68th Street Wetlands, May 13, 2024

On our wedding anniversary I went to the 68th Street Wetlands to go for a walk and enjoy the birds. I thought this Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) would be good on a coffee mug for my more challenging days.

 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 12800, f/13, 1/1250.

A pair of Horned Grebes (Podiceps auritus) were performing a mating ritual and it was quite amazing to watch. I was very lucky to be able to take a picture of them running on the water.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 8000, f/13, 1/1250.

The Willets (Tringa semipalmata) were also getting into the act. This male Willet was dancing by itself though, trying to attract attention.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 710mm, ISO 2000, f/13, 1/640.

On the way to the wetlands, I passed a house that has installed a Purple Martin (Progne subis) "condo" and it has attracted just the right quality of tenants.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 10000, f/13, 1/500.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024 

Carburn Park, May 10, 2024

Carburn Park is aways a good place to go for a walk and see some wildlife. It is one of the best birding areas of the City of Calgary. 

 Olympus OMD E-M5 Mark ii, 14-42mm, 14mm, ISO 200, f/11, 1/125.

The biggest surprise of the day was that the porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) was out of its nest and was down by the trail on the west side of the park.

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1000, f/13, 1/320.

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 300mm, ISO 640, f/12, 1/320.

Carburn is also one of the best places to see Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and this one was across the Bow River from the park.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 640, f/13, 1/1000.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) may be common, but they are beautiful when the sun hits them.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, f/13, 1/320.

As I was leaving the park, I saw this Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). The colours are unusual as this is its first full year and it doesn't have full colours.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 437mm, ISO 2000, f/12, 1/320.

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

Calgary Zoo, April 29, 2024

Monday was supposed to be our last warm day for a while, so before the snow started to fall I visited the Calgary Zoo.  I bought a membership, made a donation, and packed up my camera and headed to the zoo. You get a lot closer to animals at the zoo and I did not need my large birding lens. I kept backing away in order to try to get more of the animal in the picture.  The most photogenic animal at the zoo has to be the Red Panda. If going to the zoo puts a smile on your face then the trip is well worth while.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 642mm, ISO 4000, f/13, 1/500.

Driving the backroads around Calgary you don't get very close to Snowy Owls, so it was nice to see this Snowy Owl on my second round through the Canadian Wilds part of the zoo. Both these pictures were taken through a wire fence and yet turned out okay.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, f/13, 1/320.

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

When going to the zoo I always walk the Canadian Wild first and was nice to be able to take pictures of Rocky Mountain Sheep, Mountain Goats and Wolves.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 456mm, ISO 3200, f/12, 1/400.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 200mm, ISO 400, f/10, 1/320.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 400mm, ISO 5000, f/12, 1/500.

The pictures of the Canadian Wild finished off with a Grizzly bear, Cougar and Polar Bear. It is unusual to catch the Cougar out of its sunny spot and there was only a brief opportunity to take a picture. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 280mm, ISO 1000, f/11, 1/320.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 200mm, ISO 500, f/10, 1/320.

The Polar Bear is our most recent addition to the zoo, and it has a wonderfully large area to roam. Such a contrast to the cages when I was a child! The first picture was taken through a window and the second from a small opening where there is no fence or window. It is a long way away, and I had a tiny moment to take the picture as the bear wandered through.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, f/10, 1/400.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, f/13, 1/400.

It is always amazing to watch the Siberian Tigers. They are such a large majestic animal. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 340mm, ISO 2500, f/12, 1/500.

Flamingos always add to the colour of the day.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 571mm, ISO 1600, f/12, 1/500.

The Penguins are so personable and the Peacocks are such colourful birds; I ended my trip to the zoo with these pictures.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 200mm, ISO 3200, f/10, 1/1000.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 524mm, ISO 640, f/12, 1/500.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Hawks, April 26, 2024

On Friday there was a Nature Calgary field trip to Frank Lake, east of High River.  Frank Lake is a wonderful place for shorebirds. With a couple of other birding friends, I drove the back roads in the area and we saw this Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) perched on a fence post. This is a very regal looking hawk (thus the Latin name). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1000, f/13, 1/640.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1000, f/13, 1/640.

Quite close to Frank Lake we also saw a Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) in the trees by the side of the road. This hawk is in the same genus as the Ferruginous hawk.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1000, f/13, 1/640.

We didn't, however, go to Frank Lake to see raptors and there were lots of shorebirds. This Willet (Tringa semipalmata) flew over us and then landed next to the water.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1000, f/13, 1/320.

The best part of the morning for me was the sound of all the Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) as we explored the area.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, f/13, 1/2500.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Teal Day, April 24, 2024

On Wednesday I went for a solo walk at the 68th Street Wetlands in SE Calgary by Stoney Trail and 17th Ave.  I was lucky to see three different species of teals, all on the same small pond. A favourite for many people is the Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera), and this one posed in the grass quite close to me. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 2500, f/16, 1/500.

The Green-winged (Anas crecca) teal was a little further away. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 640, f/13, 1/500.

The Blue-winged (Spatula discors) teal was the last of the species. In the background is an American Avocet. The Blue-winged teals are more common, but is unusual for me to see all three species on the same day.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 400, f/13, 1/500.

Also on Wednesday I was lucky enough to have musical accompaniment by two Coyotes (Canis latrans).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, f/13, 1/1000.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 400, f/13, 1/1000.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, April 13 & 15, 2024

On Saturday I participated in a field trip with Nature Calgary at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. I followed it up with a walk by myself on Monday.  All the snow and ice were off the paths, so the walks were enjoyable  -  no spikes on shoes. I had heard that the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) were back on the Bow River, so we were primed to look for one at the Sanctuary. We were still in the shadow of the visitors' centre on Monday when we saw one. Perching on a cell tower isn't the most natural setting, but it was good to see the osprey. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, f/13, 1/2000.

While walking by the Colonel Walker house, a Coyote (Canis latrans) stood on a berm and watched us. It was losing its winter fur and was a bit scruffy. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 10000, f/13, 1/2000.

The Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) seem to be coming back to the lagoon in abundance. You know you are spoiled when you don't get excited about taking their picture. There are so photogenic and when the sun hits them, it is hard to resist.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1000, f/13, 1/500.

During the early part of the morning this duck was backlit by the sunshine as it bathed. It seemed to be really enjoying its bath and there were water droplets everywhere.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 800, f/13, 1/2000.

This Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) was perched on the bridge, close to where its mate was in a nest (at the top of a broken off snag). It would hiss at people sneaking by on the bridge, but it would not leave its protective spot.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, f/13, 1/250.

On Monday I spotted this female Wood Duck high in the trees looking for a suitable cavity in which to nest. At least this close to the lagoon the ducklings will not have far to travel after leaping out of their nests.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 490mm, ISO 10000, f/12, 1/2000.

Following up on common birds that sparkle in the sunshine, this Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) checked me out as I took its picture.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, f/13, 1/320.

A female Red-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) had found an ideal nest and was waiting for its mate to return. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 2000, f/13, 1/200.

Only a few of the song birds have returned, so this House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) still has the prettiest song in the Sanctuary.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, f/16, 1/250.

When walking along the Bow River on the East side of the park, I spotted this coyote. It has different facial markings than the one I saw on Saturday, so maybe there will be pups in May or June.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm plus MC20, 800mm, ISO 1600, f/13, 1/500.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024