I enjoyed this trip for the opportunity to witness the Cranes (鹤) returning from Wood Buffalo National Park, some with their young of the year. I wondered, at the changing skies of Saskatchewan, often the vivid oranges and pinks of a sunset made me pause, but it was the clouds of feathers as ducks, geese, and cranes lifted off fields and lakes in numbers so numerous, they blocked out the sky at times, that blew my mind.

The desire to travel and explore is strong within the human condition. We might think we must journey “away” to enjoy a holiday, and sometimes we do. But other times, a simpler exploration, digging deeply into landscapes and cultures that we think we know, reveals the best sights.

I grew up in Saskachewan when cranes were fighting back from extinction, and I wasn’t a birdwatcher. But, returning with Eagle-Eye Tours as a bird-loving RCGS Travel Ambassador, I wondered at the conservation successes that allowed us to find these rare birds reliably.

My favourite memory from the trip is of an old farmer driving a large truck who slowed down for our group, standing in the middle of a road, excitedly watching a flock of cranes. Rather than scolding us for blocking traffic, he invited us into his backyard for a better view! He explained how he’s been providing quiet reserves for many years as the birds stop to rest and feed before flying south to Texas. It’s moments like this that make the travel special, and companies like Eagle-Eye Tours craft itineraries (行程) that allow these unexpected discoveries.

I enjoyed sharing these experiences with other nature lovers on the Royal Canadian Geographical Society branded trip and look forward to doing it again in October 2024.

At Bamfield, a coastal community in British Columbia, Canada, 84-year-old Louis Druehl is guiding the Kelp Express along the shore. For 51 years, the boat has taken him to Kelp Bay. There, ropes of seaweed are growing beneath the water’s surface. Seaweed is Druehl’s life. 【小题1】 Over the years, Druehl has seen interest in seaweed rise and fall. But as climate change affects the planet, the world is turning to seaweed as a possible way to solve that. “People have discovered seaweed,” he said. “They have discovered us.”

People think of forests as the best protection against climate change. 【小题2】 Unlike trees, seaweed doesn’t need fertilizers or fresh water. It grows faster than trees and doesn’t require any land. It helps balance ocean ecosystems (生态系统). And it absorbs carbon from the environment.

【小题3】 Many worry about the environmental influence of eating meat. Can seaweed farms provide enough protein for the world? Carlos Duarte, a professor of marine ecology, thinks so. “When you look at how we are going to feed the world population by 2050 in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, there is only one pathway,” he says. “Seaweed farming.” 【小题4】 In British Columbia, there is a long line of seaweed farmers waiting to learn from Louis Druehl.

Seaweed might fight climate change. But it isn’t without its risks. If it isn’t harvested, it can rot and put carbon back into the air or water. Growing too much of it can also affect the amount of light that reaches species living deeper in the water. 【小题5】 Halley Froehlich, a professor at the University of California, says, “Seaweed can be a part of the solution to climate change, but it’s not a perfect solution on its own.”

As a marine ecologist (海洋生态学家), Charlotte Young can often see unforgettable sights. But nothing has touched her quite like an experience she had while she was doing wildlife research with her partner, George Chislett. The British couple was searching for turtle hatchlings (刚孵化的小海龟) on a beach in Oman when they came across a creature who really needed their help.

Hopelessly stuck in n rocky crevice (裂缝) was a large green sea turtle. The turtle had been on her way back to the water after laying eggs when she fell between the rocks. While she tried to escape, her efforts only made her get more deeply stuck in the crevice. Without help, she would have died, but instead she fell into the perfect pair’s hands.

But freeing her was no easy task Green sea turtles can weigh up to 350 pounds, which meant Charlotte wasn’t strong enough to lift her out. Even with George’s help, she wasn’t able to move the helpless creature. They fruitlessly pushed and pulled for some time before realizing they would have to try something else. Meanwhile, the poor turtle was experiencing more and more anguish.

That’s when they had a bright idea. They saw a piece of wood nearby and wondered if it would make good leverage (杠杆作用). It did! With the board wedged (楔入) under the turtle, they finally began making progress. Using all their remaining strength, Charlotte and George lifted her up and out of her prison!

“We did it!” Charlotte cried as she and George celebrated with a high five.

Thank goodness Charlotte and George were in the right place at the right time — and had the determination and creativity needed to save the turtle.