Le Conte's Sparrow

When I went for a drive along some of the backroads south west of the city yesterday afternoon, I had hoped for Hawks, Mountain Bluebirds, Wilson's Snipe and so on. Basically, almost all I saw were tiny Sparrows - one after another after another, LOL. They were too far away for me to be able to be sure what any of them were, but when I saw this photo later on my computer, I thought it could be a Le Conte's Sparrow. I knew it was something different when I actually saw the bird. I've only ever once seen a Le Conte's. Would really appreciate an ID confirmation or correction, if someone knows - thanks!

Just got home from a long day out at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, west of Innisfail, Alberta (north west of Calgary). Had to set my alarm clock for just after 4:30 a.m. (though I overslept by almost an hour!) and got home around 6:15 this evening. We were lucky that the rain kept away all morning. What a great place this centre is, rehabilitating wildlife (and releasing whenever possible) and also in its education programs. The Centre believes that "without the public being educated on what is injuring our wildlife, the hospital is merely a "band-aid" solution." The animals/birds that are unable to be released "stay onsite and act as foster parents for orphans or play an important role on the education programs."

We went there not just to see the centre itself but also to botanize the land around the Centre. Judy, our guide, spent much of the day with us, which we really appreciated. Hopefully, in return, we have shown her a few new plants, etc.. One of the highlights was seeing a pair of Sandhill Cranes in the grassland, along with a young one : ) I was also thrilled to see a Tiger Beetle - not sure if it's the same species as the few I've seen here in the city. Thanks so much, Judy, for such an enjoyable, exciting, interesting day!! Thank you, Stephen and Dorothy, for driving all the way there and back - greatly appreciated, as always! And now I feel totally exhausted!

www.medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca/