August 24, 2010

Moving forward in the war against climate change

Posted by celesdavar08 under Climate Change News, Inspiring Stories & Ideas, Interviews-Videos, Audio, Uncategorized | Tags: , |
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Every once in a while,

I see something that really inspires me and makes me want to share it with as many people as possible. With the failure of any kind of comprehensive climate change agreements in Copenhagen last December, many of us were looking for what the next steps could possibly be to address climate change, given the failure of governments.

I have come to the realization that any substantive responses to global climate change are going to come from ordinary citizens, local communities, and the leadership of visionary businesses. Political leaders are driven by political imperatives that are at odds with the time-table for climate change.

In this short, animated film, you will see some inspiring history and solutions for our next steps within which we will be participating in a new low carbon economy. View this and be inspired.

Three practical things emerge for me, from this film:

  1. It’s up to us – not governments, to lead in the war against climate change.
  2. Technology offers us new ways to collaborate and share solutions.
  3. We have the technology and the solutions – we can create the change. Let’s just do it!
 

July 27, 2010

Wheels to ’43 – Backcountry Bicycle Adventure

Posted by celesdavar08 under Area Things To Do & Events, Experiential Travel, Riding Mountain Experiences, Travel experiences in Canada | Tags: , , , |
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There is nothing I love more than a mother who wants to make sure all of her family members are taken care of, during a summer vacation. Particularly, moms who also enjoy exposing her children to the wonders of nature through requesting and arranging for programs, customized specifically for their family.

Family bicycle adventure_Riding Mountain National Park

Today, I had the privilege of taking a family of five (mom and her husband and two kids, and mom’s sister) out on a very special trip that we (Earth Rhythms) have been guiding for over 15 years. Wheels to ’43 is a trip into the heart of the intriguing history of a Prisoner of War Camp (PoW) for German soldiers, that was located in the wilderness of Riding Mountain National Park from 1943 – 45.

This is a good summer physical activity – 11.2 km (7 miles) one way or 22.4 km return; it combines an all-day guided nature trip (identifying wildlife tracks; bird calls; animal scats), with a peek into a cultural and historical event that was very unique in Canada – German prisoner of war camp (PoW), and the opportunity for some unique photography. It helped that we were able to take advantage of the archaeological research that is ongoing in this location.  

We use a variety of interactive tools to help turn this backcountry adventure trip into a memorable experience: Reading stories from historical documents, newspapers, and personal anecdotes from previous prisoners; locating the different buildings that existed onsite from photographs and digital elevation maps; being detectives in “20 questions” to figure out some unique treasures; and walking around the site to discover various archaeological middens, and old wooden canoes carved by the prisoners.

Everyone returned home, feeling the spirit of elk, prisoners of war, and carrying new insights about this unique backcountry historical site. 22 km by bike on a day that was in excess of 27C, and a high Humidex was a great achievement for all who took part in this adventure trip.

Earth Rhythms provides fall backcountry bicycle adventures for families and small groups to photograph wildlife, experience the wilderness, and look for evidence of moose, elk, coyotes and other wild species. Call us at 1.888.301.0030 to book your small group guided day trip into Riding Mountain’s wilderness and experience a fall wildlife immersion!

 

July 24, 2010

Bergamots and Nodding Onions ablaze

Posted by celesdavar08 under Birds, Mammals, Wild Nature, Images of Riding Mountain | Tags: , , , |
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Fire in natural systems is a renewal agent. It’s like having a glass of fresh carrot, beet, ginger and spinach juice. Nutrients are released. The grasslands of Riding Mountain National Park are being carefully restored through the use of fire as an agent of renewal. One of the best places to experience this rejuvenation right now are the Lake Audy grasslands.

Bergamots

Yesterday, as I traveled through the Lake Audy grasslands, getting ready for a family group who will be biking with me next week, I took a few photos of the burst of bergamots, nodding wild onion, and brown-eyed susans that are the more brilliantly coloured representatives that have burst out from this spring’s prescribed burn.

I feel awed when in the presence of this “nature bloom”.  It’s like being up in the Yukon where fireweed glows across hundreds of acres of burned lands. Or, perhaps in Namibia where spring rains bring out the wildflowers. While this bloom is on a smaller scale, it is nevertheless awe-inspring. Perhaps, not the least, because this beautiful shade of bergamot pink is one of my photographing colours. I have been photographing the Riding Mountain area for over 30 years. We provide photo safaris in 4-seasons for travelers to learn to use their digital “point and shoots”, or for seasoned photographers to discover unique locations to photograph nature and wildlife.

Call Celes at Earth Rhythms for a tailor made photo safari at 1.888.301.0030 or email him at celes.davar at earthrhythms.ca

Please take a moment to see the five slides below advance automatically as a slideshow, and revel in the colour pink from the fescue prairies.  

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July 24, 2010

Garbage dumps are an archaeologist’s chocolate

Posted by celesdavar08 under Area Things To Do & Events, Riding Mountain Experiences, Travel experiences in Canada | Tags: , , |
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“Garbage dumps are an archaeologist’s chocolate“. With those words, Adrian Myers, PhD Candidate, with the Department of Anthropology & Stanford Archaeology Centre, Stanford University, gave me and insight to his sense of humour in the midst of a hectic and intense summer field season.

Adrian Myers

Adrian Myers, PhD Candidate at Stanford University holds artifact

Along with a number of other colleagues that forms part of his team, they are mapping, excavating and discovering the archaeological history of the Whitewater Lake prisoner of war camp which existed between 1943-45. Adrian brings a passion for his work, a great sense of humour, and a good understanding of a research methods approach for this kind of research.

Earth Rhythms has been taking groups out to explore Whitewater Lake’s nature and history for over 15 years. It is great to add this archaeological chapter to the story of Whitewater Lake. Thanks to Parks Canada’s support of this research initiative, this story is coming to light in many ways. Our program – Wheels to ’43 – offers a great glimpse into the character of Riding Mountain’s backcountry as well as the spirits of years passed. Using unique interactive methods, this “backcountry experience” becomes fun and informative.

If you are interested in more information about this project, you can find out more at the Whitewater Archaeology Project blog site. Please note that this is a research site, and as such it is a location for learning and research. It is illegal to remove any artifacts from the site.

I enjoyed the bike trip in, realizing what poor physical shape I was in. The next few times will be much better. Please contact Earth Rhythms at celes.davar@earthrhythms.ca or call 1.888.301.0030 if you are interested in a customized (tailor made) trip to learn about the wildlife, history and archaeology of this unique location.

 

May 3, 2010

This colour is sensual

Posted by celesdavar08 under Images of Riding Mountain, Things you should know | Tags: , , |
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There are certain colours that absolutely turn me on! Magenta (like when we have the first light of day and we have that beautiful colour for only a few minutes as reflections in a still boreal lake) and lime green (as in fresh aspen leaves) are two of my favorites.

Aspen leaves_Riding Mountain National Park

Today, I was out checking logistics for a customized GPS Adventure Quest in the townsite of Wasagaming, as well as meeting Lydia Sarna from the Clear Lake Golf Course restaurant, as we all prepare to welcome and provide unique Riding Mountain experiences for one of Rendez-vous Canada’s pre-conference outings in Manitoba. The new experience we will be delivering is called Riding Mountain Natural Wonders & Prairie Roots.

As I was heading home from my sojourns, I noticed the beautiful and subtle colours of fresh aspen leaves just beginning to emerge. I love this colour – there is something poetic and lovely about them. The smell of fresh aspen sap is heady; and, the resilience of these young leaves in the face of the snow showers that were coming down, made me realize how hardy these young leaves are. It’s a bit of a metaphor for Canadians who welcome spring – heady, slightly under-stated, hardy, and ready for a new adventure. We are looking forward to welcoming the world to  Riding Mountain.

 

May 1, 2010

Bees, Bears, Bio-Diesel, and Birds – New Golf Course Management

Posted by celesdavar08 under Inspiring Stories & Ideas, People, News & Views, Sustainability & Riding Mountain, Things you should know, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , |
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It’s been my pleasure to watch Greg Holden and the management team at Clear Lake Golf Course over the last 16 years shift the management regime from a traditional turf management approach to one that integrates all aspects of sustainability into its operations. Today, May 1, 201o, the Globe & Mail featured the Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding Mountain National Park in article about four top “green golf courses” in Canada.

Brain Kendall, author of the article writes..”…All across Canada, courses are dramatically cutting back on the use of water and pesticides, welcoming home birds and animals once regarded as pests, restocking ponds with indigenous fish and coming up with ingenious initiatives to transform the image of a sport long under attack by environmentalists… ” He tees up his article on Canadian environmentally friendly golf courses by featuring Tees With Bees (Bell Bay, Cape Breton); Make Way With Bear (Stewart Creek Golf & C0untry Club, in Alberta’s Bow Valley); Cravings At Clear Lake (Clear Lake Golf Course, Manitoba); and Birdies and Birdwatching (Victoria’s Cordova Bay Golf Course).

Greg won a Manitoba Eco-Network‘s top environmental award in 2009 for the work that they have been doing. And, the Clear Lake Golf Course was also a finalist in last year’s Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s national awards of excellence in the category of “sustainable tourism”.

Earth Rhythms (a Riding Mountain-based learning adventure company) offers a personalized behind-the-scenes electric golf cart experience for small groups by advance reservation.  Turning Green Into Gold – featuring Greg’s stories about thousands of gallons of water saved, innovative gardening tips, use of natural pest fighting agents, an understanding of bio-diesel used in golf course maintenance vehicles, and short excursions to his favorite clipping’s nutrient piles, being at the heart of his “gold compost” resource stream production centre, and seeing some of  innovations in sustainable best practices are featured. This short, 2-hour program will turn your head, inspire you, and hopefully enable you to follow this up with a new appreciation for the history, ecology, and outstanding golf that is offered at Riding Mountain’s Clear Lake Golf Course.

Way to go Greg and team! It seems appropriate to tip our hats to Greg as the new 2010 President of the Canadian Golf Course Superintendent’s Association. This modest leader and pioneer in best practices of sustainable golf course management has much to offer visitors, golfers and the golf industry. He’d be the first to be cautious in handing out advice – but, he is willing to share his own experiences. His are first-class stories of carbon footprint reduction, recycling, and turning waste into resource streams.

An excerpt from this unique “experiential tourism program” will be experienced by 15 international travel buyers from India, China, Japan, the UK and Korea during the first week of May, 2010 as part of Travel Manitoba’s hosting of Rendezvous Canada – an international marketplace for travel buyers of distinctive Canadian experiences.

Clear Lake Golf Course - a Canadian leader in sustainability

 

April 29, 2010

My Experience With Nature

Posted by celesdavar08 under Birds, Mammals, Wild Nature, Interviews-Videos, Audio, Videos | Tags: , , , , |
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Blue-winged teal Riding Mountain National Park

Blue-winged teal swims in marsh pothole

My name is Amanda Walker and I am from Minnedosa Collegiate in Manitoba (Canada) spending the day learning about Earth Rhythms for a Career Preparation course with my school. Today, I had the pleasure to view the nature  and wonderful sights of Riding Mountain National Park. I spent the day with Earth Rhythms president, Celes Davar. This afternoon Celes took me on a wild adventure as we toured the wonderful park, and on our way we were gifted by seeing many of Manitoba’s wildlife citizens. We saw many birds such as “Ring-necked ducks”, “Green-Winged Teals”, “Great Blue Herons”, and Canada Geese, a sight for everyone to enjoy.

Canada goose on nest_Riding Mountain National Park

Female Canada goose hides on nest

Our day made me understand a lot more about nature and appreciate all that beauty Manitoba has to offer. For example, we viewed many of the ponds that surround the park and took time to discover the wildlife among them. I realize that even on a cloudy day in April, Manitoba still has so much to show for itself and that shouldn’t be taken for-granted by anyone; especially those who are honored to live here.

I realized that you can return here many times, seeing wildlife in new places and under different lighting conditions. For example, the evening light on a white-tailed deer feeding in early spring is a site that is quite common within the park.

-By Amanda Walker, Minnedosa Collegiate

Spring Canada geese and white tailed deer in Riding Mountain

Spring Canada geese and white tailed deer in Riding Mountain

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April 5, 2010

Fisher investigates bird feeder

Posted by celesdavar08 under Birds, Mammals, Wild Nature, Images of Riding Mountain, Riding Mountain Experiences | Tags: , , |
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A neighbour – Venton Beatty – from north and east of Erickson, Manitoba recently sent me some photos of a fisher (a member of the weasel family) investigating his bird feeder early this spring.

Fisher climbs poplar

Fisher climbs poplar to get seed from feeder

Fishers are increasingly common in the Riding Mountain National Park area. We have heard about several recent observations including a fisher that boldly came out of the aspen forests and snatched a sleeping elderly cat from its perch on the house deck. Neither the cat nor the fisher live to tell the tale..now, that’s another story!

In communication with Venton, he said ” we noticed it around noon on Friday, March 26 – it seemed to be mainly relaxing and looking around. And spent some time eating sunflower seeds. It stayed for about 20 – 30 minutes…”

As you can tell, it is a tree climber, and is a large cousin to the pine marten. Males are 90 – 120 cm in length (35 – 47 inches). A large, small mammal. They are omnivores and generalists, as this Fisher Wikipedia post will detail.

Thanks Venton, for passing on these images.

Fisher_riding mountain national park

Fisher on top of winter bird feeder

Riding Mountain Photo Safaris: During all seasons of the year, our Earth Rhythms guides will take you out into Riding Mountain National Park for short driving and walking photo safaris, gentle bike photo safaris, and snowshoeing to look for Riding Mountain’s birds, mammals, and evidence of their activities. Do join us!

 

April 5, 2010

Spring migrants arrive

Posted by celesdavar08 under Birds, Mammals, Wild Nature, Things you should know | Tags: , , , |
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Today, my wife and I were out for our daily walk just south of Riding Mountain National Park. Nine Sandhill cranes were calling overhead as they floated on a thermal and a beautiful turkey vulture (our first of this season) tilted in just over the aspens.

Purple finches, dark-eyed juncos and siskens are taking advantage of the last seed at the feeders.

Purple Finch male eating seed

Male purple finch eats seed – arrives in Manitoba April 2010

I video-taped a strikingly handsome (Click on the the link for details about its range, behaviour and its beautiful spring call) Fox Sparrow feeding on the ground. You will hear primarily evening grosbeaks and pine siskens and the chittering of dark eyed juncos in this video. At the end of the short video, I slowed down the tape so that you can see the fox sparrow as it takes off.

Fox Sparrow and Juncos feeding

Fox Sparrow and Juncos feeding

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April 5, 2010

Valdy House Concert Video

Posted by celesdavar08 under Music Concerts & Recordings | Tags: , , , |
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I’ve posted the live Valdy Home Routes House Concert in two segments. Shot in HD video, this house concert in Onanole, Manitoba was sold out, with many folks going down memory lane. Valdy was a part of our growing up, our many years at the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s kid’s stage with our children, and he continues to perform almost 200 live concerts a year.

As you will see in Valdy House Concert – Part 1 and Valdy House Concert – Part 2, the evening was full of new and old songs, audience participation, and lots of great laughter. He is a Canadian treasure and as a fellow folkie on the house concert circuit suggested recently, he should be nominated for an Order of Canada. I agree!

Here is Part  1 of the house concert, to tease you..Enjoy!

 

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