After years of drought, Deadhorse Lake has returned to nearly full, sulphur-reeking glory, reflecting clouds on its mirror-like surface near Hussar, Alberta, as reported by Mike Drew of Postmedia on June 23, 2026.
Water Returns to Deadhorse Lake
The ephemeral prairie lake, often dry with white alkali dust devils, now hosts waves and reflections. Fields between Strathmore and Hussar are every shade of green under puffy clouds, with warm temperatures and no wind, making it ideal for drone photography.
Drew captured high-angle views of cloud shadows on the land and rolling glacial deposits, remnants of melting glaciers from thousands of years ago, standing as islands of native prairie amid bright green fields.
Wildlife Abounds
Ground-level sights include whitetail deer in pea fields, song sparrows singing from fenceposts, and frogs at a roadside pond as shovelled ducks take off from tea-coloured water. However, mosquitoes swarm in thousands, though they rarely bite.
Heading north over the Wintering Hills to Dalum and East Coulee, Drew found rutted roads from a recent torrential rainstorm. Wild roses were stripped of petals, and streets were paved with torn poplar leaves.
Cactus Blossoms Survive Rain
At Dorothy, papery prickly pear cactus blossoms held up well despite rain, with tough, papery yellow blossoms standing out. Cliff swallows fly to mud nests under the bridge, while a robin bathes in the Red Deer River. Drew also spotted catbirds, warblers, and a lone mallard.
Further east, slick badlands mud and brutal mosquitoes made travel difficult. At the Dorothy campground, chorus frogs sang from a rain-filled ditch, though they were hard to spot. Drew photographed one before a female redwing blackbird spooked it.
Antelope and Eagles
On the benchland north of Dorothy, antelope lazed in the grass, with at least two babies among them. A big buck antelope, still shedding winter hair, paused by the fence. Eagles, Swainson's hawks, and redtail hawks rode thermals, while a sharptail grouse disappeared into tall grass, likely with a brood.
Driving west on rutted roads past overflowing dugouts and water-filled ditches, Drew noted cattle and more antelope shimmering in heat haze. Near Cambria, a side road revealed washed-out cactus roots and torn blossoms, but a surprise wood lily bloomed bright orange in the roadside grass.
Conclusion
Summer on the prairie brings green grass, cactus blossoms, abundant birds, deer, antelope, unexpected flowers, frogs, and water in Deadhorse Lake. As Drew says, "Man, I love this country."
