Calgary Parklands - Sheep River

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About twenty minutes from Calgary, the Sheep River curls through the town of Okotoks. With the spring thaw-freeze cycle aggressively underway, we strapped on our icers, essential even on paved paths. Since the temperature was slightly below zero, the run-off melt was slippery from ice accumulated overnight. In the lowest areas, what might have been temporary ponds in the afternoon were veritable skating rinks in the morning.

We strolled through the dappled sun of scattered aspens, poplars and evergreens, where snow still covered the undergrowth. A few birds looked at us, and a single Canada Goose stood proud in the centre of the ice-covered river. Several mallards swam in tight circles or snuggled on the stone edge of a tumbling creek, protected by tangled branches put there by human hand.

Mounted to delight passers-by, a number of small sculptures of comic heads were affixed to tree trunks, each labeled with goofy names by the artist, Gordon Mackey . As instructed, Judy put her finger into the mouth of “Chiming Charlie” and was rewarded by a peel of unseen bells from the surrounding trees.

By consensus we took the return path that led along the escarpment, west of the river. The valley spread out before us, almost abstract with the deep blue of the free-flowing water and the snow that covered ice and land. The stark colour of several bridges cut patterns into the view. And imagination or reality tipped the poplars with swelling leaf buds, a faint haze of green promising more to come.

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Photos

Chiming Charley
Public art by Gordon Mackey

Black Cottonwood Heritage Grove
Special care for local species

Swelling leaf buds
Not just my imagination!

Heritage Parkway
Pedestrian bridge

Sheep River valley
From the pedestrian bridge

Sheep River
River flow cuts through winter's icy cover

The River Nymph by Vahe Tokmajyan
Imaginative public art

Comments

[Herta Glimpel]

Sheep River
I loved our walk along the Sheep River loop that you so perfectly described.

[is]

Sheep River
I hadn't heard of the Sheep River -- another for my list of places around Calgary. I particularly like your two shots of blue water cutting through the white snow. When I see a goose out on a frozen pond, I always wonder if they're wondering what the heck happened. As in, where is the water that's supposed to be here? With respect to buds on trees, I expect that every day that passes validates your vision.

[beentouring]

Canada Goose
I am not sure what geese think, but they do seem to ponder, except when they are chasing us out of their way.