North Glenmore Park, December 30, 2023

As 2023 wound down I went on a field trip with Nature Calgary to North Glenmore Park. The weather continues to be amazingly warm and it was a beautiful walk. One of the highlights of the day was the coyotes on the reservoir ice.  Apparently it is a nice and safe place to catch some sun and three coyotes (Canis latrans) were sunning themselves.  One coyote closest to shore stood up, stretched, and shook. I love the ring of hair as it moves down the body. If humans could shake like that, we could get all the kinks out!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/5000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:35 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/5000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:35 am.

It was a beautiful morning. There is not much snow on the mountains and much of the snow has left the ground. We are going to need a lot of snow in 2024 if our water table is going to rebuild! But for now, it is awfully nice to walk in such nice weather - in December!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 4000, 1/1600, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:40 am.

We were lucky to see quite a few birds. This female Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) flew into this tree as we were finishing our trip. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 539mm, ISO 4000, 1/2500, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:15 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/5000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:15 am.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are a pretty common sight, but the sun shining on the water droplets on the ducks back and its iridescent head makes this picture worth while. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/1250, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 9:55 am.

This House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) and the Red-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) add even more colour to the morning. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 642mm, ISO 4000, 1/2000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 10:40 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 710mm, ISO 4000, 1/1600, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 10:40 am.

The water reflecting the brown shoreline makes this Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) really stand out.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/1000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 10:00 am.

And finally, at the end our our walk, this Common Ravel (Corvus corax) swooped overhead. As the camera was shooting into the sun, I just made the picture a silhouette.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 4000, 1/4000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:30 am.

Thank you to allaboutbirds.org for help with the Latin! 

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Day 270

December 26th, 2023 (Boxing Day) was day 270. Two hundred and seventy days since Maria died.  I lit this candle when her body was being cremated and I have lit it every three months since. 

On this day I lit the candle, thought about the wonderful adventures we shared, and cooked pancakes in her memory. For years, every Sunday I would cook pancakes for Maria and I would put a happy face on her pancakes. It didn't matter where we were, we had pancakes on Sunday. Whether at home, in the bus, the fifth-wheel or the trailer, I made her pancakes. From Miami, Oklahoma to Kluane National Park in the Yukon, pancakes were made. 

It was our time to have a slow breakfast (I made the pancakes one at a time and didn't make the next until each was eaten). We would share our thoughts of the week and chat about life in general. It was a wonderful little tradition we carried on.

On December 26th, I made pancakes (for the first time since she died), lit her candle, thought about Maria and then holding her in my heart went on a walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There were lots of Chickadees at the Sanctuary, so I held out my hand and they took turns landing on the hand and checking for treats. 

Maria wanted me to continue my nature walks and to share my pictures.  The Bird Sanctuary didn't disappoint. When I came home I edited my pictures and shared them with my memories of Maria. 

Miss you sweetie!

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, December 18, 2023

On Monday morning I walked at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. It was a lucky day to be there. I got there quite early - in the blue hour. There was not much light, so I had to set my camera at a very high ISO. Shortly after arriving I saw a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) on the Bow River. Although not a rare sighting, it is always special to see these magnificent birds and to be able to take their picture. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 558mm, ISO 10000, 1/160, f/13. Dec 18, 2023, 9:00 am.

There were a couple of Hairy Woodpeckers (Dryobates villosus) in the Sanctuary, one male and one female. This is the female.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 10000, 1/500, f/12. Dec 18, 2023, 10:40 am.

Toward the south end of the lagoon I surprised a pack of four coyotes (Canis iatrans). Although it is common to see coyotes in the park, this is the first time that I have seen them as a pack.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 10000, 1/125, f/11. Dec 18, 2023, 9:30 am.

Seeing a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) always makes the day special. I stayed quite aways from the owl in order to not stress it. As its eyes are closed and its ear tufts are not straight up, I think I was successful in keeping its stress to a minimum.  

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 371mm, ISO 4000, 1/50, f/12. Dec 18, 2023, 10:25 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Christmas Bird Count, December 17, 2023

On Sunday Nature Calgary lead the Christmas Bird Count in Calgary. The good weather is continuing in Calgary and it helped make the morning very enjoyable. Arriving a little early, I was able to catch the end of the sunrise.

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 100, 1/121, f/1.5. Dec 17, 2023, 8:30 am.

We met at the confluence of the Bow River and Elbow River. There is a very interesting Bridge from Bridgeland to the confluence. 

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 125, 1/106, f/1.5. Dec 17, 2023, 8:35 am.

Another volunteer and I walked the Elbow River from the confluence up to Union Cemetery (25 Ave SE). We saw hundreds of Canada Geese, dozens of Mallards, and a few other birds. Not as common as other times of the year, we came across some Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 456mm, ISO 4000, 1/400, f/12. Dec 17, 2023, 9:15 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/1000, f/13. Dec 17, 2023, 9:25 am.

We also saw a few Common Goldeneyes and a couple of Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 571mm, ISO 1250, 1/500, f/12. Dec 17, 2023, 10:10 am.

As we got close to the parking lot, a couple of Downy Woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) flew into an old snag.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 371mm, ISO 4000, 1/3200, f/12. Dec 17, 2023, 10:45 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Calgary Skyline

On November 26th, 2023 I took some pictures from Tom Campbell Hill in Calgary, overlooking the Bridgeland neighbourhood.  Of the ones taken, I think I enjoy this one the most. The simplicity of the image focuses the eye on the skyline - the subject of the scene. There are no distractions in the foreground; no leading edges, no trees. The Calgary Tower is clearly visible next to the larger, newer buildings. For decades Calgary has been a vibrant city; the economic driver of Alberta and Canada. The cranes help suggest that growth is once again happening. 

  iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/775, f/1.5. Nov 26, 2023, 4:40 pm.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023