South Glenmore Park, Calgary, November 21, 2023

Yesterday I went on a field trip with Nature Calgary to South Glenmore Park in SW Calgary.  The day was a little cloudy, but for later November, it was a beautiful day.  It seemed like we were being bombarded by Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). They are obviously being fed. One of the birders held a peanut on their hand, and this Chickadee took seconds to swoop in a grab the peanut. I had to back up in order to get the picture in focus. The little bird was very close and very not afraid. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/11. Nov 21, 2023, 10:15 am.

We were able to spot a Merlin (Falco columbarius) hiding in the spruce trees eating its lunch.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 490mm, ISO 3200, 1/200, f/12. Nov 21, 2023, 9:35 am.

As we hiked along the path, we could hear a woodpecker, so we stopped and searched the trees until we spotted this Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens). Like most woodpeckers, when eating it didn't care that we were observing.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/12. Nov 21, 2023, 10:15 am.

One of the birders with great vision spotted this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) way out on the edge of the ice - all by itself. A good photograph should be about something, not of something. It should catch your heart. This is not a bad photograph of a Bald Eagle; it is a photograph about.... loneliness! 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 10:50 am.

We also saw some mammals on our hike. Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are always a fun find. They have such strong personalities and are incredibly photogenic.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/80, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 9:55 am.

This magnificent White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) buck watched us from the distance before it ran into the trees.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 642mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 10:55 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 642mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 10:55 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.