By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, CIR Realty, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

Week 1 of 10

The gate swings, the fence line runs straight, and the gravel lane curls past a barn roof still dark from last night’s rain. Out here, buyers decide with their boots on the ground: approach, shelterbelts, and how the yard “works” tell the story long before they step inside the house. And it’s not just horse or cattle folks—recreational purchasers are a growing slice. They’re paying for privacy, tree-covered...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages near Calgary

Hello, wonderful folks, and welcome to another edition of Wildlife Wednesday! As a realtor specializing in the breathtaking foothills of Alberta, I often get asked what truly makes living out here so special. Is it the wide-open spaces? The stunning mountain views? The peace and quiet? Yes, all of that, and so much more. But today, I want to introduce you to one of our most magnificent neighbours, a creature that embodies the spirit...

By Rory Hale – REALTOR®, Rural Properties & Acreages in the foothills of Alberta

The Skunk: Alberta Foothills’ Striped Survivalist

So you're walking through the forest near your favourite pond, enjoying the crisp evening air, when suddenly you spot it — a flash of black and white weaving through the tall grass. You freeze, heart pounding, where is your dog? You quickly grab his collar as a skunk wanders up the hill beside you, blissfully unaware of the minor heart attack it just caused. You hold...

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...