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.
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