Calgary Parklands - Weaselhead Flats

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On this sunny Chinook morning, twelve of us gathered for a walk in the Weaselhead Flats, a protected riverine environment within the city. Although I had seen it several times from the heights of Glenmore Park, my visit was the first time for a walk along the popular paths. The route led down a paved path and across the Barry Erskine Bridge (former City Councillor and professional naturalist). This was the entrance to the Weaselhead area.

Old snow and ice crunched under our feet, made passable by icers on our boots. Morning shadows threaded delicately through the leafless trees and across thin bushes. Snow melting over the past several days had inscribed pockets around trunks and roots. In the distant background, the Elbow River meandered through the wetlands. A few brave or foolish people walked across the river, even though open stretches of water painted blue streaks on the snowy ice.

As we circled round to return, we encountered more people and dogs as the temperature rapidly rose. No longer so wintry, the sun’s heat felt good on our faces and backs.

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Photos

Weaselhead Flats
Meandering river course

Entering Weaselhead Flats
Fresh morning air

Aspens in winter
Bark on display

Elbow River from Barry Erskine Bridge
shadow patterns

Shoreline crack
Precursor of spring

Elbow River
Floating through the flats

Snowed-in creek bed
Trickling under the crust

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

These posts are interesting in themselves, and also because they remind me of how little feel I have for the topography of where I live or have lived. In Edmonton, I'm aware of the river valley (who isn't?); in Calgary, I know the Bow River and environs. What I don't have a good overall picture of in my head is the smaller-scale ups and downs and the kind of land in various parts of the City (grassland, river flat, forest). I need a drone . . .

[beentouring]

Calgary Parklands
The variety of parklands in and around Calgary surprised me. Living here we have a general idea of the landscape. Experiencing the particular landscapes has been an education.