68th Street Wetlands, Calgary, August 19, 2023

The Fireworks competition GlobalFest has been happening this week. Some of the people I have talked to in Nature Calgary have been concerned for the birds. I went out this morning to check on the Wetlands and see how the birds were doing.  I was quite surprised at the number of birds still in the area and the diversity of species. Also, the birds didn't appear to be any more wary than usual. I was very glad to see this.  This morning I identified over 20 species during my walk (about normal for me).

My favourite picture of the day is of these two non-breeding, immature American Avocets. I love the understated plumage in these young birds and their reflection in the water.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/80, f/18. Aug 19, 2023, 8:55 am.

Sparrows can be hard to identify and I will temporarily label this a Savannah Sparrow until I can find out more. It perched on the fence with the sun behind it, which adds to the difficulty in photographing it and identifying it.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/1600, f/14. Aug 19, 2023, 9:05 am.

There were at least six Great Blue Herons, and even more surprising was at least an equal number of Black-crowned Night Herons. Both Herons are shy birds and it didn't seem as if the fireworks had driven any away from the wetlands. This picture of a juvenile Night Heron was my favourite Heron picture of the day. It seemed a day for the juveniles to take the spotlight.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 588mm, ISO 1250, 1/640, f/14. Aug 19, 2023, 9:50 am.

This year was the first year that I have seen White-faced Ibis, and today I saw quite a few. At least five or six Ibis were in the Wetlands. This picture is perhaps my best as it shows the subtle colours of this species quite well.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/14. Aug 19, 2023, 9:40 am.

The final picture to share today is this one of American Pelicans. It seems like they all got the call for brunch at the same time and they put on a bit of a parade before getting down to eat. Not to be outdone, and couple of Ring-billed Gulls photobombed the event.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/800, f/14. Aug 19, 2023, 9:50 am.

All photographic files post-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.