Calgary Parklands: Glenbow Ranch Park

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On such a beautiful sunny day, the C hikers of Skrastins Outdoor Club were happy to meet up for a walk through Glenbow Park Ranch. The rolling prairie landscape opened up before us, wafting the scents of Wolf Willowand new grasses on a light breeze. Sylvia led us down the path towards the river; unfortunately, we couldn’t reach the river itself because of the segregation of the cows’ pasture to their use.

For a while, we thought the only wildlife we might see was the noisy “whirly bird” – a bright, red helicopter evidently practicing landings and takeoffs. As that bird flew off to the horizon, we began to hear the musical notes of the Red Winged Blackbird. Far into the distance, Cheryl’s sharp eyes saw the light-brown shape of a White-Tailed Deer on the grassy slope of a hill.

Some of the group trudged up the hill to the picnic tables, but our dedicated newsletter editor, Dee, and I stayed down by the pond for our lunch. We watched the calm assurance of a duck floating and diving, bringing choice green morsels to the surface. A few mosquitoes joined us, but the peace of this dip in the landscape soothed our city sensibilities. Other walkers and bikers, and even a passing train faded from our consciousness.

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Photos

Glenbow Ranch Park
View of the Bow River, foothills and the Rocky Mountains

Wolf Willow
Fine aroma of the prairies

Lady Slipper Orchid
Flowers bobbing in the breeze

Buffalo Beans
Adored flower of my childhood

Star Flowered Solomon's Seal
Tiny sign of summer

Everlasting Pea
A wild member of the Pea family

Locoweed
Too much makes cows very sick.

White-tailed Deer
Munching and walking

Red-winged Blackbird
A superb concert venue

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

Far-sighted group members wanted
Cheryl spotting the white-tailed deer reminded me of our guides in Scotland spotting well-camouflaged deer on Highland hills. Even with binocs I had a tough time seeing them - and they'd done the spotting with the unaided eye. Impressive. Your description almost transports me to a park I've never been in, especially the bit about becoming oblivious to the potential intrusions. Sounds like a lovely day.

[beentouring]

Odd benefits
One of the odd benefits of the pandemic is that it has introduced me, and others, to many Calgary area parks that I used to pass by in a bus.