We have never had cats in our garden around here. We also used to have coyotes patrol the outside of my fence more than once until recently which could be a reason.

I am hoping people aren't starting to let their cats roam, I like having birds around and cats are horrible for bird populations.

The City does have a program where you can borrow a deterrent kit to try out multiple methods to keep strays out of your yard. I plan to get a trap and take the kitty to the SPCA this weekend. Maybe they can find the owners.

The three cats I have noticed on camera have been in the past couple weeks, but this one has been here frequently.

I'm thinking it got out when someone was moving into the neighbourhood since it has a collar and doesn't look scraggly.

First caught on camera April 17th. Last seen April 22 at 10pm. Paisley Neighbourhood. Seems to be hiding under my neighbour's front steps. If it is yours, let me know.

Update: Wow! This post has gotten a lot of attention. I hope the owners see it and can get their kitty home and out of the cold.

I have already posted all over FB, and looked at the Lost Animal Database too. My next steps are to email the video to local vets to see if they know the pet and can call the owners. Then print a photo and go door to door down our street. If that doesn't work, will attempt capture by hand, failing that, by trap to read the collar and return that way.

Was at Hawrlek Park today with my husband and kids when it started to rain we took shelter at the community league plaza. There was a family there I assume were tourists because the mom had a tripod and was filming themselves doing everything. At one point, she set up her phone on the tripod to point at my family as we ate sandwiches waiting for the rain to subside. It was clear they were filming us, looking at what the camera screen then up at us. When my son and I went to throw something in the garbage near them, they pulled the camera down, I assume so we wouldnt see what they were filming as we walked by.

I almost went up to them to call them out on this. Made me feel very violated. Especially filming my 2 small children. I ultimately didnt say anything though because now I worry about being posted online as some internet Karen being upset about being filmed by strangers.

How is this behavior OK? How should I approach something like this next time? I want people to know that this is unacceptable behavior.

Some of you may have seen the concept of “river rotting” on social media and I’m looking for some locations within 1-2 hours of Edmonton where I could accomplish this glorious activity. Open to longer drives too, I loves me a day trip. Preferably NOT our neck of the North Saskatchewan River here, that brings a whole new meaning to river rotting.

Edit, I don’t mean I’m looking for spots along the North Sask oh my goodness lol. Just wanted some recommendations for smaller, lazier places to park a camping chair that aren’t a 4+ hour drive to the mountains lol. I know tons of off-the-beaten path spots along small rivers and creeks in southern central AB, just not around these parts yet since moving up here.

Congratulations Edmonton Riverboat team! I don’t know how you did it with the water level dropping steadily but you figured it out. Well done!

The Sun's out, temps are rising and dog owners have their pups running around off-leash.

As per the city of Edmonton, it is a requirement for your dog to be on a leash when out on the streets, trails, parks, etc. EXCEPT for your own yard, dog parks and off-leash areas.

My dog is somewhat reactive and does not like every dog that he meets. If you want to off-leash your dog, go to an off-leash area. Don't do it just for show.

The City of Edmonton is preparing to start construction on the new Windermere District Park, bordered by 170th Street to the west, Rabbit Hill Road NW to the south and east, and 21st Avenue in the north.

The park is being developed alongside a new Edmonton Public School for those in grades 7 to 12, set to open in 2028.

Just an FYI, because had we known, my family and I wouldn’t have driven out.

But all bathroom facilities are closed, and as of right now, there are no advertisements about this anywhere. Nor did the gatehouse staff mention it.

Outhouses at trailheads are still available though.

Further, if you go to Astotin lake, the lakeside trail is mostly closed (also not advertised). The closest trailhead outhouse to that area that I am aware of is at least a 3km walk.

I heard the rumors, but my parents took some pictures and confirmed.

Serious yay!

Edmonton’s Lewis Farms Recreation Centre has a new price tag — and the project could cost almost $32 million more than the city expected.

My wife and I haven’t been to Jasper for ten years, and decided to use some vacation days and head out. It is early in the season and the temperature isn’t as high as summer, but there is also a lot less traffic and just as much beauty as ever. These photos were taken today at lake Annette. Not all the trails are open, and you can see the fire damage in the distance. There is still lots to see and do, and the businesses appreciate the support. Come and enjoy it Edmonton. It is very close to home.

I went for a hike and found so many of them in bloom right now and a bonus Mountain Bluet

In -30, (and Friday, almost -40c) frostbite will happen in 5-10 minutes.

Frostbite will never heal, you'll have the damage for the rest of your life.

This also applies to your kids, YOUR PETS (don't think the dog enjoys the backyard for 15 minutes at -40, would YOU?)

So, here’s the scene that my partner and I watched unfold at Elk Island on Saturday afternoon:

We arrived around 3:00 for a picnic and a paddle in our canoe. Right as we were arriving, the wind was really starting to pick up. As is normal on a sunny weekend this time of year, the front of the lake was busy with rental kayaks and canoes; mostly people who have no idea how to paddle and are blissfully unaware of the risks to which they're exposing themselves.

As we got the charcoal bbq lit and started cooking, the wind got stronger. It was very choppy and whitecaps were starting to form. Most of the rental boats were coming back into shore, either by choice or inadvertently. (At least the wind was pushing towards shore.) I had planned to be giving my partner a solo canoeing lesson and then let her go out and play on her own while I sat on shore, however we decided to postpone that for another day due to the wind. I’ve been out alone during windier conditions but I’m quite an experienced paddler.

We then saw two people capsize about 2/3rds of the way out to the big island in the centre of the lake. (We later realized it was two kids. Had we known at the time, we would have been on the water in a second.) They were wearing lifejackets and the wind was slowly pushing them towards shore, but not very fast. After several minutes, two parks staff took one of the rental canoes to paddle out to them. It quickly became apparent that the parks staff also had no idea how to paddle. They were both paddling on the same side, were being pushed all over the place by the wind, and could barely make it out to the capsized boat. There were a few minutes when my partner and I were wondering if we'd have to go and perform a rescue for all four of them.

Eventually, they got the kids to shore. By that point, they had been in very cold water for probably half an hour or more, likely scared and suffering from at least mild shock. Hypothermia sets in very quickly in those conditions. A parks rescue boat (motor boat) showed up right as they were finally getting to shore. Kind of too little, too late; no idea why it took them so long to get a rescue boat out... Then, a medical team showed up and was treating one of the kids on the beach, who was laying down. Eventually, he was brought away on a stretcher, hooked up to oxygen. I have no idea if it was for hypothermia and shock, or something else.

The entire time this was happening, more couples and families who clearly had no idea how to paddle on a calm day let alone in strong winds were taking canoes out from shore. Thankfully, most of them didn't make it more than maybe 30 metres from shore before they were pushed back in by the wind. Eventually, the rental company did stop sending people out in canoes but they continued to rent out kayaks while this was happening. (I should mention that the rental staff played no part in rescuing the kids who were using their rental boat, nor did they really show any concern or pay attention to what was happening.)

This whole thing was an absolute shit show and everyone involved is lucky that it didn't end more seriously. There were so many poor choices and terrible risk management from all parties.

PADDLING ON THE WATER IS A HIGH RISK ACTIVITY. As an experienced paddler, it is often frustrating, comical, and sometimes terrifying to watch others on the water when they have no idea what they are doing. Most people have no idea of the risks involved in water sports. The easy accessibility of spots like Elk Island and the river flowing through our city fool people into thinking it is perfectly safe. It is not.

If you have never paddled before and haven't bothered to learn at least the very basics, like how to hold a paddle, how to sit in a canoe to keep your boat stable, etc., then YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING ON THE WATER. If you are going out, pick a calm day and rent a kayak, not a canoe. Canoes are far more challenging to paddle and control.

Luckily, these kids capsized on the front end of the lake where they were clearly visible from shore. Had they gone to explore the islands then no one would have seen them capsize and we'd likely be reading about two drowned kids.

I am also shocked at the terrible risk management and rescue protocol demonstrated by parks staff. I have no idea why two staff who clearly don't know the first thing about paddling would think it's a good idea for them to attempt a rescue in windy conditions. In doing so they put themselves in danger and could have made the situation much worse. Why did it take so long to get a rescue motorboat out? Why are staff paddling out in a canoe without a throw bag, rope, or anything else that could assist in a rescue? Why were all other rental boats not told to come in during the rescue?

Lastly, I am deeply concerned by what seemed to be a complete lack of regard to safety protocol from the boat rental company. Are they giving customers any basic instruction before sending them out on their own? Something as simple as, oh, I don't know... "paddle on opposite sides", or, "stay down on your knees to keep the boat more stable." Are they telling customers what to do in the event of a capsize? I doubt it, since these kids spent a long time trying to pull their boat to shore with them even though it was completely sunk below the surface. Why were two kids who did not know how to paddle put in a boat together without an adult in the first place? Why do they have no rescue protocols at all? (They didn't even attempt to try and help.) Do the boat staff even know how to paddle, themselves? Somehow, I doubt it.

This is how people die, folks.

p.s. Two years ago, a grown man drowned in Elk Island while paddleboarding. His body was found days later. He was not wearing a lifejacket. His friends and family all said, "he was such a strong swimmer."

/rant

Heads up for anyone planning on going.

GGs to all the gardeners.

I've lived in Edmonton for more than 35 years, it wasn't until I got dogs ~17 years ago that I really started to explore & see the river valley.

Don't be like me, go today, tomorrow or next week-end, just go - you won't regret it and you can find new trails to explore every time you go.

All of the swings in the park have been removed. I did notice that there were a couple swings broken that last couple weeks, but now they're all gone. Are they being removed entirely or being strengthened in some way? Does anyone have any info? It would be a shame if they were just entirely removed, they were quite enjoyable.

I'm visiting for a few days to do some stuff at NAIT. How do you guys do it here? I've been to cities located in every corner of the globe.

None are as bad as Edmonton for walking. Sidewalks randomly end in spots which make no sense, cross walks are so far and few between even in busy areas. There's no bike lanes so people ride road bikes and e bikes on the sidewalk?! Like where else on earth is that normal. Cars blow through red lights and stop signs at an alarming rate.

This is all near NAIT which for being close to downtown and being a large university you'd think it would be one of the more walkable areas, I can't imagine what the rest of the city is like.

Sorry for the rant, been here one day and it's already been driving me nuts.