Prairie Winds - A Real Prairie Shindig Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

EO-LETH: After going missing twice and the distance to service this cache, w have chosen to archive the cache. EO-LETH

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Hidden : 2/15/2011
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is part of a series called the “Prairie Winds Adventure Trail” developed by volunteers of the Canadian Badlands Geocaching Association. Enjoy the hidden secrets of Southern Alberta by getting off the beaten trail to sites seldom visited, scenic views and historic sites and buildings. Prairies are not flat and there is a reason for calling our trail “Prairie Winds”.

If you are traveling prairie roads in the spring you just may get to see a real “dust’m-up” prairie shindig taking place. The birds are dancing, grouse that is.
For both the sharp-tail grouse and the sage grouse, spring is mating season. If you are lucky you may encounter male sharp-tail “strutting their stuff” for the ladies. If you are really lucky, you may see a male sage grouse all puffed up and showing off his fancy footwork to impress the ladies in waiting. In fact you would be so lucky; you should consider heading for the nearest ticket outlet and buying a ticket on the next available lottery.
The sage grouse is the largest of all the North American grouse, weighing about the same as a well fed Hutterite chicken, around 8 pounds. It depends almost entirely on sagebrush and the sagebrush/grasslands for food and cover.
In spring, groups of sage grouse gather at dancing grounds or “leks”. The males inflate air sacks on either side of their neck, puff out their white chest feathers, spread out their pointed tail feathers and commence strutting and stomping, hooting and banging their chest sacks with their wings. A spectacular display meant to intimidate other rival males and attract the favors of watching females. These courting rituals take place morning and evening thru the mating season. The dancing grounds or “leks” will be used year after year but will be abandoned if disturbed.
Sage grouse are found throughout the sagebrush flats of western United States, and the southern portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In Alberta, they are found only in the extreme southeast corner of the Province, east of Milk River and south of the Cypress Hills. The sage grouse population throughout North America has declined rapidly over the last several decades. In 2001, it was estimated that there are fewer than 500 birds left in Alberta. It is now designated as an endangered species under Alberta’s Wildlife Act. It is illegal to hunt or harm this grouse or disturb its nests.
This cache has been placed in an area that is representative of sage grouse habitat.
If you would like to learn more on the Greater Sage Grouse visit: (visit link)

To receive a Prairie Winds Geocoin, you must have logged, as found, at least 40 of the Prairie Winds caches and then send an e-mail to lthbridge@gmail.com. We will check your profile and contact you for mailing arrangements. There are 100 geocoins available.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ab uvag arrqrq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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