erling led 40 PEACE AND WAR, 1936-1977 on Mowat’s credibility, Erling pointed out some of the more delegates with two days at Mount Edith Erling started a series of short-term “serious errors and half-truths” Cavell and Athabaska Valley in Jasper or acting positions as curator at the and the blurring of lines between National Park. That was followed by National Herbarium of Canada in fiction and fact. The book affair stops at Lake Agnes, Consolation Lake, 1936. He faced the daunting task of raged beyond anything imaginable Snow Creek Pass, and the Sunshine sorting out masses of dried plants and wasted Erling’s time since he region of Banff National Park. Based collected by John Macoun, Oscar felt it had little merit. After the on field work in the Canadian Rockies Malte, and others in addition to controversy, Erling mentioned during 1945, 1946 and 1951, Erling his own extensive collections from to the writer that he received a prepared a highly useful guidebook for Alaska, the Mackenzie Delta, and Christmas card from Mowat, and the delegates. In addition, Dagny Tande the Great Bear Lake region. Over in his often mischievous ways, Lid prepared some of the illustrations time and without much assistance the message read something like, at Sunshine for Erling’s book “Rocky he succeeded in processing the “Thanks old chum, you sold an Mountain Wild Flowers”, which was for backlog of material as well as his extra 10,000 books for me.” Perhaps public use. own into the National Herbarium. it was only sales and not truth that The National Herbarium, through The Arctic Excursion used a RCAF North mattered to Mowat. his efforts, was transformed Star aircraft for transportation of thirty from mundane to being the best Erling also had to deal with delegates. Beginning in Montreal, the collection of Canadian Arctic plants empire-building attempts from the excursion made stops at Great Whale in the world. Department of Agriculture. It was River on Hudson Bay, Frobisher Bay on suggested the National Herbarium Baffin Island, Resolute on Cornwallis The lack of a formal university and Erling should be amalgamated Island, Coral harbour on Southhampton degree greatly limited Erling’s with the Botany Division of the Island, Fort Chimo in northeastern ALF ERLING PORSILD IN HIS OFFICE AT THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM, OTTAWA, FEB 1957. CANADIAN MUSEUM OF FALL 2014 37 NATURE PHOTO COLLECTION

the proper nomenclature for a contains only a partial list of Erling’s particular plant. One would leave publications. A full list of his 128 shaking his head in disagreement, publications as an appendix would but an hour later they would be have made the book more complete together in a marsh discussing the and useful. That information is available merits of another species name. in another publication (Soper and Cody, 1978) but it would have been Wendy Dathan details many other a welcome addition to an otherwise things about Erling’s administrative extremely comprehensive book. duties, hiring of new staff, travel to other herbaria, meetings Dathan’s masterful book will be attended, his role with the Arctic a delight to botanists, naturalists, Institute of North America, other northern historians, and anyone with collecting trips, honours and an adventurous spirit. While the book awards, and tragic losses in his may be too detailed with explanations Quebec, and Knob Lake personal life. of travel delays and mundane things (Schefferville). I first met Erling as like equipment procurement and repair, a delegate on his Arctic trip. I had CONCLUSIONS some readers may wish to tackle only just received my B. Sc. in ecology Through the pages of Dathan’s parts of the book but others will want and had never been north, but my book we see Erling as a man to cover all 726 pages. It is highly job assignment with the Canadian with tremendous energy and recommended to all. Wildlife Service was to research intellectual ability. For the the forage and range requirement advancement of northern botany Literature cited of barren-ground caribou. It was he was the right man at the right Cody, W. J. 2000. Flora of the Yukon Territory. Second edition. NRC Research Press. a unique opportunity for me to time and in the right place. His Ottawa, ON. 669 p. research was meticulous. He study the flora and vegetation Rutherford, J. G., J. S. McLean, and J. B. patterns and to discuss northern is regarded as one of Canada’s Harkin (eds). 1922. Report of the Royal botany with scientists of world most respected and renowned Commission to investigate the possibilities stature. botanists. of the reindeer and musk-ox industries in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions Because of my lack of experience His numerous papers were of Canada. Canada Department of the one delegate suggested that I necessary background for many Interior. Ottawa. 99 p. should not have been there with scientists in the past and are Scotter, G. W. 1972. Reindeer husbandry in so many eminent scientists. That still relevant for scientists today Canada. Journal of Range Management comment did not deter Erling. and in the future as well. His 25(3): 167-174. He was welcoming and spent scientific articles and books will Scotter, G. W. 1978. How Andy Bahr led the be indispensable as a new Arctic great reindeer herd from western Alaska to considerable time with me and the Mackenzie Delta. Canadian Geographic floral is prepared and as the role made certain I was introduced to 97(2): 12-19. of climate change in the North is the other delegates. The excursion Scotter, G. W. 1982. Reindeer drive. was an experience of a lifetime for addressed. Some of Erling papers Rangelands 4(6): 239-243. me and a wonderful orientation were certainly indispensable to me Scotter, G. W. 1989. Reindeer husbandry in to the North, where I conducted as I pursued research on caribou North America. In: Hudson, R. J., K. R. research over much of the next 30 range, the reindeer industry in the Drew, and L. M. Baskin (eds). Wildlife years. It was interesting to note Mackenzie Delta, park planning production systems: economic utilisation in the north, and the ecology of of wild ungulates. p. 223-241. the interaction of these delegates, Soper, J. H. and W. J. Cody. 1978. Alf Erling the Sunshine meadows in Banff each with different backgrounds Porsild, M.B.E., F.R.S.C. (1901-1977). and expertise. For example, National Park. Canadian Field-Naturalist 92(4): 298-304. Erling and Eric Hulten, who had a My one regret is that the book’s stormy relationship over the years, Selected Reference section would be on a hilltop discussing 38 NatureAlberta

Speculation on how Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) arrived in Southwestern Alberta BY GEORGE W. SCOTTER

Bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva, was first reported in Alberta by Kuijt and Michener (1985). They located two populations 22 km west of Pincher Creek on a ridge locally known as Kylo Hill and on a nearby ridge east of Mt. Backus at an elevation of 1700 to 1800 m.

They suggested the newly areas in Alberta. Seed dispersal dispersal during intervals of past discovered disjunct occurrences occurs two to four weeks after xeric conditions in the Altithermal of the species in southern Alberta pollination. of the Holocene era. were probably derived from Wilson et al. (1988) argued two While none of those possibilities wind dispersal. Disseminules, alternatives in explanation of are rejected, the dissemination which measure about three cm the dispersal of Bitterroot into by birds, particularly by in diameter, are papery and southwestern Alberta. One Clark’s Nutcrackers (Nucifraga light weight, making wind as a suggestion included cultural columbiana), should be conspicuous proponent for natural dispersal by native or non-native considered. Clark’s Nutcrackers dispersal in one of the windiest groups. The second was natural commonly nest in subalpine forests, moving to lower elevations in the late summer. Outside the breeding season, Clark’s Nutcrackers travel in conspecific flocks and are nomadic but not migratory. Accompanied by Jim Lange and Etta Scotter, I visited both Alberta sites on 29 June 1988 when the Bitterroot plants were just starting to bloom. Clark’s Nutcrackers were common in the scattered trees at both sites. The possible significance of their presence was not recognized at that time. Three years later I moved to the Upper Mission area of Kelowna, British Columbia. On my favorite dog-walking trail there were two large patches of Bitterroot with several hundred

PINK-PHASE BITTERROOT. JUDIE STEEVES FALL 2014 39

WHITE-PHASE BITTERROOT IN FULL FLOWER. HARVEY ABRAHAM plants growing under widely energy food source for Clark’s them. Among American birds, the spaced Ponderosa Pine (Pinus Nutcrackers. Daubenmire (1975) sublingual pouch is unique to the ponderosa). In the late summer I reported that 100 mature seeds Clark’s Nutcracker and is used for noted Clark’s Nutcrackers foraging weighed between 0.100 – 0.156 transporting seeds to the caching on the ground in those areas g, with an average of 17 seeds sites. This bird is well known for with their nearly fully-grown produced in a single flower. caching food behind flakes of tree young mercilessly begging for bark and into the ground for later Ponderosa Pine seeds made up food. I watched the foraging consumption. The nut-like seeds of 83 percent of the ingested food behavior with binoculars each Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) of Clark’s Nutcrackers at low to autumn for about a decade but and Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) are moderate elevations in western I could not get close enough to favorite foods. Misplaced caches and Montana (Tomback 1998). Their identify the food sources without over-storing of such seeds by Clark’s diet also includes a wide range disturbing the birds. However, Nutcrackers are important in the of insects, spiders, small animals, with the exception of Ponderosa spread and regeneration of Whitebark berries and other fruits. Bitterroot Pine cones, Bitterroot was the Pine (Tomback 1998, Tomback et seeds were not listed as a food dominant plant in those areas al. 2001). According to Lorenz et al. source, but Clark’s Nutcrackers are with only small amounts of other (2011) pine seeds can be transported opportunistic feeders. plants. by those birds up to 32.6 km for Notable features of the Clark’s caching in home ranges. Could By summer the nearly round, Nutcracker include a strong, sharp Clark’s Nutcrackers with their caching shining black seeds of Bitterroot, bill for extracting seeds from activities and/or other seed-eating heavily charged with starch, are 2 pine cones as well as for caching birds by dispersing their droppings mm long and may provide a high- 40 NatureAlberta

be responsible for the presence of the Continental of bitterroot in Alberta? That Divide, there are possibility should not be dismissed approximately out of hand. twenty occurrences east of the divide The nearest other known in Montana populations of Bitterroot are about (Daubenmire, 80 km west of the Alberta sites in 1975), mostly in the Flathead region of southeastern areas uninhabited British Columbia where Bitterroot by Richardson’s is locally abundant (Douglas et Ground Squirrels. al. 1999, 2002). They mapped It is interesting populations near Newgate, to speculate on WHITE-PHASE BITTERROOT. HARVEY ABRAHAM Skookumchuck, and Wasa Lake. how they may To the south, Bitterroot is known have influenced from the Marias Pass area (Lesica WHITE-PHASE BITTERROOT IN FULL FLOWER. BITTERROOT RANGES IN COLOR the distribution of 2002) in Glacier National Park FROM WHITISH TO DEEP PINK OR ROSE DURING MAY AND JUNE. JUDIE STEEVES Bitterroot east of and in Flathead County, Montana, the Continental with the nearest area about 85 km Divide in Montana from the Alberta sites. Considering and southwestern the frequent high winds in the Alberta. area, the movement of birds from Bitterroot sites in British Literature Cited Columbia or Montana to Alberta could be accomplished in a short Daubenmire, R. 1975. An ecological period of time. The role of birds life-history of in the dissemination of plants is Lewisia rediviva under-appreciated. Some plant (Portulacaceae). distributions can best be explained Syesis 8: 9-23 by bird dispersal through seeds in Douglas, G. W., droppings, seeds on muddy feet, D. Meidinger, and J. Pojar. seeds and burrs on feathers, and 1999. Illustrated by caching activities. Flora of British Unfortunately, both large Bitterroot Columbia. Vol. 4, Dicotyledons sites in the Upper Mission were (Orobanchaceae through Lorenz, T. J., K. A. Sullivan, A. V. Barkian, cleared for housing developments. Rubiaceae). Ministry of Environment, and C. A. Aubry. 2011. Cache-site Before the bulldozer arrived local Lands and Parks and Ministry of selection in Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana). The Auk 128(2): 237-247. residents salvaged some of the Forests. 427 p. Douglas, G. W., D. Meidinger, and Tomback, D. F. 1998. Clark’s Nutcracker roots from one site and many of (Nucifraga columbiana). In: Poole, A. and them were successfully replanted. I J. Pojar. 2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. Vol. 8, General F. Gill, editors. The Birds of North America, removed several roots and planted summary, maps, and keys. Ministry No. 331. them on the Sommerfeldt ranch, of Environment, Lands and Parks Tomback, D. F., S. F. Arno, and R. E. Keane. at Whiskey Gap, Alberta near the and Ministry of Forestry. 457 p. 2001. Whitebark Pine Communities: Milk River ( 1230 m elevation), Kuijt, J. and G. R. Michener. 1985. First Ecology and Restoration. Island Press, Washington, D.C. 328 p. in suitable-looking habitat. record of the Bitterroot, Lewisia Wilson, M. C., L. V. Hills, B. O. K. Reeves, and Richardson’s Ground Squirrels rediviva, in Alberta. Canadian Field- Naturalist 99(2): 264-266. S. A. Aaberg. Bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva, (Urocitellus richardsonii) found the Lesica, P. 2002. Flora of Glacier National in Southern Alberta: cultural versus natural Bitterroot to their liking and soon Park, Montana. Oregon State dispersal. Canadian Field-Naturalist 102(3): eliminated the plants. Although University Press, Corvallis. 512 p. 515-522. Bitterroot prefers dry climates west FALL 2014 41 Up Close Naturally: What Do “Bugs” Do When Winter Comes? BY MARGOT HERVIEUX

It is easy to understand how birds and mammals survive the winter because we, too, make our own body heat and use insulation and shelter to keep warm. What I find truly amazing is how insects and spiders survive freezing temperatures.

There are as many different insect Freezing kills when ice crystals the leaves come out in the spring, strategies for winter survival as damage cells. This damage can but they are also an important there are kinds of insects but one be prevented by producing food source for chickadees and common approach is to take shelter antifreeze, sugar or alcohol in other birds that are trying to fuel and become inactive. Ants move the tissues. The antifreeze lowers their winter furnaces. into the lowest reaches of their nest the freezing point and also draws Another unusual insect that lives where they can get below the frost water from the cells to prevent ice with freezing is the larva of a fly line. All sorts of others, including crystals from forming. that makes those round swellings wolf spiders, beetles, ladybugs, Different insects survive the winter on the stems of goldenrod. The flies, some butterflies, and queen in different stages of development; plant produces the growth, called bees, hibernate under the snow egg, larvae, pupa or adult, but a gall, in response to chemicals where temperatures remain just for each insect only one stage from the fly egg laid in the above freezing. overwinters. In all cases, however, stem. When the larvae hatches Aquatic insects slow down as the overwintering stage must have it remains protected inside the water temperatures drop but time to prepare. If you put an gall, sucking plant sap. In the fall they don’t need to worry about insect in the freezer in July it will it partly chews an exit hole and freezing. A wide variety of larvae, die but put the correct life stage then spends the winter in a frozen including mosquitoes, dragonflies, of the same insect in the freezer state, ready to pupate and then damselflies, and diving beetles, in October and it will come to life emerge come spring. remain active in lakes and rivers, when re-warmed. Insects are amazing creatures and feeding on each other and avoiding Most insects that freeze in the they continue to survive because hungry fish. winter do so as eggs or pupae but of their incredible diversity of Some insects and spiders I was surprised to read recently forms and behaviours. The next don’t seek protection that a variety of caterpillars also time you are out in the snow- from the cold and freeze solid. They stay up in the covered woods, think about the actually spend the tree tops after the leaves fall and many bugs that are spending winter by freezing solid. attach themselves to the twigs. the cold months in suspended This gives them a head start when animation just waiting for spring.

Margot also writes a column for the Peace Country Sun, archived copies of which are available at www.peacecountrysun.com. 42 NatureAlberta

Black Coyotes or Coydogs? DICK DEKKER, PHD.

JIM BROHMAN’S BLACK COYOTE. JIM BROHMAN

Are black Coyotes just a melanistic variant, or are they so-called coydogs, a hybrid of Coyotes and domestic dogs?

In the Winter 2014 issue of Nature them, at Beaverhills Lake, but was going to give up, I eventually Alberta, Jim Brohman detailed the event was way back in time, found the first entry, dated May 1, a ‘First Hand” encounter with a and finding the exact date would 1995. black Coyote in Elk Island Park mean checking hundreds of hand- The location was the central west [page 34]. The article made me written pages in my field diaries. side of Beaverhills Lake, about think of my own observations of Then, in the Spring 2014 issue of half a kilometre from the shore. black Coyotes in central Alberta. Nature Alberta, Dennis Baresco Here, the cow pasture behind I knew where I had come across wrote of Christopher Lee’s an inland farm was studded with suggestion that willows, and as I approached on black Coyotes foot along the fence line, I spotted are most likely a group of eight canids emerging coydogs [page 35]. from the bushes. As soon as they I agree with him, became aware of me, standing and his article in the open, they retreated back stimulated me to into cover. Watching through make the effort binoculars I had just enough time of digging up my to note that the animals appeared sightings. To my to be Coyotes, but several were relief, just before I jet black, others dark brown or

A BLACK WOLF IN THE MIETTE HILLS. BRIAN GENEREUX BLACK COYDOG IN ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK. FALL 2014 43 tan-grey. The most unusual pack My last member that kept to the rear of sighting of the group was piebald - white the pack and black. In fact, it looked like was on April a border collie, which is a classic 10, 1997, breed of sheep dog popular with not far from area farmers and my favourite the willow kind of dog, for it is friendly and pasture of does not bark. the first encounter in Three days later, in the evening, 1995. Two as I approached the same of the animals were tan-grey, one location, I glassed and spotted was jet black, the other a piebald. As Jim Brohman and Dennis Baresco five canids, all of them jet black. Its head, chest, shoulders and remarked in their respective articles, However, they were shy and my rump were black, with an area black fur is rare in Coyotes, but hope of getting a closer look was of white on the neck and across common in wolves [see article, “Grey dashed. Another chance arrived the middle of its body. The black Wolves, Black Wolves, Red Wolves, on May 13, when there were tail ended in a white plume. As to and Black Coyotes” pg 45]. The six members of the pack out in what happened to these coydogs, well-studied wolves of Yellowstone, the open, all of them black. The rumour has it that the pack was which were reintroduced in 1994 darkest three featured an area of eventually wiped out by local with a dozen animals caught in lighter grey on the throat. residents. western Alberta, now consist of By late summer, the pack about 50 percent blacks. In a recent In the late 1990s, I heard of a appeared to have split up. On paper (Hedrick et al. 2014) two sighting of a black Coyote well September 24, I saw two black scientists discuss the gene flow of north of the lake, and at about Coyotes trotting across a stubble black wolves. The technical details the same time, naturalist Brian field west of the lake. And on May of their paper are way over my head, Genereux observed a group of 1 of the following year, I surprised but I was pleased when they invited four at Whitford Lake, which two coydogs in the reeds along me to contribute my data from Jasper is about 60 km northeast of the north shore of Beaverhills National Park. There, over half a Beaverhills. Two of these animals Lake. One was dark-brown, the century of watching, I have recorded looked like regular Coyotes, two other mostly black. As it crossed 241 black wolves and 110 greys. This others were black. A few years open ground to the island, I could comparison does not include repeat after that, Brian saw a Coyote see that its throat and chest were sightings of known packs during the and a large shepherd-like dog light grey, its feet and the tip of its same year. travelling together at Whitford tail were whitish. Lake.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, ARCHITECT WHO COINED THE PHILOSOPHY, ORGANIC ARCHITECTURE: DESIGNING STRUCTURES THAT WERE IN HARMONY WITH HUMANITY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT 44 NatureAlberta

THE NORTH RAVEN RIVER IS ALSO CALLED STAUFFER’S CREEK. STEPHANIE FENSON (ACA)

The North Raven River Conservation Site FROM THE ACA NEWSLETTER (7/17/14) AND ACA WEBSITE

The North Raven River Conservation Site, located approximately 30 km southeast of Rocky Mountain House, boasts excellent angling opportunities for Brown Trout and Brook Trout, as well as Northern Pike and Mountain Whitefish.

Once a popular drinking spot habitat conditions. In addition, contact landowner for access to private for thirsty cattle, the North a parking lot and washroom lands and refer to access condition Raven River had become facilities have been developed at information provided by AESRD on a barren landscape due to SW-10-037-05-W5M to provide the Recreational Access to Agricultural excessive trampling. After much public access to the riparian Public Land website for leased Crown dedication such as in-stream corridor. Lands surrounding the lands at www.esrd.alberta.ca. Refer to habitat improvements, off-site parking area and riparian corridors the latest edition of Alberta Guide to cattle watering systems and cattle are both privately-owned and Sportfishing Regulations. exclusion fencing, this stream Crown grazing lease; therefore, Partners in the North Raven River has been restored. It is thriving anglers must remain within Conservation Site are Alberta because of continued conservation the fenced corridor or obtain Conservation Association, Alberta efforts including land purchases permission to do otherwise. Fish and Game Association, Alberta of important headwater springs Visitors are reminded that the Environment and Sustainable Resource and habitat protection leases with site is day use and foot access Development (AESRD), Trout Unlimited caring landowners. only and no open fires. Please Canada. The 442 acre Conservation Site is a fisheries enhancement area where cattle exclusion fencing has A GRAVEL PIT? been constructed along the North Raven River (Stauffer Creek) to Clearwater County is considering an application for a gravel pit near the North Raven improve riparian and in-stream River. The proposal has created great concern from a number of sources. For a summary of the issue, see “Alberta Issues in Brief: Gravel Pit Proposed” (page 11). FALL 2014 45

TWO BLACK WOLVES IN JASPER NATIONAL PARK. BRIAN GENEREUX Grey Wolves, Black Wolves, Red Wolves, and Black Coyotes DICK DEKKER, PHD.

In the standard textbook on Canadian mammals written by Ottawa zoologist A.W.F. Banfield (1974), the common species name given to Canis lupus was just Wolf, while the American common name has always been Gray Wolf. Unfortunately, the American name, including its spelling (gray versus grey), has now also been adopted in Canada. This is a pity, because this colour-based label clearly is a misnomer.

The present range of the Gray of western Gray Wolves shows of 1966-1985, the black percentage Wolf extends right across the extreme individual variation from was 53% in 132 wolves that I continent from Montana to black to white (Dekker 2009). In watched at their dens in Jasper’s Minnesota and from Alaska to addition, it is well-known that upper Snake Indian Valley. In a Labrador. But there is a marked most arctic wolves are white. wolf territory in the lower Athabasca difference between east and River valley, where I have been In our Rocky Mountain National west. With very rare exceptions, looking for wolves over 35 winters, Parks, melanism has always been all eastern North American the percentage of black rose to 73% common. In the 1940s, 55% of wolves are a shade of tan- in 1988 and 82% in 2013 (Hedrick et 80 wolves seen by park wardens grey, resembling the Coyote. al. 2014). were black, and in the summers By contrast, the pelage colour TWO BLACK WOLVES IN THE 46 NatureAlberta MIETTE HILLS. BRIAN GENEREUX

Black wolves used to be common region (Elder and in the southern states of the USA, Hayden 2014). where wolves are a lot smaller than elsewhere and go by the References common name of Red Wolf. In Banfield, A.W.F. Mississippi and Florida, more than 1974. The half a century ago, the renowned Mammals of American wolfers Stanley Young Canada. National Museum of and Edward Goldman (1944) Natural Sciences. named two subspecies of the Red Ottawa. Wolf Canis niger and Canis niger University of rufus. This means that the name Toronto Press. Red Wolf actually is a misnomer Dekker, D. 2009. too. How Grey is the Gray Wolf? In a recently published study of Nature Alberta 39(2): 22-24. Hedrick, P. W., D. N. Stahler, and D. Dekker. 114 canids from Missouri and 2014. Heterozygote advantage in a finite Elder, W. H. and C. M. Hayden. 2014. Arkansas, preserved in museum population: black color in wolves. Journal Use of discriminant function collections, black Coyotes were of Heredity 105:457-465. in taxonomic determination of identified as hybrids of Coyotes canids from Missouri. Journal of Young, S. P. and E. A. Goldman. 1944. The and the small Red Wolves of that Mammalogy 58(1):17-24. Wolves of North America. Parts 1 and 2. Dover Reprint, New York.

BOOK REVIEW Wild Wolves We Have Known REVIEW FROM: WOLF.ORG; WILD WOLF CENTRE

Most wolf biologists have biologists who have studied them. encountered hundreds of wild Immerse yourself in the fieldwork; wolves in their careers, and in observe the challenges facing the that process, many have become species, and bear witness to the witness to the intimate lives extraordinary resilience of these and fates of a select handful of remarkable wolves. Amongst individuals. Over the years, these the many story-tellers is Nature biologists have occasionally shared Alberta’s own Lu Carbyn. The book stories of their ‘favorite’ wolves has a limiting printing of 2,500 with one another, often over copies. Edited by Richard P. Thiel, Allison drinks at the local pub during wolf “If you’ve never encountered a wolf C. Thiel and Marianne Strozewski. conferences. Few outsiders have in the wild, read this book. Once Paperback; ISBN-10: 0615860028; been privy to these stories—until you meet these wolves, you will ISBN-13: 978-0615860022 now! never forget them. And, perhaps, This is a remarkable collection you’ll come to understand why we of tales spanning the globe, from must find room for the wolves to unique personalities, highlighting the earliest studies to the present continue their story.” —Don Shelby their struggles and triumphs, and day. Wild Wolves We Have Known illustrating the unique influence an “These tales provide a glimpse tells the stories of individual individual can have on the survival of into the amazing lives of wolves through the lenses of its pack and the population to which it individual wolves, revealing their those who know them best—the belongs.” —Goodreads.com FALL 2014 47

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS Starry Nights Fall/Winter: November to January BY JOHN MCFAUL

FEATURED CONSTELLATIONS: PEGASUS

Riding high above the south-western lesson to all mortals who presume to The number of stars that you can see horizon during the later fall and early become gods. within the boundary of the great square winter season is the “Great Square is a good test of the darkness of the sky Pegasus was considered to be a very of Pegasus”. This represents the and your vision. In the city few if any kind horse with a love of life. One magnificent winged horse of ancient stars may be seen. Under dark country day while prancing about Mt. Helicon Greek mythology. Pegasus was born skies up to 17 faint stars could be visible. its hooves struck a rock which out of the blood from the Medusa Just outside the right edge of the square broke open to release the spring of mixing with the foam of the sea after is the star 51 Pegasi. It was the first star Hippocrene. The waters of this spring she was killed by the hero Perseus. to be confirmed to have a planet orbiting were sacred to the muses. To drink He then mounted Pegasus and flew it, besides our sun. A line drawn down from these waters would give one to the rescue of the beautiful princess through the eastern side of the square of the gift of poetry. John Keats in his Andromeda who had been chained Pegasus intersects the celestial equator Ode to a Nightingale speaks of his to the coast as an offering to appease at the point where the sun is found on wish to drink from the waters of the the sea monster Cetus. March 21st, the vernal equinox. Hippocrene. The upper left star in the square is actually shared with the constellation CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS Andromeda. It is a good starting point when searching for the great Sun: Rise – Nov.1 (08:34 MDT), Dec. 1 (08:27 MST), Jan. 1 (08:50 MST) Andromeda Galaxy. From this star Set – Nov. 1 (18:01 MDT), Dec. 1 (16:18 MST), Jan. 1 (16:25 MST) look two stars to the left and then Times are for Edmonton (Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 2nd) go up two fainter stars and look for Moon: Full – Nov. 6th, Dec. 6th, Jan. 4th the fuzzy spot of light which is the New – Nov. 22nd, Dec. 21st, Jan. 20th galaxy. This is best done with a pair Note: There will be a total eclipse of the Moon on October 8th. The partial phase starts of binoculars. at 3:18 AM. Totality begins at 4:27 AM and ends at 5:22 AM. The Greek hero Bellerophon ran Planets: Mercury may be seen low in the SE morning sky during the first few days of November. afoul of Sthenaboea, the wife of the It becomes an evening object in the SW from about January 6th to the 18th. On Jan. 10th king of Tiryns, because he rejected and 11th it will be very close to Venus about 10 degrees above the south western horizon her advances. As a result he was shortly after sunset. ordered to complete some very Venus will appear low in the south western sky from mid-December through January. On dangerous tasks, such as the killing January 21st it will form a triangle with Mercury and the very thin crescent moon. of the Chimaera whose body was Mars travels through the zodiacal constellations of Sagittarius (November), Capricorn made from the head of a lion, the (December) and Aquarius (January) during this time period. It may be seen in the southern body of a goat and the tail of a snake. evening sky. The moon is nearby on November 25 and December 24th. Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, Jupiter is to be found in the constellation Leo. It rises in the eastern sky during the late arranged for Bellerophon to team up hours and is high in the south by sunrise. The Moon passes close to Jupiter on November with Pegasus to complete his tasks. In 14th, December 11th and January 8th. the end Bellerophon became arrogant Saturn is a morning object in the south eastern sky. It is about 15 to 20 degrees above the and attempted to use Pegasus to horizon a little before sunrise during the months of December and January. It is located just fly to the realm of the gods. Zeus above the reddish star Antares which is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius. The could not allow this to happen and moon is nearby on December 19th and January 16th. caused Pegasus to throw his rider. Meteor Shower: Watch for the Leonids on November 17th, the Geminids on December 13th and the Bellerophon crashed to the earth and Quadrantids on Jan 3rd. was blinded and lamed. This was a The rate of meteors observed is for dark skies well away from city lights and with no Moon. 48 NatureAlberta CLUBS PAGE Friends of Elk Island Society Incorporated in July 1984 the Friends of Elk Island Society (FEIS) is a non-profit, charitable association that cooperates with Parks Canada to promote understanding, appreciation and respect for Elk Island National Park. The Club is Nature Alberta’s newest Affiliate Club.

The FEIS fulfills this mission by The FEIS publish a regular quarterly participating in conservation, newsletter “The Trumpeter” that keeps science based research, special members informed of events in the events and providing services to its Park, volunteer opportunities and members. The FEIS raises funds and society business. administers donations to further the To receive the Trumpeter, information objectives of the society. on Volunteer opportunities or other The FEIS is managed by a board of information, contact FEIS: directors who are elected annually The Friends of Elk Island Society by the society’s membership. The Box 70, 9920-63 Avenue, Edmonton, AB board acts as a source of advice, T6E 0G9 information, funding and volunteer support for Elk Island National Or by email at [email protected]. Park whilst also establishing and Everything you want to know about implementing policies and goals for FEIS is on its website: www.elkisland.ca. the society. Nature Alberta Celebrating our natural heritage!

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HOW DID BITTERROOT GET TO SOUTHERN ALBERTA? SEE THE STORY PG 38. HARVEY ABRAHAM

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