Walking the Neighbourhood

You don't always have to go a long way from home. Here I live in almost the heart of downtown, and the opportunities for pictures Saturday were many. Probably the most fun were these pictures from Saint Patrick's Island; first of an Osprey. This was perched along the South side of the island, and then flew off after being mobbed by a bunch of American Magpies.

There was also a Canada Goose eating in the lagoon. Yes and common bird, but I love the contrast between the extreme detail on the goose and the ethereal background. The subject also seems perfect for a monochrome presentation. 

Also a pretty common bird in Alberta, this Common Merganser was snorkelling along the pond looking for aquatic insects and minnows. 

Also on the island was this Drone Fly, which looks remarkably like a bee.

And finally on my way home, it seemed the colour of the day was red; lovely flowers. It was fun talking to the owners of the house about their pride in the garden.

Best of August 2025

August 2025 was a good month for photographs. The weather was good and there were some good opportunities to be outside.  There were many favourite pictures, and I will share some in categories. The first category is scenic. 

The first weekend of August was spent at the Nipika Mountain Resort. The first day there we walked to the Kootenay River. On the second day we walked to the Cross River.

On the second week I was lucky enough to be taken by a friend to Forget Me Not Pond in Kananaskis. I have never been there before and although we were birding, I did take my full frame camera for scenic pictures.

The last scenic picture of the month is of St. Ignatius Russian Orthodox Church from across the river in East Village in Calgary.

My favourite wildlife picture category is of this Chipmunk at Forget Me Not Pond.

For wildlife, I also love the picture of a Mallard hen taken on a morning walk on the Bow River and a Chickadee picture. 

And finally for the month, in a miscellaneous category, this flower struggling through the sidewalk in Bridgeland. Life always finds a way. Also in this category are some Asters at Nipika and a bee at Forget Me Not Pond. 

 

Best of July 2025

July started off with a celebration of Canada Day. I went down to the Bow River, by the Skip-stone bridge and Saint Patrick's Island. It was a hot day, and lots of people were floating the Bow. The first picture is of a couple floating the Bow and the second is of the Calgary Fire Service water rescue crew - trying to keep everyone safe. The third and last picture from that day is of a young woman taking a selfie down by the water.

 

Later in the month the canola fields were in bloom and I went back out to the canola field of which I took a picture last month. So different now! I took quite a few pictures, but I think this one is the best. The power lines down the left give the field some depth.

Sticking with the no bird theme this month, I would like to finish off with a picture of a Police Car moth (which only makes sense if the police cars in your area are black and white) and a monochrome picture of some flowers in the back alley in Bridgeland.

Okay, three  birds from the middle of the month. The Gray Catbird is an unusual photo because you can see the red coverts under the tail. The Bald Eagle because it is what it is, and the pretty little Song Sparrow are also both worth some recycled electrons.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photoraw 2025

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.