Harfang
The place
Harfang in the Gaspésie, Cap-Chat/Sainte-Anne-des-Monts area (Chic-Chocs, Québec, Canada), at 258 m altitude, on the northern slope of the Chic-Chocs. Continuous Québec Chic-Chocs/SÉPAQ cluster (batches 234-351). SÉPAQ refuge in Gaspésie National Park ("Harfang des neiges" — Snowy Owl, Bubo scandiacus, nocturnal Arctic raptor, 500 g to over 1 kg, 150 cm wingspan, hybrid QC-visitor and provincial emblem bird since 1987, Cree call "aakwaash" "white spirit"), an area of boreal balsam fir-yellow birch forest and home to the Gaspésie caribou, Rangifer tarandus (the last caribou population south of the St. Lawrence, 30-40 individuals in 2024, a species facing imminent extinction, protected by the QC government since 2022), and Mi'gmaq heritage (Wolinak Restigouche 20,000, Listuguj Mégami'ki 700,000 km²).
The setting
Gaspésie Cap-Chat/Sainte-Anne-des-Monts Chic-Chocs Québec Canada 258 m north slope, continuous cluster batches 234-351, SÉPAQ Gaspésie NP "Harfang des neiges" Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus 500 g-1 kg+ 150 cm wingspan Arctic QC-visitor emblem 1987 Cree aakwaash white spirit, boreal balsam fir-yellow birch forest, Rangifer tarandus caribou last pop south of St. Lawrence 30-40 2024 imminent extinction protected 2022, Mi'gmaq Wolinak Restigouche 20,000 Listuguj Mégami'ki 700,000 km².
