Wild Flowers at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

On Thursday June 6, 2024 I took a guided, golf-cart tour of the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. This was a birding field trip. The scenery and the wild flowers captured my attention. The first picture was taken from the top of the hill by the start of the Tiger Lily Trail.

 Olympus OMD E-M5 Markii, 14-42mm, 31mm, ISO200, 1/320, F14.

The colour of the Bow River always catches my eye.

 Olympus OMD E-M5 Markii, 14-42mm, 14mm, ISO200, 1/320, F11.

The first wild flower is the Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum).

 Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO640, 1/400, F10.

The Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana) blossoms appear quite delicate.

Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO1250, 1/400, F13.

These blossoms are  Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense). 

Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 415mm, ISO640, 1/640, F12.

The blues of the Wax-leaf Beardtongue (Penstemon nitidus) are quite saturated.

Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO800, 1/640, F13.

The Cutleaf Anemone (Anemone multifida) are a tiny wildflower, but the colours are very rich.

Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO2000, 1/1000, F10.

The final wild flower of the day was this Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii).

Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO800, 1/1000, F10.

After the tour, I walked the Tiger Lily loop and found this Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) watching me from the trees.

Olympus OM1, 100-400mm + MC20, 524mm, ISO4000, 1/500, F12.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024 

Magnificent Beast!, May 03, 2024

On Friday I drove west of Balzac and eventually found my way to Woodland Road. Along the way I came across a couple of heavy horses and was able to spend time admiring this magnificent beast as it was framed in the background by some aspen trees. My experience with heavy horses is that they have such quiet power. I love how the background emphasises the subject. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 524mm, ISO 2500, f/12, 1/320.

The Bearspaw area is a little behind us weather wise and the crocuses are now in full bloom. 

Olympus E-M5 MarkII, 30mm, ISO 400, f/13, 1/80.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 200mm, ISO 800, f/10, 1/500.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Tulips and Sunrises, May 02, 2024

Maria loved to travel and watch the sun rise with me. She also loved tulips and always enjoyed the winter tulips I would grow for her and the tulips from our flower beds in the Spring. I was thinking that this would be the last time to pick these tulips, but I may be able to move some to my new place. Good memories there.

Olympus E-M5ii, 30mm, ISO 200, f/8, 1/2.

Olympus E-M5ii, 14-42mm, 14mm, ISO 2500, f/9, 1/4000. Frank Lake

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

 

Valentine's Day 2024

In preparation for my first Valentine's Day since Maria died, I planted tulips in containers in the early fall of 2023. These were left in the garage to go through the cold weather and I started to bring them into the kitchen in early to mid January. There were three batches and they came inside every two weeks.  As they started to break through the soil, I remembered how Maria would count the shoots every morning to see how many tulips might bloom. The first burst of colour always put a smile on her face.

Olympus OM-1, 30mm, ISO 200, f/11, 1/60. January 28, 2024

The first full bloom was always something to talk about. It started us thinking about spring and what travel and camping plans we wanted to start. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, ISO 1250, f/11, 1/13. January 29, 2024

We would count each blossom and enjoy the colour they would bring to our home and the mental health support as the winter still held outside. Even as they aged, we celebrated the beauty of these older blooms. This picture was taken on Valentine's Day.

Olympus OM-1, 30mm, ISO 500, f/8, 1/15. Feb 14, 2024

And finally, as the petals started to drop from the flowers, we would have another container of tulips that were peeking out of the soil, starting to share their beauty.

Olympus OM-1, 30mm, ISO 500, f/8, 1/13. Feb 14, 2024

I miss you sweetie!

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Bebo Grove, Friday, August 04, 2023

Friday's walk in Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Provincial Park was quite interesting. Our Field Trip was hosted by Nature Calgary.  Bebo Grove is a very pretty walk. The first two pictures are right along the creek. 

Apple iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/2632, f1.5. Aug 04, 2023, 9:15 am.

Apple iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/2695, f1.5. Aug 04, 2023, 8:45 am.

The best pictures  of the day seemed to be those that didn't include birds. After discussion, this seems to be a Chermock's Fritillary (Argynnis cybele pseudocarpenteri). Identification thanks to Inaturalist.org.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/200, f/16. Aug 04, 2023, 10:45 am.

This dragonfly is a Red-veined Meadowhawk. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 456mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/16. Aug 04, 2023, 10:15 am.

The best bird picture of the day was this female Merlin. It was early in the morning and there wasn't much light. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/160, f/16. Aug 04, 2023, 9:15 am.

Following on the theme of not much light, this beautiful little juvenile female Rufous Hummingbird was seen by our sharp-eye leader. This is a tiny little bird at the end of a branch in the shade. It is however an uncommon sighting and certainly deserves to be shown on this blog. It is also a new Life Bird for me (122 and counting). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 697mm, ISO 1250, 1/125, f/13. Aug 04, 2023, 9:55 am.

The flower of the day was this Water Smartweed (Persicaria amphibia). Identification thanks to Inaturalist.org.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/200, f/16. Aug 04, 2023, 9:10 am.

Inglewood July 17

On the 17th, I went to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary for a walk. You never know what you are going to see, and it was a good day for birds.  This female Belted Kingfisher flew into the lagoon and stopped close to the water's edge. She didn't fish, but quickly moved on.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/13. July 17, 2023, 9:15 am. 

Close to the Colonel Walker House, a Baltimore Oriole flew across the pond and rested in one of the trees by the path. Before it left, I was able to watch it for quite a while and grab a couple of pictures. This one has a band on its right leg. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/14. July 17, 2023, 9:45 am. 

The flickers were making a lot of noise. This male Red-shafted Northern Flicker was one of the noisiest.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 400mm, ISO 1600, 1/100, f/13. July 17, 2023, 9:15 am. 

When walking along the Bow River, across from the Inglewood Golf Course, a pleasant gentleman asked if I could identify a hawk seen on the bank of the Golf Course. I was able to photograph the bird and then blow it up in the viewfinder so that we could identify it as a Red-tailed Hawk. There is nice detail along the right wing. It was a good sighting by the gentleman as the hawk was quite a ways away.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:30 am. 

A group of one of my favourite birds landed on a close tree. The colours of the Cedar Waxwings are just amazing.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:30 am. 

Although not quite as exotic, this Chipping Sparrow flew onto a lower branch and rested for a few moments. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:45 am. 

Very close to the Visitors' Centre, were two flowers worth photographing. The first is a Purple Prairie Clover and small pollinator. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:50 am.

The second is a Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Although this identification is to be confirmed.   

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/14. July 17, 2023, 10:50 am.

Even very prickly subjects can be beautiful! 

Ralph Klein Park July15

Family recommended that I visit the park, so I went on the morning of the 15th and had a very enjoyable walk. Two "life birds" were added to my lifetime list, one a Common Yellowthroat was first heard and then spotted; but I didn't get a picture. It's too bad as it is such a pretty bird. Lucky enough I did get a picture of the other life bird, a White-faced Ibis. This photograph is a challenge because the Ibis is backlit as the sun was still low. Generally this makes the picture more of a silhouette with the colours and details missing. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/13. July 15, 2023, 9:15 am. 

There were a lot of Savannah Sparrows flying from the grass to the small bushes.  Although common, I really enjoy these small pretty birds. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1250, f/13. July 15, 2023, 9:25 am.

There was quite a few groups of Lewis Flax next to the path, and near the North end of the park, there was some Fireweed, something I haven't seen a lot of around Calgary.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/10. July 15, 2023, 9:50 am.

There was quite a number of Ruddy Ducks toward the North end of the wetlands. These pretty ducks are fully decked out, with rich burgundy bodies and blue bills. The breeding males have their tails straight up, and they are very aggressive toward other males. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/13. July 15, 2023, 10:05 am.

Toward the end of my walk, this Great Blue Heron was spotted quite a distance away; looking like an old man. There is a lot of smoke in Calgary, so this picture is also a challenge.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/1600, f/13. July 15, 2023, 10:15 am.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, July 13

On July 13th, I went with family to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Towards the end of our walk, things got interesting. An Osprey was fishing along the Bow River, and we could watch it hover before it dove to the water after fish. It was truly amazing to watch. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 554mm, ISO 1600, 1/3200, f/12. July 13, 2023, 11:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 737mm, ISO 1600, 1/2500, f/13. July 13, 2023, 11:45 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/3200, f/13. July 13, 2023, 11:50 am.

To add a little variety, the Purple prairie clovers (Dalea purpurea) were in bloom. I was able to catch a small bee like pollinator when I took this picture. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 490mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/12. July 13, 2023, 11:55 am.

As we crossed the bridge by the visitors' centre, the kids were impressed with this Two-stripped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 642mm, ISO 1600, 1/320, f/13. July 13, 2023, 12:25 pm.

 

Next to the Visitors' Centre there was a patch of Common Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata). I thought the adjacent stages of full bloom to waning bloom created an interesting contrast. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, 585mm, ISO 1600, 1/800, f/13. July 13, 2023, 12:25 pm.

Inglewood July 02

Calgary dropped its heat wave last night. And this mornings walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was terrific. I saw a little bit of everything - over 16 species in all.  These American Harebells (Campanula alaskana) were on the path on the way to the Bow River on the North side of the park. 

 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/12. July 02, 2023, 9:15 am.

On leaving the Bow River side, this Mule Deer doe (Odocoileus hemionus) was munching close to the path. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/250, f/11. July 02, 2023, 9:35 am.

Towards the South side of the park, crossing one of the small bridges, I noticed a couple of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). One had grabbed a fish from the Bow and the other was trying to share rather than do its own fishing. Unfortunately they were a ways away and flying directly away from me, but you can see the fish in its talons.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/2500, f/12. July 02, 2023, 9:50 am.

Towards the end of my walk, I came across a Red Tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) in the trees. As I was taking its picture, it regurgitated a pellet of undigestible substances (usually bone and feathers). It is an unusual picture, and does look a little gross. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/11. July 02, 2023, 10:00 am.

A couple of less gross poses were also captured. There were a lot of prey species of birds in the tree and they were taking turns dive-bombing the hawk, attempting to encourage it to go elsewhere. An American Robin is caught by the camera as it sped by the hawk. They wouldn't want to fly too slow, the hawk is very quick. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/11. July 02, 2023, 10:05 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, 1/400, f/13. July 02, 2023, 10:05 am.