Male Northern Shoveler, Wanuskewin Park
Male Northern Shoveler displaying, Wanuskewin Park. This dabbling duck species is unmistakable due to its large spoon-like bill. They feed by dabbling for plant food, often by swinging its bill from side to side and using the bill to strain food from the water. Small, comb-like structures on the edge of the bill act like sieves, allowing the bird to filter the food particle from the water surface. Males are very colourful, with iridescent dark green head and brightly red coloured body. I observed this male occasionally flapping its wings and waited for a right moment to capture the image....
Read MoreSolitary Canada Goose at Wanuskewin
Solitary Canada Goose on the banks of Opimihaw Creek. Canada Geese nest in the vicinity of Wanuskewin and can be seen almost all year round (except in the middle of winter when any open water and South Saskatchewan River are frozen solid) . I photographed this goose in early May along the Opimihaw creek running through the park. Vegetation was still brown and I like how brown shoots of grass frame the bird. Back to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park photo gallery.
Read MoreRichardson’s ground squirrel at Wanuskewin
Richardson ground squirrel at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon Better known under the common name ‘gopher’, ground squirrels were named after the Scottish naturalist Sir John Richardson. They prefer prairie habitat with short grass so they can betters see predators. And there are many: coyotes, foxes, hawks. This fellow had a burrow right beside the Wanuskewing Park interpretive centre. I placed my tripod downhill from where the animal was grazing, to be able to take the image at the same level. When photographing small critters, whether they are animals or children, they look...
Read MoreFall colours along South Saskatchewan River
Fall colours along South Saskatchewan River at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon. This image was taken on the east edge of the Opimihaw Creek valley, very close to a spot where eroding action of the South Saskatchewan River forms steep cliffs called Cathedral Peak. A 1.3 km long Trail of the Buffalo leads from the Information centre to a rest stop with a bench, and a magnificent view of the valley & South Saskatchewan River below. Back to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park photo gallery.
Read MoreFall colours along South Saskatchewan River at Wanuskewin
Fall colours along South Saskatchewan River at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon. A 1.3 km long Trail of the Buffalo leads from the Information centre to a rest stop with a bench, and a magnificent view of the valley & South Saskatchewan River below. This image was taken on the east edge of the Opimihaw Creek valley, very close to steep cliffs called Cathedral Peak. The viewpoint is looking south, towards the city of Saskatoon. Back to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park photo gallery.
Read More