With the glow of the morning sun cresting over the horizon, a soft warm light is cast over the frosty winter prairies. Perched on a fencepost, a male snowy owl scans the surrounding fields for its next meal.
In the middle of the seemingly endless grasslands of Alberta, the ground gives way to pockets of badlands formed by nearby river systems after generations of erosion. The badlands of Dinosoar Provincial Park near Brooks is one of the most impressibe this province has to offer. The strange geography of these badlands is not the only unique characteristic of this region either. Rattlesnakes and scorpions also call these areas home. Typically prefering warmer climates throughout the United States and into Mexico, the Alberta Badlands mark the most northern established reaches of both species. The Canadian badlands are also have one of the world’s best known deposits of dinosaur fossils. Routinely scientists discover new fossils of prehistoric creatures.
Like people, every owl I come across seems to have a unique personality that drastically varies from bird to bird. Some owls seem to be very shy and skittish, while others are much calmer around people. Habituation? Perhaps. However, I feel it has more to do with the personality of each animal. This great grey owl had the calmest demeanor I have ever witnessed. It was the house cat of owls. It flew right toward me and landed on the fence post right in front of where I was standing, within an arm’s reach! I then spent nearly a half an hour photographing it from that spot and it didn’t seem phased by my presence. Experiences like this are what I love about nature and wildlife. Having the pleasure to stand within feet of such a magnificent animal and observe it going about its normal activities as if I was not there is such an incredible experience.
