Alberta Snapshot: Nature Preserve at Carseland.

This absolutely incredible view is from the top of the Bow River escarpment at the Agrium Nodwell Nature Preserve near Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park in southern Alberta (photo taken in late September). The Preserve was created in 2008 and is comprised of 59 acres of prairie grassland and riparian areas. Best of all, it is fully accessible to the public – foot traffic only, of course!

The Preserve is home to 300 different species of native plants. I’m eager to do some more exploring when the wildflowers are in bloom. An amazing place!

If autumn is in full swing where you are, where do you like to go to take in the spectacular colours? If it’s spring where you live, what favourite flowers are blooming right now?

Posted by:

Sheryl @ Flowery Prose

Sheryl Normandeau is a writer and gardening enthusiast living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in the foothills of the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

42 responses to “Alberta Snapshot: Nature Preserve at Carseland.”

Cathy

October 8, 2015

That really is a lovely view Sheryl. The green plateau beyond and the autumn colours in the valley make for such rich colours and textures, like a tapestry. We have been on the canal again to see the colours change – it is so peaceful on the water and everything looks wilder from water level. 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  “Tapestry” is the perfect word to describe this scene! So glad you have been able to take the time to go out and enjoy the colours on the canal!
  
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apuginthekitchen

October 8, 2015

So beautiful, love the Fall!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Isn’t it such a fantastic time of year? 🙂
  
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geekkat

October 8, 2015

Beautiful!!! love the shot!!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  The view is incredible, that’s for sure!
  
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The Frustrated Gardener

October 8, 2015

Sadly I spend every October in China, so I miss a lot of the English autumn. If I get the chance I like to go to Westonbert or Batsford arboretum and witness the fabulous colours there.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  The arboretums would be amazing to see with all the trees decked out for autumn!
  
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Ogee

October 8, 2015

Stunning. Added to the bucket list. 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  It’s definitely worth a visit! 🙂
  
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arlingwoman

October 8, 2015

What an amazing landscape. I always start trying to figure out the geology–in this case there’s a river involved and I remembered a few lines from the “Two Bit Cayuse” –it was down on the Old Bow River in the year 19 and 1 that I was twisting broncos for F. A. McKew and son… I like to drive into the Shenandoahs or go to Great Falls on the Potomac for color. Still, it’s all over in my own neighborhood.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  I love that you quoted those lyrics! I couldn’t find the original Stan Rogers song on You Tube, but tracked down a version by a singer named Mike Lamont: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAAIICpEN2I. Really fits the feeling of this place…. Thanks so much!
  
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  1. arlingwoman
    
    October 10, 2015
    
    You’re welcome! I think it’s off the From Fresh Water album, but I’ve never seen a video of him doing it. Until I saw your photo, I really had no idea where in Canada the Cayuse was bucking! Thanks for the link, too.
    
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Inger

October 8, 2015

Such an awesome fall scenery. Lovely capture! I had not heard about this preserve before, it is beautiful.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  It’s an amazing place – we’ve been to the campground and the weir many times but never realized this preserve was in the area. A nice treat to find it!
  
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Marilyn Thiessen

October 8, 2015

What an awesome photo Sherry! We used to love camping here at this time of year. The geese honking as they flew over and the beautiful scenery. Pleasant memories.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Thank you, Auntie! We hadn’t camped out at Carseland for years and we so enjoyed the time we spent there this summer and fall. The river has changed so much due to the flood – it’s astonishing to see the transformation.
  
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Stephi

October 8, 2015

Beautiful–so unique it looks like a painting from someone’s imagination

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  It really does look like a painting – the light and the colours were so soft that day. There was some rain to the west and it influenced the light.
  
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Charlie McDonald

October 8, 2015

Nice! I’m looking forward to seeing more images from the preserve 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Thank you so much! I will try to put some more up very soon!
  
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smackedpentax

October 9, 2015

What a superb place – and a beautiful photo too 🙂

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Thanks so much – it’s an amazing place to visit!
  
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KerryCan

October 9, 2015

The colors are so perfect–muted yet so awesome. The maples and other trees are at peak color this weekend in the Adirondacks–and the roads and trails will be packed with leaf-peepers!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  Your maples are incredible in the fall – I can totally understand why people would flock to see them. Amazing colour!
  
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Laurie Graves

October 9, 2015

Very beautiful! Autumn is indeed in full swing in central Maine. As I live in a lovely, rural community of lakes, woods, and fields, I don’t have to go anywhere. The glory is all around me.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  That’s the really special thing – having all that wonder just outside your door!
  
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natuurfreak

October 9, 2015

Wonderful.I likes a sleeping woman in nature.

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clarepooley33

October 9, 2015

Beautiful photo! What a wonderful view! Here, the leaves are showing lovely colours but they aren’t staying on the trees for long as we have had rain and it’s been windy.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  The wind sure works quickly, doesn’t it? It’s been a warm, blustery day today and the trees are giving up all of their remaining foliage. By tomorrow, all the colour will be gone!
  
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  1. clarepooley33
    
    October 11, 2015
    
    Back to bare trees and winter 😦
    
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ontheedgegardening

October 10, 2015

Incredible colours, I would love a winter coat just like that.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  That would be gorgeous!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker

October 10, 2015

The wildflowers must be absolutely stunning here in the spring and summer. It looks as those it must provide a wonderful day of walking.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  I am definitely going to make this site a priority for wildflower hunting next year – I think it will be incredible!
  
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Bill

October 13, 2015

Gorgeous colors in that photo. Looks like a peaceful and beautiful place
It’s beautiful here in southern Virginia. We’re fortunate to have great views here on the farm. One of the best places to take in the colors is from our back porch. They’re the most stunning in the early morning and late afternoon light.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 14, 2015
  
  What a wonderful thing, to be able to sit and relax on the porch and take in such beauty! This is an amazing time of year.
  
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Donna@GardensEyeView

October 13, 2015

Stunning view!

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 20, 2015
  
  It is a fantastic place, I’m so happy we came across it!
  
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Born To Organize

October 16, 2015

Stunning! I love reading about nature preserves. This looks remarkably pristine. I look forward to seeing the spring flowers through your eyes next spring.

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1. Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
  
  October 20, 2015
  
  I have a feeling the colours and variety will be spectacular!
  
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  1. Born To Organize
    
    October 20, 2015
    
    Agreed!
    
    Reply