Snow Geese !!!

The photo does not show a lot of snow geese - we saw our first ones on the lakes close to the Trans-Canada Highway in Saskatchewan. We did however head up to Quill Lakes, a designated IBA (International Bird Area). The main visitor centre was flooded and inaccessible. In our drive around the lakes bird watching, we did though see thousands and thousands of snow geese flying overhead heading south. I have never seen so many birds at once!

Plains Bison, Grasslands National Park

One of our stops on the lengthy drive back to Toronto was Grasslands National Park in southern Saskatchewan. Our primary purpose was to see burrowing owls, but we were unsuccessful in that regard, even though we scanned almost every black-tailed prairie dog burrow we came across. We did get to see some spectacular landscapes. Very little is left in North America of natural prairie grasslands. Encountered a couple of bull plains bison close up, a breeding herd much more nervous and remaining in the distance.
We stayed two nights in the tiny town of Val Marie close to the western portion of the National Park. Arriving late on a Sunday afternoon our only eating option was to buy   a few burgers at the local kid's rodeo that was taking place in the town ice rink. We were just in time and purchased the last ones available!