Elk, Eagles and Deb Owl!

June 18, 2019

It is not often that you can wake up and find a herd of elk lying around your campsite, but that is what happened this morning.  Five elk; four young adults and a larger female laying in the shade, their big ears flapping at the horseflies and mosquitoes. One young elk, had an itchy back so it went over to the hitch of a fifth wheel trailer and rubbed its spine on the hitch.  I spoke to the man inside later, and he said he could feel the trailer swaying back and forth as it scratched its back. 

Today’s plan is to go kayaking on a series of lakes called Hanging Hearts lakes.  The lakes are a favorite for anglers as they are stocked with pickerel and jack fish. The sun was shining and we wanted to leave early as the weather report predicted that the winds would be increasing in the afternoon.  

We were in the water by 9:30, and the lake was calm and clear. Several boaters sped by us to their favorite fishing hole.   The paddle was perfect, as we explored the shoreline.  Canada Geese and ducks with their brood of goslings and ducklings paddled through the reeds.

We were fortunate to meet a pelican fishing near the shoreline. We drifted in as closely as it would let us for a photo opportunity.  Loons stood sentry near by, periodically calling out our location.

Early afternoon wind was building around 2:30 so it was time to head back.  We watched a bald eagle carry a large fish onto shore.  The crows took the opportunity to harass it but the eagle stood its ground.  As we approached, it took to the sky, carrying its treasure with it as the crows looked on.

It was a steady tough slug to get back to the put in site and we felt relieved to finally make it back.  We had arranged to host supper for D+J at our campsite so we had to hustle to get back.  Along the way we stopped to watch a brown bear foraging on the side of the road. We stopped at Birch Bay camp to take a quick swim in Waskesiu lake.  The “dip” was a quick dip because Waskesiu is a cold but clean and “refreshing” lake. 

We enjoyed a great supper, barbequed chicken, roast potatoes and salads.  Danny and Judy shared several post cards that they had produced of the Waskesiu area. They have a small business making postcards and bookmarks of favorite scenes of Saskatchewan and many of their creations are sold at the various information and gift stores throughout Saskatchewan.  Of course, Danny ever the historian and jokester, told us the story of Grey Owl.

Grey Owl whose real name was Archibald Belaney was a long term resident of the Waskesiu area.  He was a British immigrant who was a writer, conservationist who lived “off the grid” in the early 1900’s in a cabin on Ajawaan Lake.  After his death it was learned that he was not indigenous. His cabin remains at Ajawaan lake and is still maintained.   

Danny brought some “props” along to supplement his stories and during the stories we christened Debbie as “Deb Owl”.

The evening continued, as did the beer and wine, and soon it was time to see our visitors off on their bicycles to head back to their cabin.

The evening ended with elk trotting through the campsite as we were cleaning up.  Prince Albert National Park, I recommend this park for anyone looking to see Northern Saskatchewan.  It is a well kept secret.