Searching for Birds October 20, 2023

There was so much beauty in Field, B.C., that it is hard to follow that post and not feel a bit of a letdown. That being said, there is beauty everywhere. Over the last few days I have been to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Carburn Park, and had a nice drive through the gravel roads NE of Calgary looking for migratory birds.  At the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary I found this pretty little Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis). Pretty or not, this bird earned the nick-name of "butcher bird" because of its aggressive hunting skills. It will take on birds its own size. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Oct 16, 2023, 10:30 am.

It was very pretty at Carburn Park. The trees have very few leaves now in comparison to a couple of weeks ago.

Olympus M5ii, 8mm, ISO 400, 1/80, f/10. Oct 18, 2023, 9:00 am.

While at Carburn Park, this adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flew into a tree on the opposite side of the Bow River. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/2000, f/13. Oct 18, 2023, 9:40 am.

After it got settled in, it provided a more classic pose.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/1250, f/13. Oct 18, 2023, 10:10 am.

While north of Strathmore, this magnificent bull gazed across the fence. They are much more calm this time of year.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, 1/1000, f/11. Oct 19, 2023, 9:35 am.

What could have been the highlight of the day was a few Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) on a slough north of Chestermere. Unfortunately they were too far away to fill the picture. They are such a magnificent bird!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Oct 19, 2023, 8:20 am.

A juvenile Bald Eagle was perched on the fence on the opposite side from one of the sloughs north of Strathmore. Sometimes it is good to look behind you.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 371mm, ISO 1250, 1/4000, f/12. Oct 19, 2023, 10:00 am.

North of Strathmore, across from a feedlot, the slough contained some Northern Pintail Ducks (Anas acuta). This is a new bird for me (144 and counting). These are such a pretty duck.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/800, f/13. Oct 19, 2023, 10:50 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/800, f/13. Oct 19, 2023, 10:50 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.