Saturday (Jan. 6) marks the start of this year's edition of the Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival and Count, and organizers expect it to be another successful year.
"This is our 21st year, there's a lot of excitement," said Thor Froslev of the Brackendale Art Gallery (BAG) and organizer of the festival.
Events kick off on Saturday night (Jan. 6) withRichard Berry, the first of two guest lectures by nature photographers, at 8 p.m. Next Saturday (Jan. 13) Norman Rich will present.
Berry is an award-winning landscape, wildlife and adventure photographer based in Canmore, Alta. while Rich's locally photographed Bald Eagle Series has been featured in the BAG since October.
This Sunday (Jan. 7) is when the actual count happens. While it's not open to the public, there are a number of opportunities for people to get involved.
"The count is at 8 a.m, then we open the doors to the public at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. there will be an eagle walk with guides. This is free, gratis."
Other walks will take place at noon daily, starting at the gallery and lasting approximately two hours.
The count and tours are not the only event of the day. The gallery will be hosting a Grassroots Jam beginning at 7:30 p.m. This is something of a prelude to the gallery's Jam and Dance at the end of the month.
Sunday also marks the opening of the Eagle Aid Station, dedicated to assisting starving and injured birds. While he's very proud of this endeavour, Froslev prefers when the station does not need to be used.
"You're always happier when there are no birds in there," said Froslev.
The month will also feature two more guest speakers - David Hancock, and Bill Cannings - while the gallery hosts a series of work emphasizing Froslev's mission statement of "Out of the Natural World."
