On the hunt

I was out in Waterton, on the hunt for birds. The day had already been pretty productive, but with plenty of daylight left, I wasn’t ready to call it quits. I decided to stop by one of my favorite birding spots — Maskinonge, just outside the Waterton Park gates.

This area is a magnet for a wide variety of bird species passing through, and it rarely disappoints. I pulled the White Turtle II into my usual parking spot and got out to explore.

Right away, I was greeted by a familiar cast: a lively mix of songbirds, a stately heron, a couple of elegant trumpeter swans, and several ducks paddling through the calm water. It was shaping up to be another great visit.

The hunter becomes the hunted

I was enjoying photographing the birds, but something felt off — they were more restless than usual. Even the hawks and an eagle I spotted across the lake seemed uneasy. That’s when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

I heard a sound in the distance — not close, but not far enough to ignore. Instinctively, I turned toward it. It felt like I was being watched. I reached down and checked that my pepper spray was still clipped to my belt, silently wondering if it would even work if I needed it.

I scanned the area, trying to calm my nerves, but the feeling wouldn’t go away.

Then I saw it.

Lying low behind a screen of trees, perfectly camouflaged against the ground, it had a clear view of the entire lake — and of me. It wasn’t close enough to be an immediate threat, but it also wasn’t far enough to be forgotten. I tried to find a better angle for a photo, but it was expertly hidden in the underbrush.

I knew better than to get too close. Not only would I lose my line of sight for a shot, but the risk of startling it — and putting myself in danger — just wasn’t worth it. I backed off slowly, heart pounding, still in awe of the moment.

A good perch for the hunt!

I finally found a spot where I had a clear view — out in the open, but still at a safe distance. I watched quietly for several minutes. Whatever it was, it wasn’t in any hurry to move.

Its sheer size was incredible. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but imagine what this area must have looked like when dinosaurs roamed the land. This thing was HUGE — and for a moment, I truly understood what it must have felt like to be hunted by a Pterodactyl.

It hadn’t moved since I first spotted it, so I began to suspect it might be asleep — perfectly still, yet commanding the attention of everything around it.

Even the birds seemed uncertain. They continued their routines — feeding, calling, flying low over the water — but always with one eye on the giant, silent intruder in their wetland. The tension was subtle but unmistakable. I took a few photos, trying to capture not just the scene, but the strange mix of awe and unease that hung in the air.

It moves!!

After about 20 minutes of photographing the birds, I heard another sound — low, deliberate, and unmistakable. It was getting ready to move.

Before I could fully turn, I saw it rising behind the trees. Then, without warning, it dipped its nose and started coming straight toward me.

Thankfully, I had left myself enough room to react. I instinctively swung my camera around and fired off a few quick shots — the bear spray on my belt was the last thing on my mind.

In an instant, it was towering over me, passing just above. As it moved overhead, I noticed the birds erupting in panic — taking off, scattering, diving for cover. The entire wetland was in motion.

It veered west toward the river, then banked sharply to the north. And just like that, it was gone.

Silence returned. The lake, once alive with bird calls, was eerily still. But I knew it wouldn’t last long. Within a short time, the birds would return, cautiously emerging from their hiding places, reclaiming their home after the massive visitor had passed.

I survived

Well they say that any time you survive an adventure it is a good one.

I had survived!!

Now that the excitement was over, I realized I was now getting hungry. Plus, it was getting late. So I decided that I would head to the campground for supper. A good day it was, a number of great images and an experience that I have not had in Waterton before!!

Preparing for the hunt

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