Photographing in Florida over the Christmas holidays
I spent several days over the Christmas and New Years in Florida. Here is a selected recollection of memorable photography moments, and a few useful travel observations. The primary goal of my trip was to visit in-laws and to recharge personal batteries. I did not expect to spend too much time travelling for the purpose of photography. Actually, I left Saskatoon with minimal expectations – I was prepared to be happy with whatever images I would capture during the holidays. I also took bare minimum of the photo gear, although I can not say that I travelled light. A solid tripod, one...
Read MoreCalgary Zoo to begin a captive breeding program for Greater Sage Grouse
Greater Sage Grouse populations are at critically low numbers in Canada. The estimated population size is less than 100 birds, most of them can be found in the grasslands of southwest Saskatchewan and southeast Alberta. In December of 2013, Environment Canada published the first ever Emergency Order under the Species at Risk Act to protect the Greater Sage Grouse on crown lands (see the related post, A step in the right direction). Later that month, Environment Canada released a proposal for the Amended Recovery Strategy for this species. There have been previous attempts to...
Read MoreBirdWatch Canada cover and article about the PFRA pastures
A few months ago Saskatchewan author Laura Stewart wrote an article about the plight of PFRA community pastures which was published in the Briarpatch magazine. A few of my images were selected to illustrate the story. Laura recently wrote a cover story for the fall issue of BirdWatch Canada magazine titled “Prairie Grasslands in Peril?” The magazine publishes feature articles about the world of birds. Laura Stewart eloquently discusses the threats to grassland birds through recent changes in the type of use and management of prairie grasslands, including changes to and...
Read MoreA step in the right direction: endangered Greater Sage Grouse to be protected by an emergency order
After many months of inaction and a few lost court cases, (see also news item about a court order requiring the government to designate critical habitat under the Species at Risk Act), the federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced today that an emergency order to protect an endangered species Greater Sage Grouse will be issued in the coming months. The order will impose restrictions on development and industrial activities to protect the Sage Grouse and its habitat on provincial and federal Crown lands in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The proposed restrictions will not affect...
Read MoreNews: City of Saskatoon seeks community input on wetlands policy
Hot off the press, this community announcement arrived this morning. It is for a good (and important) cause so I am posting it here for your information. The City of Saskatoon (City) is seeking input on a new planning initiative that will establish a framework for the identification, preservation, and management of wetlands in the City’s future growth areas. The Wetland Policy will ensure that impacts to wetlands are an important consideration in any future development decisions within Saskatoon. Saskatoon is growing and with that comes pressure on the natural environment. Saskatoon and the...
Read More