North Glenmore Park, December 30, 2023

As 2023 wound down I went on a field trip with Nature Calgary to North Glenmore Park. The weather continues to be amazingly warm and it was a beautiful walk. One of the highlights of the day was the coyotes on the reservoir ice.  Apparently it is a nice and safe place to catch some sun and three coyotes (Canis latrans) were sunning themselves.  One coyote closest to shore stood up, stretched, and shook. I love the ring of hair as it moves down the body. If humans could shake like that, we could get all the kinks out!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/5000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:35 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/5000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:35 am.

It was a beautiful morning. There is not much snow on the mountains and much of the snow has left the ground. We are going to need a lot of snow in 2024 if our water table is going to rebuild! But for now, it is awfully nice to walk in such nice weather - in December!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 4000, 1/1600, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:40 am.

We were lucky to see quite a few birds. This female Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) flew into this tree as we were finishing our trip. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 539mm, ISO 4000, 1/2500, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:15 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/5000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:15 am.

Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are a pretty common sight, but the sun shining on the water droplets on the ducks back and its iridescent head makes this picture worth while. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/1250, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 9:55 am.

This House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) and the Red-shafted Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) add even more colour to the morning. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 642mm, ISO 4000, 1/2000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 10:40 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 710mm, ISO 4000, 1/1600, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 10:40 am.

The water reflecting the brown shoreline makes this Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) really stand out.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/1000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 10:00 am.

And finally, at the end our our walk, this Common Ravel (Corvus corax) swooped overhead. As the camera was shooting into the sun, I just made the picture a silhouette.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 4000, 1/4000, f/13. Dec 30, 2023, 11:30 am.

Thank you to allaboutbirds.org for help with the Latin! 

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, December 18, 2023

On Monday morning I walked at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. It was a lucky day to be there. I got there quite early - in the blue hour. There was not much light, so I had to set my camera at a very high ISO. Shortly after arriving I saw a Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) on the Bow River. Although not a rare sighting, it is always special to see these magnificent birds and to be able to take their picture. 

 Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 558mm, ISO 10000, 1/160, f/13. Dec 18, 2023, 9:00 am.

There were a couple of Hairy Woodpeckers (Dryobates villosus) in the Sanctuary, one male and one female. This is the female.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 300mm, ISO 10000, 1/500, f/12. Dec 18, 2023, 10:40 am.

Toward the south end of the lagoon I surprised a pack of four coyotes (Canis iatrans). Although it is common to see coyotes in the park, this is the first time that I have seen them as a pack.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 10000, 1/125, f/11. Dec 18, 2023, 9:30 am.

Seeing a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) always makes the day special. I stayed quite aways from the owl in order to not stress it. As its eyes are closed and its ear tufts are not straight up, I think I was successful in keeping its stress to a minimum.  

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 371mm, ISO 4000, 1/50, f/12. Dec 18, 2023, 10:25 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Christmas Bird Count, December 17, 2023

On Sunday Nature Calgary lead the Christmas Bird Count in Calgary. The good weather is continuing in Calgary and it helped make the morning very enjoyable. Arriving a little early, I was able to catch the end of the sunrise.

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 100, 1/121, f/1.5. Dec 17, 2023, 8:30 am.

We met at the confluence of the Bow River and Elbow River. There is a very interesting Bridge from Bridgeland to the confluence. 

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 125, 1/106, f/1.5. Dec 17, 2023, 8:35 am.

Another volunteer and I walked the Elbow River from the confluence up to Union Cemetery (25 Ave SE). We saw hundreds of Canada Geese, dozens of Mallards, and a few other birds. Not as common as other times of the year, we came across some Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 456mm, ISO 4000, 1/400, f/12. Dec 17, 2023, 9:15 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 4000, 1/1000, f/13. Dec 17, 2023, 9:25 am.

We also saw a few Common Goldeneyes and a couple of Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser).

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 571mm, ISO 1250, 1/500, f/12. Dec 17, 2023, 10:10 am.

As we got close to the parking lot, a couple of Downy Woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) flew into an old snag.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 371mm, ISO 4000, 1/3200, f/12. Dec 17, 2023, 10:45 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Calgary Skyline

On November 26th, 2023 I took some pictures from Tom Campbell Hill in Calgary, overlooking the Bridgeland neighbourhood.  Of the ones taken, I think I enjoy this one the most. The simplicity of the image focuses the eye on the skyline - the subject of the scene. There are no distractions in the foreground; no leading edges, no trees. The Calgary Tower is clearly visible next to the larger, newer buildings. For decades Calgary has been a vibrant city; the economic driver of Alberta and Canada. The cranes help suggest that growth is once again happening. 

  iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/775, f/1.5. Nov 26, 2023, 4:40 pm.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023

Last Week of November, 2023

On Friday, November 24th, 2023 I walked with Nature Calgary on a hike at LaFarge Meadows (from the Fish Creek Park boatlaunch). As we headed south, we passed under the Stony Trail bridge and saw these workers maintaining the bridge. It was a chilly morning and I appreciate the men and women who head out there in not ideal working conditions to maintain our infrastructure.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 280mm, ISO 1250, 1/1000, f/11. Nov 24, 2023, 9:50 am.

On Monday, November 27th, I walked up to the top of Tom Campbell Hill in Calgary, about sunset.  Looking to the east, the moon was just raising.

 iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/431, f/1.5. Nov 27, 2023, 4:30 pm.

Looking to the west, the sun was just setting on the Calgary skyline.

 Olympus OMD M5ii, 8mm, ISO 400, 1/125, f/10. Nov 27, 2023, 4:50 pm.

Olympus OMD M5ii, 8mm, ISO 400, 1/30, f/10. Nov 27, 2023, 4:50 pm.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023

South Glenmore Park, Calgary, November 21, 2023

Yesterday I went on a field trip with Nature Calgary to South Glenmore Park in SW Calgary.  The day was a little cloudy, but for later November, it was a beautiful day.  It seemed like we were being bombarded by Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus). They are obviously being fed. One of the birders held a peanut on their hand, and this Chickadee took seconds to swoop in a grab the peanut. I had to back up in order to get the picture in focus. The little bird was very close and very not afraid. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/11. Nov 21, 2023, 10:15 am.

We were able to spot a Merlin (Falco columbarius) hiding in the spruce trees eating its lunch.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 490mm, ISO 3200, 1/200, f/12. Nov 21, 2023, 9:35 am.

As we hiked along the path, we could hear a woodpecker, so we stopped and searched the trees until we spotted this Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens). Like most woodpeckers, when eating it didn't care that we were observing.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 340mm, ISO 1250, 1/400, f/12. Nov 21, 2023, 10:15 am.

One of the birders with great vision spotted this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) way out on the edge of the ice - all by itself. A good photograph should be about something, not of something. It should catch your heart. This is not a bad photograph of a Bald Eagle; it is a photograph about.... loneliness! 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 10:50 am.

We also saw some mammals on our hike. Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are always a fun find. They have such strong personalities and are incredibly photogenic.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/80, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 9:55 am.

This magnificent White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) buck watched us from the distance before it ran into the trees.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 642mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 10:55 am.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 642mm, ISO 1250, 1/320, f/13. Nov 21, 2023, 10:55 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.

Carburn Park, November 17, 2023

Yesterday, Friday, I joined Nature Calgary for a field trip at Carburn Park. This innercity Calgary park is full of surprises and is one of the better birding parks in Calgary. There are also other surprises. During our walk, we saw a pair of Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus), one buck and one doe. The buck was quite stunning.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/400, f/12. Nov 17, 2023, 10:25 am.

Later on we saw another buck on the other side of the river. I am not sure if it was the same one or not. But I haven't seen many swim the river.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/2000, f/13. Nov 17, 2023, 11:25 am.

Also on the opposite bank, this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was gathering nesting material for winter.  It had such a large pice of bark that it had trouble lifting off.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/1250, f/13. Nov 17, 2023, 10:45 am.

Prior to the walk, I started the day by taking my fisheye lens down by the river to see if I could capture some interesting light. This picture is the result. The high f-stop gives the sun a starburst pattern.

Olympus OMD M5ii, 8mm, ISO 400, 1/50, f/22. Nov 17, 2023, 8:35 am.

Also early in the morning two chickadees (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) were going after some seed someone had left on the bridge. One is just perching there, and the other is flying in.  I really like this picture.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/320, f/12. Nov 17, 2023, 8:25 am.

And finally, I love this old tree down by the river. It has lots of character.

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/2695, f/1.5. Nov 17, 2023, 10:55 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2023.