Get Outside

It started with walking my dog on spring mornings through our neighbourhood. We are lucky to live right by a wilderness park — which has its constraints, as it is surrounded on three sides by homes and businesses in the ever-growing city of Calgary, Alberta. However, it is the largest provincial park in Canada that is entirely within the confines of a city. The Bow River runs through the eastern portion of the park; the western portion is quite different, with more coniferous trees. It is denser, quieter, and the bird life is very different.

For as long as I can remember, the Common Loon has created a longing in me for the wild, lonely places of Canada’s north. The Loon’s iconic, haunting call instantly lowers my blood pressure, instantly puts me in the present moment. In the spring, these birds sometimes fly overhead, signalling their presence with that beautiful call. I started to wonder: where do they hang out? Where do they rest? Spend their days? Feed? Nest? So I grabbed the best camera that I had at that time, and my farthest reaching zoom lens, and went to try to find them. I went to every body of water nearby that I could suss out, and I found plenty of birds that back then I could not identify. I started snapping pictures. And then, I upgraded my equipment (because for birds, you either need to be close or you need a really good zoom lens), and a passion was born.

It would be nearly a year before I was lucky enough to photograph my first Common Loon. They remain my favourite bird, but others crowd the top of the list — the Baltimore Oriole, the White Throated Sparrow, the American Wigeon, the Snowy Owl.

It is a trip of a lifetime. A daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, trip that never ends. A journey of discovery and wonder. Of learning to be patient, present, accepting. It is a passion that ensures you will never, ever be bored. And a passion that will get you outside.