Living in the foothills of Alberta offers a front-row seat to one of nature's most elegant performances—the seasonal presence of the sandhill crane. These statuesque birds, with their graceful movements and resonant calls, add a touch of the prehistoric to our modern landscapes.

The first time I heard them and saw their size, I immediately thought of Terradactyls. Their prehistoric calls echoed throughout the valley. Now, they are a sign of spring and one of my favorite sounds in the morning. I special...

Congratulations on buying your acreage, your own piece of paradise nestled in the Alberta foothills! There's truly nothing quite like the serene beauty and tranquility of country living. However, while your friendly neighborhood cows may require little of your attention, the management of your wastewater is a different story. Welcome to the often-overlooked yet crucial world of septic systems, where understanding the options available can save you headaches down the road.

If you’re not quite sure what...

There’s a kind of magic that only happens when you live in the quiet stretches of Alberta’s foothills. I’m lucky enough to live nestled in the forest, just a stone’s throw from Fallen Timber Creek and a short drive from Calgary, where the wildlife is part of my daily life. Every morning, coffee in hand, I look out my window and never know who might show up — a mule deer nibbling the willow, a moose wading through the pond, or, if I’m truly blessed, the silent arrival of a Great Grey Owl. This isn’t...

I want to start this post with my perspective and experience living with predators in the Alberta foothills. Every year we have been here, we have seen the big three: grizzlies, cougars, and wolves. It can be amazing, scary, and eye-opening to realize how much wildlife there is in Alberta.

We have been very aware of wildlife and ensuring we are not doing things to encourage interaction and draw any wildlife near our home. We know people have had issues; we are happy that we have not.

An essential part...

Living the Rural Life - Internet Service If you’re considering making the move to the beautiful Alberta foothills, one of the first questions on your mind might be, “Who do we use for Internet service?” This is a great question, especially if you're selling your home in Calgary or another urban area. The truth is, internet options can vary quite a bit depending on where you are in the rural landscape, so it's definitely worth taking some time to figure out what works best for you.

As a former IT ...

The rural life on an acreage in Alberta foothills gives us all sorts of stories to watch unfold. Buying a property near Water Valley has made me realize how much life there is in our forests, a short distance from Calgary to the west but giving a very different experience living on an Alberta farm

A Story of the Snowshoe Hare

The foothills blanketed in deep winter snow, their rolling slopes softened by drifts and shadowed by towering spruce and aspen. Among the quiet trees, a lone snowshoe hare sat...

In the vast, rolling prairies and foothills of Alberta, where the land stretches far beyond the eye can see, there lies an unseen but essential resource that has sustained families, farms, and entire communities for generations—water wells. These wells are not just a convenience; they are the very foundation of rural life, allowing thousands of Albertans to thrive in landscapes where municipal water systems do not reach.

When purchasing an acreage or rural real estate near Calgary or anywhere in Alberta,...

Everyone loves seeing deer, except perhaps when they are eating your feed or birdseed. White-tailed deer are commonly found throughout Alberta and are best recognized by their distinctive white flags as they run across fields. We are fortunate in Alberta to have an abundance of wildlife. Living in rural areas, it’s easy to forget just how lucky we are to be surrounded by nature. Take a moment to appreciate what we have.

White-tailed deer should not be confused with their cousins, the mule deer, which...

Springtime is right around the corner, bringing out some of our best local neighbours. The Black Bear spend the majority of winter in a den, dug out of a hillside or under a rocky overhang.

While hibernating, Black bears slow their metabolism to around 25% of normal, slowing their heartbeat considerably.

Over the next month or so, in Alberta, we will start to see them emerging from their dens. The food search will be on. All rural residents need to be good neighbours to these bears and not leave attractants...

 You should always consult a mortgage professional to get access to accurate and current information

You have always wanted to own an acreage, live outside of the city and have a quiet place of your own. It is a great life for sure.

When you decide to go down that country road, before you fall in love with that little farm, It is a good idea to talk with your Realtor, broker or banker, ensuring you know the differences in purchasing and what your financing options are.

If moving to an acreage or...

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Rural Alberta has a lot going on. Whether you live on an acreage full time or have a cabin in one of the small communities like Bergan, Burnstick Lake or James River, there is always something new to enjoy.

Often, you’ll see a seasonal visitor pass through, this week I had a flock of Snow Buntings.
These little black and white birds only come around these parts in the winter and move like a wave through the air.

They visit our farm annually in the winter. In...

The Pine Marten thrives in the majestic mature coniferous and mixed forests of Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest and extends into the beautiful landscapes of Northern New England, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. With a high metabolism driving its relentless spirit, this remarkable creature is always on the hunt. Its diet, rich in small mammals like squirrels and rodents, showcases its adaptability as an opportunistic feeder, also embracing birds, fruits, nuts, insects, and carrion....

With the recent weather, more than a few people have posted about frozen septic systems.

If you are unsure about your system or if it’s your first winter on the property, it’s always a good idea to have a licensed professional check your systems and make sure you are winter-ready. I was lucky enough to have a great contractor explaining a few simple things to do to prepare your septic for winter.

A few things to consider,

Always keep your system full; the volume of water helps prevent freezing....

Winter preparation is a big part of Rural life. Linkedin 

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Do you think you have enough firewood?

So, the answer I gave was right. It’s never enough. Cold snaps burn through wood rapidly.

Here is what’s left; we have burnt through a lot of our wood.

Did you know that CIR stands for Canadian Independent Realty?

Founded in 1983 in Calgary, CIR REALTY is Alberta’s largest independent real estate brokerage, boasting over 900 REALTORS® and staff members. As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, CIR is proud to be one of more than 550 affiliate firms within a global network that holds the top position in sales volume across numerous key markets, surpassing any other national association.

CIR has a strong presence in Rural Southern Alberta...