Beiseker, AB, March 09, 2024

On Saturday a more experience birder from Nature Calgary joined me in a drive north and east of Beiseker, looking for Snowy Owls. It was a beautiful day for a drive, and just driving the quiet gravel roads was enjoyable. There was still lots of snow on the grounds and in the mountains. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 248mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/8000.

The best picture of the day was of some Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix). Such a pretty bird for such a ... gray name.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 749mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/4000.

Also of note was this Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/3200.

We were lucky to find a snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) east of Beiseker. It was quite a distance across a field, in front of some farm building. The magpies bothered the owl until it flew away, and you can see some lunch in its talons.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/2500.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/1600.

It is a little early in the year, but we also saw some Richardson's Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 554mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/2000.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Mallard Point & Douglas Park, March 8, 2024

On Friday, March 8, 2024 I went on a hike with Nature Calgary from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.  We started off at Mallard Point, walked across the pedestrian bridge and continued on in Douglas Park on the East side of the Bow River. The biggest highlight of the day was a couple of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) which were gathering nesting material. We were able to watch them snap off large branches off dead trees and carry the branches to their nest. After I saw one eagle leave the nest, I waited on the path for it to fly back to the tree and was able to take some pictures of the eagle in flight. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 200mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/8000. 

We later were able to observe one of the eagles perching in the tree by the river.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 600mm, ISO 2500, f/13, 1/1600.

Some Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) males were demonstrating their attractiveness through an unusual mating dance of laying their head on the their back. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/6400. 

We were lucky enough to spot the Barrow's Goldeneye variant. In this picture the Barrow's has a tear-shaped white spot on its cheek.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/10000. 

On the Douglas Park side of the walk, the sun was hitting the Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) just right to bring out the iridescence of the head of the male.  

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 371mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/8000. 

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Priddis, Alberta, February 18, 2024

On Sunday, February 18, 2024 I went with a drive with another member of Nature Calgary to check out a private bird feeder in the Priddis/Millarville area. It was a great day for a drive, and the weather was perfect. I took a scenic shot of the area after we left the feeder. The camera was still set up for taking pictures of the birds in the shade, so the ISO is really high. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 200mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/25600. February 18, 2024, 12:45pm

The owner of the feeder had about 20 bird feeders, all protected so that the deer and moose didn't eat all the bird feed. There was quite a flock of Common Redpolls (Acanthis flammea) visiting the feeders. I was lucky enough to get a photograph of one Redpoll as it flew over the feeder. I think this was my favourite of the day. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 200mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/1250. February 18, 2024, 10:15am

A Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) also flew into the feeder to eat from a suet feeder. Unfortunately I was taking the picture through the protective chain-link fence. The eyes look a little disturbing...

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/160. February 18, 2024, 10:20am

I was very happy to be able to get this picture of a Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis). I think they are such a pretty bird; very understated!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 340mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/400. February 18, 2024, 9:40am

Some Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) also flew into the feeders. We were very lucky to see such a variety of birds. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 400mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/1250. February 18, 2024, 10:15am

When we left the feeders, we drove back along highway 22X, looking for Snowy Owls. We were lucky to observe this Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) first flying along the highway and then perched in a tree.

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 340mm, ISO 1250, f/16, 1/320. February 18, 2024, 1:00pm

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

Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Provincial Park, February 9, 2024

During the field trip with Nature Calgary at Votier's Flats on Friday, we only saw five different species of birds; a bit of a let down. However, the American Coyotes (Canis latrans) more than made up for it.  Most of the coyotes mate in January and February and then pups are born in April and May. On our walk the coyotes had no fear and were quite territorial. This coyote saw us (there were eight of us), walked toward us and stared us down, then peed on a tree and slowly walked away.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/500, f/18. Feb 09, 2024, 9:50 am.

This coyote wound up being chased away from a bonded pair, right across the ice. No damage was done, but territory was established.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 5000, 1/3200, f/18. Feb 09, 2024, 10:25 am.

After the chase, it postured on the other side of the ice - hackles raised - and howled.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 571mm, ISO 5000, 1/1600, f/18. Feb 09, 2024, 10:25 am.

It was so focused on the other coyote that it didn't even notice the photographer standing behind it taking pictures. The photographer had to back up to take a picture, because the coyote was too close. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 571mm, ISO 5000, 1/1600, f/18. Feb 09, 2024, 10:30 am.

It was a great day for photographing coyotes. This American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) also posed.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 656mm, ISO 5000, 1/200, f/18. Feb 09, 2024, 10:40 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Carburn Park, Friday, February 02, 2024

It's a new month and I was back at Carburn Park in SE Calgary on a field trip with Nature Calgary. It was a very nice day for a walk and we saw a good variety of birds and mammals. We saw four Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in total, two juveniles and two mature adults. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 2000, 1/1250, f/18. Feb 02, 2024, 10:50 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/1250, f/18. Feb 02, 2024, 10:20 am.

In the next picture two juvenile Bald Eagles were challenging for a dead Canada Goose - lunch.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/2000, f/13. Feb 02, 2024, 9:55 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/4000, f/13. Feb 02, 2024, 10:00 am.

All the mature Bald Eagles were some distance away, and this is the best shot that I could get of a mature eagle.

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/5000, f/13. Feb 02, 2024, 10:00 am.

The prettiest bird of the day, and perhaps the most abundant, was the Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola). When the sun hits the drake's head just right, it really sparkles.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/2000, f/13. Feb 02, 2024, 10:15 am.

As we were headed toward the north end of the park, this Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) was making good headway upstream.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 5000, 1/1250, f/11. Feb 02, 2024, 10:15 am.

As we were leaving the park we swung by the porcupine den and were lucky to find a North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)  sunning itself outside of its den. On the original pictures, you could find its eye peeking out (the tail is to the left).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 2000, 1/50, f/18. Feb 02, 2024, 11:10 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 2000, 1/125, f/18. Feb 02, 2024, 11:10 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Carburn Park, Calgary, January 26, 2024

On Friday I went on a solo walk at Carburn Park. The birding has been very good there all winter long, and it didn't disappoint on Friday.  There were four Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) on the river, three completely white and one grey; the grey being a cygnet, this year's hatch. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/800, f/14. Jan 26, 2024, 9:25 am.

There have been lots of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on this section of the river, and a mature eagle perched across the river from the path. On this trip I was trying to avoid the "bird in a box" look of many of my pictures and included more background or foreground. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 600mm, ISO 5000, 1/5000, f/16. Jan 26, 2024, 9:40 am.

The Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were flying along the river quite a bit, and I was able to take a couple of action shots. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 5000, 1/2500, f/16. Jan 26, 2024, 10:20 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 5000, 1/5000, f/16. Jan 26, 2024, 10:25 am.

There were seven White-tail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) seen in the bushes, one group of three and one of four. There were no bucks in the groups.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 5000, 1/1000, f/16. Jan 26, 2024, 11:00 am.

This winter we have enjoyed a lot of sunny days, and we are lucky to enjoy so many green spaces right in the City of Calgary.

Canon EOS M10, 15-45mm, 45mm, ISO 800, 1/1000, f/11. Jan 26, 2024, 9:40 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024