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.