Frank Lake, home to some of Southern Alberta’s best birding
If you’ve ever had opportunity to fly through a major international airport hub, like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, Beijing Capital, Dubai, Los Angeles or London’s Heathrow, you’d have an understanding of the potential mayhem that exists in the skies above those cities. Air Traffic Controllers must have wits about them that few humans could muster up in
Climbing for the Wellness of the Wilderness
What were you doing on the morning of Saturday April 27th, 2019? Perhaps you, too, were preparing to ascend the 54 storeys and by conquering the 1,204 steps to summit the top of Calgary’s Bow Tower in support of the Alberta Wilderness Association’s (AWA) annual Climb for Wilderness? Did you know that this event is Western Canada’s biggest Earth Day
It’s spring, but don’t wake the garden!!
Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. Rainer Maria Rilke After all the grumbling about the interminable and ferocious final weeks of winter that we have endured here in Alberta – and indeed across Canada – we have now been seduced by balmy spring weather that has all
Derek’s Day Hike Equipment Checklist
As a novice day hiker, I do tend to want to delay departure from home until I have checked everything off my list … and then some. But “what defines a novice day hiker?”, you might ask. That’s a great question, since it does mean different things to different people who have differing degrees of capability. According to I
Porcupines in the Park
A relationship between a porcupine and a balloon can only end in disaster. Anthony T. Hincks Do you know what one of the main causes of death for North American porcupines is? You just might need to read on to find the answer to this and some other porci-trivia! It turns out that they are quite fascinating
Interview with Christyann Olson: Alberta Wilderness Association
I don’t want to protect the environment as much as I want to create a world where the environment doesn’t need protecting. My work is far from done. Christyann Olson This blog covers an interview that I Am Calgary conducted with Christyann Olson, Executive Director of the Calgary-based Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA). I AM CALGARY interview with Christyann Olson What
Our Experts Expose Their Picture-Perfect Photoshoot Locations in Calgary
It’s the event-of-the-year. You’re looking for that unique location to capture the occasion for posterity. I chatted with some of my expert photographer friends about this. Here are their favourite photoshoot locations for capturing those treasurable moments. You should explore these locations and, if you like what you see, show my connections some love by following them. 📸 Nose Hill Park: A
Derek’s 11 Inexpensive Winter Hot Date Destinations in Calgary
“The kids are with their grandparents and we have a few free hours to go on a date. Do you have any suggestions of what we can do in the frigid winter weather that won’t break the bank?” I’ve had numerous friends ask me this in recent months, so it seems appropriate to explore a
Derek’s Top-Pick Toboggan and Sledding Slopes in Calgary
I recently shared with you my dismal track record with my winter outdoor mis-adventures as well as my feeble attempt at cross-country skiing. I hope you'll find these to be entertaining reads rather than a deterrent to embarking on some outdoor family fun. Family Fun at Fonda Christa at Hidden Valley Hidden Valley Rush Here is a summary
Derek’s Top-Pick Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Spots Around Calgary
You will likely have gathered from some of my recent candid writings that I lack proficiency skills in the winter outdoor activity arena. I've recounted stories of my misfortunes while downhill skiing and tobogganing, while my cross country skiing capabilities leave room for significant improvement. But that hasn't deterred me from persevering and