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.