Writing on Stone Rodeo… and the saga of the hawk.

We have had such great experiences with the Patricia Rodeo, it just seemed all too convenient to pop along to our local rodeo at Writing-on-Stone on August 5th 6th and 7th…the 55th year of this unique and beautiful rodeo. The largest amateur rodeo in Canada this year and the only rodeo held in a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Writing-on-Stone is a unique and beautiful Badlands landscape just 25 minutes east of the spot we now call home. There have been previous notable visits to the park. Our first visit in Sept 2022,(click). The second visit in snow cover in November 2022 (click) , and then a return visit with Emily in January 2023 (click)

An amateur rodeo, if you can find one, is totally worth the visit. It’s always a treat to watch the skill of the people and the animals.

First a bit of roping……

Then some broncs……

Sometimes…..in less than eight seconds……it goes from looking pretty good…….to all coming unglued……!!

…and then those terrific pick-up guys are there to do their thing and make sure no people or animals are hurt…….

……..there is always something strangely compelling about watching someone go face first in the dirt……then pick themselves up and be all ready to do it again.

As the light started to fade, they started the barrels races……not for the faint of heart…. those guys move fast….

The additional draw this year was ostrich racing…….now who can resist a bit of ostrich racing…..really…!!! Herding them proved more than a little trying for the pick-up guys more used to four legged participants.

Unfortunately they were mostly too far away to get shots of the people actually riding the ostriches……suffice to say…it was ‘gripping’……LOL…

The added adventure to the day happened as we were leaving to head out to the rodeo. As we approached the end of the driveway we found this poor fellow hanging on the fence.

He is a juvenile Swainsons Hawk, completely trapped on the barbed wire with a barb of the wire fence buried in his shoulder. We could not leave him there, but we had neither the equipment nor knowledge to help him…..after a quick turnaround and speedy drive over to the neighbours for help….

Andrew has had experience with injured birds in the past…..and more importantly he had welding gloves….!!!

After a bit of surgery with wire cutters, forceps and a bit of determination….he was, as gently as possible, removed from his entanglement. Isn’t he magnificent…!!!

Carefully wrapped and put into a box to protect and keep him calm, we arranged for the Birds of Prey Sanctuary in Coaldale to take him and.. hoped…..allow him to heal and be released.

Unfortunately, his wing turned out to be too badly damaged……so he will remain at the sanctuary and live out his life there.

Birds of Prey in Coaldale (click), just slightly east of Lethbridge is a truly wonderful place. When we took the bird up the next morning, they took him in and let us have a visit through the facility. The bald eagles flight demonstration was absolutely incredible…these birds are amazing creatures. We had the opportunity to hold some burrowing owls. Such sweet little beasties……and it’s like having a tiny piece of fluff on your hand (with big talons..!!)…they weigh almost nothing….

This sanctuary for injured raptors receives no government funding, so if any of you out there are looking for a worthy cause to make a donation to these guys have a sponsor a bird program as well as other ways to support the centre. Definitely a recommendation if you are in the area looking for an amazing experience, open Victoria Day to Labour Day.

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