VOLUME 41 | Number 1 | SPRING 2011 SUGGESTED RETAIL: $7.50 CDN Nature Alberta celebrating our natural heritage

Tree Swallows. Sandra Hawkins

feature article Picturing Love of Nature

NATURE ALBERTA Grizzly Bear mother and cub in the foothills. Kirk Davis

Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park. Ashley Hockenberry SPRING 2011 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, fi eld meetings, Contents nature camps, research and other activities whether of a similar or NATURE ALBERTA VOLUME 41, NUMBER 1, SPRING 2011 dissimilar nature; (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 President’s Report 2010 BY CHUCK PRIESTLEY ...... 2 provide the means of translating these positions into appropriate actions. Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO ...... 4 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Chuck Priestley Alberta Issues in Brief ...... 6 VICE PRESIDENT: Ted Hindmarch SECRETARY: Iris Davies Nature Diary: “Mother Black Bear and Cubs” BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN ...... 8 TREASURER: Peichen Gu PAST PRESIDENT: Sandra Foss Up Close Naturally: Fish-eating Birds! BY MARGOT HERVIEUX ...... 10 APPOINTED DIRECTORS: Dennis Baresco, Dawn Dickinson, Peichen Gu, Ted Hindmarch, Chuck Priestley, Don Stiles Nature Alberta News ...... 11 ELECTED DIRECTORS: Chrissie Smith (ANPC); Claudia Cameron, (BLN); Scott Jubinville (CFNS); Lu Carbyn, (ENC); Grant Henry (FMFNS); Marty Drut, (GN); National Parks: Open Letter: Park Warden Alumni Society Ted Johnson (LLBBS); Lloyd Bennett (LNS); Margot Hervieux (PPN); Tony of Alberta ...... 15 Blake (RDRN); Iris Davies (VRNS); STAFF: Philip Penner (Exec. Dir.); Vid Bijelic; Michelle Bacon (LbyW) Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta BY JOHN WARDEN ...... 16 CORPORATE MEMBER CLUBS AKAYO’KAKI A’PAWAAWAHKAA BY RYAN HEAVY HEAD ...... 19 Alberta Native Plant Council, Box 52099, Garneau P.O. Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5 FEATURE ARTICLE – Picturing Love of Nature ...... 22 Buffalo Lake Naturalists, Box 1802, Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Nature Calgary (CFNS), Box 981, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4 Do Nothing – For Wildlife BY LORNE FITCH ...... 28 Edmonton Nature Club, Box 1111, Edmonton, AB T5J 2M1 Fort McMurray Field Naturalists Society, 152 Cote Bay, Fort McMurray, AB Coyotes: the discussion continues ...... 32 T9H 4R9 Grasslands Naturalists, Box 2491, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8 First Hand: “Spirit” BY RICK PRICE...... 33 Lac La Biche Birding Society, Box 1270, Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Lethbridge Naturalists Society, Box 1691, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4K4 BY SANDRA HAWKINS Wildlife! Starring…Red-winged Blackbird ...... 34 Peace Parkland Naturalists, Box 1451, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4Z2 Book Review: The Will of the Land ...... 36 Red Deer River Naturalists, Box 785, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H2 Vermilion River Naturalists, 5707 - 47 Avenue, Vermilion, AB T9X 1K5 Saying Goodbye to Another Banff Wolf BY JOHN MARRIOTT ...... 37 AFFILIATES: Respecting the Wisdom of All Species BY JIM COVEL ...... 39 Alberta Lake Management Society Friends of Jasper National Park Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society Celestial Happenings BY JOHN MCFAUL ...... 41 Alberta Mycological Society Grant MacEwan Mountain Club Alberta Stewardship Network Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada Beaverhill Bird Observatory J.J. Collett Natural Area Foundation Club Page ...... 42 Beaver River Naturalist Club Lee Nature Sanctuary Society Big Lake Environmental Support Society Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory BowKan Birders Purple Martin Conservancy PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY NATURE ALBERTA, Calgary Bird Banding Society Riverlot 56 Natural Area Society Cochrane Environmental Action Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas 11759 GROAT ROAD, EDMONTON, AB T5M 3K6 Committee Association PHONE.780.427.8124 FAX.780.422.2663 Crooked Creek Conservancy Society The Wagner Natural Area Society [email protected] Crowsnest Conservation Society Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Edmonton Naturalization Group Preservation Society SUBSCRIPTION $30.00 PER YEAR; $55 FOR TWO YEARS Ellis Bird Farm Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society Stewardship Assoc. EDITOR.DENNIS BARESCO Friends of Blackfoot Society [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 40 YEARS!!! ELAINE CATHCART, SANDRA FOSS, MARILYN ROSS, 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 refl ect those of the editor and the Federation of Alberta OR PHOTOS? SPRING ISSUE.FEBRUARY 14 Naturalists. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON SUMMER ISSUE.MAY 15 articles submitted. While due care will be taken of all manuscripts, photos THE NATURE ALBERTA WEBSITE: FALL ISSUE.AUGUST 15 or artwork submitted, FAN cannot be held responsible for any loss or WWW.NATUREALBERTA.CA WINTER ISSUE.NOVEMBER 15 damage to such articles. 2 NatureAlberta President’s Report 2010 BY CHUCK PRIESTLEY, NATURE ALBERTA PRESIDENT (2010-11)

For Nature Alberta, the year 2010 the organization afl oat and for integrate these projects. There was defi ned by challenges and continuing to weather what has is a feeling that bringing these a heavy workload. However, been a diffi cult fi nancial storm. projects closer together could we maintain our sense of create effi ciencies and increase Despite being in the midst of optimism and enthusiasm about effectiveness of each. Also, a tough fi nancial situation, future opportunities for our staff are exploring new ways there is a sense of optimism organization and the goals we to address the goals of these and eagerness about future collectively aim to address. projects in closer partnership opportunities. The team with the clubs. There are good After becoming President in April is pursuing new funding opportunities to work together 2010, I enjoyed the opportunity opportunities with Foundations to address common goals and to work closely throughout the and exploring ways to most needs. year with our Executive Director, effectively engage potential Philip Penner, and our Executive, corporate sponsors. In addition Added interest and discussion Ted Hindmarch (Vice President), to fundraising with the has been surfacing about how Peichen Gu (Treasurer) and Hypothermic Half Marathon best to engage members under Sandra Foss (Past President). (in partnership with The our newly adopted membership Our Secretary position remained Running Room) again this year, structure. Nature Alberta now vacant during 2010 [a position Nature Alberta worked on new has a new way to engage with now fi lled by Iris Davies – Ed] fundraising initiatives with the Albertans via membership for but duties which this position Edmonton Oil Kings. Not only individuals. There might be requires were taken on by did these events bring in money opportunities to bring in the Project Coordinator and Offi ce for the organization, they were folks who might not want to join Administrator, Christine Brown. also new and interesting ways a nature club but are inclined We appreciated Christine’s offer to engage with the public, to support a provincial nature- to help and for all her additional our membership and partners. oriented organization. For effort and support in this regard. Positive feedback was received example, they might not want to The Executive also appreciated from people who volunteered (or have time to) join a nature input from Dennis Baresco at these events. Many club but might see value in during various meetings and volunteers expressed interest in contributing to, or hearing more online communications. participating in the events next about, projects which involve year. Certainly a good sign! youth engagement with nature Financially, Nature Alberta’s such as our Young Naturalists cash fl ow constraints continued Despite funding shortfalls and program. during 2010. This challenge reduced staffi ng capacity, Nature was met head-on by Philip with Alberta continued to run its three Our new communication tool, positive support from Christine. core programs, Living by Water, Nature Alberta’s e-Newsletter, Many of our Executive meeting Young Naturalists and Important was well-received during its fi rst discussions were focused on this Bird Areas, during 2010. A full year of distribution. This ongoing challenge. Kudos to the heightened interest emerged online tool, which was launched Nature Alberta team for keeping for fi nding new ways to further in March 2010, was used to SPRING 2011 3

share nature- related points of interest to a wide audience across the province. Nature Alberta staff were also excited to use this tool to help share important information about club news and events. Lu Carbyn developed a guiding principle policy for the four large predators in Alberta (wolf, GREAT GREY OWL NEAR EDSON AB, MARCH 25, 2011. CHUCK PRIESTLEY cougar, grizzly bear and black bear). This policy was adopted during the Board concerns are clearly defi ned and in Alberta is something worth meeting in September and printed accessible. celebrating. Our organization would not exist without a blend of in the Fall 2010 issue of Nature In closing, I would like to extend hardworking volunteers, devoted Alberta (Vol 40, # 3). Many thanks sincere thanks to all those who staff and strong partnerships with to Lu for his hard work on that. contributed to Nature Alberta other organizations. Thank you for These types of policies are needed during 2010. We all share the all that you do. to ensure that our organization’s common feeling that Nature positions on various topics or

Advertising in Nature Alberta

Nature Alberta is now accepting a limited Full details, including rates and sizes, 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 4 NatureAlberta Editor’s Page BY DENNIS BARESCO

THE PUBLIC INTEREST there are those members of the may be defi cient or lacking altogether. A while ago, a friend of our public who, for example, do For the naturalist groups that make up Past President, Sandra Foss, sent not wish to protect wildlife, but Nature Alberta, that service is ecological her a note responding to the that’s not the point. The fact protection and conservation. remains and it is indisputable that submission which Nature Alberta It’s true that we do not speak directly wildlife biodiversity and a healthy and Grasslands Naturalists made for any one person, but neither do environment are in the general to the Alberta Utilities Commission we speak only for our members. As welfare of the public – both in the (AUC). In our submission, we were community service organizations, our immediate and in the long term. requesting standing in the proposed voice is spoken and our work is done public hearing for the Wild Rose Our representing the public in “the public interest.” There is a world 1 Industrial Wind Facility north of interest becomes clearer if one of difference between public interest the Cypress Hills. He took offense understands the defi nition of groups (eg Rotarians) and what could to our claim that we are “mandated that term. Black’s Law Dictionary be called hobby groups who, though to represent the public interest… (eighth edition) defi nes public they may do some community work, are to ensure that the public interest is interest as “the general welfare of together mainly to pursue their hobby met….” Said he: the public that warrants recognition amongst their hobbyist peers. and protection” or “something in “Who and/or under what There is another important distinction: which the public as a whole has a authority does FAN [Nature we are NOT, as he said in the same stake, esp. an interest that justifi es Alberta] and GN have to speak note, “fi ghting the wind farm industry.” governmental regulation.” That is on my behalf? I have elected In her reply, Sandra put what we are a reasonably good, in-a-nutshell representatives and chosen doing very well: “defending wildlife defi nition. organizations that I have chosen and attempting to educate the wind to [do] this. Don’t make claims Admittedly, exactly what that industry about the damaging effects to represent the public and me constitutes is not easy to determine; on wildlife, and how placement of without my consent. That is a it seems to be a lot easier to turbines is key & critical to the survival misrepresentation of FANs and determine what isn’t in the of much wildlife.” To that end, Nature GNs status.” public interest. Individuals may Alberta and Grasslands Naturalists are He brought up an intriguing point. well consider ecological damage, strongly against placing turbines and The fact is, it’s always a good idea generated for their own short term infrastructure on, for example, native for any organization to occasionally gratifi cation, to be to their personal prairie, one reason being that such evaluate its mandate, to question welfare, but that is their private placement is completely unnecessary. interests; such things may be bad its claims, to look inward. And so, In the end, I think that my comments for society – bad for the general I thought about what he wrote and make it clearer why we, and the vast welfare of the public. And, as we responded with the best explanation majority of ENGOs (environmental non- all well know, there are a great I could muster. government organizations) use terms many examples where elected As registered charities, if our like public interest, and why to do so representatives do NOT work for organizations represented only is not “a misrepresentation of FANs and the public interest. Essentially, that our own members, we would be GNs status”; it is, in fact, one of our is why many non-profi ts continue seriously remiss, at the very least, in major roles in society and one expected to exist: to provide for the general our moral and ethical obligation to of us if we are to fulfi ll the conditions of welfare of society a service that fulfi ll our legal mandate. Obviously, our charitable status. cont’d on page 5 SPRING 2011 5

The gentleman who wrote the note (who himself is very active in NGOs) On the Covers: accepted my explanation, with the FRONT COVER caveat that we should still be careful Tree Swallows are found throughout Alberta. Their numbers appear when making claims. That’s good to be increasing, probably because they very readily use nest boxes advice for all of us – and a good – sometimes to the chagrin of those who run Mountain Bluebird exercise in making any organization nest box trails! Like all swallows, which fl y swiftly and erratically, accountable. photographing them in fl ight borders on the impossible; however, patience can reward one with a scene such as captured by Sandra Hawkins. See the Feature Story, page 24.

INSIDE FRONT COVER It’s…uh…?? For naturalists and photographers like Kirk Davis, few things in nature match the excitement of spotting a Grizzly, in particular if there are cubs trailing along. Long lenses are helpful and beat trying to stalk a Grizzly and cub for a close-up! Besides, distance provides a scene that tells a story, always a bonus in photography. Pyramid Lake is in Jasper National Park at the foot of Pyramid Mountain which overlooks Jasper townsite. A relatively small lake, it drains into Pyramid Creek and then the Athabasca River. It is truly beautiful, as Ashley Hockenberry’s photo illustrates.

INSIDE BACK COVER Mount Yamnuska, or just “Yamnuska” as it is often called, is close to Calgary on the north side of the Bow Valley. Its offi cial name is Mount John Laurie, but the native name Yamnuska – meaning “wall of stone” – is what it is called most commonly. Its s outh cliff, shown here in Bonnie Mullins’ photo, is huge: 360 metres (1,200 ft) high and almost two kilometres wide.

HOLLE HAHN American Avocets obviously make for stunning photography (see Sandra Hawkins’ photography story, pg 24). With a recurved bill for scraping food from mud and water and, unlike Time for some fun! This photo most shorebirds, the ability to swim, they are also interesting was taken in mid-April on the and unusual subjects for birdwatchers. Rick Price has a knack for being there when a great photo is road to the photographer’s about to happen. And really, does it get any cuter than this? It house in Westerose AB. Can is hard not to crack a big smile when looking at this little Black Bear cub! you guess what it is? Send your answers to: [email protected] BACK COVER Answer and winner(s) will be announced in the next Nature Alberta. The prize? Naturalist A pleasant day, a hillside of wildfl owers, Mount Allen rising in the distance…ahhhh, Nature: how splendid and rewarding! And bragging rights and a pat on the back from how lucky we are that Bonnie Mullin carries her camera with her. Nature Alberta! Mount Allen (often spelled “Allan”) is on the Continental Divide. 6 NatureAlberta

ALBERTA ISSUES IN BRIEF

At Risk! Grasslands At Risk! Greater-Sage Grouse “Potatogate” isn’t over! The plan With probably less than 100 Greater- Alberta to supplement the population. to turn 16,000 acres of mostly Sage Grouse in Alberta (and a Since what little habitat remains native prairie near Bow Island into similar number in Saskatchewan), continues to be eroded, the likely result potato monoculture still appears the terms “At Risk” and of supplementation will simply be a to be in the works. There are “Endangered” are overly optimistic. reduction in the Montana population. strong rumours and open talk Dr Mark Boyce has suggested that What can we all do? Raise a fuss! Raise a that the government has told the this magnifi cent, iconic grassland BIG fuss! Ask your friends to raise a fuss! potato proponent to wait until bird could be extirpated next year. “Yeah, but it won’t help,” you say? Maybe the dust settles and then apply There are two major reasons for it will, maybe it won’t. But one thing we again. Of course, despite Alberta- this: 1) human disturbance of critical know for sure: apathy and resignation wide condemnation of this project habitat in southeastern Alberta, add two more nails into the Greater-Sage when it was uncovered, the fact fi rst and foremost from natural gas Grouse coffi n! that it is still “a go” is no surprise (wells, service roads, power lines to anyone – more of a foregone and poles) but also agricultural conclusion. expansion; and 2) government’s What can we all do? Stay vigilant seeming indifference to extinction and informed. And when it comes and unwillingness to do anything up again – raise a fuss! Raise a meaningful about the situation. BIG fuss! The provincial government has suggested releasing birds from northern Montana into southeastern THE ROYAL GROUSE OF THE GRASSLANDS! At Risk! National Parks GORDON COURT “On behalf of the people of priority, rather than one of indifference (plus, one could add, Canada, we protect and present conservation and preservation of outright hostility) to Parks Canada’s nationally signifi cant examples natural and cultural resources…” mandate. Fortunately, more and more of Canada’s natural and cultural [Please read his letter, page 15 and Canadians are getting the picture – heritage, and foster public on Nature Alberta’s website]. and getting angrier and angrier about understanding, appreciation turning these heritage gems into In fact, the increasing degradation and enjoyment in ways that “National Amusement Parks.” and damage being foisted on our ensure their ecological and busier national parks (like Banff What can we all do? As with all issues: commemorative integrity for and Jasper) is leading inexorably inform ourselves, and then raise a present and future generations.” – and faster than you might So reads Parks Canada’s mandate. think! – to these parks being Sounds good, but what is put “at risk”. And yet, much of happening now is seriously this is completely avoidable. disturbing, and that is not an The culprits are the usual exaggeration. As Rod Wallace, on suspects: lust for more money; behalf of the Park Warden Alumni and federal government Society of Alberta, states, there

now “appears to be a redirection A SCENE IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK – of park priorities [and] shift in BORING? BETTER AS AN AMUSEMENT park management to a tourism PARK? ASHLEY HOCKENBERRY SPRING 2011 7 fuss! Raise a BIG fuss! Ask your Nature Alberta has a section friends to raise a fuss! One thing on its website dedicated to this Enbridge Northern we know for sure: apathy and extremely important issue; please Gateway Project resignation will add two more go to www.naturealberta.ca, nails into the National Parks under “News and Issues”. The Joint Review Panel (JRP) for the coffi n! Enbridge Northern Gateway Project has issued a Hearing Order (OH- 4-2011) outlining the joint review At Risk! Rehabilitated Wildlife process along with the available This story is one for “Ripley’s the “scientifi c knowledge and participation options. The joint Believe it or Not”! Alberta experience” to make this decision. review process is designed to gather Sustainable Resource Development Undoubtedly they do. In which information from all viewpoints. The (SRD) has a new plan to make a case, one has to wonder who process is public and open to anyone whole component of wildlife safer: actually made the assessment who wishes to participate. kill them! A recent decree demands that led to the rules and why, Information sessions will be held in that wildlife rehabilitation centres because science strongly supports June and July, though at the time immediately kill, rather than save, a rehabilitation. In an article by Jeff of writing, only two in Alberta: at long list of mostly smaller animals Gailus in Fast Forward Weekly Bruderheim and Grande Prairie. The as they come in; this includes some (www.ffwdweekly.com), “Dr. John Panel’s website contains information species listed as “sensitive” and Beecham, an international expert about the Panel, the joint review “may be at risk”. Almost all larger on rehabilitating bears” told Gailus process, and anything new about the animals (like ungulates, felines, that “the Alberta government has process; go to: canids and bears) are to be turned no scientifi c rationale for this over to SRD staff within 72 hours. approach,” adding: “The best you www.gatewaypanel.review.gc.ca. If Since SRD has no staff, facilities can say is that it is a weak rationale you would like to receive information or money for rehabilitation, they for an action that is totally out of and future updates from the Panel, will likely have to kill the animals date. Apparently, they prefer to you can sign up for email updates at: (perhaps a few might be sold to remain in the 19th century in terms [email protected]. zoos). of how they respond to public demand for more responsible SRD has given some terribly wildlife management” (Fast weak – one might say desperately Forward Weekly, March 24, 2011). clutching-at-straws – excuses being asked around the province is: for this profoundly draconian This could well put Alberta’s seven what on earth is the real reason? requirement. Spokesperson Dave wildlife rehabilitation centres in So, what can we all do? Raise a fuss! Ealey said that SRD staff has jeopardy. All seven, by the way, Raise a BIG fuss! Ask your friends “operate entirely by donations to raise a fuss: with Members of the from voting Albertans,” said Legislative Assembly, with all media Clio Smeeton of the Cochrane outlets, with government workers Ecological Institute (quoted in (especially in SRD, most of whom Wildlands Advocate, Apr 2011, probably can’t believe this either), Vol 19, No. 2). with whoever thinks that saving Since to our knowledge, no orphaned animals is a good thing. And Alberta towns have been remember: apathy and resignation devoured by rehabilitated Long- will add two nails into the wildlife toed Salamanders, the question rehabilitation coffi n!

THIS BLACK BEAR CUB WAS ORPHANED DURING THE 2009 SPRING BEAR HUNT, THEN TAKEN IN BY THE COCHRANE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. PERHAPS WHOEVER BROUGHT THESE RULES IN SHOULD BE THE ONES TO ACTUALLY DO THE KILLING? COCHRANE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE 8 NatureAlberta

DEBBIE GODKIN DEBBIE GODKIN Nature Diary: Mother Black Bear and Cubs BY DEBBIE AND ALAN GODKIN

When my neighbor said that he’d seen a mother bear with three cubs eating spilled grain from a bin on his property adjacent to ours, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try and photograph them.

But fi rst, I had to persuade a The following evening we drove three hours in the stifl ing July heat, friend to come and sit in the over and parked so that we had with the truck windows shut tight pick-up truck with me and wait, a good view of the bin and the to keep out the mosquitoes. possibly for hours, for the bears treed area behind it. We watched Upon looking in the rear to show up. and waited for one, two, then view mirror, we saw the bears approaching from behind us. The mother bear was standing up sniffi ng the air, with three little cubs standing beside her, with only the tops of their heads visible in the tall timothy grass. We hadn’t expected the bears to come from across the hay fi eld. The bears could go around a large group of trees and emerge at the back of the bin, or continue the path they were on, which meant they would have to walk right past the truck to get to the bin. This was getting a little too close for comfort.

DEBBIE GODKIN SPRING 2011 9

We sat motionless as the mother before coming to eat. They were bear lumbered past us; the cubs caked with mud and dripping followed close behind her until wet from the belly down. The they were at the bin. The mother bin door was open and the two bear and cubs lay down in the tall male cubs climbed over the grass and began to eat the wheat boards, lay down on top of the that had spilled from between mound of wheat – and ate! The the rotted boards at the base of mother bear lay in the same spot the old bin. All three cubs were a in front of the bin along with cinnamon brown color, while one the smallest cub and remained had a white patch on its chest. watchful. Having fi lled up on The mother bear was as golden in grain the two male cubs climbed color as a wheat fi eld in the fall; out of the bin and played ‘catch the tips of her ears were frozen me if you can’ around and over off giving her an aged look. We top of the mother bear, who assumed the two larger cubs were showed great patience. Then one males and the smaller one was a of the cubs climbed up the front female. of the bin into the attic opening. I raised my camera and took a Within about ten minutes, the few photographs through a dirty two male cubs had satisfi ed their window. The cub wasn’t as agile appetite and were ready for or as graceful coming down as it some play. They rolled about was going up. and wrestled each other in the grass. Suddenly the mother bear One day we spotted the bears stood up and sniffed the air. approaching from some distance She then went back down on all away when suddenly the mother fours and slowly walked off. The bear stopped in her tracks; cubs formed a line behind her immediately all three cubs made THE CUBS WERE NOT AS AGILE COMING DOWN AS and disappeared into the bush. A a rapid ascent up the same poplar THEY WERE GOING UP! DEBBIE GODKIN minute later, what looked like a tree. She must have given them two or three year old Black Bear the signal to climb. A few minutes emerged from the trees, only later she signaled the cubs to fi fteen yards or so away from come down. The cubs backed appetite for wheat and we were the trail the mother bear had just down the tree in a series of short, rewarded with a few minutes of taken. She must have sensed the fi ve foot falls, digging their front the cubs’ playful antics. All in all, other bear’s presence and took claws into the wood just enough we felt fortunate to have had a her cubs to safety. to control the fall, and then they chance to observe this bear family casually continued on the trail to interacting with each other in a The next time we only waited the bin. relatively natural setting. a matter of minutes before the bears showed up. It was apparent We returned every three or four that they had gone for a swim days hoping to catch a glimpse in the dugout just back of the of the bears. Sometimes our bin to cool off from the July heat timetable coincided with their

Like many naturalists, Debbie and Alan Godkin, from Westlock AB, have numerous stories of their experiences with nature – stories they love to share with other naturalists in this “NATURE DIARY” series! OSPREY, WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK RICK PRICE 10 NatureAlberta Up Close Naturally: Fish-eating Birds BY MARGOT HERVIEUX Fish is a menu item for many different birds, but the slippery, fast moving creatures are not easy to catch. FEMALE COMMON MERGANSERS VID BIJELIC This means that there are just They can often be seen along streams about as many different fi shing or lakeshores sitting on a branch and techniques as there are birds that then suddenly diving down into the fi sh. water. The birds then return to their perch, whacking live fi sh on the branch Diving is the most common before swallowing. method for birds to catch fi sh, and loons and grebes are diving Herons stalk fi sh and other prey as specialists. They are very stream- they wade or stand motionless in the lined, and their feet are located watching for a potential meal. shallows. They usually stand with their at the back of their bodies where When they spot a fi sh, they backs to the sun so that they can see they act as fl ippers. The birds dive after it, holding on to their passing fi sh in their shadow. also have heavy, pointed bills for slippery prey with tooth-like Herons also have a special adaptation snapping up small fi sh along with serrations on the edges of the for dealing with fi sh slime. They have other aquatic prey. beak. Like pelicans, they will also special, powdery feathers on their neck Cormorants also chase down fi sh fi sh in groups. which they work through any slimy under water. They are excellent Some birds dive onto feathers using a comb-like claw on one swimmers using their long necks unsuspecting prey from above. toe. to reach fi sh as they pursue their Osprey fi sh by fl ying slowly over Whether a bird dives, hovers or stalks, zigzagging meal. the shallow waters of a lake fi sh are worth going after. The trick is Pelicans use their famous pouches before dropping onto a potential developing ways to handle a slippery, to scoop up fi sh, water and meal feet fi rst. They have rough wiggly meal. all, and then strain out the fi sh foot pads for grasping slippery before swallowing. You will often prey and usually turn their fi sh to COMMON LOON, WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK RICK PRICE see pelicans fi shing in groups, point head fi rst before fl ying any herding their prey into tight distance. schools before fi lling their bills. Terns also dive on fi sh but they Mergansers are are after minnows which they fi sh-eating ducks. catch with their bills. These birds I have watched are expert fl yers, hovering above Red-breasted the water before plunging on their Mergansers swim dinner. around with Belted Kingfi shers are another just their heads species that fi shes from above. underwater, Margot also writes a column for the Peace Country Sun, archived copies of which are available at www.peacecountrysun.com. SPRING 2011 11

Nature Alberta NEWS

“CHUCK A PUCK” CHRISTINE MOVING ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nature Alberta held two “Chuck It was with great regret that The Annual General Meeting is a Puck” Events (Oct 2/10 and Jan Nature Alberta accepted the the time when Nature Alberta 22/11) at Edmonton Oil Kings resignation of Christine Brown Appointed Directors and games in which a total of 17 as Offi ce Administrator and Executive are chosen and/or volunteers participated, helping Project Coordinator. Christine was confi rmed. Directors representing raise well over $2,000. Executive offered, and accepted, a position Corporate Clubs are chosen by Director Philip Penner, on behalf with Alberta Recycling. their respective organizations (see of everyone at Nature Alberta, list on page 1). Christine’s work with Nature thanks all of the volunteers for Alberta for close to three years Jim Gendron has stepped coming out and having some fun has been invaluable. Organized, down as an Appointed Director to “Chuck a Puck.” Their support effi cient, knowledgeable and (though he will still volunteer); is very much appreciated. personable, she has been a all other Appointed Directors tremendous asset to the Directors, were confi rmed for 2011-12: “COMMUNITY SPIRIT”! Executive Director Philip Penner Dennis Baresco, Dawn Dickinson, The Culture and Community and the organization as a whole. Peichen Gu, Ted Hindmarch, Spirit Department of the Alberta Chuck Priestley and Don Stiles. government has a program In her letter of resignation, designed to increase individual Christine acknowledged the Iris Davies, the Elected Director charitable giving. The program “amazing opportunity” she had of the Vermilion River Naturalists, is donor-driven, meaning it at Nature Alberta. “Being part put her name forward and was recognizes and encourages of this organization has given acclaimed as the new Secretary Albertans to support their me a tremendous amount of for Nature Alberta. All other favourite organizations. knowledge and experience and Executive positions were fi lled has made me into a naturalist,” by acclamation as well: Chuck Simply put, the Community Spirit she wrote. “I have enjoyed the Priestley (President); Ted Program will match your donation challenges and issues faced and Hindmarch (Vice-President); and to Nature Alberta. For last year, I am proud to have been part of Peichen Gu (Treasurer). Sandra we received a Community Spirit the conservation movement in Foss rounds out the Executive grant of $18,731.41 – an amount Alberta.” as Past President, which is an that truly makes a big difference additional Appointed Director Nature Alberta sincerely wishes in the success of our organization, position. plus it gives our donors the Christine a great future; she will opportunity to effectively double be missed. the value of their donation. During the past three years of the Program, 5,031 applicants have shared a total of $52.9 million. Awards… 12 NatureAlberta

VICE-PRESIDENT TED HINDMARCH WAS THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES FOR THE AWARDS BANQUET. JORDAN BROWN

AWARDS who play an important role in recognition as a “Club Builder” Three awards were presented to keeping the group on track, after almost 25 years as Secretary, dedicated naturalists at the Nature active, organized and able to Newsletter Editor, designer Alberta Annual General Meeting provide the services that are basic and author of the Club’s Marl banquet the evening of April 2, to the Club’s continued existence. Pond Trail Guide, and recently 2011. Frank and Alice Harper were two writing, compiling and producing such naturalists for the Lethbridge a booklet about the trees of Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Naturalists Society (LNS). In Wagner. Patsy leads the May Award honour of Frank and Alice, and Species counts and a variety There are many “unsung heroes” recognizing the vital role that of organized events. She is a in naturalist groups: those people naturalists like them fulfi ll in all valuable asset to Wagner fen, and who give of themselves in naturalist clubs, Nature Alberta a resource for the biophysical carrying out the often less-than- created the annual Frank and studies and inventories of the glamourous duties associated with Alice Harper Memorial Award. area. the running of a Club – people Patsy Cotterill Patsy’s commitment to the of the Wagner Society’s mandate to protect, Natural Area preserve and educate about Society of Wagner Natural area is of Edmonton is the tremendous value to the 2010 recipient of organization. In addition, she Nature Alberta’s gives her expertise as a botanist Frank and to other Nature Alberta member Alice Harper groups, such as the Edmonton Memorial Nature Club, and is a founding Award. She member of the Alberta Native has more Plant Council and the Stewards of than earned Alberta Natural Areas.

PAT CLAYTON PRESENTS THE FRANK AND ALICE HARPER MEMORIAL AWARD TO PATSY COTTERILL. JORDAN BROWN SPRING 2011 13

Loran Goulden Memorial Award years. She has served in several She leads many different fi eld trips The Loran L. Goulden Memorial capacities, including RDRN (including regular birding trips), Award is the highest accolade that president from 2004 to 2006, writes newspaper columns, has Alberta naturalists have to offer and since that time as secretary. organized Christmas Bird counts to those special individuals who Her total contributions have and compiled May Species counts stand out within the naturalist been in every aspect of RDRN for the last fi ve years, and was community. It is awarded by activities and have assisted RDRN on the Nature Alberta/Federation Nature Alberta for a life-long in remaining a very successful of Alberta Naturalists Board for commitment to Natural History organization. fi ve years, four of those on the Executive. Judy instigated the education. Judy also works and volunteers Young Naturalist’s program in Judy Boyd of Red Deer has her time at the Medicine River Alberta, and is still working with demonstrated a long term passion Wildlife Centre; she does many the program. for teaching about nature, and different things for them, and in many different ways: from her most include teaching in one What tops everything for Judy is work with the Medicine River form or another. Judy deals with her infectious enthusiasm for all Wildlife Centre, to volunteering problem wildlife complaints, aspects of volunteering. She can for the Red Deer River Naturalists spends time with the public, make the dullest things fascinating (RDRN), to her many years as assists in the production of just by her energy, humour, the nature nursery teacher at the educational handouts, helps to forcefulness and genuine interest. Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red spearhead research programs and She is a true dynamo with a Deer. innovative protocols at the Centre boundless supply of energy, never and delivers presentations to sitting still, and spreading her Judy has been active as a groups inside and outside Canada, enthusiasm as a naturalist to all volunteer with the Red Deer representing the Centre. she encounters. River Naturalists for more than 10

TONY BLAKE, NATURE ALBERTA DIRECTOR FOR THE RED DEER RIVER NATURALISTS, PRESENTS THE LORAN GOULDEN AWARD TO JUDY BOYD. JORDAN BROWN 14 NatureAlberta KIM BROUGHT A POCKET GOPHER TO CLASS, GIVING HER STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY Special Award TO SEE ONE OF OUR MORE A “Special Award” UNUSUAL CREATURES! was presented this year to Cochrane area teacher Kim Kendall-Knitter, also helped to start a from Glenbow Community garden in the School. The award school yard and a school recognizes Ms. recycling program, as Kendall-Knitter, a Grade 4 teacher, well as introducing worm for her great work teaching composting. students about provincial issues Of course, this is all and, in the process, how to do done with the blessing research, gather information and of the School Principal, look at all sides of an issue. Their who is supporting these computer skills are honed and innovations. enhanced as they do research on the internet. The example she was HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER AWARD using (at the time of the award) THE “POTATOGATE” EXAMPLE According to the Nature Alberta constitution, was the issue dubbed “Potatogate” Kim Kendall-Knitter’s class has “The Board of Directors may honour (see sidebar). heard about “Potatogate” from a outstanding naturalists or conservationists Ms. Kendall-Knitter has taken her variety of sources. They have had by electing them to honourary classes outside and done willow presentations from a rancher who membership”. The Honourary Life Member plantings to enhance a riparian pointed out the need for land to Award recognizes individuals for substantial stream bank area and learn about be used to grow food, from a grass volunteer contributions over an extended improving fi sh habitat. Students specialist, a First Nations person period that are directly linked to Nature also learn skills such as fi lm- speaking about the sacred values Alberta initiatives and/or benefi t Nature making while they are doing these of the land, a naturalist speaking Alberta as an organization. The award need projects. about the species that occupy not be presented every year (for example, it was not presented the past two years). Also, This is an innovative approach by grasslands (especially endangered species), water issues, and carbon as the list below shows, there were several this talented teacher, who has also multi-year gaps in the award, though this planned and organized workshops sequestration. They have heard from a potato farmer, talked by was a result of administrative functions, not to aid other staff at Glenbow the lack of worthy candidates. School in their knowledge of local conference call to a potato chip natural history and how to get factory, and heard a heart specialist Nature Alberta has great pride in its the children involved: everything doctor talk about the health Honourary Life Member Award recipients, from water and fi sheries issues, to attributes of potato chips. They who have made a huge contribution to bird life, geology, and non-native have potato plants growing in Alberta conservation. The honourable species invasions. their classroom, are doing art and recipients are: mapping projects on the topic, and Ms. Kendall-Knitter works hard are doing more research on native • Dewey Soper 1971 • Edgar T. Jones 2001 at building community in her grasses, with a view to naturalizing • Kerry Wood 1971 • Pat Clayton 2004 classroom and tries to have part of their school grounds. Their • Ray Salt 1973 • Ian Halladay 2005 her students outside as much research book of grasses will • Robert Lister 1982 • Don Stiles 2006 as possible, developing an provide knowledge to the school’s • Dorothy Dickson • Dawn Dickinson appreciation for and sense of groundskeeper. After their research 2001 2007 wonder about the natural world is completed, they will be debating in everything they do. She has the “Potatogate” issue, with half • Lloyd Lohr 2001 • Glen Semenchuk the class on each side of the debate. 2008 SPRING 2011 15 National Parks: an open letter

To: Mr. Bill Fisher Director General, Western and Northern National Parks, Parks Canada 1550, 635 - 8 Ave, S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 3M3 From: Park Warden Alumni Society 7 Glenport Road, Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1G8 March 8, 2011 Dear Sir; It has come to the attention of the Park Warden Alumni Society of Alberta, and a number of concerned former Parks Canada ss. employees, that there appears to be a redirection of park priorities in the review and update of the park management plan proceltural The apparent shift in park management to a tourism priority, rather than one of conservation and preservation of natural and cu resources is of great concern to many Canadians. An example of grave concern for many of us is the present review of the Jasper Management Plan which allows for the possible development of a “skywalk” project at Tangle ridge. Brewster Transport’s “conceptual approval” of such a project which is in use a this wildlife sensitive, and in a physically restrictive highway corridor, is most alarming. A considerable number of mountain sheepultant location on a year round basis, and are certain to be disturbed (and fed!) with the construction of an “attraction” and the res bitat increased numbers of visitors at this specifi c location. Mountain sheep may well be forced to relocate from established good ha ound to a poor or marginal one. Traffi c is congested at Tangle ridge now, with slow moving RVs headed uphill, and fast movingor traffi northb c at this traffi c navigating a ninety degree corner at the summit, as well as visitor foot traffi c at Tangle Falls. Any increase in visit location will prove chaotic and dangerous. in a As for the structure of a plastic “viewing platform” over the edge at Tangle ridge, we fi nd the concept revolting and degrading n is not National Park. Are National Parks becoming a Disneyland concept to “entertain” visitors? A similar structure at the Grand Canyo for even in the National Park, but rather joins an array of tacky tourist attractions on reservation lands nearby. Shame on Parks Canada thinking of approving such an eyesore in our National Parks! ies for The reality of this attempt to increase visitor appreciation at Tangle ridge is that there are much more spectacular opportunit ews of viewing of the alpine and glaciated areas nearby. Why not encourage visitors to ascend the Wilcox Pass trail for spectacular vilent walks Sunwapta Pass, the Columbia Icefi elds, and the surrounding mountains? Parker Ridge, Tangle Falls or Stanley Falls are all excelster with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. A guided walk up one of several already established trails in the area, and Brew more Transport employing summer students to conduct them for a fee, would provide a most worthy visitor experience and contribute to knowledge of park resources. nal Parks. The Park Warden Alumni Society collectively represents several hundred years of conservation/protection experience in our Natio to refocus All the ecological gains made over the decades will be for nought, if Parks continues to head its present direction. Parks needral and cultural their efforts, and realign their present priorities, to regain the public trust in the conservation and protection of both natu should be resources in our National Parks. Appropriate visitor activities, which maintain and foster enjoyment of the natural landscape, mandatory. Gimmicks or gadgets to attract visitors at any moral cost, degrades the long established values of National Parks.r activities are It appears to be a possibility, that Parks may well risk losing the designation of World Heritage Site, if inappropriate visito allowed and promoted. Perhaps Parks should consider a name change to National Amusement Parks, if present trends continue. Yours sincerely, Rod Wallace On behalf of the Board of Directors, Park Warden Alumni Society of Alberta cc. Mr. Greg Fenton, Superintendent, Jasper National Park 16 NatureAlberta

Close to Home: Nature Photography in Alberta

Sounds like Alberta BY JOHN WARDEN I was out at Hastings Lake one morning, working a grove of aspen trees with my camera, trying to fi nd just the right combination of colour, light

JOHN WARDEN and line.

The leaves were yellow and punctuated the moment with turned into yipping and then their orange against a frieze of green howling exclamations. voices began to move away. and the smooth white bark of the They were so close, I suspected It was an amazing moment. I aspens. The vertical lines of the that if I moved, they would hear experienced the Coyotes, without tree trunks carried me up from me, but I had to try and see them. actually seeing them. I put my the ground and into the image Sure enough, as I worked my way camera away and walked down with feelings of height, power quietly around the trees, hoping to the edge of the lake. What and grandeur. And the light! It to get a photograph, their howls a moment, a symphony to the was that magical golden hour of sunrise when the light was soft and mellow, pumping up and saturating the colours. I wasn’t even conscious of pressing the shutter release on my camera; the pictures were taking themselves. Some people might call such an experience ‘being lost in the moment’, but I wasn’t lost. I was a part of that moment. And then something extraordinary happened. Coyotes started howling. The Coyotes began with some excited yipping and then the bunch of them began to howl. They sounded close, perhaps just on the other side of the trees. I paused, and listened. Their chorus

JOHN WARDEN SPRING 2011 17

JOHN WARDEN tune of colour, light and line, moment. But then, the serenity people, not monsters and that with Mother Nature leading the was shattered. The ripping and they have a right to ride their orchestra. And I was there. snorting of off-road motorcycles noisy, smelly bikes in a provincial blasted away the quiet. There ‘recreational area’. Yet on a more Not all of the sounds in nature was a pack of them and they personal, visceral level, they were though, are as pleasant. came out of the trees, just across an orchestra of the obscene. Elbow Falls at Bragg Creek near the river from us. Like vulturous People though, are naturally part Calgary has always been one of carrion birds, they perched for a of our experience. While I for my favorite places. My wife Debra moment on a point just above the one work hard to fi nd places had never been there and wanting falls, gunning and revving their and times when few people are to share it with her, we went one engines as they looked down around, they (we) are almost February when the sky was a at the falls. Then they were off, everywhere, a fact of life. What’s gorgeous Alberta blue. roaring through the bush looking, the balance? How do we fi nd or no doubt, for small children to The Elbow River was still open create a harmony between people devour. but the falls were choked with ice. and nature? Despite the roar of the falls, it was Of course I exaggerate. I know I was fortunate to experience a quiet, pristine, almost sacred intellectually that they were such a balance one evening. 18 NatureAlberta

JOHN WARDEN

Looking to escape the throngs of The sound of the fl ute was to a moment, or completely and tourists in Canmore, I followed similar to the wild call of a loon, utterly ruin it. the Spray Lakes Road out of town beautiful and perfect in its own The ratcheting chainsaw-like and stopped along the way at way, but different. It was a sound, sounds of motorcycles and all- Goat Pond. It was a beautiful originating from the human, that terrain vehicles are sour notes in evening in the mountains, the didn’t detract from the moment. my adventures close to home. sun was setting and the lake was Here was a person, adding to They are notes that linger, but I a deep blue, all still and tranquil. the specialness of a moment can tune them out or turn them I was setting up my camera in in nature. It was a harmony, a off. So I do. the silence, enjoying the solitude, synergy, a perfect balance. when out of the cosmos came But oh, the wonderful symphonies Interesting how people have the sweet yet haunting melody of that I have heard in nature…the created snorting motorcycles a fl ute. The notes were soft but Coyotes, the loons, the fl ute, that’s and soothing sounds of music. clear, drifting across the pond like what I wish to share with you. Interesting that people can add an autumn mist. EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a condensing of Ryan’s May 18, 2011 blog; to read the full, fascinating entry, see http://akayokaki.blogspot.com. All photos SPRING 2011 19 by the author. AKAYO’KAKI A’PAWAAWAHKAA BY RYAN HEAVY HEAD; SIKOOHKOTOKI, KAINAISSKSAAHKOYI My Walk through Ecology, Dreams, Natural Education and Experience in Blackfoot Territory.

MYSTERY SIGNAL FOR he carries on his relatively slender notice redwing clickhoppers and THATCHERS, MAY 10, 2011 body. Not even the black widow is the occasional ant on the path. 18:12. A meadowlark sings me in view this evening. But compared to my noontime down to the hibernaculum, where visits, it is exceptionally quiet. 18:26. Like the snakes, most of the I’m a bit surprised to fi nd only insects seem to have already gone 19:15. Before turning back, I two rattlesnakes basking. One of dormant for the day. I do see a decide to hike up one of the them is a yearling, the other I’m couple of cabbage white butterfl ies ridges I haven’t much explored. guessing an older male, judging by and naamooyiksi stopping off at A couple of my rock-hound the considerable number of buttons the goldenbean blooms. I also buddies told me they’ve been 20 NatureAlberta

fi nding scorpions when digging buzz anxiously as I climbed up to into the soil along the black cliffs. greet him I fi gure if I turn over a few rocks 18:11. Presently, I am atop the on the ridge above, maybe I’ll fi nd ridge overlooking the [empty] some there as well. So I head up, hibernaculum, and from here and I turn probably a dozen fl at I can see there are at least rocks that look like they might fi fty pelicans down at the river have potential, but all I end up confl uence. About half of them accomplishing is the disturbance of are resting on a small river island, a few ant colonies. I do, however, while the others hunt for fi sh. come across two tiny, brown They drift downstream in one beetles I’ve never seen before. large body, and when they get to And I also fi nd, on the peak of the a certain point fl y back upstream ridge, an ancient stone effi gy of and begin again. Obviously, there some sort. It’s a rectangular box is a fi sh run underway. I’m going of stones about fi ve feet long by a to hike over to the nearby cliff meter wide, with what appear to above the river for a better view. be a couple lines coming off, in an hive through one of their entrances. order I can’t make sense of. Could 18:47. On the way to the cliff, I’ve seen thatchers collect this same be an animal effi gy, could be a I stop at several rocks where I kind of caterpillar before. vision quest sight, or it could be know there to be ant colonies of a grave. Hard to tell. In any case, two different species. Both are Then, at the base of the coulee it’s situated to provide a really nice very small, with larvae far larger slope where I start climbing again, view of the river confl uence than their bodies. The one species the goldenbeans that had been keeps its larvae clinging to the earliest to fl ower now comprise a SUSPECTED FISH RUN, MAY 12, underside of the rock, while its signifi cant patch of yellow blooms, 2011 eggs (of the same orange color) and they are buzzing loud with 17:25. I’ve hiked about halfway are kept in a chamber below. naamooyiksi - both Hunt’s and down the slope, almost to the The other species does not have Nevada species. The Nevada’s hibernaculum, spotting among the its larvae cling to the rock, but behavior is very different from the new goldenbean blooms a sulphur rather in tunnels right below it. In Hunt’s. They make a hasty retreat butterfl y (probably pink-rimmed) both cases, I wonder if the rocks when they see me paying attention and a second naamoo species, the themselves are being utilized to them, even if it’s from a distance. Nevada bumblebee, both of whom purposely to keep the eggs and The Hunt’s Bumblebees, on the immediately depart as I approach. babies warm. Of course, when other hand, almost always make an But I’m going to keep an eye on I get to the cliff after making attempt to chase me off with loud these fl owers as I continue. The these ant stops, those pelicans fl y-bys toward my face. big news, however, is that I didn’t who were actively hunting need to go all the way to the are nowhere to be seen. The COOTS NESTING AND hibernaculum before encountering remaining birds are sticking to the THATCHERS SWARMING, MAY my fi rst rattler of the day. island. 13, 2011 11:54. Arriving at the southeast end Apparently they are now on the 19:30. Coming back down off the of the pond, I fi nd (as was fully move, as I just came upon a very cliff, I notice a relatively small expected) that, like the rattlesnakes, nervous older male making his way thatching ant colony off the side the wandering garters are also uphill. I wouldn’t have even known of the trail. Looking closely, I leaving their hibernaculum. In the he was there, several meters away see that some of them are busy marsh below where they winter, and well off the trail, if he hadn’t maneuvering a caterpillar they’ve mi’sohpsski has done all the work notifi ed me. And he continued to caught, trying to bring it into their SPRING 2011 21 for me in terms of gathering grass. There are several large fl otillas they’ve constructed as feeding stations, and I don’t have to impact them very much to quickly take all the matoyaan I need. From my perspective, this is preferable to pulling the sedge myself. The part that the muskrats eat, and will continue to eat, is the portion of stem at the very base of the plant. The rest just gets piled up, but is completely suffi cient for my needs 12:13. Since I’m already here in my waders, the temptation to survey the marsh for coot nests is too say there is a food shortage. Ha! more violets along the way. When much to resist. I take a quick stroll The food is everywhere I near the hibernaculum area around. Dozens of turtles, basking again, I spot a giant black widow 13:42. Phenology-wise, there are on dead cattails, dive as I pass. The in a badger hole. This is one of some changes to note since my reeds are alive with pike, frantically the largest widows I’ve ever seen, last decent survey. First of all, the swimming away from me. And at and I’m sitting with her now. goldenbeans are now fl owered all the western edge of the marsh, I When one learns to recognize the way to the top of the coulee. fi nd what I’m looking for, a coot the black widow’s web, it It’s fairly windy today, so not incubating seven eggs. This is a becomes apparent that they have too many insects, but those I’ve small clutch for the coots, and I’m a huge population in this coulee. observed visiting the buffalo bean curious to learn how many eggs Practically every decent badger are still the Hunt’s and Nevada the others here at the pond have hole houses one. bumblebee species I noted last this year, but I need to leave now. week. On the dandelions, there 16:01. A barely perceivable coyote are tiny sphaerophoria fl ower and deer trail takes me up along THE RIVER RISES, MAY 17, fl ies, excellent bee mimics. Some the side of the slope to the coulee 2011 of the blue penstemon are starting rim. As I pass the hibernaculum, I 13:15. Pitsiiksiinaikawaahko - On to bloom, as also the early yellow see there’s still at least one rattler a whim this morning, I grabbed locoweed left at the main den entrance. This a handful of young dandelion is not too surprising, because last greens from our front yard and ate 15:32. It has been a while since year there was one who stuck them. They provided not only a I’ve had an opportunity to visit the around quite a while after the slightly bitter breakfast, but also a forest, and now I’ll need to wait others departed. Further up the strong reminder that NOW is the still longer. But before I begin my slope, I startle fi rst a fl icker, then opportunity to seize the season and ascent back toward the rim, I hike a small fl ock of perhaps a dozen really make the shift to a natural at least down to the river. Today brewer’s blackbirds, all of them foods diet. I feel motivated. So I fi nd the river has risen quite insect hunting. These birds are the today I am walking this coulee high, resulting from snow melt in last encounter I have. I’m already not only as a lifetime student the mountains. I turn around and looking forward to my next visit. of phenology, but also as the begin my climb, traveling a part omnivore I was born to be. They of the slope I rarely visit, picking

Ryan Heavy Head and his wife Adrienne are caretakers of a Beaver Bundle for the Blood Tribe of southern Alberta. He works as the coordinator of Kainai Studies at Red Crow College, on the Blood Reserve, where he teaches fi eld courses in phenology and traditional foods. 22 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE Picturing Love of Nature

A picture is worth . . . BY DENNIS BARESCO

“One of the greatest pleasures as a nature photographer is to share my images and to see the impact they can have. I love to encourage appreciation of the beauty and wonder that nature provides.” — June Andersen, professional photographer.

One hundred and fi fty years ago, different: on the positive side, Regardless, there is a storyline Ivan Turgenev wrote, in Fathers gorgeous scenery, wild babies, a inherent in every photo. Disney’s and Sons. “A picture shows me lofty rock-face; on the negative movie “Bambi” might well be the at a glance what it takes dozens side, oil-soaked birds, horrifi c fi nest, illustrative, classic example of pages of a book to expound.” clear-cut scenes, waterways of emotional stimulation. We humans are visual creatures. clogged with toxic effl uent. Illustrations grab our attention, elicit emotions, and form our opinions and perceptions – both overtly and on a subconscious level. “Pictures” – stills or moving – are the elixir of all sectors of advertising. Most are positive (lovely, fun, exciting), but negative (ugly, scary, angry) works in the same way. Illustrations of nature are no

NOW HOW DID SHE GET THERE?? RICK PRICE SPRING 2011 23

NOTHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT? RICK PRICE

Both the positive and the negative goes beyond simply providing provides feelings of caring, are intensely important for the entertainment and a warm, responsibility, protectiveness conservation of nature; it’s the fuzzy feeling. In Dr. Robert and a desire to never, ever lose balance, situation and goal that Berdan’s slideshow on the this beauty. In turn, that desire defi ne the often perplexing task of home page of The Canadian hopefully leads to commitment determining when to use what, and Nature Photographer (www. and involvement when pieces of how much! canadiannaturephotographer. nature are scheduled for senseless com) is a photo of an eagle elimination. Because being Nature Alberta, the magazine, has soaring over a misty forest scene, successful in protecting those parts as its mission, “Celebrating our captioned with these words: of nature which depend on us natural heritage.” As such, most “Photography is more than a way for their future is the ultimate in of its illustrations show the beauty of seeing…It can bring about warm, fuzzy feelings. and profoundness of nature. change, make us think, and make Nature Alberta, the organization, us feel like no other medium can. tries to follow a similar, positive It can also make a perspective towards conservation, difference.” though through actions and projects. And what beauty we have The awareness here in Alberta! The photographers of the beauty and writers in Nature Alberta (and of nature, other environmental publications) drawn from offer readers a huge variety of photography, topics, but they all have one thing hopefully in common: a love of nature, with a desire to share that love with everyone else.

For most photographers, and MT. PESKETT, NORTH for Nature Alberta, the sharing SASKATCHEWAN RIVER AT KOOTENAY PLAINS BONNIE MULLIN 24 NatureAlberta

FEATURE ARTICLE CONTINUED My Personal Rationale for Bird Photography BY SANDRA HAWKINS

It is diffi cult for me to remember when birds did not play a signifi cant part in my life. My father and his father before poor-will is rarely him were enthralled by the heard now. Marshes mysteries of nature, and the love are being drained for all things wild is their greatest and entire ecosystems legacy to me. are being lost. Sora Rails and Red-winged Some of my fondest memories Blackbirds and turtles involve tagging along behind my have fewer places to father to seek out the denizens live and raise their of a prairie marsh. The whinny young. The feeling of of Sora Rails (water chickens, loss is palpable. NORTHERN HAWK OWL. SANDRA HAWKINS as my Dad called them), the screech of the “Red Wing” in early Coupled with such spring, the mad honking frenzy of deep personal memories, classic nothing while the beauties of nature Snow Geese (“Waveys”) heading books such as Rachel Carson’s slip away, or we can each do northward, the plop of a turtle as “Silent Spring” and Lois Crisler’s whatever is in our power to retard or it slid from a log, and the call of “Arctic Wild” have greatly prevent additional losses. I hope my the Whip-poor-will at dusk are all infl uenced my desire to record photographs will serve to illustrate a part of that legacy. If, in future, I and promote nature’s treasures. what the world has to lose and why become a pauper, these memories Crisler wrote about her fear that, we must never cede to the forces are riches that no one can ever at some future time, wildness that strive to tame or destroy what take from me. would be replaced by “captive deserves to remain wild. wild” when creatures that now Sadly, many of these riches, The “Bird Photography Tips” article live freely would exist no more or often taken for granted in my [page 25] is the synopsis of a talk I only in zoos. childhood, are truly fading into memory. The call of the Whip- We humans can yield to the negative feelings of helplessness and do

FEMALE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. SANDRA HAWKINS

RED-NECKED GREBES. SANDRA HAWKINS SPRING 2011 25

BARN SWALLOW NESTLINGS. SANDRA HAWKINS

was asked to give to a group of camera enthusiasts (most of whom could not tell a robin from an oriole). As many folks do not have the means and/or opportunity to travel, I wanted to emphasize that one may obtain excellent photos of birds without ever leaving home. Bird feeders, back yards and balconies can yield terrifi c photos. Keep in mind that birds are just as photogenic at feeders or in urban parks as they are in the “wild”! beautifully coloured birds as actually were “ours” and not some I began my talk with a short AV Avocets, Red-necked Grebes or exotic tropical residents. I knew presentation. All photographs Tree Swallows appeared on the then that I was accomplishing in the show were of birds that screen, I was most surprised to my goal and doing my “bit” to are resident in or migratory to learn that many in the audience educate others about the beauties Canada. When photos of such would not believe that these birds around them.

Bird Photography Tips BY SANDRA HAWKINS “By“By viewviewingin Nature, Nature’s handmaid, Art, Makes mighty things from small bebeginningsgi grow”. — John DDryden

TheThe natnaturalura world is wondrous and bird baths. Planting fruit-bearing complicated,complicate and learning its eccentricities bushes and sheltering evergreen is a nnever-endingev challenge. Start small, trees will only increase your grgraduallya expand your horizons popularity! Apartment or condo aand revel in the journey. dwellers may consider (if allowed) providing seed bells, suet balls If you live in a house and have and small feeders. When I lived a garden, begin by feeding the on the 12th fl oor of an apartment birds and photographing those building, I enjoyed the company that frequent your feeders and of a variety of birds including 26 NatureAlberta

Blue Jays, House Finches and do not include photographing Chickadees! caged (e.g. in a zoo or game farm) or entrapped subjects (e.g. Observe and be one with the “baiting” tame owls with mice), natural world that surrounds you. the use of fl ash (natural light Be especially aware of anomalies only), or recordings (as lures). such as differences in size, shape, colour, and sound. The more time Be aware. Familiarize yourself one spends in the company of with your subjects’ habitats and Nature, the more these anomalies niches. Think of a habitat as the will become apparent. Often, the neighbourhood (e.g. a marsh) “oddity” that stands out from the and a niche as an address in that background will become a great neighbourhood (e.g. mud fl ats, photo. clumps of cattails, willows along the edge, etc.). There is no simple recipe that PATIENCE, FOLLOWED BY SPEED WITH THE CAMERA, works for everyone. Experiment Try to blend in with the natural CAPTURES NUTHATCHES, INCLUDING THE WHITE- and see what is best for you, world. Manufactured “blinds” BREASTED NUTHATCH. SANDRA HAWKINS your level of interest and your are readily available and cost particular combination of camera approximately $50-$100. As an and lenses. My personal biases for alternative, use your motor vehicle • Shoot in RAW if your camera Bird (true “Nature”) Photography (sit inside or stand behind it), or allows. [“A camera raw blend into the natural vegetation image fi le contains minimally if possible. If you are in an processed data from the image exposed location, sit down on the sensor of either a digital camera, ground and reduce your profi le. image scanner, or motion Kayaks and canoes provide quiet picture fi lm scanner. Raw fi les access into water bird habitat. are so named because they are Above all, have PATIENCE!!! Sit not yet processed and therefore still, be very quiet and nature will are not ready to be printed or come to you. edited with a bitmap graphics editor.” From Wikipedia] TECHNICAL/EQUIPMENT • ISO setting varies with the PREFERENCES prevailing conditions, e.g. light, • Tripod: Panning vs. Ball Head. action, etc. For most action-fi lled Personal preference is a panning (with good lighting) bird photos, head. 400 ISO works well. Tripod use is not always • Depending on your personal feasible: use a bean bag, jacket, budget/desires, many experts towel, etc. to protect your suggest that, as a priority, camera while stabilizing it on photographers invest in good your vehicle, a tree, a fence, etc. lenses. Make certain that your Image stabilized lenses are very camera is able to accommodate effective. them.

BOTH DOWNY WOODPECKER AND THE LARGER HAIRY WOODPECKER (PICTURED) COME TO FEEDERS, ESPECIALLY FOR SUET, USUALLY STRIKING A NICE POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS. SANDRA HAWKINS SPRING 2011 27

• Teleconverters (of good quality) often work well (especially when light conditions are good); just remember that you will reduce F-stop capability when using them. Get ones certifi ed to work with your lens maker. • Mode: May vary with available light, action, etc. “Av” at 6.3 or 7.1 is effective. • Best time for bird photography is the same as for any other outdoor photography. Birds are most active BLUE JAYS ARE A GREAT FEEDER BIRD WHICH MAKES FOR GREAT PHOTOS! SANDRA HAWKINS in the early morning and evening. • Cable releases work well during • “Google”: Bird Photography Audubon Society. Superior conditions with wind, low Tips, Canadian Wildlife reference source. Detailed, very light, waiting for something to Service, Environment Canada, accurate art work. Not pocket- happen, etc. Alberta Environment & Natural sized. • Focus Tracking: For Canon Resources • The Birder’s Handbook: cameras, use the AI Servo • www.birding.com/ The Essential Companion to setting; for Nikon cameras, use wheretobird/alberta.asp Your Identifi cation Guide by AF Continuous. Other cameras? • http://birdingonthe.net/ Paul R. Erlich, et al. Detailed Check your manual. mailinglists/ALBR.html information about habitat • Exposure Compensation: e.g. preferences, nesting habits, To photograph a bird against REFERENCES nestlings, etc. a bright monochrome gray • Birds of North America by sky, experiment with exposure Kenn Kaufman: pocket-sized, DIGISCOPING compensation settings on the excellent photos for comparison • Alternative method used by “plus” side. For shady situations, and identifi cation. Good “birders” to increase focal use the “negative” option. photos are often superior for length: combination of telescope • For bird photography, try identifi cation than poorer quality + camera focusing on the bird’s eye art work. • Less portability and (centre-weighted focus). • Field Guide to the Birds manoeuvrability of North America, National • Google “digiscoping” for INTERNET RESOURCES/ Geographic Society. One of additional information BIRDING LOCATIONS IN the most popular guide books ALBERTA Remember: PATIENCE is the key! available. • Flickr, www.fl ickr.com, (free photo-share/comparison site) • The Sibley Guide to Birds by David Allen Sibley, National 28 NatureAlberta Do Nothing – For Wildlife BY LORNE FITCH

The phone rang, as is the usual case, in the middle of a meal. My negative reaction was partially mollifi ed by the soft, female voice asking if I was the head of the house.

I quietly answered “yes”, hoping sour and snarled, “I guess you don’t rather an obsession with today. A quote my wife wouldn’t hear. The call care about conservation”. She then from Punch, the British magazine of was from a national conservation hung up on me. humor and satire, sums this up with organization that had characteristic satire: “I am not teamed with a major hungry; but thank goodness, I am credit card company. “The split between what we think and greedy”. Owning more stuff may As it was explained to what we do is profound.” provide a short term version of me, if I signed up for pleasure but, imbedded in each a card, a percentage item is a loss for wildlife. of my purchases would go to the “But”, I struggled to say into a Humans have been consumers for conservation organization to help phone receiver already dead in millennia; our survival depends on fund more good work. my hand, “I do care”. Many of some level of use of the resources “Imagine”, said the lady, “the more us do. Bird identifi cation guides around us. The lock on unsustainable you spend the better it will be for outsell bibles. Wildlife shows are over-consumption is, in part, a recent conservation”. Alarms bells began some of the most popular TV phenomenon of population size but to toll. To clarify I asked “So, the programming. I just don’t think mostly the impact of media and political more stuff I buy, the more things I you can put conservation on a institutions. Its genesis is strongly do that are channeled through my credit card. Consuming our way related to the post World War II era. credit card, the better off wildlife to a better world seems self- It seems axiomatic that war is a boost will be and more habitat will be defeating. I believe we have for the economy, especially if the war saved?” “Yes!” was the enthusiastic developed a societal blindness to isn’t playing in your country. But what response. “But”, I said, “wouldn’t all our consumptive, or more to the happens to a wartime economy when that activity, caused by me buying point, over-consumptive habits. peace breaks out? The ramping up of more stuff, actually cause habitat “The split between what we think production for war time purposes in to decline and wildlife to suffer? and what we do is profound”, says WW II helped to build the foundation After all, stuff has a cost outside Wendell Berry, the Kentucky farmer for today’s unceasing goal of of what I pay for it – the impact and philosopher. In our myopia consumption. The industrial colossus on the environment of more oil we can’t connect the dots between with capacity for seemingly endless pumped, trees cut, minerals mined, consumption and loss of valued production had to be shuffl ed from rifl es factories built, roads constructed, pieces of the natural world. It is to radios; tanks to toasters; and, bombs trucks operated, stores opened, a truism in nature: everything is to bathtubs. To support this production water diverted and so on. The more connected. requires us to live, eat, drink, dress and I spend, the more I consume; the drive with more stuff and do so with What is it about human nature, more I consume the more I am a high pace of product turnover. From especially we North Americans, responsible for using up the natural a wartime society starved of consumer that drives us to keep acquiring environment your organization is products we now drown in the dross of stuff? We feed mostly our wants, trying to protect.” overproduced, overpriced and unneeded far in excess of our needs. That’s crap. I was really warming to the subject not a vision for tomorrow but when the initial sweet voice turned SPRING 2011 29

The drive for material goods infects methods”, says Wendell Berry. consumer zeal, here, there, and us and is driven by the power Disposable this, plastic that, everywhere, we subtract from our of advertising and messaging cheaply made goods with built in ecological bank account and that of about consumer products. These obsolescence (or breakability), all wildlife. It happens with every swipe render many of our older, societal of which lead to a “throw away” of the credit card. As that plastic values as quaint and irrelevant. mentality. There is enormous waste facsimile for wealth warms with our It is a manipulation of people’s in the way we consume; there is use of it, we don’t realize we are world view from solvency, thrift, an incredible waste in resources as adding to our ecological mortgage. conservation, postponement of well. The earth holds that mortgage and it desire and community fi delity to rises astronomically because we have Consumerism is ever touted by self defi nition through purchases, made few, sometimes no payments to our political leaders as a solution instant gratifi cation of urges bring down our indebtedness. to a struggling economy. The and emphasis of the individual, shortsightedness embedded in the The apogee of consumerism must especially social status and image. admonishment to spend more is be Kurt Vonnegut’s character Eliot I think of a product advertised not breathtakingly stupid, not only Rosewater who said “Grab much too long ago – “Friendship shampoo” ecologically but also in terms of much or you’ll get nothing at all.” – presumably aimed at those who the debt load carried by citizens Many of our landscapes, especially could form no human relationships. who follow this rubric. It is the the prairie grasslands, challenge It’s a perceptible shift to a “me fi rst” inability to see the economy as a conventional economics because mentality with a pathological “right wholly owned subsidiary of the they will not tolerate overload. But now” attitude. environment. our consumerism drives the need The shift from consumption to wring even more from these Political and media driven agendas to consumerism has created a places. Eventually something has to for consumerism may seem good for “consumer class” where “self denial give; the fi rst thing to go is wildlife. the economy but the Worldwatch is something to do when you’re Unfortunately our landscape, and Institute reports that “unprecedented old, not now”. This class, which its wealth of biodiversity, is poorly consumer appetite is undermining consists of many of us, have diets adapted to a growth dependant natural systems”. A 1998 United of highly processed food, a desire economy. Nations Human Development for bigger houses, more and bigger report emphatically states “runaway So, if you really want to do cars (Hummers anyone?), higher growth in consumption in the last something for wildlife, consider doing levels of debt and lifestyles devoted 50 years is putting strains on the nothing. Do nothing that diminishes to the accumulation of non-essential environment never before seen”. habitat. Consider that doing nothing goods. It might also be said we More recently, the Worldwatch means relieving the relentless are self absorbed, disconnected Institute indicates 37% of species pressure on natural resources from natural systems, ecologically could become extinct due to climate caused by rampant consumerism. illiterate and, when confronted by change which is directly linked to Do something that gets you outside, reality, denialists. our consumptive habits. even for a walk, but not a drive. We delude ourselves with “lifestyle” Leave the car parked. Take the bus, In 1964, C.D.H. Clarke and T. – living life with style – a pursuit ride a bicycle. Revel in the quiet Madson concluded that, “The with regrettable consequences. places. While doing so, recall that the consummate offence to wildlife is Every time the topic is discussed presence, diversity and abundance not hunting, but the extirpation of in the media of today it looks of wildlife is a signal the world is species by an indifferent technology more like “living life with stuff”, well; so too might we be if we pay in which wildlife is wiped out – not expensive, often trivial stuff. “It is attention to the critical indicators. by man’s passion – but by his single not even affl uent in any meaningful minded devotion to a material world Learn where your food comes from, sense, because its abundance is in which creatures have no place.” ask how it’s produced, determine the dependant on sources that are With the additional, expanding footprint of the food you eat and, buy being rapidly exhausted by its footprint of our development and food produced closer to home. Cook 30 NatureAlberta

at home, with real food that has been Consider carefully your investment observed about these alternatives sustainably produced and minimally portfolio; does it aid and abet those that: “All are part of the challenge of processed. activities that imperil landscapes learning as a modern society how to Turn off the TV; research shows too and wildlife? Allowing the corporate live the good life on earth without much watching of the tube erodes world to externalize costs to the abusing the generosity of our hostess.” critical thinking skills. Unplug the environment is a recipe for wildlife Wendell Berry suggests we consider “an computer, turn off the cell phone losses. Follow the money; who economy of necessities rather than an and ditch the video games. Allow benefi ts, who loses? Ask that the economy based upon anxiety, fantasy, yourself to be bored. The constancy real costs of consumer products, luxury and idle wishing”. especially the externalized costs, of our need to be stimulated and Maybe we should listen to the advice in be disclosed. Support “green taxes” entertained adds to the acquisitions one of John Prine’s songs: and activities that have an ecological that penalize those who wish to “I don’t want your big French Fry cost. Artifi cial types of entertainment profi t at the earth’s expense or can’t I don’t want your car supported by electronic gadgetry be bothered to make responsible I don’t want to buy no soap separates us from the real world, choices. From a washed up movie star . . . waiting just outside our doors. Read labels; force stuff to be labeled. It’s enough to make a grown man Disconnect from the artifi cial World Think before you buy. Will your Blow up his own TV Wide Web and reconnect with the life be measurably enriched with Quit hollerin’ at me…” natural web that is world wide. this purchase or, will it merely add The battle to maintain wildlife (and A little introspection might focus to an overfl owing closet, cupboard their habitats) won’t be waged solely on how good most of us have it. or garage? Buy quality products with protest signs, chaining ourselves Very little of our sense of well being that last, both physically and to trees or by writing letters to is connected to possessions but psychologically. Refuse to buy over- politicians. The fi ght will be won (or rather health, safety, relationships, packaged goods; let manufacturers lost) at supermarkets, shopping malls, meaningful work and a quality know you won’t buy unless they classrooms, fast food outlets, car lots, environment. Reacquaint gas pumps, polling booths and yourself with your fi nally in the hearts and minds of community and who “. . . learning as a modern society how consumers. lives in it. You might to live the good life on earth without fi nd a rich supply abusing the generosity of our hostess.” Now, if nothing I have said moves of engagement and you and, if you must buy the stuff entertainment amongst anyway, well then at least get your nearby neighbours. one of those fancy credit cards that a reduce packaging. Recycle, reuse, conservation group gets a cut of your Practice being a skeptic; question repair or do without. consumer zeal. You could choose to authority. Don’t blindly follow make a tax-deductible donation to aid the dogma of government that it In an ironic twist, prosperity, some conservation work. The reality is is our patriotic duty to consume. whether the spark for increased we humans will remain consumers; we What is our duty is conserving the consumption or caused by it, have to for survival, yet our disposable natural resources (wildlife included) reportedly isn’t making people income allows us to make choices about entrusted to our care. Tune out the happier or healthier. Increased and contributions to conservation. What advertising which is generally about consumption comes with a high is critical for wildlife (and the planet) is persuading us to buy stuff we don’t price and not just for the junk we a shift away from our over consumptive, need and don’t want, for more than buy. The cure is to lower levels of wasteful habits. A donation to its value. consumption, forging a path to a higher quality of life, using fewer conservation, well intentioned as it Ask for the details, read the fi ne raw materials in the living of one’s might be, without an attitudinal and print, push for full cost accounting life and decreasing the footprint of behavioral shift might be “virtual”, or on resource development projects. our consumption. Douglas Chadwick “feel good” conservation, but largely SPRING 2011 31

ineffectual for wildlife. It doesn’t If acquiring more stuff eventually puts us a step closer to keeping the mitigate, compensate or take us off equates to less natural capital full array of wild species and spaces. the hook for bad behavior. then it might follow that a smaller When you see a bumper sticker that economy would equate to better says, “Do nothing, for wildlife” don’t The environmental community maintenance of wild species and be alarmed. Doing nothing (or less is accused of endless rants and spaces. If we buy less, consume than we currently do) would be a pointless polemics without solid less (especially of the resource positive thing for wildlife and the solutions to the dilemmas that face products whose extraction planet. us with landscape integrity and threatens species and spaces) and biodiversity. Well, this is different. Buy less, consume less and live on generally do less as individuals Here is a practical, pragmatic, a healthier earth longer. Connect (especially of activities that further simple, cheap and easily adapted the dots. This may be said about threaten imperiled species) that solution. All that is required is that maintaining biodiversity – the truism we change ourselves. that if we want a better world we will have to become better people. Lorne Fitch is an esteemed Professional Biologist, Adjunct Professor with the University of Calgary and a retired Alberta Fish and Wildlife Biologist. He is a well-known speaker, writer and photographer, living in Lethbridge AB. “Do Nothing – for Wildlife” is the second in a series of articles by Lorne. First Turkey Vulture www.wolverinewatch.org Newsletter Wayne Nelson hass LOOKING FOR WOLVERINES announced the fi rst Alberta Turkeyy Vulture newsletterr Wildlife biologist Tony Clevenger and his team of researchers conducted an (it is in three extensive survey of Wolverines (Gulo gulo) this past winter, covering over parts.) According 2 5,000 km in Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. Data on Wolverines is to Wayne, “it sparse at best. The research will be the fi rst effort in the national parks of the summarizes Canadian Rockies to systematically collect data on Wolverine occurrence and some of our the fi rst ever to examine movements across transportation corridors (i.e., the fi ndings to date Trans-Canada Highway). The research results will have a direct implication for and provides landscape management on federal and provincial lands and management of a some views of trans-boundary Wolverine population of international signifi cance. other things that we are working towards. It is being sent to members of our vulture Federally, the Wolverine is listed as a species of ‘Special Concern’ in western ‘crew’, landowners, informants/tipsters, Canada, while in Alberta it is listed as ‘May be at Risk’. Measuring the number and a number of other people who are of Wolverines in an area and how and where they are distributed across very interested in what we are doing.” the landscape is critical to ecosystem scale management objectives and The newsletter can be found on the Nature preservation of wilderness in the Canadian Rockies. Alberta website: www.naturealberta.com, For more information, reporting of sightings and a Wolverine track ID card, under “News and Issues.” go to the website www.wolverinewatch.org, from which this article was directly taken. 32 NatureAlberta The following letter by Bob Gainer is the latest in a series that began in the Fall 2010 edition of Nature Alberta, motivated by a “Letter to the Editor” by Dick Dekker. Everyone is invited to share their thoughts, whether from a professional aspect or through personal experience, on the predator-prey relationship between Coyotes and other wildlife. Coyotes: the discussion continues Coyotes and Nature BY BOB GAINER Like Dr. Dekker, I have observed changes in my little world caused by Coyotes. I have lived for over 20 years they are everywhere. Most nights Coyote populations were always on two quarters of land south you hear their calls. Day and controlled by wolves and man. Without of Hanna. When we fi rst moved night they appear to be scouring these controls, and with the addition here, our neighbours with stock the ground looking for a meal. of dead piles, their numbers are would all have a “dead pile” off of Everybody still uses them to clear probably higher than ever historically. which they would shoot or trap or up their dead piles, probably still With these unnatural conditions the poison Coyotes. Their pelt in late their main source of food, but as a natural selection for the species has November or December (when supplement it seems there are no undoubtedly changed, probably most stock losses occurred) was more ground dwellers. favouring bigger and more aggressive animals. The occasional wolf is shot worth up to $200.00. Many ranch Except for my gophers! I have in this area (Gammie, Drumheller payments and household bills gophers more than ever. Legend Mail, 2011), and it is not unusual were paid this way. There were has it that the more coyotes there to see dark or even black coyotes. very few Coyotes to be seen in are the fewer gophers you’ll have. They all seem bigger and bolder, the countryside, and those you did Not in my case. But the Long- and in several parts of the continent see were nervous. However, my tailed Weasel family I used to hybridizations with wolves and dogs creek had a Long-tailed Weasel have is long gone. Weasels used have been documented (Zimmerman, family, the hay fi eld was full of to be trapped in the thousands in 2010), so much so they are often Foxes, approximately every ten this area during the 1930’s. At that technically referred to as Canis soupus. years the countryside was overrun time Coyotes were rare because I’m sure that if we had Sage Grouse with Jackrabbits, Burrowing Owls, one pelt represented several around here now, they too would be Antelope and deer fawns; ground months’ farm hand wages. Now hammered by Coyotes along with this dwelling fauna in general, seemed the rural community is reluctant to winter’s emaciated Antelope and deer to be much more common. kill them; they really are beautiful herds. About 1990 the price of Coyote creatures, if not for commercial pelts plummeted to about $10.00, gain. The non-ground-dwelling This is totally anecdotal of course, not worth skinning and marketing. predators other than Coyotes, but why wouldn’t what Dr. Dekker Overnight it seemed Coyote like Swainson’s and Ferruginous has been warning us about make numbers skyrocketed, or at least Hawks, have a more important sense? I can’t make myself shoot these they are bolder. Touring the role to play in my gopher cute, attractive animals either, unless countryside, especially in winter, population. they are threatening my animals, but I am sure there is some place for management. Your Editor welcomes any further comments by readers on this whole fascinating subject. Please email your thoughts to [email protected]. SPRING 2011 33

RICK PRICE First Hand: “Spirit” BY RICK PRICE

Well, I’m like a kid in the candy store when I get to see wolves in the wild. Yesterday morning [April 16, he walked through the forest; then it any. We also met John Marriott, 2011], when we went out looking he came and crossed the road just a very well known Alberta wildlife along the Bow Valley Parkway in front of us. photographer, who identifi ed in Banff National Park, we ran Spirit for us. Like a rookie I had the wrong lens into Spirit, the Alpha male of the and settings, so the image isn’t Pipestone Pack. Lucy [Rick’s wife] great, but I thought I would send spotted him and we watched as

If you have a fi rst-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.

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] 34 NatureAlberta

MALE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (LEFT); FEMALE (RIGHT). SANDRA HAWKINS

Wildlife! Starring… Red-winged Blackbird BY SANDRA HAWKINS

There are few birds that herald spring with as much verve and enthusiasm as the Red-winged Blackbird (Gelaius phoeniceus).

With its raucous song, fl ashing DISTRIBUTION AND red wing patches, and BREEDING ACTIVITY aggressive antics, it cannot help The Red-winged Blackbird ranges times for feeding and resting. but command respect. The throughout North America from Morning is often the most active long prairie winter is quickly southern Alaska, the Yukon and time for heightened male rivalry. spirited away when, upon its Northwest Territories and coast arrival, the marshes once more to coast in the rest of Canada and Female birds arrive several weeks come alive. the United States. It is one of the after the males. Their return marks most common land birds found in the most active time in the marsh. both Alberta and North America. Males are usually polygynous DESCRIPTION It winters throughout most of the and each male may have multiple There is a dramatic difference USA and as far north as southern females resident in his territory. in colouration between the British Columbia. Some birds During this period females are sexes. The male is glossy venture farther south to areas often pursued by their own males black with bright red shoulder such as Baja and Costa Rica. It is and by neighbouring interlopers patches (called epaulettes) opportunistic and may be found who dare to transgress territorial that are edged with yellow. in a variety of habitats including boundaries. Such fi nery serves him well marshes, pastures, and meadows. for defending his territory and The breeding cycles of females in Their migration northward begins attracting a mate. The streaky any given territory are generally as early as February and by brown feathers of female birds not in sync with each other. One August the reverse is true. provide cryptic camoufl age may be brooding when another that is invaluable during times It is not an elusive bird. Territorial enters the area. Pair bonds last of brooding eggs and raising defense between males begins only for the breeding season and young. Red-wings are medium- immediately upon arrival on the males and females exist for the sized songbirds with females breeding grounds. Vigorous bouts rest of the year in separate-sex being slightly smaller than of aerial display and loud calls of fl ocks. males. “O-KEE-REE” alternate with quiet IT’S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THE SPRING 2011 35 SEEMINGLY INSATIABLE NESTLINGS, MOUTHS AGAPE HOPING IT’S THEIR TURN FOR THE FEMALE (PICTURED) TO PROVIDE A TASTY INSECT! SANDRA HAWKINS NESTING Female Red-wingeds are solely responsible for building the nest. A marvelous piece of avian construction, the cuplike nest is woven of reeds or other grasses most often in or near marshes or riparian habitats. It is suspended approximately 1 to 3 metres (3 Sadly, Red-winged Blackbirds and herbicides take their toll both to 8 feet) above the ground by commonly serve as Cowbird on the birds themselves as well anchoring the structure to vertical hosts, while eggs and nestlings as on their sources of food. Adult stems of adjacent grasses or are often predated by other marsh Red-wings may also fall prey to shrubby branches. The nest is dwellers such as Mink, Raccoons winged predators such as hawks then lined with fi ner grasses in and birds like the Marsh Wren. and owls. preparation for egg laying. Incubation of 3-5 pale bluish- DIET Resources green eggs (spotted and mottled Grass and other seeds make Erlich, Paul R. et.al., The Birder’s with purplish brown) is by the up the largest portion of a Red- Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American female alone. The 10-12 day winged’s diet, although berries, Birds, 1988, Simon and Schuster/ incubation period yields altricial spiders, insects, caterpillars, grubs Fireside Books, New York, N.Y. (naked and helpless) young that and even snails round it out. At Godfrey, W.Earl. 1986, The Birds of remain in the nest for 11-14 days. bird feeders, they are particularly Canada, revised edition, National Both parents feed them a diet of fond of millet seed (Personal Museums of Canada, Ottawa. insects. Two, occasionally three, Observation). Kaufmann, Kenn, Lives of North broods are produced each year. American Birds, 1996, Houghton- Miffl in, New York, N.Y. Remarkably, although adult birds CONSERVATION CONCERNS are unable to do so, young birds Sibley, David Allen, The Sibley Guide Red-winged Blackbirds may be to Birds, 2000, Random House, that tumble from the nest have some of the most numerous land Toronto. some ability to swim over short birds in North America, but that Stokes, Donald, 1979, Stokes Nature distances. does not mean their future is Guides: A Guide to Bird Behavior, entirely secure. Remember the Volume 1, Little, Brown & Co., Passenger Pigeons whose fl ocks (Canada). darkened the sun? Where are they www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=426 (Canadian Wildlife Service’s now? “Hinterland Who’s Who” nature Because marshes and a proximity series) to wetland habitat are crucial for www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/ i4980id.html (United States insuring continued Red-winged Geological Service’s resource link— populations, these birds are includes bird distribution atlases, vulnerable to the drainage of check lists, information sheets, etc.) wetlands for new housing tracts www.talkaboutwildlife.ca/profi le/?s=327 and the expansion of agricultural (Alberta-related information; and industrial lands. Pesticides includes links to RWBB songs)

A FLEDGLING CLINGS TO A REED. SANDRA HAWKINS 36 NatureAlberta

BOOK REVIEW The Will of the Land REVIEW BY: JOHN MARRIOTT, FROM HIS THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2011 BLOG.*

In the wake of…the untimely time in national publications and death of Meadow, the young Banff magazines, much of the reason his wolf killed on the railway tracks work has not been seen as much By Peter Dettling, ISBN 9781926855004; on March 7, 2011 [see “Saying as other equally-talented wildlife 11 x 8.75 inches; 176 pages. Hardcover; Goodbye to Another Banff Wolf”, photographers is because of the $39.95 (CAD) pg 37], I have received a deluge of incredible amount of time he spent personal emails, blog comments, ignoring the call of his desk and and purposeful twist, bringing to the and Facebook fan page comments offi ce to search for and photograph forefront the hard questions that need to asking, simply, “What can we do?” many of the subjects of this book, be asked and exposing the worst of the to put some pressure on Parks like the Bows (the Bow Valley wolf ecological problems that Banff National Canada and the Canadian Pacifi c family), Jolie (a Banff grizzly), and Park faces. Railway to address the situation in a others. I have mentioned in previous meaningful manner. articles and posts about the time I The book takes a rare look into the spent photographing the Bows in “realities of nature’s growing struggle So what can we do? In his gorgeous 2007 – a total of 47 days in the fi eld against developing tourism, ill-conceived new book, The Will of the Land, in order to get 4 good photo days/ transportation routes and questionable fellow Canmore wildlife and nature opportunities with the wolves. Yet wildlife management practices.” And photographer Peter A. Dettling that considerable effort pales in importantly, in doing so, Peter does not tackles this issue head-on. Peter’s comparison to the amount of time sugarcoat the truth with a collection of book is a revelation to the idea that Peter spent in the fi eld in Banff in pretty pictures surrounding the tragic and Banff National Park is supposed to 2007: over 250 days. often harsh words. Rather, he exposes protect its wild inhabitants, not cater the worst of the park for all to see in to the whims of corporate greed. The dedication Peter showed on this graphic, vivid photos of his closest wild project clearly shines through in The The Will of the Land is one of the friends, the wolves of the Bow Valley Will of the Land. The fi rst 100 pages most important books to come out family, after their deaths. entrance the reader, leading one regarding conservation in Canada along a journey with Peter to visit the The Bows no longer exist in Banff in years. That it focuses on my (and personal connections he has made National Park. Delinda, Nanuk, Chinook, Peter’s) mountain backyard and with the animals he’s photographed Ranger, Lakota, Fluffy, White Fang, features some of the most breath- and spent so much time with. Silvertip, and Sundance no longer walk taking wildlife photography you will The stories are fascinating, the the Bow Valley. The same goes for Field, ever see is an added bonus to the photographs equally as captivating. Blondie, #16, #66, and so many more must-read text for anyone that cares But then the book takes a decided grizzly bears, all that have died at the about the state of Canada’s national hands of man. parks, and in particular, Banff National Park. Peter’s book comes at a time when TRAINS RACE THROUGH BANFF NATIONAL PARK, it is needed most. Many In the book, Peter CREATING A DEATH ZONE FOR WILDLIFE. PETER DETTLING Canadians, like myself, are chronicles many of extremely disgruntled with how the relationships he our Parks are being managed developed from years and protected. I am fortunate in the fi eld in Banff enough to have a voice with working on this project. Parks Canada occasionally, to While many of you be on committees and boards, may have seen Peter’s or to provide input to research name from time to projects. However, I’ve become SPRING 2011 37

disillusioned with this as well, not sure that it’s helping at all. So in the face of this comes The Saying Goodbye to Will of the Land, Peter’s own impassioned cry for help with something even better: a vision Another Banff Wolf for the future of Canada’s most BY JOHN MARRIOTT (FROM HIS WEDNESDAY APRIL 6, 2011 BLOG, AT JOHN E. famous national park and a way MARRIOT CANADIAN WILDLIFE AND NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY that you can help make that (WWW.WILDERNESSPRINTS.COM) vision a reality. On March 7, 2011, Banff’s Pipestone wolf family lost If this has touched a nerve with you at all, then I urge you to another member when Meadow, the smallest member of pick up Peter’s book from a the pack, was run over and killed by a Canadian Pacifi c local bookstore (Cafe Books Railway train in the Bow Valley. in Canmore, the Viewpoint in Banff, or any Chapters, Coles, or I got the devastating news the In February 2011, it was a train Indigo location across Canada) day before I left for my holiday mowing down an unknown black or order it directly online. It is in Europe, with too little time wolf near the Town of Banff. Last a book that could change the to do much to get the word out June, it was a male grizzly. Last way we view our national parks about the tragedy. However, I May, one of the Bow Valley’s last forever, and I’m proud of my did manage to send the local remaining female grizzlies. Last friend and colleague for having newsapers images of Meadow, winter (2010), it was Raven, a the faith and perseverance to along with several quotes and Pipestone wolf pup, thrown more bring this signifi cant project to stories, in the hopes that her death than 30 metres by a speeding vehicle fruition. would not be in vain. on the 60 km/hour Bow Valley For more about Peter Dettling’s Parkway. [Editor’s note: During the For the fi rst few days in Europe, I photography and projects, night of May 9, 2011, a large (415 got up before my wife and went please visit his website at www. pound) adult male grizzly bear online to scour the Banff and terramagica.ca. For more about (called “bear 0148”) was killed on Canmore newspaper’s websites in the book, please visit www. the Trans-Canada Highway west of anticipation of the backlash that terramagica.ca/Porta_website/ Lake Louise. Because the bear was was sure to arise from the loss of projects.html. 65 metres from the point of impact to another of Banff’s most prominent where he landed, it’s likely that it was wolves to human causes. Sadly, all hit by a speeding semi-trailer truck. I could fi nd was a tiny backpage A smaller vehicle would have had mention, though a week later the *Nature Alberta highly recommends severe damage.] paper had a scathing and heartfelt John Marriott’s website and blog: John “Letter to the Editor” from my GRIZZLY BEAR 0148 IN HAPPIER TIMES, E. Marriott Canadian Wildlife and Nature friend and colleague, Canmore Photography (www.wildernessprints. WALKING THE TRAIN TRACKS IN BANFF IN MAY wildlife photographer Peter A. 2010. JOHN MARRIOTT com). John “shares photographic advice, Dettling, asking once again why tall tales, and beautiful pictures from his Parks Canada was not acting in the photography adventures in the Canadian face of this ongoing debacle. Wilds and beyond.” With superb A month later, just as I had feared, photography in his web gallery, and his Meadow’s death has now been informative, entertaining blog writings, all but forgotten – another case the site should not be missed. You can of, ‘another month, another dead wolf/bear, another incident that even sign up to get his blog posts in your Parks and the CPR do nothing inbox! about’. 38 NatureAlberta

MEADOW FROM THE PIPESTONE WOLF FAMILY, AT SIX MEADOW (LEFT) COMING UP TO GREET HER OLDER SISTER, MONTHS OLD. JOHN MARRIOTT BLIZZARD . JOHN MARRIOTT

And this time it was Meadow, a she was with her parents or older death sentence that they have small, all-black female pup named sister, Blizzard, she would often consistently provided for the past by wolf behaviour expert Gunther stay out of the trees just long 125 years for Bow Valley wildlife? Bloch. She had become separated enough for me to get a few good Why is this suddenly readily- from her parents several days shots of her. available caribou and bison prior to the accident and was reintroduction money not being Meadow’s death is just another hanging out with her siblings, spent right here, right now, on the in a long line of wolves and Chester and Lillian, when she was problems we already face. bears that I have known and killed. That her parents weren’t photographed, only to one day Let me put it more bluntly. around was likely a key factor in get the call that they’ve died at the Who cares if we have bison and her death, as she was by far the hands of humans. caribou if we don’t have bears most skittish of the pups and the and wolves? most likely to panic without her Meanwhile, Parks Canada plods parents’ direction and expertise on with their caribou and bison The count is already at two in traveling on the dangerous reintroduction programs, keeping wolves just three months into railway. a blind eye to the fact that we this year, and Meadow is long have far more pressing problems forgotten on the desks of those Because of Meadow’s slightly in our fl agship national park. who are supposed to be in charge nervous disposition, she was often Why aren’t we fi xing the existing of protecting her and her family. harder to photograph than the issues before tackling new ones? What’s next in store for Banff’s rest of the members of the pack. Why hasn’t Parks Canada or the wildlife? And hopefully, the Fortunately for me, whenever CPR done anything about the question isn’t really: Who is next?

Besides writing books, running his photography business and travelling, John E. Marriott launched a wildlife photography tour company in 2010 called “Canadian Wildlife Photography Tours”; the tours are, to say the least, successful – the fi rst four were all sellouts! Regarding his website, John says: “My primary hope with this site is that it will give you a taste for my style of photography and for what the wilds of Canada are like, creating in you a longing to visit or re-visit magical areas like the Canadian Rockies and see them like you’ve never seen them before. I fell in love with this place long ago, and want you too to experience the beauty and grandeur of the Rocky Mountains and Canada and capture the secrets you discover on a camera.” www.wildernessprints.com SPRING 2011 39 Respecting the Wisdom of All Species Reprinted from: Legacy, the magazine of BY JIM COVEL the National Association for Interpretation. January-February 2011; Vol 22, No. 1. Legacy, published six times a year, offers a forum Dr. Steve Webster has been one of my mentors for many for professionals in the fi eld to exchange years. In addition to being one of the founders of the ideas and information. Articles, columns, and commentaries deal with practical issues Monterey Bay Aquarium, Steve is an invertebrate relevant to frontline interpreters, planners, and zoologist and a great storyteller. managers. Subscriptions are available separate from memberships. On several occasions I’ve heard wisdom of all species.” One Steve describe how sponges may defi nition of wisdom is that which be fairly intelligent animals. His empowers the ability to choose point is that sponges fi gured or act to consistently produce the wisdom of all people.” When we out how to make a good living optimum results with a minimum can recognize that all people, millions of years ago and haven’t of time and energy. Many species all cultures possess their own had to change much since that exhibit this quality, although one wisdom and that wisdom is of time. Meanwhile, we humans can argue whether the choice is a equal value to all of us, we can with all our intelligence are still cognitive function or is hard-wired eliminate indifference which may trying to get it right. Steve’s point into their genes. be the greatest challenge to our is that many species are well humanity. Nobel laureate Elie Biomimicry is a rapidly growing adapted to their environment, Wiesel wrote: “The opposite of movement to look to nature for and if you want to consider the love is not hate, it’s indifference. ideas for everything from superior ability to survive and prosper as The opposite of art is not design and engineering to new a type of wisdom, then perhaps ugliness, it’s indifference. The pharmaceuticals. There are few that wisdom resides in many opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s ineffi cient designs in nature, few organisms. indifference. And the opposite of ineffective processes, and humans life is not death, it’s indifference.” I hadn’t thought about that have learned much from studying Indifference may be even more concept in many years, until I other species throughout time. dangerous than ignorance. heard a TED talk1 recently by So respecting the wisdom of all Van Jones, author of The Green species is making more and more Indifference makes it possible Collar Economy. Van offered sense. to suspend our sense of an interesting defi nition of responsibility for fellow The next step that Van Jones biomimicry as “respecting the humans, fellow creatures and addressed is “respecting the for taking care of our planet. It has been linked to the modern phenomenon of disposability. If 1 TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design – a non-profi t organization dedicated to “Ideas Worth Spreading”; www.ted.com. we are unaware or indifferent about the resource footprint of the goods we use, we easily fall prey to the convenience of disposable

Jim Covel is the senior manager of guest experience at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California. He is also President of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). This article was written for Legacy, NAI’s premier publication – hence the references to heritage interpretation, a profession which is a vital part of heritage conservation and education. 40 NatureAlberta

INTERPRETATION Interpretation is a mission-based communication process that forges emotional and intellectual connections between the interests of the audience and the meanings inherent in the resource.

goods, packaging or containers. If we fail to respect the wisdom of species that live in a wetlands or a rainforest, it’s easy to treat them as disposable. The ultimate injury is when we fail to respect the wisdom of other cultures and begin to treat some humans, FRESHWATER SPONGE, SPONGILLA LACUSTRIS. KIRT L. ONTHANK/WIKIPEDIA some of our own heritage as “disposable.” This is why heritage interpretation things. Interpretation is not value is so critical to our future. neutral. We model the values of New Maps from Interpreters go beyond making esteem, of respect for other lives Gem Trek people aware of nature and and other living things across time culture, we inspire them to care. and space. In the company of Gem Trek maps are the most In this process of knowing and an interpreter the audience soon detailed and up-to-date maps you will fi nd for Banff, Lake Louise, caring we overcome indifference. begins to respect the wisdom of other living things. Ultimately, Jasper, the Columbia Icefi eld, Yoho, We discover the wisdom of Kootenay and Waterton Lakes, as other peoples and other species. we hope to inspire our audiences well as nearby Kananaskis Country. to help us preserve this great We understand the process of The maps are waterproof contoured reservoir of wisdom as we need accumulating this wisdom has hiking maps, scale 1:50.000, 6th been going on for millennia – this all the wisdom we can get as we editions of each, with descriptions wisdom is the heritage of all living venture into a challenging future. of hiking, biking and equestrian trails on the reverse. Retail price is $13.95 each at most outdoor stores. For more information: NAI www.gemtrek.com The National Association for Interpretation is a not-for-profi t professional organization dedicated to inspiring leadership and excellence in advancing the profession of heritage interpretation. NAI currently serves about 5,000 members in the United States, Canada (including Alberta), and over thirty other nations. Individual members include those who work at parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, historical and cultural sites, commercial tour companies, and theme parks. Commercial and institutional members include those who provide services to the heritage interpretation industry. For more information on NAI: www.interpnet.com SPRING 2011 41

CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS Starry Nights Summer/Fall: August to October BY JOHN MCFAUL

FEATURED CONSTELLATIONS: SAGITTA, EQUULEUS AND DELPHINUS Of the 88 offi cially recognized which lies near by. The Arabs Another story tells of a dolphin constellations that grace our night referred to it as Al Faras al Awal, The saving the minstrel Arion who lived sky, many are large and outlined First Horse, as it rises before Pegasus. in the 7th century BC. He was in by bright stars. Such constellations danger of being killed by sailors who Delphinus, The Dolphin, lies between as Orion and the Great Bear are were transporting him to his Greek Sagitta and Equuleus. It is the easy to locate. However, there homeland. He summoned a dolphin prettiest of this diminutive threesome are a number of small, relatively with his music and after jumping and actually looks like its namesake. faint constellations that populate overboard to escape the murderous Delphinus is thought to represent the the celestial sphere. These require sailors the dolphin carried Arion on dolphin which convinced the goddess dark skies and patience to fi nd and its back to shore. Amphitrite to marry Poseidon. appreciate. Three of the smallest constellations visible from Alberta are Sagitta, Equuleus and Delphinus. They form CELESTIAL HAPPENINGS a line between the beak of Cygnus, the head of Aquila and the nose of Sun: Rise – Aug. 1 (05:49 MDT), Sept. 1 (06:42 MDT), Oct. 1 (07:35 MDT) Pegasus. Although faint, they were Set – Aug. 1 (21:30 MDT), Sept. 1 (20:24 MDT), Oct. 1 (19:11 MDT) all catalogued by Claudius Ptolemy Times are for Edmonton. Autumnal Equinox occurs Sept. 23rd. in his great 2nd century AD writings, Moon: Full – Aug. 13th, Sept. 12th, Oct. 11th “The Almagest”. New – Aug. 28th, Sept. 27th, Oct. 26th Sagitta is known as The Arrow. It Planets: Mercury is too close to the sun to be seen at this time of year. is associated with many legends, Venus like Mercury lies too close to the sun to be seen. It will reappear in including the arrow that Cupid used the evening sky next spring. to strike Apollo so that he would Mars rises in the early hours in the east from August to October. The moon fall in love with Daphne. It is also will be close to Mars on Aug 25th. associated with the arrows used Jupiter appears above the eastern horizon just before midnight in August by Hercules to kill the Stymphalian and rises 2 hours earlier each month there after. Watch for the Moon to be birds Cygnus, Aquila and Vulture very close to Jupiter on Aug. 19th. (Lyre) which are to be found near Saturn may be seen very low in the west after sunset in early August. Sagitta. This was the fi fth of his 12 Afterwards it quickly disappears in the solar glare as its path takes it behind labours. the sun. Equuleus is the second smallest Meteor Shower: The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks in the late evening and early constellation and is known as The morning of August 12th into the 13th: 50 meteors/hour. The almost-full Colt or Little Horse. It is thought moon will interfere this year. by some to represent Celeris, the Orionid Meteor Shower peaks on October 21st: 25 meteors/hour brother to the winged horse Pegasus The rate of meteors observed is for dark skies well away from city lights and with no Moon. 42 NatureAlberta

CLUB PAGE

Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society At Nature Alberta’s April 2 Annual General Meeting, the Friends of Little Beaver Lake Society became the newest member of Nature Alberta. We welcome this great group to our naturalist family! The Society’s approach, as outlined in the article below, might well be considered a classic example of how to protect a local natural treasure. The article was received from Marilylle Soveran, Publicity Secretary for Friends of Little Beaver Lake. Lorne J. Ferguson is the Society’s President.

MAKING FRIENDS WITH A In the winter of 2006-2007, a and beautiful. The concept of LAKE long-time Ferintosh resident, Vera “friending” the lake was uppermost. People who live in and around Jackson, began pondering how We needed to get to know our lake Ferintosh circle a small natural best we might preserve and care better, its birds, its wild plants, its treasure that many folks who for this lake. She talked with aspen woods. The more we knew drive past on Highway 21 miss friends and neighbours and the and understood, the more we would all together: Little Beaver Lake. result was – by the end of May, want to keep and cherish what we It is a small body of water about 2007 – a Society, “Friends of Little have. We invited guests to come and one-quarter mile wide and two Beaver Lake”. Within months, it talk about waterfowl, green spaces, miles long – and mostly spring- was duly registered under the beavers, birds, and so on. Alberta Societies Act. fed. The Village of Ferintosh is It seemed to the group that, on its east shore, and the County Members of the new Society compared with other Alberta lakes, sub-division, “Little Beaver Lake talked together about how best Little Beaver was still in pretty good Estates”, lines its west shoreline. they might keep this lake healthy shape. How could we be sure? And

FERINTOSH, ON THE EASTERN LAKE SHORE. MARILYLLE SOVERAN SWANS DANCING ON THIN NOVEMBER ICE. MARILYLLE SOVERAN SPRING 2011 43 even if it is a healthy natural environment, a measurement now would give us baseline data with which to compare future conditions. We applied for a grant from Alberta Stewardship Network and received funding to cover a shoreline analysis by “Cows and Fish” (Alberta Riparian Habitat Management). Six plots of lakeshore property were carefully studied by a research team. The owners of these properties will receive a full report with and advisors. Our society may be nesting ducks, grebes, and song- recommendations, and Friends new but it already has valuable birds. of Little Beaver Lake will receive and much-appreciated friends! a general report card on the • Working with the U. of A. Augustana Campus to involve condition of the shoreline and HERE ARE SOME OF OUR what grows there or makes it their PROJECTS SO FAR: students in learning and home. sharing projects at Little Beaver Educational Lake. Also, we worked with Alberta • Hosting presentations from • Preparing a Little Beaver Lake Lake Management to have water a number of people involved interpretive gallery to be testing done. in wildlife and natural area part of this summer’s Ferintosh The Village of Ferintosh has preservation, including Centennial celebration (Canada encouraged the specialists in beavers, tree- Day week-end). Society and given us recreation grants towards our program. The Battle River Watershed group provided excellent help and advice in our grant application. Staff at the University of Alberta Augustana Campus have been great allies

SOCIETY MEMBERS GATHER FOR AN OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE INTERPRETIVE PROJECT. MARILYLLE SOVERAN 44 NatureAlberta

INSTALLING A NEW BIRD NESTING KAYAKERS MAKE EXCELLENT USE OF THE NEW PADDLERS DOCK. ANNA GRAHN BOX LENDS AN AIR OF EXCITEMENT IN ANTICIPATION OF NEW OCCUPANTS. LORNE FERGUSON

Local Initiatives enjoy and protect the waterfowl Ferintosh campground; pending • Building nesting boxes for that also use our lake as summer approval and co-operation of the waterfowl and installing them home. Village, Friends of Little Beaver on lake shore trees, plus taking • Providing and installing a Lake would undertake this time each year to check and paddlers’ dock for the village, project, including the care and clean the boxes, noting how to make it easier for visiting management involved. they have been used in the canoeists and kayakers to enjoy Our Society has members who live previous season. the lake. here year-round, and others who • Building and erecting a • In spring of 2011, beginning own and treasure their recreational large interpretive sign at work on an analysis and property here, but live elsewhere. the Ferintosh Campground, reforestation plan for the We all work together to befriend encouraging visitors to notice, woodland surrounding the our lake as best we can.

Nature Alberta Celebrating our natural heritage!

Nature Alberta welcomes submissions of articles, photos, humour and other suitable material on Alberta’s natural history. Submission guidelines for articles and photos are available on the NA website at www.naturealberta.ca.

Subscribe Today! MAIL TO: REGULAR » $30 per year Your support means Nature Alberta Attn: Membership 2-YEAR » $55 a great deal to Nature Alberta and its 11759 Groat Road SUPPORTING: SUBSCRIPTION RATE Edmonton, AB PLUS DONATION (tax receipts issued upon conservation objectives. T5M 3K6 request) » $40 or more per year A nicely framed view of Mount Yamnuska. Bonnie Mullin

American Avocets – always stunning! See photography story, pg 24. Sandra Hawkins

peek-a-boo! rick price VOLUME 41 | Number 1 | SPRING 2011 Naturegallery

The flowered slopes of Mount Allen, towards Mount Kidd. Bonnie Mullin

printed on

NATURE ALBERTA 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB, T5M 3K6 PHONE: 780.427.8124 FAX: 780.422.2663