How about this. That picture of elk crossing the Trans-Canada highway has produced another comment from the other side of the world. In case it has slipped too far down screen for you to spot, here again is the picture that Beryl emailed me a couple of months ago.
First of all Lonnie posted a comment to say, sorry, this is a fake photo (or words to that effect as you can see here). I was a little disappointed but – pending further information from Beryl – in no position to argue. Photoshopping elk into an otherwise bland motorway scene seems an odd way to spend your time but people do much stranger things (while we are at it, perhaps we could have some dinosaurs roaming Princes Street in Edinburgh).
But then last week I opened my blog to find another intriguing comment from Steve Sprengl who says, nope, no question, it’s definitely real (as you can see here). Apparently Steve had an argument with his dad who came back with clinching evidence from a neighbour who often travelled on this stretch of the highway and has seen the elk with his own eyes.
I love the serendipity of this discussion. On impulse I posted a picture from my cousin Beryl because I was intrigued and cheered by a quirky illustration of a true (and undisputed) story of safe crossings for wandering wildlife. I am now equally intrigued by the chance Googling that seems to cause wandering humans to stumble across my blog. What question did they key into the search engine to end up here?
Hello Fay,
Are you the Frances Ann Young who used to live in Plasman Strasse Paderborn with your family? If so do you remember me Anne Davies and my sister Jane.
Very pleased to hear from you Lissi, that brings it up to 2 for the authenticity of the elk picture and 1 against.
I had also found the http://www.snopes.com website and will take a look at your link to studies on the effects of wildlife ‘safe crossings’ – the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society also publish interesting findings.
I have been trying to work out why I care about this. And why it is the first item on my blog to attract interest beyond Scotland (not to say, family and friends!) I can’t speak for others but for me these crossings represent a beacon of hope. We do spend a lot of time devastating the natural world but here is evidence that we humans are actually capable of redressing the balance – and giving due respect to the other creatures that share the planet. Is this a symbol for a more sustainable future or am I getting lost?
Forogt to let yo know what part of the world I am in/on,
Sunny South Florida.
A freind sent me the pic and I went to http://www.snopes.com to verify it, they had no infromation. I felt it was real after taking a real close look at it. Photoshop always has some sign.
Then of course I Googled it (google reigns) and found you and a few others and also this very interesting Gov’t site:
http://www.icoet.net/downloads/96paper06.pdf
which studies the effects the underpass has had on the wildlife in the area.
thanks for the inqury,
in Google the words used were:
elk crossing bridge Calgary
Your site came in 4th and 5th.
heres the link to the results:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=elk+crossing+bridge+Calgary
lissi