 "The boreal forest is a vast patchwook of interesting and distinctive ecosystems - from aspen forests, jack pine/lichen forests, and old growth spruce/fir forests, to waterlogged peatleands, dry rock outcrops and grasslands."
"The boreal forest region is large and diverse and so is its flora. [...] Many of the common plants of the boreal forest are found from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to the aspen parkland region."
"Plants of the Western Boreal Forest & Aspen Parkland"
Derek Johnson, Linda Kershaw, Andy MacKinnon, Jim Pojar, 1995
Life happens on the edge of the bush where different ecosystems meet. Poplar invade the fields, taking over from the grass, and making room for other plant species to thrive. Field edges are "the" place to go berry hunting in the late summer. In time, the soil is rich enough for the conifers to move up.
There are many animal species that come out and keep the poplars "trimmed". Some of these species are of the right variety to encourage predators to swing by on their route.
And here, on the edge of the bush, you see ... well, maybe not quite everything, but lots.
| White Tailed Deer |
Moose and Elk |
| Black Bear |
Coyotes and Wolves |
| report of Cougar. I've never seen it, but I saw a footprint in the snow once and I'm pretty sure that none of my cat's feet aren't that big. haha |
Ravens live in a spruce tree to the north of the home site. There was an albino raven living in town for a few years. |
| Red Fox |
a pair of Loons live at Lost Lake |
| Bush Bunnies |
Squirrels, Flying Squirrels, Chipmunks |
| Skunk and Porcupine |
Spruce Grouse & Partridges |
| Geese & Ducks |
Woodpeckers |
| Owls, once even a Snowy Owl |
Hawks, especially Red Tailed Hawks |
| Sandhill Cranes nest in the area |
Swans stop nearby on both legs of their migrations |
| and so many different song birds that I can't even start to list them all |
- Trees: Poplar, Spruce, Jack Pine, Larch (Tamarack), Willow
- Edible Berries: Saskatoons, Pin Cherries, Chokecherries, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries
- Flowers: Wood Lilies, Indian Paintbrush, Wild Roses, Goldenrod, Blue-eyed Grass, Fireweed
- Medicinal Herbs: Labrador Tea, Yarrow, Bearberry
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