Prairie Coyote with Prey - and Watching Deer - near Regina, SK

Its gray-brown, winter-furred body low to the ground, the coyote digs in snow and emerges with...

Coyote with lunch in a snow-covered field near Lumsden, SK  © SB

Lunch?

Whatever that straw-covered, maroon blob in its mouth may be, it looks bloodied and, well, edible.

If you were a coyote, that is. A hungry coyote, prowling a field surrounded by trees, where deer stood in the shadows and watched you.

Two deer watch as the coyote passes by.   © SB

Deer. Danger Passed. Relax. Oops - there's still that photographer...  © SB

What are these? A Coyote, and two White-tailed Deer 
Location: Near Lumsden, north of Regina, Saskatchewan

Photo dates: April 1, 2014. 

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Herd of Mule Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan

On the weekend, we saw a herd of Mule Deer foraging on the hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley — an interesting change from the White-tailed Deer we've seen several times lately.

Mule Deer grazing in the Qu'Appelle Valley. © SB

To me, Mule Deer look grayer than the more common White-tails, but there are other, more prominent differences:

• Mule deer's ears are enormous, well, like the ears of the mules they are named for. 
• They don't have as prominently white eye-rings as White-tailed Deer. 
• Their tails are thin and more ropelike with black tips — and are not raised like white warning flags when they're startled and run. 

Line of Mule Deer walking up the hill. © SB

Mule Deer, Saskatchewan, Canada.  © SB

Not obvious at a glance is that fact that these are true Western deer, said to more abundant in the southwest of the province, while White-tailed Deer are widespread across Saskatchewan and most of North America.


What are these? Mule Deer.

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo dates: April 13, 2013.

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Richardson's Ground Squirrel — with snowball

I saw this Richardson's Ground Squirrel two days ago when I was driving grid roads north of Regina, looking for Horned Larks and other spring birds.

He (or she?) popped up from a decaying snowbank to watch me... first his head, then his whole body.

And then the gopher (which is what we call the RGS in Saskatchewan) stood, a snowball in his hands. "Watch it, human. I have a snowball and I know how to use it!"

Or perhaps this is just ice, caught in his wee paw.

Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka gopher.   © SB

What is this? Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka prairie gopher. 
Location: Grid road north of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 3, 2013. 

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Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan

One of many Qu'Appelle Valley deer.
(Crop from 270 mm) © SB

We saw dozens of deer near Regina, Saskatchewan, yesterday — in the Qu'Appelle Valley east of Craven. First, one group of 11 White-tailed deer, then a handful more, and then larger herds.

The deer were feeding on grasses exposed by the receding snow, and from our distance, they looked well-fed and healthy... But camera lenses can be misleading, and this is said to have been an extremely harsh winter for wildlife.

These White-tailed deer were entertaining to watch — some appeared completely oblivious to us, as we stood on the road above. Others seemed mildly curious, while a few ran away, white tails flagging a warning.

Oddly, though, in running away from the fields, they ran up and across the incline towards us, as if safety meant their usual route through the wooded slopes of the valley sides — even if that meant crossing the road in front of a car. Our car.

I've noticed small flocks of roadside birds do the same: They see the car, swirl up to flee — and as they rise, they turn and fly towards the vehicle, often flying right at or beside it.

Two deer watch from the valley bottom. (Crop from 300mm)  © SB

Distant shot of a group of White-tailed Deer. (From the road, at 200mm)  © SB

What are these? White-tailed Deer (And no, we were not close to them...) 
Location: South side of the Qu'Appelle Valley, east of Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 2, 2013. 

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White-tail Deer of Deer Valley, Saskatchewan

Out driving, looking for deer this week, we found these White-tail Deer in the aptly named Deer Valley, near Lumsden, Saskatchewan.

The deer watch me as, elbows and lens propped on a distant snowbank, I take a telephoto shot. © SB

The deer are watchful, cautious. They don't look like they approve of human incursions, even (especially?) at the edge of this new real estate venture — an area marketed with their name and body parts (Whitetail Ridge, Deer Point Place), where their wild majesty may soon be seen only as an annoying intrusion into gardens and golf.

Yes, the lowland where they are feeding will be a golf course again once the snow clears and the land dries out. Lush valley bottom claimed for human recreation...

Try to ignore the natural world if you will. But it is here, hidden perhaps and unnoticed. But watching...

What are these? White-tail deer.
Location: Near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Photo dates: March 14, 2013. 

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First Gopher of the Year: Spring?

We saw our first Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka prairie gopher, of the year today, looking stunned — or sunbathing? — on a snowbank beside the road.

These gophers hibernate for many, many months... Males apparently wake before females, so perhaps this little fellow was wondering where his mates were.

So, the question of the day: Now that he's awake, does that make it spring? (Please?)

All right, now, I'm awake! Bring on the fun! © SB 

What is this? A Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka a gopher.   

Location: Near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Photo dates: March 14, 2013. 

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Fox Squirrel in Regina, Saskatchewan

Face-to-face with a squirrel in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan.

When I took this photo, and posted it, I'd thought it was a Red Squirrel — but a commenter below suggests it's more likely a Fox Squirrel. After checking pictures online, I think Anon. is indeed correct.

I hadn't heard of Fox Squirrels before, which isn't surprising, as Natural Neighbours: Selected Mammals of Saskatchewan says they are relatively new here, and thus "unknown to many people."

Apparently they entered Saskatchewan in the 1970s, and they now inhabit areas along the Qu'Appelle River and other places. They are the largest tree squirrel in the province, and are fast, agile and generally inconspicuous, with a tail that can act as a parachute if they fall.

So... Fox not Red... I still like this squirrel's bright black eyes — but I confess to not being nearly as enamoured by its very red chisel-like teeth!

What big teeth you have, squirrel! © SB

What is this? Fox Squirrel  

Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Photo date: May 3, 2012 

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Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley, late winter afternoon

Late on a winter afternoon, a herd of White-tailed deer grazed in the Qu'Appelle Valley, near Lumsden, Saskatchewan. Their main culinary attraction appeared to be hay, from snow-topped round bales arrayed around the field.

A cluster of seven (?) deer, at the hay bale   © SB

At first, the cluster of deer around each bale stopped and stared at me as I sat in my car, way off on the shoulder of the road, snapping pictures. Then, the White-tailed Deer began to ignore me and went back to eating, clambering onto the bales, running — and greeting each other.

White-tailed deer, watching the photographer  © SB

Deer running towards the shelter of trees. © SB  

Deer, clambering onto the hay bale for a different view of food.© SB

The young deer, at left, ran across the field to greet
the older deer, centre, which stood still and watched,
then rubbed noses with the young one, once it arrived.© SB

What are these? White-tailed deer

Location: Near Lumsden, Saskatchewan. 

Photo dates:  February 12, 2013

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White-tailed Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley

As I drove around a bend in the Seven Bridges Road towards Lumsden, Saskatchewan, three White-tailed deer bounded out from among the hay bales in a nearby field. I slowed down. The deer ran a short distance along the road ahead of me, their white tails high and feathery. And then, one by one, the deer stopped to watch me.

White-tailed deer, watching.   © SB 

What is this? White-tailed deer.

Location: Near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (on Seven Bridges Road/Lumsden). 

Photo date: February 4, 2013. 

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White-Tailed Deer at Grasslands National Park

This White-tailed deer watched from the wildflowers as we drove along the Frenchman River Valley Ecotour through Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan this summer.

White-tailed deer.  © SB

What is this deer? White-tailed deer

Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.

Photo date:  June 23, 2012.

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All images are copyright and may not be used without permission. Thanks! 

Prairie Muskrats in Saskatchewan

Muskrat near Chaplin, Saskatchewan © SB  

Today, a few photographs of muskrats from my files.

These furry mammals with their long front teeth and freaky bony fingers are common in prairie sloughs and creeks, where they glide silently through murky water, swishing their leathery black tails.

The photos here of muskrats are all from early spring, when ice folded at the edges of the water, and packed snow lined the creeks. 

The first two pictures —  muskrat facing left, and the same muskrat swimming — were taken near the lake south of Chaplin, Saskatchewan, at the end March. Warm weather came late this year and that's ice on the bank, not sand. 

The third picture, of a muskrat eating a submerged reed, was also taken in late March — and chunks of ice are obvious around the muskrat's feet. 

Muskrat near Chaplin swimming in the creek.   © SB   

Early Spring. Muskrat at Valeport Marsh, Saskatchewan © SB  

What are these animals? Muskrats
Location: #1 and #2: South of Chaplin, Saskatchewan; #3: Valeport Marsh, near Craven, Saskatchewan. 

Photo date: #1 and #2: March 31, 2012; #3: March 25, 2012. 

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Prairie Gopher: Richardson's ground squirrel

Prairie Gopher stands and watches
from dry grass at the side of the road.© SB

A gopher ran through the grass at the side of the gravel road. When we stopped, he stopped. Then he stood — hands neatly clasped in front of him — and watched us.

Prairie gophers, aka Richardson's Ground Squirrels, are a common sight for summer drivers here. The gophers sunbathe on or skitter across small highways and grid roads. When cars approach, they scramble away — or stop and stare. (The lucky ones then skitter on.)

Most gophers seem shy and afraid of humans — a reasonable stance in a place where some (most?) humans see these ground squirrels as such significant pests (because of burrows and wide-ranging appetites) that people have been trapping, poisoning and shooting gophers — and cutting their tails off  — since the first homesteaders arrived. (Got to love "civilization.")

Pests? Perhaps.

But gophers remind me of meerkats posing by their dens. And the curiosity and sociable spirit they share, living in colonies and all, seems admirable.

And exotic! I've heard stories of eastern Canadian and European tourists more fascinated by these tiny creatures than by any of our other larger animals. (Yes, they need to see prairie dogs, that is true...)

Perhaps we need more photographers to capitalize on the cuteness of gophers?

A (massive green-clothed) gopher has long been the mascot for a local sport team. What other opportunities might there be for gophers to promote Saskatchewan?


What is this?  A Richardson's Ground Squirrel, locally known as a gopher.       
Location: North of Regina, Along Route 99, east of Craven, Saskatchewan.  
Photo date: March 25, 2012. 

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Red Fox After Prairie Winter

Looks like it's been a hard winter for this small red fox we saw north of Regina today. It was far off in a field, standing, watching. When we slowed the car parallel to — but still far from — the fox, it hunkered down to hide in the grass, then jumped up and bounded into the bush behind it.

This red fox's face reminds me of an old cat's swollen face after a fight. 

The fox also looks like it's glaring, certainly not happy to see me or be seen. 

May Spring be happier than Winter.... 

What is this? A red fox .     

Location: In a field north of Regina, along Rte 734, west of Highway 11.  
Photo date: March 23, 2012. 

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Spring: Muskrats in Wascana Creek

Muskrat: Wascana Creek, Regina © SB

Regina, Saskatchewan: A pair of muskrats swim in Wascana Creek near the city centre. They surface around a cluster of branches and sticks that perhaps hide the entrance to their den, burrowed into the bank.

One muskrat is cinnamon in tone, with the hint of a bandit mask beside the eyes. (Let's call her the female.) Her fur seems dry and fluffy as she floats along. Above the water, her tail... that thick bullwhip tail.

Muskrat: Crossing the creek.  © SB  

The other muskrat is darker. Sleek and very wet. He crosses the stream to our side and swims along the shore, heading away from us. I run back to get in front, to get this muskrat's picture.

Muskrat Love.

Captain and Tennille sang that, though my guess is most of us old enough to remember, remember only the odd title. Not the even odder words: Muskrat Suzie, Muskrat Sam, Do the jitterbug in Muskrat Land...  

Why the jitterbug? Why not the crawl? Or the sleek muskrat slide across the creek?

Sticks and branches: The muskrat den? 
She is swimming in front.  © SB  

The tail, the tail -- the muskrat's scaly tail.  © SB   

Meet the eyes of the wild things...
They, too, have a place on this earth. 

What are these?  .A pair of muskrats in Wascana Creek.     

Location: Near Kiwanis Park, east of the Elphinstone Bridge (pix taken from north/east side of creek), Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.   
Photo dates: March 18, 2012. 

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White-tailed jackrabbits in my neighbourhood

White-tailed jackrabbits live in my Regina neighbourhood. I see them when I'm driving in winter after dark (they dash across the road or run beside me) and pre-dawn, from my living room window (they forage in our yard and at the neighbour's).

Winter is the best time to see these large prairie hares — at least, that's when I see more here. The sun sets now at about 5 p.m. and doesn't rise till after 9 a.m., so nights are long and jackrabbits are nocturnal.

First light of the day, first white-tailed jackrabbit
of the year, on the neighbour's snowbank. 

Grizzled gray, with black-tipped ears.  

Pink nose, black ears, hiding on the sidewalk
across the street from my house. 

What is this? White-tailed jackrabbit or prairie hare.
Location: Regina,Saskatchewan.
Photo dates: New Year's Day, 2012

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Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel: Stripes and Spots

Well camouflaged with stripes and spots   © SB 

When this Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel ran out in front of me, we both froze. I don't know what it thought I was, but in that first flash, I thought it was a snake.

Dramatic as the markings appear in a still shot — and also when the ground squirrel stopped to stare at me — they provided very effective camouflage when it was running through deeper grass.

This little rodent looked about eight or nine inches long, from tip of nose to tip of tail, and about two inches high. It wouldn't let me near enough to guess closer than that.

What is this? A Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel.
Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, Saskatchewan.
Photo Date: September 3, 2011. 

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White-tailed deer: Condie Nature Refuge

Warily watching... © SB 

Condie Nature Refuge, Regina, Saskatchewan: A young, still spotted, white-tailed deer watched as I drove through Condie today, its large tail a banner as it ran to the shelter of trees and then back across the field to the lower land beside the creek.  

The tail is certainly a marker for these deer; it's so different from the mule deer we saw at Grasslands National Park.

White-tailed deer at Condie Nature Refuge © SB 

What is this? A young white-tailed deer. 
Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina, Saskatchewan. 

Photo Date: August 27, 2011. 

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Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Picture of the Day: Grasslands

Grasslands National Park, Canada: Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs are amazingly agile creatures. I love watching them stand up and balance on their tails to see what’s going on. This little guy was playing on the road, then ran back to the closest burrow when our car approached. There he stopped, turned and stood up to watch us for a minute before skittering out of sight. 

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog, Grasslands National Park.  c SB 

What are these? Black-tailed Prairie Dogs  

Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan  

Photo dates: Late June and late July, 2011. 

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Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs: Grasslands Park

Black-tailed prairie dog, with purple milk vetch. © SB 

Grasslands National Park: Above the rush of wind, high chirping across grass. The Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs warn of intruders to the tune of anxious birds or creaking rail fences. Like gophers*, they stand on hind legs for a better view, but prairie dogs are taller, plumper than Richardson's Ground Squirrels — perhaps three times the size.  

Prairie dog colony © SB 

From a distance, the prairie dog colony may look destructive — especially in a province which has often offered bounties for their smaller cousin's tails. But here, Parks information says, they are a key part of the grasslands ecosystem.

Up close with purple milk vetch © SB 

And they are cute! Chirping, running, playing, peering at intruders while standing on hind legs. And in early summer, what a picture in milk vetches.

The Ecotour drive through the West Block of the park goes through two large prairie dog colonies. The first is near the north gate, the second, near the south gate, near the signs for the burrowing owls. (The sign, I saw, but not the owls.)

Another park sign, this one about prairie dogs and other park creatures 

Car wheels on a gravel road, the wind and the cheeping of prairie dogs form the soundscape of the video below, taken while driving through Grasslands:

* Yes, we call Richardson's Ground Squirrels "gophers". Perhaps the early settlers in Saskatchewan were confused, or missed their gophers back in England, so gave that name to the tiny skipping prairie creatures, with their flickering tails.  

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What are these? Black-tailed Prairie Dogs  

Location: Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan  

Photo dates: Late June and late July, 2011. 

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My elusive neighbours: prairie hares

Too high to leap here...

It was late when I left the office. I felt tired and achy after more than a week of presenteeism and wanted only a hot bath. Or wine. Or sleep. Or preferably all three. High quantities, in any order.

Sky blurred into night, snow shimmered in the headlights of my van. I slowed to turn into the network of alleys behind my house. And stopped.

Ahead, five metres on, eyes flashed at me. White on white, a hare on hard-packed snow, pure energy coiled in the middle of my route. It sprang and twisted and took off down the alley to the next alley south -- the one that goes to my garage.

I drove slowly after it. On my left, the prairie hare ran for a snowbank, scaled it, and leaped over a fence. On my right, a second one appeared, eyes shining from a drift beside the roadway. It stared, then ran in gliding leaps, pausing for seconds at a time to peer back at me. It passed half a dozen backyards before veering through a gap beside a hedge.

These hares are new to me this winter. At least, their official name is: White-tailed jackrabbits, which as anyone can tell from a name like that, are hares, not rabbits at all. (Names of species are oh, so logical.) I often see them in the alley and my front yard. Usually at night. And usually two. Siblings, or a mated pair? Or do they make that distinction?

They're not new to this community, but until this year, I called them rabbits. Grey-streaked in summer, they look to me like cute cottontails, but without those plush-toy fluffy tails. (I am perhaps a less-than-attentive observer of nature.)

White-tailed jackrabbit mid-colour change. 

Late fall. All photos © Shelley Banks

One day late last fall, when I was leaving work, I saw one standing near my (red, right side of pic) van, the weirdest rabbit I've ever seen. Its legs were far too long -- and totally white. The winter colour changes had begun.

After that, I called them snowshoe hares. They are small, with neater ears than cartoon images I've seen of desert jackrabbits. But snowshoe hares like forests, and my city is in the middle of the prairie. The prairie is also where white-tailed jackrabbits have long lived -- in addition to city parks and laneways. Eventually, I accepted the obvious: these were my neighbours.

On my way to work the morning after I saw the pair in the alley -- I was still sick, but ready for another presentee day -- I slowly traced the same route in reverse. That white-tail's tracks were clearly visible, its long thin footprints chiseled deep into the snow.

No time to look before the leap --

I hope there were no dogs... 

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