To make our day easier, we first hiked the steep and steady path up to the top of Nose Hill Park (from the John Laurie entrance). For quite a ways, thickly compacted snow on the path challenged our stamina and our icers. The reward at the top was staring at a pair of distant coyotes surveying the dried grasses and patches of snow, no doubt seeking prey. One of our group recommended that we follow the path round, and then follow round in another direction, then round, and then come around by returning to our starting point. We all agreed to this free-form plan. In a couple of places, the path descended more steeply than the ski jumps at Canada Olympic Park, and we detoured to safer ground. Turning back towards the west, we revelled in ... read more

Even in winter, the nature reserve “Limerick Forest” delighted our eyes with endless vistas of tall and tumbled trees along a leaf-strewn path. Incidental sheets of thin ice crackled under-foot, some just deep enough to wet the toes of our shoes, but easily avoided. My niece and great-nieces brought me to this still woodland for exercise and fresh air. Slightly frozen puddles drew their two dogs, Quiche and Newt, into the ecstasy of wet skin, further scrubbed by vigorous rolling in patches of thin snow. The animals’ unbridled joy burst into super-sonic races amongst the trees, terminating in playful, noisy tussles. Daunted only by being placed on leashes when their barking became hysterical, they forgave and forgot the moment freedom was restored. View the video. A boardwalk carried us over the delicate ma... read more

Glad for only a low level of haze from forest fire smoke, the eight walkers in our group followed the sun-dappled woodland path around Johnson Lake . The coolness of green buoyed our spirits after the heat of the past few days. Deadwood from fallen trees in the forest and in the water were fascinating in their many stages of beneficial decay. Discovering the correct unmarked path, we came to an old cabin, once home to a recluse who survived only because of a few non-judgemental friends. The cabin itself, explored by Carla, was empty, but hunks of thoroughly rusted metal outside gave rise to unanswerable questions. Emerging from the forest as we rounded the end of the lake, we were happy to see Black-eyed Susans and other wild flowers. Doz... read more

Thirteen walkers met under glorious skies at Elliston Park to enjoy the “cool” day of the coming week. Shining light created vivid pictures in the still water of the pond. A quintet of Brown-headed Ducks serenely paddled across the trees’ reflections. In a side pond, Shovelers steadily scooped up bits, attracting our bird watchers and photographers. Franklin Gulls acted as sentinels, fluttering as our wary footsteps rustled in the dry grass. The many Brown-headed Cowbirds were braver, walking on the stones along the shore. Flowers were scarce, although we did see a long pink field of Wild Roses. On the Greenway walk, as we gazed at the gentle slopes down to the stream, we spied a coyote that definitely stared at us, even though we were hundreds of yards away. On our way back, we returned ... read more

Dorothy invited our group to gather at her home. Each of us chose one of three walks: Ranching Country, Woodlands and Mountain Views. To the south of Lower Springbank Road was the “Alberta Ranch Habitat – Open Space Zone”. Bright sun illuminated the rolling landscape from the grassy fields to the shining mountains. A classic red-roofed barn and out-buildings stood out in the verdant spring growth. Warmth and calm led us along the gravel road, leading to the homestead of the historic Colpitts Ranches , established in 1921. While no people were about, a horse in a far field heard us and long-stared in a curious, perhaps challenging pose. Birds twittered everywhere, yet we only saw a few – fluttering quickly from post to grass, keeping out of sight of a hawk soaring in the thermals. ... read more