Wildlife
Diamond Willow is nestled within the Cypress Hills region of southwestern Saskatchewan which is home to a plethora of plants, animals, and insects. The retreat itself is just outside of the Lodgepole Pine area, situated beside a small creek surrounded by willows. The east side of the property rises to the top of a hill area which gives an incredible view of the Cypress Hills and surrounding prairie landscape.
View from the hill.
Animals
The southwest corner of Saskatchewan is home a plethora of animals, large and small, including whitetail and mule deer, moose, antelope, elk, beavers, coyotes, skunks, badgers, and mountain lions (cougars). Visitors are advised to be mindful of the possibility of encountering wild animals during their stay and to take appropriate safety precautions.
Female antelope near Consul, SK
Birds also abound in the region. Visitors may catch glimpses of blue herons, Canadian geese, ducks, pelicans, bobolinks, woodpeckers, meadowlarks, red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds, bluebirds, and other songbirds. Though not especially common, there have also been sightings of vibrantly coloured Baltimore orioles on the property.
If you are curious about what birds you might spot during your stay, follow this link to the Birds Canada website and use their "Birds in Your Region" tool, selecting Maple Creek, SK as the location.
Plants
Diamond Willow's property welcomes a huge variety of plants and wildflowers each year. Come warm weather, the northern side of the piece turns into a meadow, wild mint and cattails spring up along the creek, and wintergreen pokes its head through the undergrowth at the top of the hill.
As you walk through the piece, depending on the time of year, you may spot: Canada anemone, prairie crocuses, low larkspur, three-flowered avens, shrubby cinquefoil, prairie roses, silvery lupines, golden-beans, red clover, wild vetch, wild blue-flax, pink wintergreen, saline shooting-stars, harebells, gaillardia, silvery groundsel, and pineapple weed. Additionally, numerous lovely prairie grasses make an appearance throughout the year.
