Sagebrush ChroniclE Review -Grasslands Naturalists

Wildlife, Landscapes, and Geology : Alberta and Saskatchewan Touring Guide by Dale Leckie PhD

When asked if I knew of this author and if I would do a review of it. I said I didn't but I would do a review. Upon flipping though it the pages looked familiar and that was because I already had a copy of his earlier book The Scenic Geology of Alberta. Blame my not recognizing his name on my memory, or lack thereof and not a reflection upon his work.

First I wish to state what this book is not a field guide to geology and geography like the previous work was and it is not a field guide to identifying the wildlife in the two provinces. Instead it is a guide to identifying and understanding some of the unique landforms within the region, the characteristic life forms in those landforms and the relationships between the climate, geology, morphology flora and fauna within them.

Like most good books covering large diverse area this book introduces the reader to the ecozones of Alberta and Saskatchewan. From there it explores the westernmost one that includes our Rockies. As stated above this is not a guidebook to all the wildlife of the ecozones, a book like Ben Gadd's Handbook of the Canadian Rockies covers that subject. Instead this is a book telling its readers on not only the where but also the why certain species are often spotted at particular locations. Larger species such as Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats as well as smaller and more secretive ones such as Marmots and American Dipper are discussed including exact spots where they can often be spotted. Even the seasonal abundance of species migrating through the area like the Golden Eagle in terms of the weather and topography are explained.

The explanations throughout this book are enhanced by drawings, paintings, photographs and lots of maps. The reader may learn not only what the species looks like but the appearance if its habitat and the processes involved did the creation of that habitat.

The next section is the rolling parries. At this point I wish to add that the biogeographic history is presented. So is the last ice age and its associated glaciations, the abatement of that glaciation and the repopulating of the area are presented in an easy to understand format with sufficient depth of the topic. This section tells the story of not only the grasslands but also the prairie potholes, sand dunes, lakebeds, and rivers. Again the range of species covered goes from the Pronghorn to the Ord's Kangaroo Rat, from the Bison to the Plains Spadefoot Toad and from the Snow Goose to Burrowing Owl.

Again the specific habitat requirements of each species is explained and exact locations that provide the reader with excellent chance to observe said animals plus why and how this habitats came into existence with diagrams', photos and drawings and paintings. Now is as good a time as any to state that this book is also a very lovely book just to look at. For anyone that wishes to explore this region there are also maps of mostly North-South Highways showing the ideal spots for viewing the wildlife, landscape and geology mentioned in the book. For Grasslands members the most interesting map included is the one for Highway 41 from the American border to the North Saskatchewan River at Elk Point.

This is not a book that will assist you in determining if a bird you have spotted is a robin or a Canada goose. It is a book that will guide you to particular locations or location types in search for species that utilize that kind of habitat or in planning a trip into a landform or habitat and knowing what to look for. And understanding the time of day or year that you might encounter a member of that species, And to understand the geological and climatic conditions that lead to the existence of that habitat in the first place. It is also a book that will help you plan trips in Alberta or Saskatchewan to maximize the variety of landforms and habitats you can encounter on that trip. It may not be a book for everyone however it is an excellent interdisciplinary volume for understanding, appreciating and experiencing the geology, geography, wildlife and the interaction they have on one another and to appreciate the natural beauty that exist in the subject area.

Ivan M Shukster