This morning, I left the open plains of Saskatchewan after sleeping NE of Regina. As I drove north, small clusters of trees started appearing, mostly Aspen. As the day wore on, the trees increased in extent and I watched the species compositon change. The Birch forest came next (and there is nothing so striking as two jet black Ravens sitting together in a white birch tree covered with golden leaves). The trees then transitioned into the standard dense continuous boreal forest.
(Birch Trees in the Fall)
On the plains, I observed thousands of Snow Geese in the fields and flying south overhead. There are hundreds of small ponds, streams and lakes here, most still holding huge numbers of waterfowl (including Redhead Ducks, now a rarity in my area). The temperature is cool in the morning and almost hot in the afternoon. In terms of weather, there is certainly no obvious need to vacate the area as yet. It is quite pleasant here at this time of year, although there are constant reminders that winter is approaching.I saw lots of road-killed raccoons, two porcupines, several skunks an even a mink dead along the roadsides. Strange way to get to know the local mammals. As I moved into the boreal forest areas, Red-tails showed up everywhere. Remarkably, I have seen only one American Kestrel on the entire trip. Most have probably moved south by now.
These deep peregrines seem to ride the end of the seasons. They left Chile late, arrived in the Arctic late, and have left the Arctic late. Several peregrine people have noted their late depatures. Many of us generally thought they were out of the Arctic in late August or early September. Wrong on that one. These tagged falcons continue to teach us.
