Mallard Point, January 23, 2024

Yesterday I went on a walk at Mallard Point, Fish Creek Provincial Park. It was an absolute beautiful day. I got there well after sunrise and took the first picture facing south, just north of the pedestrian crossing. I used a high f-stop so that the sun didn't wash out sky. The second picture was taken toward the end of my morning. 

 Canon EOS M10, EF-M 15-45mm, 24mm, ISO 800, 1/1000, f/29. Jan 23, 2024, 9:45 am.

Canon EOS M10, EF-M 15-45mm, 28mm, ISO 800, 1/2000, f/11. Jan 23, 2024, 11:05 am.

There were two highlight images of the day. The first was of this Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). I watched it fly south along the Bow River and land on a snag just around the corner. Moving past the eagle, I was able to take this picture with the sun highlighting the bird. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 615mm, ISO 5000, 1/5000, f/13. Jan 23, 2024, 10:00 am.

The second highlight picture was of a White Tail Deer buck (Odocoileus virginianus). I saw two different grouping and only one buck, seven in total. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/2500, f/13. Jan 23, 2024, 10:55 am.

From the second group of deer I was able to take this picture of a doe framed by a fallen Cottonwood tree. It is not as pretty a picture, but it is kind of a cool frame.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 248mm, ISO 5000, 1/2500, f/14. Jan 23, 2024, 10:55 am.

While walking in the trees I was able to take this picture of a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 500mm, ISO 5000, 1/500, f/14. Jan 23, 2024, 9:50 am.

Although Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are pretty common, the sun catching the head of this drake really made this picture.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 500mm, ISO 5000, 1/2500, f/14. Jan 23, 2024, 9:55 am.

The last picture I took was of a group of Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) ducks. The sun caught the heads of two drakes just right. I love the sparkle!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/2500, f/13. Jan 23, 2024, 10:30 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

Carburn Park, Calgary, January 16, 2024

Yesterday Calgary got out of the deepfreeze for a day. It was wonderful to go for a walk outside and the wildlife in Carburn Park was amazing. I saw deer, coyote, beaver and lots of different birds.  One of my favourite pictures of the day was of a Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus). These large birds have the most amazing red cap!

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 684mm, ISO 5000, 1/2000, f/13. Jan 16, 2024, 9:55 am.

A beautiful bonded pair of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) was present on the Bow River. These are a rare sighting at this time of year, but apparently these two have decided to stay the winter.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 415mm, ISO 5000, 1/1250, f/14. Jan 16, 2024, 10:30 am.

The male Wood Duck caught the light just right and showed off its colours.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/640, f/14. Jan 16, 2024, 10:35 am.

When walking along the Bow River about 20 Common Goldeneye ducks all flew up off the water at the same time. I looked up to see what had spooked them and saw a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flying north along the river. As I went further along the path, I found a pair of them perched across the river.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/2000, f/13. Jan 16, 2024, 9:45 am.

The walk wasn't just about the birds. Across the river a coyote (Canis latrans) was hunting along the shore.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/320, f/22. Jan 16, 2024, 9:40 am.

As I was headed back to the car I passed three White-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) does just off the path, relaxing in the bush and chewing their cud. 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 248mm, ISO 5000, 1/1250, f/14. Jan 16, 2024, 10:55 am.

Overall it was a beautiful day. I got there just after sunrise and left close to noon. It was a wonderful day to be outside!

Canon EOS M10, EF-M 15-45mm, 22mm, ISO 800, 1/400, f/10. Jan 16, 2024, 9:10 am.

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

 

Extreme Cold, January 12, 2024

The Canadian Weather Service has announced an extreme weather warning. This morning it is -35C with a -44C windchill.  But it could be worse, we could live in Edmonton where it is much colder!  As I am not walking outside in this extreme cold, I thought I would look at some pictures from earlier this month. This year I want to take more scenery pictures, so I wanted to look at those. These will be pictures that I haven't already posted. Sometimes the second look at my pictures finds the real gems. This picture was from Mallard Point on New Year's Day.

Olympus E-M5ii, 14-150mm, 31mm, ISO1250, f/5, 1/40sec. 

On January 3rd, Calgary weather became foggy and we had hoarfrost on our trees. At the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, the trees were particularly magical. I find this first picture very calming. The lack of definition in the sky due to the fog and cloud really simplifies the picture and your eye isn't drawn all over the place. 

Canon EOS M10, 15-45mm, 43mm, ISO800, f/16, 1/125sec. 

This second picture from the same day really highlights the hoarfrost and I think the path draws the eye into the picture and asks 'what adventure is around the corner?'. 

Canon EOS M10, 15-45mm, 15mm, ISO800, f/16, 1/125sec.

The final picture is from the northwest side of the Sanctuary. The use of a telephoto lens and the angle of the picture makes the Calgary Tower seem  almost as large as the other downtown buildings. Sometimes the Calgary Tower is hidden among the high rises and it is fun to highlight what once was Calgary's tallest building and a building about which the city was proud (The Husky Tower). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-40mm, + MC20, 248mm, ISO5000, f/16, 1/2500sec. 

Looking forward to warmer weather and being outside! 

iPhone14, 3mm, ISO80, f/19, 1/69sec. 

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

New Year 2024

This New Year I participated in a bird count at Mallard Point with other members of Nature Calgary. I also want to take more landscape pictures this year, so I arrived early so that I could catch the first sunrise of the year. 

iPhone 14, 6mm, ISO 50, 1/700, f/1.5. Jan 01, 2024, 8:35 am.

Olympus OMD M5ii, 14-150mm, 60mm, ISO 1250, 1/50, f/5.5. Jan 01, 2024, 9:10 am.

We counted 18 different species of birds that day and this Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) was one of my favourites.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 3200, 1/2000, f/16. Jan 01, 2024, 9:50 am.

This Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) was also an interesting sighting and a new life bird for me (149 and counting). 

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 800mm, ISO 10000, 1/1000, f/13. Jan 01, 2024, 9:15 am.

This White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) was nicely highlighted in the old log.

Olympus OM-1, 100-400mm + MC20, 200mm, ISO 3200, 1/50, f/16. Jan 01, 2024, 10:00 am.

Happy New Year!

All pictures photo-edited with On1 Photo Raw 2024

  

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

Day 270

December 26th, 2023 (Boxing Day) was day 270. Two hundred and seventy days since Maria died.  I lit this candle when her body was being cremated and I have lit it every three months since. 

On this day I lit the candle, thought about the wonderful adventures we shared, and cooked pancakes in her memory. For years, every Sunday I would cook pancakes for Maria and I would put a happy face on her pancakes. It didn't matter where we were, we had pancakes on Sunday. Whether at home, in the bus, the fifth-wheel or the trailer, I made her pancakes. From Miami, Oklahoma to Kluane National Park in the Yukon, pancakes were made. 

It was our time to have a slow breakfast (I made the pancakes one at a time and didn't make the next until each was eaten). We would share our thoughts of the week and chat about life in general. It was a wonderful little tradition we carried on.

On December 26th, I made pancakes (for the first time since she died), lit her candle, thought about Maria and then holding her in my heart went on a walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. There were lots of Chickadees at the Sanctuary, so I held out my hand and they took turns landing on the hand and checking for treats. 

Maria wanted me to continue my nature walks and to share my pictures.  The Bird Sanctuary didn't disappoint. When I came home I edited my pictures and shared them with my memories of Maria. 

Miss you sweetie!

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