Carburn Park, July 29, 2023

Yesterday was the perfect day for a field trip with Nature Calgary . The weather was perfect, the company was good and the field leader was very knowledgeable. We saw a new life bird for me, an Olive-sided Flycatcher (121 and counting). It was a long way away, and the photograph was suitable for identification, but not for sharing on this blog. We saw a juvenile Coopers Hawk, and it provided one of the best pictures of the day. Some of its young feathers are visible between its legs. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 524mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/13. July 29, 2023, 9:55 am.

On this view, chick feathers are seen still attached to the head of this young hawk. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/13. July 29, 2023, 9:55 am.

One more photograph of this pretty hawk. The Coopers Hawk was once called a Chicken Hawk due to its ability to successfully hunt domestic chickens.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 723mm, ISO 1600, 1/640, f/13. July 29, 2023, 9:55 am.

In total we saw 38 species of birds that we could identify. Across the Bow River was a Spotted Sandpiper. It is common this time of year for the spots to not be present. I think that the log upon which it sits offers an interesting contrast. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/13. July 29, 2023, 10:55 am.

Rounding out the pictures of birds are an American Pelican, a Black-capped Chickadee, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Red-shafted Northern Flicker, and a House Wren.  Some are in shadow and were a challenge to photograph. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/2500, f/13. July 29, 2023, 11:30 am.

The Black-capped Chickadee is another juvenile.  Although it looks scruffy, it just hasn't lost all its baby fuzz yet. It looks itchy; makes we want to scratch my neck. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 1600, 1/640, f/13. July 29, 2023, 10:00 am.

This Red-breasted Nuthatch also looks pretty young. It looks like it is waiting to be fed. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/13. July 29, 2023, 10:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 524mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/13. July 29, 2023, 9:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 737mm, ISO 1600, 1/320, f/13. July 29, 2023, 9:10 am.

As we get further from mating season, the boys are looking after themselves less and less.

The wildflower of the day was this Creeping Bellflower near the Bow River.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1600, 1/125, f/12. July 29, 2023, 10:40 am.

Ralph Klein Park, Calgary, July 25, 2023

Yesterday I went for a walk with Nature Calgary . I really wanted to return to the park to see if the nesting Red Necked Grebe had any new ducklings. Rather then sequence the pictures in the order taken, I thought I would start with my favourite pictures from the day. The first has to be the Red Necked Grebe because, yes she did have ducklings, and yes they are so cute. The stripes on the neck of the duckling are amazing.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/320, f/14. July 25, 2023, 9:15 am.

My next favourite shot is a little unusual, it is a Seven-spotted Lady Beetle. The contrasting colours of red and light green really make the photograph pop.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/13. July 25, 2023, 9:35 am.

My third favourite was a Great Blue Heron hunting for minnows and frogs in the very still water of the wetlands. The reflection really adds to this photograph. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 539mm, ISO 1600, 1/1250, f/13. July 25, 2023, 10:25 am.

Additional photographs include the Heron striking into the water for a catch. Even with how streamlined the neck and beak are, quite a splash is made.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 723mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/13. July 25, 2023, 10:25 am.

The next picture is a return to the Grebe. The duckling climbed onto the back of its nesting parent and popped its head out between the wings. "Use the Force Luke" (sorry).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/160, f/18. July 25, 2023, 9:20 am.

The sparrows can be difficult to identify, and I generally need a picture that I can take home and then compare to references.  This is a Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella passerina). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/18. July 25, 2023, 9:55 am.

To round out the pictures, an Ornamental Orbweaver spider (Larinioides patagiatus) a Common Wood-nymph butterfly (Cercyonis pegala), a Great Pond Snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) with what might be a Typical Backswimmer on its shell, and the first picture of the day - a Killdeer. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/13. July 25, 2023, 9:40 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/18. July 25, 2023, 9:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/80, f/14. July 25, 2023, 9:10 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/14. July 25, 2023, 8:25 am.

Heritage Park

On July 21 I went with family to Heritage Park. It has been decades since I was last there. It is the height of the summer, so everything was open and there were lots of guides. My favourite was the Chinese Laundry. Good for Heritage Park to recognize the uncomfortable side of colonization and immigration.  

After realizing that none of us were really into old cars, we walked down mainstreet and enjoyed a team of black horses pulling a wagon.

Olympus OMD E-M5, MarkII, 14-150mm, 150mm, ISO 400, 1/400, f/11. July 21, 2023, 11:35 am.

We took a train ride around the park, and this is the train pulling into the station.

Olympus OMD E-M5, MarkII, 14-150mm, 14mm, ISO 400, 1/1000, f/7.1 July 21, 2023, 12:35 pm.

A trip on the S.S. Moyie seemed like a good idea. During that trip we had a good view of downtown.  The haze and smoke can be seen dulling the image. This is one of the few vantage points in Calgary where the Calgary Tower can be clearly seen. We also watched a race between two rowing teams.

Olympus OMD E-M5, MarkII, 14-150mm, 80mm, ISO 400, 1/640, f/11 July 21, 2023, 1:10 pm.

Olympus OMD E-M5, MarkII, 14-150mm, 70mm, ISO 400, 1/400, f/11 July 21, 2023, 1:15 pm.

After the boat ride I was feeling the heat and tiredness; so headed home. On my way out of the park, just before the exit I spotted this Swainson's Hawk above the Purity sign. Seems like Heritage Park does have something for everyone!

Olympus OMD E-M5, MarkII, 14-150mm, 150mm, ISO 400, 1/250, f/11 July 21, 2023, 1:45 pm.

Olympus OMD E-M5, MarkII, 14-150mm, 150mm, ISO 400, 1/400, f/11 July 21, 2023, 1:40 pm.

Ralph Klein Park - July 18

On July 18th, I ventured back to Ralph Klein Park in SE Calgary. I was hoping to get the opportunity to take a photograph of a White-faced Ibis with the sun behind my back instead of behind the bird. To accomplish this I went after supper.  On starting on the pathway in the park, this American Robin was on the path, seemingly proud of itself that there was one less grasshopper.  

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/14. July 18, 2023, 5:35 pm.

There were a lot of American Coots in the water, but right by the Robin in the Canal were some American Coot ducklings. I am informed that the right descriptive is "cute"; but I am not so sure.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/14. July 18, 2023, 5:35 pm.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/14. July 18, 2023, 5:35 pm.

The White-faced Ibis was not spotted anywhere close to where it was on the 15th, so I continued my walk. Eventually I did spot it flying low above the cattails.  Just a few seconds earlier and this could have been a really memorable photograph. There is just a hint of the colours on its body and wings.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 737mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/14. July 18, 2023, 6:10 pm.

Further down the path, I spotted the Ibis with my binoculars. The sun was lighting up the bird, but it was much further away than on the 15th. The sun really highlighted the richness of the colours on it back and wings.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/640, f/14. July 18, 2023, 6:20 pm.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/640, f/14. July 18, 2023, 6:20 pm.

After getting back to the visitors' centre, I walked around the smaller pond and found this Red-necked Grebe sitting on its nest.  I have to go back next week because nothing is cuter than Grebe ducklings! The shutter speeds got steadily slower as the day went on. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/320, f/14. July 18, 2023, 7:20 pm.

Inglewood July 17

On the 17th, I went to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary for a walk. You never know what you are going to see, and it was a good day for birds.  This female Belted Kingfisher flew into the lagoon and stopped close to the water's edge. She didn't fish, but quickly moved on.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/13. July 17, 2023, 9:15 am. 

Close to the Colonel Walker House, a Baltimore Oriole flew across the pond and rested in one of the trees by the path. Before it left, I was able to watch it for quite a while and grab a couple of pictures. This one has a band on its right leg. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/14. July 17, 2023, 9:45 am. 

The flickers were making a lot of noise. This male Red-shafted Northern Flicker was one of the noisiest.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 400mm, ISO 1600, 1/100, f/13. July 17, 2023, 9:15 am. 

When walking along the Bow River, across from the Inglewood Golf Course, a pleasant gentleman asked if I could identify a hawk seen on the bank of the Golf Course. I was able to photograph the bird and then blow it up in the viewfinder so that we could identify it as a Red-tailed Hawk. There is nice detail along the right wing. It was a good sighting by the gentleman as the hawk was quite a ways away.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:30 am. 

A group of one of my favourite birds landed on a close tree. The colours of the Cedar Waxwings are just amazing.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:30 am. 

Although not quite as exotic, this Chipping Sparrow flew onto a lower branch and rested for a few moments. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:45 am. 

Very close to the Visitors' Centre, were two flowers worth photographing. The first is a Purple Prairie Clover and small pollinator. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:50 am.

The second is a Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Although this identification is to be confirmed.   

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:50 am.

Even very prickly subjects can be beautiful! 

Ralph Klein Park July15

Family recommended that I visit the park, so I went on the morning of the 15th and had a very enjoyable walk. Two "life birds" were added to my lifetime list, one a Common Yellowthroat was first heard and then spotted; but I didn't get a picture. It's too bad as it is such a pretty bird. Lucky enough I did get a picture of the other life bird, a White-faced Ibis. This photograph is a challenge because the Ibis is backlit as the sun was still low. Generally this makes the picture more of a silhouette with the colours and details missing. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/13. July 15, 2023, 9:15 am. 

There were a lot of Savannah Sparrows flying from the grass to the small bushes.  Although common, I really enjoy these small pretty birds. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1250, f/13. July 15, 2023, 9:25 am.

There was quite a few groups of Lewis Flax next to the path, and near the North end of the park, there was some Fireweed, something I haven't seen a lot of around Calgary.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/10. July 15, 2023, 9:50 am.

There was quite a number of Ruddy Ducks toward the North end of the wetlands. These pretty ducks are fully decked out, with rich burgundy bodies and blue bills. The breeding males have their tails straight up, and they are very aggressive toward other males. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/13. July 15, 2023, 10:05 am.

Toward the end of my walk, this Great Blue Heron was spotted quite a distance away; looking like an old man. There is a lot of smoke in Calgary, so this picture is also a challenge.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/13. July 15, 2023, 10:15 am.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, July 13

On July 13th, I went with family to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Towards the end of our walk, things got interesting. An Osprey was fishing along the Bow River, and we could watch it hover before it dove to the water after fish. It was truly amazing to watch. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/3200, f/12. July 13, 2023, 11:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 737mm, ISO 1600, 1/2500, f/13. July 13, 2023, 11:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/3200, f/13. July 13, 2023, 11:50 am.

To add a little variety, the Purple prairie clovers (Dalea purpurea) were in bloom. I was able to catch a small bee like pollinator when I took this picture. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 490mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/12. July 13, 2023, 11:55 am.

As we crossed the bridge by the visitors' centre, the kids were impressed with this Two-stripped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 642mm, ISO 1600, 1/320, f/13. July 13, 2023, 12:25 pm.

 

Next to the Visitors' Centre there was a patch of Common Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata). I thought the adjacent stages of full bloom to waning bloom created an interesting contrast. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 585mm, ISO 1600, 1/800, f/13. July 13, 2023, 12:25 pm.