There’s a calendar hanging in my home. Inside, there are 12 outstanding wildlife scenes, all captured by elite Canadian photographers. There are pages featuring mammals, marine life, the birds and the bees. But it’s more than gorgeous pictures; it’s a route to support the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and its mission to conserve Canada’s wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all.
It’s the CWF’s belief that Manitobans, along with fellow Canadians, should be able to enjoy the outdoors, and all it has to offer, through gardening, hiking, fishing, canoeing, camping, birdwatching, swimming, wildlife photography and so much more.
Manitoba has plenty to offer the wildlife photography enthusiast.
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The CWF has been at the forefront of wildlife-related conservation education for over 50 years. Since it was established in 1962, it has touched on subjects such as connecting Canadians to nature, maintaining healthy wildlife populations and conserving and restoring wildlife habitat.
Manitoba’s conservation history goes yet deeper still. Established in 1944 (18 years before the national organization), the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) has become the oldest and largest conservation organization in the province. The MWF counts nearly 15,000 members in 100 affiliate clubs, and represents the interests of local hunters, anglers, trappers and sport shooters.
The size of the organization should, perhaps, not be surprising. Manitoba is a province with a lot of opportunity for that kind of activity.
Distinguished by its parks, lakes, and rivers; its thousands of acres of wilderness and forests that boast wonderful scenery; its great hikes and hundreds of kilometres of canoe routes, Manitoba is to be celebrated.
The social media page YourCanada reads that Manitoba is known as the “land of 100,000 lakes. It is one of the sunniest provinces, and its untouched wilderness guarantees the nature lover a spectacle of organic life.
As a youngster, I remember visits to Lake Audy to view the bison, or Riding Mountain National Park for a picnic lunch and to view the bears, deer, and other animals that allowed family togetherness in a natural setting. Watching my father carefully not disturbing a family of foxes on a pile of wooden telephone poles showcased his passion for wildlife. From a youth to adult, my interest only grew in photography — the aim to shoot and capture a wildlife species, metaphorically speaking, without the aspect of the “hunt.”
Today, my interest is alive and well. The Shoal Lake area is home to more than just deer. Moose are popular, as are elk. I vividly remember the first time I spotted a yearling moose prancing along Highway 10 near Onanole. I slammed on my vehicle brakes, grabbed the camera and clicked away. It wasn’t an elusive bull moose with massive antlers, but the discovery put forth an exciting target, and one I never photographed prior.
I have had the opportunity to photograph those ugly turkey vultures, bald eagles, Canada and snow geese, mallard ducks and a host of backyard birds, including the pesky blue jay. This winter I was elated to spot, view and photograph, Manitoba’s provincial bird — the great grey owl – sitting proudly on top of a tree, along Highway 10 just south of Onanole. The majestic one struck a chord. It was an achievement I, as a photographer, had wanted to take pride in for quite some time.
As a nature lover, I don’t walk the meadows or scour the tree lines by foot, but should special moments arise, thanks to a view from the windshield, I gladly accept the privilege. It’s like a cat-and-mouse game; sometimes the friendly foes accept each other’s company, and other times the four-legged or winged species have other plans. Either way, the view is vibrant, spectacular and cherished, as nature never goes out of style.
