Day 180

Day One-hundred and Eighty. Focusing on one day at a time and it is now day 180; amazing.

 

Olympus OM-1, 30mm Macro, ISO 1250, 1/125, f/4.5. Sep 27, 2023, 9:00 am. Calgary.

I'll never smile again

Until I smile at you

I'll never laugh again

What good would it do?

For tears would fill my eyes

My heart would realize

That our romance is through

I'll never love again

I'm so in love with you

I'll never thrill again

To somebody new

Within my heart

I know I will never start

To smile again

Until I smile at you

Within my heart

I know I will never start

To smile again

Until I smile at you

Wonderful Performance by Vania Chan

Canadian Ruth Lowe wrote this song after the death of her husband. Historica Canada

68th Street Wetlands, September 25, 2023

On Monday morning I went for a walk around the 68th Street Wetlands (Calgary--Rotary/Mattamy Wetlands (68 Street SE)). On the way to the wetlands, I passed a tree with a large Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) perched in the branches. This was on the east side of Chestermere Lake. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/13. Sept 25, 2023, 9:50 am.

There continues to be a reduced number of shorebirds in the area now and I only saw a few Greater Yellowlegs. The trees are well into their Fall colours now and some of the views were beautiful. These trees border a pretty little stream that wanders along the east side of the wetlands. 

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 150mm, ISO 250, 1/80, f/11. Sept 25, 2023, 11:35 am.

Next to the stream were a couple of juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax). They do camouflage quite well in the trees, and I spent a bit of time looking with the binoculars before I found this one. It shouldn't be long before these juveniles join the migration to Mexico for the winter. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Sept 25, 2023, 11:30 am.

There were over a dozen Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) on the ponds. This is more of these waterfowl in one day than I have seen all year. These are quite a hansom small duck. This species of waterfowl is quite interesting and allaboutbirds.org has quite a bit of information on them. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/1000, f/13. Sept 25, 2023, 11:50 am.

It also seems like there are fewer American White Pelicans and Canada Geese right now, but these Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were coming in for a landing on the pond. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 508mm, ISO 1250, 1/160, f/13. Sept 25, 2023, 10:40 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Johnson Island, September 22, 2023

On Friday a fellow birder and I went to Johnson Island (right across from the Carseland Weir). I wanted to see if the Fall colours were fully on display. It is close, but the full colours aren't here yet. It would be good to check back in a few days. The view from the top of the hill was still worth while!

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 14mm, ISO 250, 1/125, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 9:15 am.

This picture follows the hillside. It should be a nice spot in a few more days. Maybe the reds will come out a little more. We don't get a lot of reds in Alberta.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 29mm, ISO 250, 1/250, f/11. Sept 22, 2023, 9:30 am.

Down in the wetlands some of the Aspen and Poplar trees are starting to turn, but there is still a lot of green.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, 1/500, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 11:00 am.

There were fewer American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) on the water, but I was able to photograph this one coming in to land - it looks like fun.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1250, 1/1600, f/12. Sept 22, 2023, 10:05 am.

The pelicans offer a nice contrast to the shore, and the cattle make it typically Alberta! They are so graceful in the air (the Pelicans, not the cattle). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 248mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/11. Sept 22, 2023, 10:05 am.

Although a long way away, I was able to photograph this American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). I have seen it there before but haven't been able to get a photograph. This is a very small Falcon, about the size of a Merlin. These are amazingly pretty Falcons, and the light wasn't quite right to catch the colours. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/640, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 9:40 am.

When we first got there, this female Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) dove into the water and came up with quite a large fish for her size and had trouble swallowing it. She wasn't going to let it go though and kept bashing it on the rocks to stop it from wiggling. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/500, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 9:45 am. 

There were quite a few White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) that morning and I was able to get a photograph that shows off the crown quite well. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 10:20 am.

These a quite a pretty sparrow and we believe that the next picture shows one adult and two juveniles. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 10:20 am.

The two juveniles were not impressed with each other as they competed for food. These were chest bumping and trying to look intimidating. Ah, families! Actually, when I look at this it is almost like a bird looking into a mirror.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/500, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 10:20 am.

It has been a good year when you aren't excited about seeing one more Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), but it is nice to photograph one that isn't perched on a tree. This one flew in just after we arrived. It was still quite chilly, which may explain why it fluffed all its feathers. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/500, f/13. Sept 22, 2023, 9:25 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

 

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary, September 16, 2023

Saturday found me back at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in SE Calgary, one of my favourite places to go birding or for a walk. It was a beautiful day and in the morning the sun was hitting the birds just right. This male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) just sparkled! During the summer their colours were not as bright, but with Fall approaching the colours of coming back and that makes this my favourite picture of the day.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/13. Sept 16, 2023, 10:10 am.

The last three walks at Inglewood I have been finding a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). Previously it was on a branch behind the tree and facing away from the camera. It was the same this morning. The owl was on a higher branch, but it was asleep and facing away from the camera. I checked on her three times during two hours and the last time she woke up and looked my way. It was about a five-minute opportunity before she turned around and went back to sleep. It was a good opportunity to capture a photograph.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 490mm, ISO 1250, 1/50, f/12. Sept 16, 2023, 9:45 am.

When first arriving by the lagoon I always check to see if a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is perched on the trees. On this morning one was perched up there and happened to yawn just as I took its picture. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/20. Sept 16, 2023, 8:20 am.

The tongue is amazing, check out the close-up!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/20. Sept 16, 2023, 8:20 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

68th Street Wetlands, September 15th, 2023

On Friday I walked the 68th Street Wetlands in SE Calgary.  On ebird.org  this is noted in the hotspots section as Calgary--Rotary/Mattamy Wetlands (68 Street SE). There seemed to be a much smaller variety of shorebirds; perhaps migration has started for many of them. There were lots of Pelicans and Cormorants. One of my favourite pictures of the day was of this Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum). It is common to see these birds perched with their wings outstretched. This is due to them having less preen oil on their feathers than other water fowl and they must dry out their feathers (allaboutbirds.org). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 400mm, ISO 1250, 1/640, f/12. Sept 15, 2023, 9:40 am.

Gadwalls (Mareca strepera) are noted for being pretty bland compared to other male birds. I think this male looks pretty cute with the slightly punked up hair and the creative pattern of feathers on its chest. This couple were pretty talkative and you could hear them across the pond. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 772mm, ISO 1250, 1/800, f/13. Sept 15, 2023, 9:25 am.

Parts of the wetlands were very still, and this Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) has quite the reflection as it prepares to grab a morsel from the mud.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/13. Sept 15, 2023, 10:25 am.

During my walk along the East part of the wetlands I saw at least four juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons. They are such a different colour from the full adult. They can camouflage pretty well in the trees. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/250, f/13. Sept 15, 2023, 10:00 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Bridgeland Walk, September 12, 2023

On Tuesday I walked along the Bridgeland Hill, where the old General Hospital used to be and above Memorial Drive on Meredith Road NE.  There was a pretty view across from downtown, just in front of Saint Vladimir's Uranian Orthodox Sobor.  From this view you get a real appreciation of how the downtown has vertically shot past the Calgary Tower. Although taking pictures with both a camera and my phone, for this view the phone captured the best shot.

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/3831, f/1.5. Sept 12, 2023, 10:40 am.

For fun I stood behind the arches that are in front of Saint Vladimir's and took a picture towards downtown.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 14mm, ISO 250, 1/2000, f/4. Sept 12, 2023, 10:50 am.

The Saddledome is still part of the Calgary Skyline; I wonder for how much longer.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 60mm, ISO 250, 1/1250, f/5.5. Sept 12, 2023, 10:20 am.

At right angles from the Saddledome picture is a view of the Centre Street Bridge and the river. Calgary does have a pretty downtown.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 34mm, ISO 250, 1/500, f/8. Sept 12, 2023, 10:45 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Mallard Point, September 9, 2023

Saturday was Maria's birthday. I sang happy birthday to her even though she is gone. Such an emotional day and I needed to get out of the house. Nature Calgary held a field trip at Mallard Point in SE Calgary, just off of Canyon Meadows Drive.  Arriving a little early I was able to photograph a person fly fishing. He had waded a long way out from the shore; the water must be pretty shallow there.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 437mm, ISO 1250, 1/640, f/16. Sept 09, 2023, 8:50 am.

The Osprey were very active. One perched right above us by the river and watched the water for fish - it also watched us pretty closely.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 1250, 1/1600, f/11. Sept 09, 2023, 9:40 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 437mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/12. Sept 09, 2023, 9:50 am.

While we were watching the Osprey, it dove to the water and picked up a fish.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 400mm, ISO 1250, 1/800, f/12. Sept 09, 2023, 10:15 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Tom Campbell's Hill, Calgary, September 11, 2023

On Monday I split up my walk between the Inglewood Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Tom Campbell's Hill.  I had never been up the hill before and I was interested in what the view was like. On Monday there was just enough clouds to make the view interesting. The skyline really lends itself to the panorama format. This picture is from the Kevin Conroy Lookout. The hill is also one of the few places where a nice picture of the Calgary Tower is attainable, and people aren't everywhere. Phones have wide angle lenses and lend themselves to this type of panorama. 

iPhone 14, 5.7mm, ISO 50, 1/4630, f/1.5. Sept 11, 2023, 11:15 am.

A little bit north of the lookout, this picture frames the Calgary Tower in an interesting way. It is nice to see the Calgary Tower highlighted instead of being overwhelmed by the buildings close by. I remember when the Husky Tower was being built and when it was the tallest building in Calgary and one of the tallest in Canada.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 52mm, ISO 250, 1/125, f/18. Sept 11, 2023, 11:10 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary. September 6&7, 2023

For the last two days, I have enjoyed time at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in East Calgary. It is such an amazing green-space so close to downtown.  It is also a very pretty spot. All of these pictures were taken in the mornings. The first picture was taken mid-morning on Wednesday. It was a chilly morning and there was still some mist above the water. The water was very still and the reflections are beautiful.

 Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 42mm, ISO 640, 1/500, f/7.1. Sept 6, 2023, 10:15 am.

The next two photographs were taken on Thursday. The work the City of Calgary has done on the lagoon have really improved the water flow. I hope that means that we will got more waterfowl in the lagoon this winter than we did last year. The first picture is from the small bridge facing North. I really appreciate all the shades of green. Maria loved to paint green; she would have loved to paint this picture. 

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 14mm, ISO 640, 1/500, f/6.3. Sept 7, 2023, 9:05 am.

This second picture was taken from the same spot, but facing South toward the Bow River.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 42mm, ISO 640, 1/400, f/6.3. Sept 7, 2023, 9:10 am.

This pretty mated pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) will be migrating South pretty soon and I will miss their brilliant colours until they return next spring.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/1600, f/16. Sept 07, 2023, 9:50 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Red Tailed Hawk, Calgary, September 6, 2023

This post will only feature this picture. I absolutely love this photograph! It looks like I painted a picture of what a Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) should look like. It is hard to appreciate when they are flying overhead or perching facing you. The tail on this hawk is just perfect!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 1250, 1/50, f/16. Sept 06, 2023, 10:25 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Township Road 250, East of Calgary. September 2, 2023

On Saturday I drove East of Calgary for a family visit just North of Strathmore. Rather than stick to well travelled paved roads, I kept going east on McKnight Blvd onto Township Road 250. The gravel road was well groomed and I only passed one vehicle travelling the opposite direction, at a stop sign. I had been told about a wonderful place to stop where the fields went on for ever and with just a couple of grain storage bins to break up the landscape. Unfortunately the crop had been taken off and I need to revisit the site next year and hope for some more colour and texture.

 Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 25mm, ISO 640, 1/1250, f/11. Sept 02, 2023, 2:40 pm.

All along the route there were hawks sitting on fence posts and power lines; so typical of the prairies at this time of year. This Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) perched on the cross-bar and called to its mate. Such a prairie sight! At this time of year these hawks are congregating to migrate to their winter grounds in Argentina - one of the longest migrations of any North American raptor. They only fly over land, so as the land narrows in the southern US and Mexico, they are seen in the hundreds or thousands. It must be quite a sight; probably noisy too. Thanks to allaboutbirds.org for the information. 

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 150mm, ISO 640, 1/2500, f/5.6. Sept 02, 2023, 2:50 pm.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Calgary, Alberta, September 02, 2023

As I was feeling a little 'antsy' on Saturday, instead of staying home I went to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary early in the morning to walk the trails and to see what wildlife was out and about. The City of Calgary has been working on the lagoon for about 18 months to increase the flow of water through the lagoon and increase the oxygen level in the water.  It looks like it is about done. The water level is higher and I hope this will support the birds better through the winter. Last winter the lagoon froze over for most of the winter and the birds had to over-winter on the Bow River. 

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 31mm, ISO 640, 1/1250, f/8. Sept 02, 2023, 8:30 am.

Shortly after passing through the gate to the Sanctuary, one of the resident Coyotes (Canis latrans) saw me and slowly headed away. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 2000, 1/800, f/13. Sept 02, 2023, 8:00 am.

A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was perched high up in a tree well over an hour. My favourite picture of it was just after it took off from the dead branch.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 371mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/16. Sept 02, 2023, 9:25 am.

It was a good day for predators, I spotted a Bald Eagle, two Osprey, and a Red-tailed Hawk. The two Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) flew over the lagoon and that was what encouraged the Great Blue Heron to find a bit of a safer roost. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1250, 1/1000, f/16. Sept 02, 2023, 9:25 am.

This juvenile American Robin (Turdus migratorius) seemed to embrace the raptor vibe and got all scary looking!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 500mm, ISO 1250, 1/1600, f/16. Sept 02, 2023, 9:20 am.

Across the river from the Sanctuary, this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was perched on the trees, keeping eye on the Bow River.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/16. Sept 02, 2023, 9:00 am.

When in the Sanctuary I usually see Mule Deer, but this morning I saw this year's fawn White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, 1/25, f/18. Sept 02, 2023, 8:20 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

West Bragg Creek, Kananaskis, Alberta. September 01, 2023

Friday presented an opportunity to participate in a field trip at West Bragg Creek with one of my favourite leaders from Nature Calgary.  The weather was great, my best time of the day. It was a little cool as we started hiking but we quickly warmed up. We hiked the Snowshoe Hare trail from the North parking lot. It was beautiful on the trails and one of my favourite pictures was of the trail itself.

Olympus M5ii, 14-150mm, 14mm, ISO 640, 1/60, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 11:25 am.

During the hike we were lucky enough to see about five Red-naped Sapsuckers (Sphyrapicus nuchalis). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 508mm, ISO 2000, 1/125, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 11:50 am.

The leader pointed out an Aspen tree that had received attention from the Sapsuckers. The holes almost looked like they were mechanical in nature. We were told that the Sapsuckers drill these holes (just through the bark and not into the wood), and when the sap fills the holes they will come back and "suck" out the sap or roll insects in the sap to feed their young. Perhaps a more balanced diet. :-) The Sapsuckers will, at times, kill the tree if the row of holes in the bark goes all the way around the tree.

The Sapsuckers were a new Life Bird for me (140 and counting).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 2000, 1/25, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 11:45 am.

On our walk we also saw some Pine Siskins, which have a rhyming scientific name (Spinus pinus). This one has an understated row of yellow feathers on its wing.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 2000, 1/800, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 10:00 am.

This Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) was high in the trees and difficult to identify until I got home. It is always good to have a picture!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/2500, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 9:25 am.

Catching them in flight is quite a challenge.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/2500, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 9:25 am.

There was some condensation on the leaves, and the colours were quite rich early in the morning. These Squash Berries (Viburnum edule) were a brilliant red. At ground level the light was low, requiring a high ISO and slow shutter speed; very hard to take a photograph without a tripod - but it worked.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 248mm, ISO 2000, 1/30, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 9:55 am.

No attempt will be made to name the leaf!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 2000, 1/80, f/13. Sept 01, 2023, 10:40 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.