CHILDREN and NATURE Children's Stories Protecting the Environment Coyote Bull Frog Western Rattlesnake The Tree Jack Pine Nature Pictures Natural World - nature pictures from Alberta, B ritish and Saskatchewan.Backyard Jungle - strange things are living in your backyard garden.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR PARKS Would certainly welcome anyone who would like to join this environmental group. Environmental Principles Promoted 1. Mankind has been given dominion over the other creatures, plants and the earth. This is our God given right and authority. The earth and life on it is for us to use. To use the mineral wealth of the earth. To drill for oil, plant crops, fish, mine and build. To harvest animals for food and clear forests so we can plant crops (Genesis 1:26-31). However, with this authority mankind has also been given the responsibility to dress and keep the earth - not destroy it (Genesis 2:15). To dress and keep means to make it more beautiful and to preserve and protect plant and animal species and protect the environment.
2. Mankind is a part of nature and we need to live in harmony with nature. We are of the earth. There should be no thought of us being the enemy of nature. Nature is not our enemy. Oh yes for sure we need to respect the forces of nature. The mountain eats those who don't respect it. The storm and floods can kill, if you are not careful. Wild animals, like cougars can be vicious and deadly, if not respected and treated cautiously. Living close to nature causes one to have a more humble attitude. For you discover there are powers and forces much, much more powerful than that a little small, frail human being. Living close to nature helps us be closer to the Creator, because we can behold His amazing creative genius. 3. We have very many beautiful parks. More parks are planned, and this is good. It is important to maintain a system of interlacing parks, with wildlife corridors wherever possible. However, sometimes this may not be practical. Portions of all the varied ecosystems should be preserved in their natural state.
4. Conservation and the efficient use of energy. If this is done and encouraged then there will be less environmental damage. There will be more space for other life forms. 5. Another important environmental policy has to do with standard of living expectations. It is folly to think that the whole world can share the same living standards that now exist in this land. If everyone in the world had the same environmental impact as the average person here in Calgary, Alberta - we would need about seven worlds like our own to support them !! Obviously it is a pipedream to think the whole world can live like that. It would be an environmental disaster all around the globe. The current capitalist system in North America is flawed, because it is designed around the concept of unlimited growth and greater and greater consumption. We need a new world model, which is concerned with supplying people's basic physical needs - not their wants. A system that enables people to get a good strong dose of the basics, like clean water, a roof over your head, a job to earn your living and a decent community to live in. People are complex creatures with many needs. 6. This group promotes the establishment of an environmental tax to help preserve the environment. Basically farmers and other land owners would be given a tax break, if they kept a certain percentage of their land in its natural state. If they didn't protect a certain percentage then they would have to pay the going tax rate. There should be incentives for land owners to plant shelter belts, preserve wetlands , and build ponds or dugouts. The key is to preserve sufficient wildlife habitat, particularly wetlands. Then wildlife can flourish. If man intervenes we can actually increase the numbers and diversity of wildlife. More creatures live on the margins of woods and in second growth than in a climax forest for example. Many creatures just love man's fields, as long as there is a place for them to hide, nest and reproduce. There are many other things that can be done like restocking, as long as you have a good habitat for wildlife. 7. This group supports the principle of banning certain harmful chemicals that are now in use, if it can be proven clearly they are seriously harming human health directly or indirectly. Also banning chemicals whose use is causing more harm than good, and which can safely be eliminated from the environment. Promoting the judicial use of certain pesticides and herbicides. Looking for practical and economically viable natural, organic alternatives to the host of chemicals being pumped into the environment and our bodies at this time. We support organic farming. We support looking into imaginative, viable, practical ways of dealing with so-called weeds like dandelions for example, and so-called animal pests. Look at the futile chemical warfare waged against the dandelion ? This chemical battle just makes the dandelion stronger, and poisons us and other useful life forms. The dandelion has many uses, but here in Canada too many humans and their governments are fighting with them instead - and mostly losing. It is a similar story with many other so-called pests. Learn how to use them for our benefit instead. Would welcome anyone giving their suggestions about chemicals in use now, which can safely and economically be eliminated and banned. 8. We promote viable and more healthy alternatives than the use of chlorine in the public drinking water supply here in Canada. Also stopping the use of chlorine in public swimming pools. Would welcome suggestions about what kind of alternatives are better for our health and the environment than putting bleach in our public drinking water.
An excellent example of a shelter belt, and how it traps the drifting winter snow - thus conserving moisture where it is needed. The trees also provide nesting sites for birds and shelter and places of safety for a wide variety of wildlife.
Marsh Marigold
The Tree High, high in the tree, where the wind plays freely, a spruce cone is ripening. The cone slowly opens, and a strong wind scatters the winged seeds over the earth. One seed comes to rest on the deep, rich soil in a forest clearing. In spring it sprouts quickly. The soil is good, there is space and plenty of sunlight. It grows surprisingly fast, and in a few short years establishes itself in the clearing. When mature it is the greatest tree in the woods. Another seed falls in a rocky shaded place. It lies still for a time, waiting. One day in spring after a rain it sprouts. The seedling struggles for life, but the sunlight is blocked by the stronger trees. The soil is poor and rocky, so its roots can't find much nourishment. Yet this is the place God chose for its home. The years pass by, but it stays small and can only grow a few inches each year. It makes due with its place, and is alive, but only barely. One hot summer afternoon a great storm strikes the forest. The lighting flashes, and the winds blow fiercely. The giant spruce, the monarch of the forest, is whipped in the gale. The winds are so strong he is blown down to the earth. The other big trees are also torn down. The little spruce in the rocky place, with the thin soil, finally sees the sun in its full strength. Soaking up the sunlight it becomes stronger, and begins growing faster. Its roots take in more nourishment, because the bigger trees are dead. Slowly it fills out, and grows taller. After many years it grows into a big strong tree. It is the same with men as with trees. There isn't any difference.
Bull Frog This frog inhabits larger bodies of water, particularly in the southern part of our land in central Canada. Few men venture into his watery home. He has been forgotten. ' Bull frogs ! Who cares about them, ' is the reply of many. ' What has a frog got to do with our culture ? They could all die and we would get along just as well without them, ' is the response of quite a few. The bull frog looks at man from his watery home and says, ' Who cares about him. If all men died tomorrow nothing would change. Life in the pond would go on as if nothing happened. What has man ever done for me ? Nothing ! Everything I need I have here in the lake. ' ' So man does not want to hear my song. Who cares ! I sing for my girl friends, not for people. Yes when spring comes I will find a nice big lily pad, and sing the loveliest tune any frog could hear. All those sweet lady frogs will gather around my lily pad. Not many of them can resist my appeal. Yes sir - that is the way to live. ' ' So man doesn't care about me. Well, I really can't be bothered. I have too many more important things on my mind. '
Western Rattlesnake This slithering reptile in found in the southern part of Alberta and Saskatchewan. When disturbed this creature shakes its rattle, which is situated at the end of it's tail. This snake is venomous and highly dangerous. Every creature was made by the Creator for a purpose. God created this snake to scare people, and keep them from being so proud. Also to lend a sense of mystery to the dry, barren, waste places. To make men afraid of these places where the rattlesnake dwells. This was done to create an interest in lands that otherwise might be forgotten.
The coyote is very adaptable and not afraid of man. He is curious, and loves to sneak slyly around mans dwellings in the darkest hours of night. Prowling deceitfully about, catching an unwary cat, or killing a small dog. Lambs and chickens also make good meals. The coyote does not trust man. Dogs make him scared, but he knows almost all of them can't catch him. One of coyote's favourite hobbies is ganging up on man's dog, if the hound is small enough to handle. When the sun sinks in the west, and day turns into night the coyote comes out to play. The coyotes gather together to howl and yap. Throughout the moonlit night their shrill wild howling can be heard.
Jack Pine
Symbolic of the evergreen forest. Jack pines prefer sandy soil. They appear to gang up against other trees and push them out. Once jack pines are established in an area, other trees have a hard time competing. Blue berries like to grow among jack pines. Take a walk in the pine forest on a windy day. The jack pines will sing to you a whispering melody. What does their song mean ? Well the best thing is to go out there for a hike all by yourself, and you will know how it feels and what their music means.
Nature Pictures Stream Bed
Cedar in Bloom
Muskrat in a swamp
Goldenrod Crab Spider on Galardia
Mountains - Mirror Lake and Lake Louise
Alpine Plant
Pika
Hover Fly
Kootenay Lake, B.C.
Waves on Shore of Kootenay Lake
Chinook Clouds
Wasp or Hornet's Nest
Prairie Lily
Cow parsnip and corral
Fairy slipper
Horse Chestnut leaves
Forest Fires Chisholm Forest Fire
This is not one of my own original pictures. This picture of the Chisholm, Alberta forest fire was downloaded from the internet. The fire was man-caused and began on May 23, 2001 about 100 miles north of Edmonton. Forest fires started by lightning are responsible for about 85% of the forest area burned each year in Canada.
August 2009 - the area burned by the Chisholm forest fire of May 2001 is growing back - with new, young growth. This is 8 years after the fire went through this particular area.
One year after forest fire in Kootenay National Park, British Columbia.
" What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the
breath Crowfoot (1830 - 1890) Blackfoot warrior and orator
Natural World
Columbia Valley Wetlands and the Rocky Mountain Trench Mountains - the changing faces and moods of the mountains. Bowmont Park - a park in N.W. Calgary, Alberta along the Bow River. Fish Creek Park - pictures from Fish Creek, an Alberta Provincial Park in South Calgary.. Lake Louise - pictures from Lake Louise and surrounding area in Banff National Park. Nose Creek - nature pictures from around the creek.
Winter and Snow - pictures of snow and winter scenes from Southern Alberta. Backyard Jungle - strange and wonderful pictures of nature in our Southern Alberta backyard. All photos (unless otherwise clearly stated) are original pictures, taken, built, edited and owned by Ray Wegner and his kids. Copyright Nature Pictures Amphibians, Fish and Water Mammals Birds: Low Bush Berries and Tame Mushrooms Mammals
Trees:
CHILDREN'S STORIES Once upon a time long ago the animals ruled the earth. The humans were few, and only were armed with clubs and weak arrows. However, the people began taming certain creatures for mans use like the chicken, cow, horse, pig, sheep, goat, cat and above all the dog. With the support of these captured beasts mankind's population grew and humans soon ruled the earth. This worried the beasts, so they all sent representatives to a great animal convention. On a cool summer evening down by the river they met. The chickens complained of being forced to lay too many eggs. ' We want to raise children, but the farmer keeps taking the eggs away, ' clucked the worn out hens. ' The farmer just milks me dry each day,' mooed the cow. ' They take my babies away and eat them. When I get old the farmer sells me to the butchers. ' ' All I get to eat is slops ' grunted the pig. ' I'm not allowed to root in the earth , or roll in the mud enough. It's just that stinky little pen day after day. ' The howls, whines, squawking, bawling, grunting and growling against the humans grew louder and louder. ' I've had it ! ' whinnied the horse. ' It's nothing but work, work, work day after weary day. After all my labour in the fields the humans fence off the crops, so I can't eat them. They eat the best and only feed me hay with a little oats. When I am old and cannot work anymore ....... it's the glue factory for me ! ' The donkey and water buffalo agreed with the horse. The complaints against mankind grew louder and louder. Only the dog remained strangely silent. The house cat didn't seem to care one way or the other. She remained snugly curled up on the leaves soaking up the last warm rays of the sun, and purring. Finally the lion the King of the beasts stood up and ROARED. ' It is clear, ' he growled. ' We have had enough. The humans are getting too strong. Once we were all free. Now many of our brothers and sisters are slaves, like cow and horse. I the LION still rule a great animal kingdom. It is time mankind was stopped in their tracks. If we leave them alone they will fill the earth. We will all become their slaves, and have only a few little patches of wilderness in which to live. It is time for revolution ! ' As he roared the lion became more and more excited. The animal assembly began snorting, hooting, mooing, screeching, hissing and howling their support for the King. The house cat, however, softly and quickly slunk into the twilight. The dog remained strangely silent with a worried look on its face. The Lion the King of the Beasts called to the birds. ' Go fly swiftly and call upon all animals to fight the humans. Go Falcon and spread the news, ' the Lion ordered. So the animals revolted against humans that day. Chickens, goats and pigs escaped to the forests. Horses began stomping and kicking people and broke into the lush crops. Bulls and cows gored farmers with their horns and took over the green pastures. Lions, tigers, crocodiles, bears and hyenas attached and ate people. Eagles carried off tiny unprotected babies. Elephants went on wild rampages destroying whole villages. They stomped humans and tossed them in the air with their trunks and tusks. The people fought back, but there were more animals. The beasts were very angry. Clubs, spears and weak arrows were no match for claws, hooves and sharp teeth. The animals had won, and once again ruled the world. The humans escaped to the hills where they lived in caves. After a long, long time to celebrate their great victory the beasts again sent representatives to a great animal convention. On a cool summer evening down by the river they met. However, instead of only one hound coming a very large pack of dogs showed up. They began growling, snapping their teeth, and demanding the lion step down and let them run the meeting. In the distance, smoke curling up from the campfires of a tribe of humans. Some dogs wore collars. Others carried bones from the camp. The dogs were sleek and well fed, not like the skinny coyote. Clearly the dogs had never gone along with the animal revolution, but had remained attached to their human masters. It was the beginning of a great split in the animal kingdom. ................... to be continued. Copyright September 2001 Ray Wegner
' We don't want any of your revolution, ' the dogs barked at the lion and the animal assembly. ' The only freedom you offer us is the freedom to starve in the wilderness, ' they growled. ' The humans give us plenty to eat. A warm fire to sleep beside. And all we need do is bark a little, play with their children, and listen to the master. ' ' Ah hah ! Listen to the master ! ' yipped the coyote. ' You dogs have sold your freedom for a bunch of bones. I the coyote am free. Nobody tells me what to do. ' ' Yes - free to suffer and starve, ' replied the dogs. ' Look how skinny you are coyote, compared to us well fed dogs. And we live longer than you, because our lives are easier. ' ' We agree with the dogs, ' bleated the sheep. ' Since revolting against man us sheep have had a hard life. We may be free, but our lives are in constant danger, and we often go hungry. We had it better then. ' The cow mooed her support. ' The humans may milk us dry, but at least they wait until we are old before doing away with us. Now on the grasslands, my life is in constant danger, and there is not a single minute of contentment. When us cattle lived with humans we had a quiet peaceful life. We lay under the shade of the big poplar trees , chewing the cud and were content. Now we must worry about every smell and noise in the woods. Our little ones and elderly are constantly torn and eaten by the wolves. We had it better before. ' ' The dogs, sheep and cow are right, ' snorted the pig. ' Our lives are very short, but at least with the humans it was less cruel than in the forest. Then we always had plenty to eat, but now we must scrape and root about all day to stay alive. Most of our babies are devoured by predators, and never get a chance to grow up. It's better to die well fed than to be eaten alive by hungry lions and hyenas. ' The chickens, ducks, geese, and goats joined in the chorus. ' We want to return to the humans. Our lives were better before, ' they cried. ' Stop this nonsense, ' shrieked the eagle. ' Life is more than food. I fly free high in the sky. What good is life if I can't be master of the sky ? Do you dogs expect me to live like a chicken, cooped up in some farmers pen ? ' ' Eagle is right, ' sniffed the jackrabbit. ' It is true coyote and owl try to catch and eat me. But I hide in the grass, and have powerful legs. Who wants to live in a cage ? ' So the animals argued back and forth all night long. The sky was becoming light in the east. ' Porcupine, what do you think ? ' asked the Lion. ' Hmmm - let me think it over a bit. ' ' Well come on Porky, ' snapped the King. ' You have had all night to think it over. ' ' Okay, okay don't rush me - these things have to be well thought out first, ' said porcupine. ' Come on, hurry up. The sun is about to rise, ' pleaded the impatient Lion. ' It is almost daylight and it is time we made some decisions, ' the Lion said. ' What do you think Robin ? ' ' Well, why not learn to live with humans and in the wilderness ? ' chirped the bird. ' I am at home in the humans front yard, or far away in the deep, deep forest. ' ' Robin is right, ' cawed old Crow. ' There is a good life to be had in mans fields. But just keep your distance and watch out, for them humans can't be trusted. ' ' Right on ! ' said Raccoon. ' Those humans can change quickly. You can't trust them, but humans aren't really as clever as us animals think. Actually people are easy pickings. They even feed us ! Take what you can get is my motto. ' Squirrel barked out his agreement with Raccoon. ' Humans feed me in the park. The dogs sometimes chase me, but are so well fed they never catch me. Learn to adapt and take what you can is my motto, ' said Squirrel. ' I think we should always stay free, ' snarled the Lion . ' It is better to die of starvation in the wilderness, then of old age in a zoo. ' ' No way ! ' howled the dogs. ' Life is much better with mankind. ' The hyena could stand it no longer and jumped into the argument. ' You dogs are just a pack of boot licking wimps ! ' - the Hyena howled very angrily and wildly. ' Life is a struggle. It's a jungle and one must fight and be tough to survive. You dogs suck up to the humans. You get them to fight your battles for you. You wouldn't last one day on the grasslands with me and Lion ! We would eat you for supper ! The jackals and vultures would fight over the scraps of your dead bodies. ' ' Well, come on tough guy. Let's see what you can do ! ' the dogs yapped and snapped at Hyena. ' I've had enough with these yappy dogs ! ' - the Lion ROARED , as he sprang towards the pack of hounds ready to devour them. Hyena joined Lion in the fight. The dog pack quickly surrounded them, growling fiercely. They bravely bit and tore into Lion and Hyena trying to scare them off. The dogs had them outnumbered and were slashing and swirling around them viciously. Lion had to think fast. He went straight after the top dog and his mate, ignoring the others. He and Hyena cornered the top dog and his mate, and ripped them to pieces. As their two leaders lay dead the other dogs quickly scattered, running off to the humans camp, followed closely by the cow, pig, chickens, horse, sheep, goat, and other animals, who thought life was better with mankind. Meanwhile the house cat had been nervously watching everything. ' Make a decision now, ' snarled Lion. ' Whose side are you on ? ' he demanded. ' Well, I can survive in both worlds, ' mewed the frightened house cat. But if you insist on a decision then I'll choose to live with the humans. In the day I can snooze beside the warm stove, and at night roam about free. ' Then ' Get ' growled the Lion, as he gave the house cat a swat with his powerful paw. ' The traitors have deserted us ! ' he bellowed to the remaining animals. ' The humans will now get stronger and stronger, because the dogs, cows, chickens, pigs, horses, sheep and other slave like animals have joined them , and will work for them. Come let us live our lives of freedom. ' The animals who do not trust mankind, and who do not beg for people's favours followed the Lion into the forest. All was still. ' I have come to a decision, ' moaned the Porcupine. But all the other creatures had long left the meeting. ' Why is everyone always in such a rush ? ' - hummed Porky to himself. ................... to be continued Copyright December 2001 Ray Wegner
Mailing Address Ray Wegner P.O. Box 475 Stn. Main Calgary, Alberta T2P-2J1 E-mailAll photos (unless otherwise clearly stated) are original pictures, taken, built, edited and owned by Ray Wegner and his kids. Copyright This web site built, designed, and owned by Ray Wegner .
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