#bison paddock

[allthecanadianpolitics]

It's been a long time since large herds of bison roamed what is now Treaty 7 territory in Alberta, but Clayton Whitney, manager of the Tsuut'ina Nation's buffalo paddock, can see the impact reintroduction projects are having on the bison population and the surrounding wildlife.

"It's amazing how much animals want to come on this side of the fence with the bison," he told The Current. "We get everything from cougars and bears and moose and deer, elk."

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[northameicanblog]

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada: Waterton Lakes National Park is in southern Alberta, Canada, bordering Montana’s Glacier National Park. It’s known for its chain of lakes, including the large Upper and Middle Waterton lakes, flanked by the Rocky Mountains. The Red Rock Parkway crosses the prairie to the small Red Rock Canyon. Bison graze near the Bison Paddock Loop Road. In Waterton village, a pathway offers close-up views of Cameron Falls.

[w1ld-wr1t3r]

Trick or treat 👻🦇

I shake up my treat bag of writing goodies, reach inside, and pull out your random prize . . . a new fic idea! Congrats, trick-or-treater!

Brace yourself, I swear I tried to keep this short but I wanted to give you a good idea of what I kind of have in mind for the fic without spoiling anything too major, so it ended up a lot wordier than I initially intended:

My newest fic idea is my Alpha (2018 movie)/F1 AU. For those not familiar with the movie, it's basically a survival drama about how the first human and wolf partnership may have been formed thousands of years ago, leading to the domestication of dogs. The idea really hit me out of nowhere, considering I haven't watched the movie in like 2+ years. I honestly don't even remember what triggered the fic idea to spawn in the first place. But I do know that once I acquired the seed for the idea, I started pulling up YouTube videos of some of my favorite scenes from the movie, reminiscing about how much I like it, and thought, "yeah, there's a fic here!"

Leo is, arguably, the cutest addition to the paddock this year, so it's not surprising that he was the first dog to pop into my mind to play the role of the wolf character. I did briefly consider Roscoe, and maybe spinning the story to include some sort of Brocedes arc, but it wasn't really panning out so I shelved it for the time being (I may try to revisit it at a later date, though I make no promises). Leo and Charles as the main wolf-and-human pair held a lot more appeal to me, mainly because I found it a lot easier to come up with potential relationships and ideas to include in the story. I'm definitely including Charles' father, and I apologize, but this is not an AU that changes his fate. (you're also not gonna like what I do to Anthoine, I'm sorry in advance) We'll also have Twitch Quartet shenanigans, a few other drivers as fellow hunter-gatherers, and, of course, some Charles and Max interactions!

As far as Charles and Max go, I am still slightly on the fence about making this a Lestappen fic, but I am admittedly leaning more and more towards including it as I think about the idea more. I think it could be an interesting dynamic to explore in the setting of a prehistoric wilderness where humans are decidedly not the dominant species and they either have to work together, make tough decisions, or die. Plus, it gives me an excuse to introduce Max into the story and have him actually stick around (he's originally from a different tribe than Charles; his father leads it, and he doesn't look too kindly on Max forming friendships with "enemies," so he has to choose between the tribe he's always known and the boy who kind of gets on his nerves at first but also seems to understand him more than anyone else ever has).

The basic plot of the fic more or less follows the general plot of the movie, and is as follows: we introduce Charles and his tribe, which includes his family and friends. His father's health has been declining, so Charles and his brothers are being trained on how to lead in his stead. They set off on the annual bison hunt and meet up with another tribe along the way (Max's tribe). Charles and Max hit it off, and Max chooses to stay with him when his father issues an ultimatum about his relationship. Then tragedy strikes when Charles is seemingly killed during the hunt . . . only he doesn't actually die. He then has to try and survive on his own and get back home to his family and Max. Max, meanwhile, is trying to find a way to go on after Charles' "death." Along the way, Charles encounters an injured wolf, nurses it back to health because he can't bring himself to kill it in cold blood, and eventually ends up bonding with it and naming it Leo (another reason I'm considering adding Lestappen - Charles could name him "Leo" as a nod to Max, the one he misses and wants to return home to the most). They work together to survive until, finally, Charles makes it back home. He gets to say goodbye to his father before he passes and reunites with all of his friends, including Max. The story ends with Charles gradually settling into leadership, with Max by his side, and Leo aiding him and ushering in the beginning of wolf domestication.

Admittedly, this current loose outline sounds more Lestappen-centric than Charles-and-Leo-centric, but I promise that the bulk of the actual story will be about Charles and Leo! They spend a lot of time on their own in the wilderness, so they'll have lots of time to bond and have adventures before Charles sees another person again. Leo is gonna take his role as "man's best friend" very seriously!

There are some other little details and ideas I'm still pondering too, but I think the most important one for now is that yes, I am including Norrix in this AU! It'll be a bit more in the background since the story is meant to focus on Charles' journey, but it will undeniably be there. Lando is part of Charles' tribe and is the tribe healer, having trained as a healer when he was too small to join the other boys in hunting and fighting as a kid, though he has since filled out significantly and he is a great fighter should the need arise. Martijn sticks with Max when he defects from his father's tribe because he's his friend, and honestly because he doesn't like Max's dad either, and meets Lando when they first return to Charles' tribe. They meet, more or less instantly fall in love, and live happily ever after. :) (Well, as happily ever after as they can get in the Stone Age, anyway.)

[mk-photographer]

Bison Paddock, Golden Gate Park San Francisco August 2024

[cedarboughs]

Good lord. I’ve done a whole longer hike before getting finished with the writing for this one. The goal for this week then is to finish writing about this trip and the next one before the big end-of-summer trip that this is all training for.

Hiking Journal: Waterton Lakes NP,

Bauerman/Blakiston Valleys Loop Part IV, July 25

The start of the last day was amazing. It was mostly downhill but first we had to climb a couple hundred metres over the Bauerman Divide. Riding above Twin Lakes while the sun was still low on this morning when (finally!) snatches of cloud were drifting in, I mean, just look at it.

And appreciate the silhouette of this larch. I love a good larch.

Descending into Blackiston Valley, though, we re-entered the Kenow Burn looking worse than I’d yet seen it. Maybe it’d burned again more recently. Nothing grew here, nothing lived here, and everything blackened fingers to the touch. No leaves rustled or needles swished; the only sound was the whistle of wind through stark black spars.

It was hard not to sink into climatic despair and unhelpful anger hiking through this section. A descent into Mordor, as the downhill seemed, called to mind the immutable power of latter-day Saurons.

But the lower valley proved the wisdom of hope by showing the power of succession. I think it was indeed a less recent burn down there, because here the reseeded chest-high lodgepole pines grew thick as grass.

Lower Blackiston Creek flows over very pretty steps of red argillite.

Lower still, it was a bit of culture shock coming from the backcountry into the busy tourist trail to the steel balconies, moulded all over into the beaver crest of Parks Canada, of the very developed Blackiston Falls overlook. People are walking in crocs? Where are their 30-pound packs? Is this allowed?

We got out before lunch somehow and went to get hot dogs in Waterton town. Finally, though I don’t have a very good photo of it, on the way out of the park we came across an example of succession and reclamation I never expected to see. In the prairie portion of the Park, they maintain a wide enclosed paddock of natural grassland, and within that area, a small herd of bison roam in if not the number then seemingly much the way that they would have two hundred years ago, before genocide-driving colonial hunting ended their reign as makers and kings of the continental interior. This is a bit of what Niitsitapi must have looked like for untold ages long before my time.

In sum total, four days, three nights camping, ~50 km, and almost 1900 m climbed vertically. Lessons from the trail: nature renews. We can help.

[bitchinbarzal]

4. "You have not bought the dog a Christmas jumper have you?"

Ryder and Lennon but the jumper is for any animal other than a dog.

Lennon was used to Ryder coming home with random animals and purchases.

Just last month he bought a RAV4 because “the goat needs comfort when being moved paddock”

So when she got home from the hospital to find what looked like a Christmas blanket on the table she inspected it to find holes

“Hey Ry, this blanket has holes in”

Ryder pops his head through the doorway “Oh yeah… that’s not a blanket”

She frowned “Then what- Ryder Paul Barzal you have not bought the freaking bison a Christmas jumper”

He’d mentioned it earlier in the week but Lennon brushed it off

“But Lenny, he could get cold!”

“Ryder he’s an animal!”

Ryder pouted “Fine but if he gets frostbite I’m blaming you”

[webuiltthiscity]

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. I went there (this was in late April) expecting to see tons of cherry blossoms, but there was nary a one! I saw more over by the Bison Paddock.

[dream-world-universe]

Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada

National park

Waterton Lakes National Park is in southern Alberta, Canada, bordering Montana’s Glacier National Park. It’s known for its chain of lakes, including the large Upper and Middle Waterton lakes, flanked by the Rocky Mountains. The Red Rock Parkway crosses the prairie to the small Red Rock Canyon. Bison graze near the Bison Paddock Loop Road. In Waterton village, a pathway offers close-up views of Cameron Falls.

Address: Waterton Park, AB T0K 2M0, Canada

Established: 1895

Area: 505 km²

Province: Alberta

Management: Parks Canada Agency

Phone: +1 403-859-5133

Visitors: 402,542 (in 2012/13)

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

[hockeymusicmore]

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A post shared by Helping Hands Healing Sanctuary 501c3 (@helpinghandshealingsanctuary)

[regencyconstructionba]

Experience the Perfect Blend of Nature and Culture: Discover Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Park provides a serene retreat in the bustling heart of San Francisco, CA. Spanning over 1,000 acres, this iconic green space offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and cultural enrichment. Whether you’re seeking peaceful moments in nature, engaging cultural experiences, or fun recreational activities, Golden Gate Park delivers something special for every visitor.

A Natural Oasis Amid Urban Life

Golden Gate Park serves as a sanctuary for those looking to escape the city’s fast pace. Its diverse landscapes include tranquil meadows, sparkling lakes, and dense woodlands, offering countless opportunities to connect with nature. Visitors can wander through the serene Japanese Tea Garden, admire the vibrant floral displays in the Conservatory of Flowers, or explore the expansive Botanical Garden. Each area provides a distinct perspective on the park’s lush surroundings.

The park’s beauty transforms with the seasons. In spring, colorful blossoms fill the air with fragrance, while autumn brings warm hues that blanket the park in gold. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy spotting native birds, playful squirrels, and fluttering butterflies throughout the year. This peaceful urban haven remains a beloved destination for both locals and tourists in San Francisco, CA.

A Cultural Treasure Trove

Golden Gate Park is more than just a natural wonder; it’s also a hub of culture and creativity. The park is home to world-renowned institutions like the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, which offer immersive exhibits and interactive experiences. From fine art to scientific discoveries, these attractions provide endless opportunities for learning and inspiration.

In addition to its museums, the park features outdoor sculptures, historical monuments, and performance spaces. These elements celebrate the artistic and cultural heritage of San Francisco, CA, making the park a vibrant destination that blends recreation with enlightenment.

Endless Activities for All Ages

Golden Gate Park offers a wealth of activities to suit every interest. Nature lovers can paddle a boat on Stow Lake, hike through scenic trails, or relax in the open meadows. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the park’s bike paths, jogging routes, and spaces for yoga or tai chi.

For families, the park provides playgrounds, a bison paddock, and a variety of kid-friendly events. Seasonal festivals, live concerts, and community gatherings create a lively atmosphere, ensuring that every visit feels unique and memorable.

From its picturesque landscapes to its rich cultural offerings, Golden Gate Park remains a must-see destination. It embodies the diverse and dynamic spirit of San Francisco, CA, providing a perfect balance of relaxation, exploration, and inspiration.

[nfornaomi]

We spent a long weekend in Waterton and it was perfection! The weather, the views, the cottage, and the BEAR SIGHTING!!! I'll share the bear video in another post, but let's just say watching two cubs play while a mom is loitering nearby (from the safety of our car) was super cool.

We saw plenty of bison at the bison paddock, hiked Bear's Hump (short but sweet), walked Red Rock Canyon and Blakiston Falls, and enjoyed excellent barbecue dinners from our comfy cottage. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[panphilosopher]

Golden Gate is bigger than Central Park, and we have a Bison paddock.

[comesaturdaymorning]

Bison Paddock, Golden Gate Park

[gracefree]

Grass by Tim-99sign

[gallusrostromegalus]

What was the first softest thing you’ve petted?

Every (non-pandemic/on fire) year in Estes Park there is a Fiber Festival for all manner of natural fibers- cotton, bamboo, silk, flax, and every animal you can get wool from- all manner of sheep, chashmere goats, angora rabbits, yaks, bison, llamas, Alpacas and the Softest Pettable Animal Known To Man, the Paco- Vicuña :

Now, I have to specify “Pettable” up there because the actual Softest Animal is the Wild Vicuña, skittish and rare cousin of the llama and alpaca, but it does not take to being ranched from it’s high-strung prey animal temperment.  People have herded and shorn them since the time of the Inca, but the process involves several hundred to a thousand people spread over a massive and unforgiving mountain range herding the animals into funnel-shaped paddocks to be shorn and released, but this is rather stressful for everyone involved and only producess about a pound of wool per animal, which is a... very small harvest for the effort.  Prior to the hybridization of the Paco-Vicuña though, Vicuña wool was worth significantly more than it’s weight in gold.

So some Vicuña were cross-bred with the much more personable and fluffier Alpaca, to create the Paco-Vicuña, who has only slightly less soft hair and is MUCH more chill. The wool of the  Vicuña and Paco-Vicuña is firstly, incredibly fine with an average hair diameter of  12μm (micrometers). For comparison, a human hair is about 80-100μm, and a red blood cell is about 7μm.  Now, chinchillas have probably the finest individual hairs at 1μm, but I rate the  Paco-Vicuña as Softer because of the way the hairs are distributed on the animals-

Chinchillas have the finest hairs, but also the densest coats, with about 20,000 hairs per square inch, so petting one has an extremely distinctive texture to it, ridiculously soft but almost chunky like breaking up a moss clumps because the hairs compact so tightly in places to protect the animal.  It’s a marvelous texture and I highly reccomend petting one if you ever have the chance.

The Paco-Vicuña on the other hand, surpasses mere “Softness” and attains the texture Nirvana of barely posessing ‘Thingness’ at all.  A  Paco-Vicuña’s wool has a crimp to it that makes it’s coat light, trapping warm (or cool) air next to the animal’s skin to protect it from the extreme cold and heat of the high Andes mountains, which is how you can shear a whole animal and only end up with a pound of wool.  Petting one is a Psychological expirience because you can watch your hand vanish into the animals thick coat but the fur is so fine and light the sensation barely registers in your brain that you’re touching anything at all, until you’re wrist-deep in this gentle animal’s fur as it chews alfalfa and maybe makes a soft ‘meep?’ of confusion at you, and the fur it finally so dense that it stops your progress and you cannot touch the animal, but STILL, it barely feels like you’re touching anything at all so it almost feels like you’re being very politiely stopped from skritching this animal by some sort of force field, rather than petting an animal.  100/10 would confuse the shit out of my sensory processing centers and get meeped at again.