The Sheep River Provincial Park, east of Turner Valley is a stunningly beautiful region of foothills that features rolling hills, mountains, deep gorges and stunning vistas. During summer the Province leases land for grazing to a group of ranchers. This series of 3 galleries contains pictures from the fall round-up including photos of the park and our ride back to Calgary.

There were perhaps 30 or more ranchers bringing in the cattle, carrying on Alberta's rich ranching history. Due to the steep hills, rugged land and forest, quads do not work to round up the herd as has become popular in much of the ranching community. The round-up involves horses and riders as it did for decades in the past. Although I didn't get to take photographs of the round up of the cattle, they were brought back to a central location where over a few days, the cattle were separated by ownership into several pens and then taken to their respective ranches for the winter.

Our days spent photographing this event not only gave us a glimpse of the past, but we got to meet a group of amazing people. I want to pass on my thanks for the opportunity and patience of these folks in allowing us to experience this piece of Alberta's history.

This FIRST GALLERY in the series contains photos of this beautiful land and abundant wildlife. Included are pictures of a one-antler moose, a great gray owl, the Sheep River and Falls and the landscape from foothills in the east to the mountains in the west.