Well, I'll Be Dog-Gone!

Dog-Gone on a "Wild Forest Adventure"  

If you know me, you also know how nervous I am with dogs that I don't know.   So when a friend called and asked if I wanted to go for a ride on a dog sled, I hesitated for a split second and then remembered that the only way to overcome a fear is to "be there" so I said YES!  And a plan was made.

Shari hooks up one of the lead dogs.  The dogs were super excited to be going for a run.  It was fun to see them as they donned their specific harness and were placed with a team mate with similar traits, skills and qualities.  Cinderella, the blonde, seen jumping sky high near the back of this image got her own space in the line up, due to her enthusiasm. 

 

 

Shari & Remi discuss loading us passengers.  The air was filled with howls and yowls of excitement and anticipation... and the dogs made a ton of noise as well.

And we are off!  Into the Trail of Dreams!  The air became immediately silent as the dogs began their duties and they focused on pulling the sled under the perfectly titled sign. 

We were advised to dress warm and I was super happy to have worn all my layers and heaviest parka.  The trip begins with a race along the highway where passersby can glimpse and dream into the wonder of dog sleds.  *note: the majority of Canadians have NEVER ridden on a dog sled although with exposure and availability that percentage may improve. 

As my "Bogs" and I bounced gently along the super quiet snow-covered forest trail I decided to slow my shutter speed to try to expose a bit of the speed of the dogs.  These are racing dogs who are bred and trained to run - all seasons, weather and conditions. 

Lots of time for breaks to enjoy nature, walk about and explore while the dogs take a wee break.  

Notice the snow machine along for support if required - lots of attention to safety and comfort.

The snow machine also allowed for photographers to switch up positions and enjoy various viewpoints and angles, taking turns chasing and following. 

My crazy friend enjoying her turn on the front of the sled!  I love the smiles the dogs give to the camera!

Say Cheese! 

Our drivers and hosts humoured us with this shot!  What good sports and really nice interesting people.  We need more souls like these.  Thank you.. Shari & Remi.  You guys are the best! 

Another capture of our amazing hosts as they round the bend in a huge natural area frequented by lynx, great grey owls, moose, and howling wolves.. can you even imagine?? 

Toasty warm, my Bogs, their dogs. 

Rounding a curve in the magical winter woods where the ground is covered with Labrador Tea and walls are formed by hugs from the boughs of the Boreal forest. 

One more closeup of those smiley dogs faces! 

All my fears were gone!

The dogs were amazing!

The sleigh didn't tip (not even close)

The seat was comfy.

When I first saw the standup option I thought it was just for people like my crazy friend; then I tried it.

OMG.. It was super fun and safe and solid and the view.. well you'll just have to look at the back of me leaving this story and the snow machine behind in the snow dust :) 

Go. Give it a try.  Say yes. 

A bit of background on  "Wild Forest Adventures"  provided by Shari: 

"Wild Forest Adventures is owned by Don Cousins, also known as Cousin Don, a sprint dog musher with over 40 years of experience in the sport. He has raced the most competitive races all across North America including the Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage and the Open North American Championship in Fairbanks. During the winter, many mushers get helpers from all around the world who want to experience dog mushing. Shari Berner, originally from the Black Forest in Germany, came to work with Don in 2014. "As a former biathlete, I fell in love with the sport immediately. The excitement of the dogs before the run is just as amazing as how quiet it is once you’re on the sled. Still, there is more to dog mushing than being on the sled. We take care of these dogs every day, we water, feed, clean, pet and massage them. We get to know every single personality out in our dog yard and these great animals teach us more all the time." Over their passion for dog mushing, Don and Shari became friends and raced together many seasons. Rémi, originally from France, worked as a hiking guide before going on an adventure of a lifetime. With his dog Mata, he hiked, skied, canoed, biked and snowshoed across Canada. During this epic journey, Rémi met Shari at another dog musher’s kennel. The couple is now working for Don, offering dog sledding rides on beautiful forest trails." 

Contact Wild Forest Adventures at: https://www.wildforestadventures.ca/ 

 

Momma Says!

Grizzly Bear spotting was on our wish list when we headed off searching for wildlife, however the encounter this Momma Grizzly and her curious cub allowed us was so so cool.  Here they are seeing us arrive - we are grateful they saw us as meaning no harm and gave us this story. 

Momma Grizzly grazes away on her berry filled salad pausing
 from time to time to see if we were still watching.

Super cute and curious the grizzly cub explored the world around
him walking on fallen trees, sniffing the berries and checking
in with his Momma from time to time... and then.

..and climbed

He climbed... 

he took a wee break - perching precariously

a less zoomed in view of the action.. he was about 2/3 of the way up at this point
Can you see him?  And Momma? 

A natural born "Tree Hugger" 

And then... Momma walked closer to us... put her front paws up on the 
stump she used as her podium and gave this slight nod of her head.  It 
was barely discernible (enhanced in this gif) however we saw it and got
the message.  She said "I am going to get my baby to come down now;
and I need you to stay where you are for your safety and ours"

Coming down Bum first.. 

She made sure that we understood her message and then turned,
huffed and called her baby back to the forest floor.

Reunited safe and sound on the ground and a few seconds later they 
vanished into the privacy of the wild wild woods. 

 

...no time to process

I really need to stay home and process the gazillions of images - but the world keeps enticing me with amazing visions... fortunately and occasionally - I am able to capture some of these!

We had been seeking images of Great Greys for a very long time - we got some a few years back but our camera upgrades - give a much different image.  Thank You!!! Debbie for telling me about this guy!

Staring intensely into the setting sun!  It had been a cloudy snowy few days so we were blessed to have the sun appear along with the great grey :)

Perfect day to play outside - although it was -27 C. 

Incredible sighting of Snowy Owls this year.  On one single day we observed 13 (lucky number) individuals!  All were along roads - most commonly on a power pole.  They are often quite tolerant of be photographed - we always say "Thank you"

Unbelievable encounter - lasted over 2 hours (imagine the quantity of images) again it was -27C but the blue sky and the cooperation of this Great Grey made the temperature a non-issue.  We have photographs of a lifetime from this time on Saskatoon Mountain.  He is staring off into the south-west.

The Great Grey continued to hunt - listening for action beneath the deep snow - as we waiting and  photographed.  He flew swiftly and quietly three times while we were visiting with him.  Such an impressive flyer - silent, swift and sure.  Glad we weren't mice!

When humans find it unbearable out - huge flocks of snow buntings frolic.  These birds were gleaning leftover seeds out of cow manure!  mmmm... warm food! 

Thank you Marjorie Henn - Beaverlodge artist - for teaching me to "fish"  I hounded and hounded her to draw and paint me chickadees - she insisted on teaching me to draw.  I thank her deeply for opening my eyes and encouraging me to develop the visual talent which I believe we all have and which is primarily in most of us - undernourished.

Our sister-in-law and brother-in-law share our love for birds.  Their black caps are the tamest you'll see.

-27C and the world was alive!  This flock of sharp-tailed grouse was seeking sustenance in the tops of the left over summer grasses peeking above the significantly deep snow.  I love the way the drifted snow sends back some sparkly reflections!

Major accomplishment.  If you fly WestJet in the month of January - be sure to reach into the seat-pocket and check out UpMagazine - I'm in it!!!  This makes me one of 13 lucky people to have images used - I received a wonderful photo book as a prize and one of the 13 of us will go to Las Vegas for a photography workshop!  It might as well be me because thirteen is my lucky number - being born then and all - plus this image of the magnificent Trumpeter Swan pair was taken on September 13th!!!  

Thank you again and again - Marjorie Henn!

Snowy Owls Day 2 November 2, 2012

Perched atop a power pole looking like an insulator... great vantage point for spotting mice and photographers!  After searching and searching and searching - every insulator begins to look like an owl.

I talked softly to this guy as I walked slowly forward with my camera - wondering if this amazing animal and I had met last winter - and getting a feeling that - we had.

Holy Crap!  Are we there yet???

Snowy Owls Round 1 Nov 1/2012

Eye Wonder ... Why?

Eye wonder if this bovine creature is wondering why they are being photographed?

Eye wonder if this adult eagle knows humans see the gleam in it's eye?

Eye wonder if this ice pellet knew it was being photographed?

Eye wonder if this flower has more beauty in death than life?

Eye wonder if she knew how cool this pose was?

Eye wonder why we had this 10 minute encounter with our great feather friend: Northern Harrier?

Eye wonder why this water drop won't let go?

Eye wonder why this water drop wanted to have a reflection of Me?