Glennfield, March 22, 2024

On Friday, March 22nd, 2024 I joined Nature Calgary on a field trip at the Glennfield Day Use Area in Fish Creek Provincial Park.  The day was quite a contrast to my Monday walk at Old Refinery Park. It was a bit chilly and was snowing. No blue skies on this walk! The light was flat and made for quite a magical morning. This old cottonwood tree caught my eye. I thought the lighting really worked with a black and white picture.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 200mm, ISO 4000, f/11, 1/2500. 

As I didn't have my landscape camera with me, I used my phone for the next shot. 

Apple iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, f/1.5, 1/4444.

We saw quite a few birds. This White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) was shaking the now off its feathers. It then perched on the branch for a better picture. On this trip I was experimenting with a fixed aperture and speed and allowing the ISO to float. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 585mm, ISO 16000, f/13, 1/2500.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 772mm, ISO 16000, f/13, 1/2500.

This picture of a Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) shows the snow falling. Both the nuthatches produce a lot of sound for such small birds.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 585mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/2500.

Someone had left seeds in the snow and I was able to photograph this Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) as it few of with a seed in its beak. I wanted a fixed shutters peed to help photograph the birds in flight, and it worked for this picture. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 200mm, ISO 3200, f/11, 1/2500.

Compared to the Monday pictures, this Red-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) isn't quite a bright.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 400mm, ISO 16000, f/12, 1/2500.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Old Refinery Park, March 18, 2024

On Monday I headed out for a walk as the weather was about to turn, and Monday was going to be the last warm, sunny day for a while. Old Refinery Park is on the east side of the Bow River, by the Calf Robe Bridge. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 437mm, ISO 1250, f/14, 1/800.

The sun was brilliant that day, and the birds were pairing off.  They had all their brilliant colours on display to attract a mate and were very vocal. This American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was the first robin of the year that I was able to photograph.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 737mm, ISO 4000, f/13, 1/6400.

The colours of the Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) were particularly prominent and they were making a lot of noise.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 4000, f/13, 1/1250.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 4000, f/13, 1/1250.

When the light hit the European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), their feathers lit up.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 415mm, ISO 4000, f/12, 1/6400.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 4000, f/13, 1/4000.

Even the Common Ravens (Corvus corax) were getting into the act of pairing up. So many calls and songs!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 723mm, ISO 1600, f/13, 1/200.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Carburn Park, Calgary: March 15, 2024

On Friday I joined eleven other birders for a morning at Carburn Park in SE Calgary, Alberta. This was a Nature Calgary field trip with one of my favourite leaders. It is wonderful that such knowledgeable leaders volunteer their expertise.  For most of the walk, we were right along the Bow River.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 508mm, ISO 200, f/12, 1/125.

We saw four White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and they are starting to lose their gloss.  In the Spring they shed their winter hair and they can look really scruffy.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 371mm, ISO 5000, f/13, 1/200.

For the first time this year, I saw some gulls.  These were Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) and are a sure sign that the birds are migrating back.  Spring is coming!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 5000, f/13, 1/1250.

We saw at least two Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on the river. As this one was landing on its perch, it got photo-bombed by a Magpie.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 539mm, ISO 1250, f/16, 1/1600.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 800mm, ISO 1250, f/14, 1/2000.

As our day was ending this House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) posed and sang to us. It just doesn't realize that it is an invasive species.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + M20, 415mm, ISO 1250, f/14, 1/320.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

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