Where the moose and the antelope play.

Woodlawn Campground, Estevan (2 stars)

Off to explore west of Esteven, first to see what's up with the elevator at Macoun. No one seems to know for sure, but it is definitely coming down very soon. They have already removed the vehicle approaches, knocked a hole in the one side to weaken it and removed all outside accessories. Sad, but that is what is happening to prairie elevators.

We ran into some folks in Midale who are filming prairie scenes. Sounds like us, but more professional.

After a great lunch at East Eden in Midale, we headed south. Before you know it, there are a pair of moose standing in a reed-filled low spot. Lee is used to seeing them in more forested areas, but there they are on the 'bald' prairie. Not long after, a beautiful antelope and then another moose. Great afternoon.

Lez sighs: Missed another elevator demolition this spring. We had planned on a photo of the Bromhead elevator, but a group we met for lunch in Midale informed us it is gone. A quick search on the net showed the elevator was brought down 3 months ago. We were ready to capture the Macoun elevator coming down, but there was no activity there today. The one side is totally removed and the base has been deliberately compromised to encourage the fall with a nudge from the big excavator parked on site.

We got some great photos to detail the construction of a rail line, and a section of the elevator siding rail that includes a "de-railment" piece.

The long lens worked hard today. Lee respectfully distanced photo'd baby Red-Wing Blackbirds in a nest, and captured the mom RWB (or RWBL) bringing home a beak full of bugs. I'm learning birder speak.

Sharp-eyed quilt husband caught a "barn quilt" today! I was busy looking the other way. We backed up for a perfect photo shot.

Then, as we continued the back roads for elevators, we were suprised by antelope and moose. One antelope was standing in the middle of the road watching us approach. The moose posed for his photo, as did one antelope.

The land here is now filled with Canola crop, not fenced and we think that is what is drawing the wildlife in.