In the bleak midwinter
Keeper of the farmyard
Outlined in frost
A typical pose for the White-breasted Nuthatch
Foothills and mountains
Pine Grosbeak female
Farm friends
So pretty against the snow
The gathering
A fine old barn
Desolate
The donkeys with reflector eyes
A splash of much-needed red
On a bitterly cold, hoar frosty day
Heritage tree from 1907, at Carburn Park
Hoping for food
Enjoying the morning sun
Winter chill
Little red barn on the prairie
Christmas remnants
Old barns in heavy frost
Pine Grosbeak in pretty light
A tiny owl from the past
A different style
Farm cat watching for farm mice
White beauty
Avenue of trees at Baker Park
Cosy little birdhouse
A friendly visitor
Triple treat
Fenced in
Find the owl
High wire act
Fond memories of a popcan-sized owl
Mystery rock
Pine Grosbeak
Follow the fence line
A winter day in southern Alberta
Short-eared Owl
A sweet face
Spikes of ice
Clark's Nutcracker / Nucifraga columbiana
Now THIS is winter!
Pine Grosbeak / Pinicola enucleator
Sheltering in the trees
Winter walk at Beaverdam Flats
"Canoe with three warriors", by Team Sakha from Ru…
Clark's Nutcracker
Modern charm
Pine Grosbeak / Pinicola enucleator
One of yesterday's treats
Just in time
Snow, snow and more snow
Winter beauty
A winter walk
Home of the Snowshoe Hare
Chateau Lake Louise and ice castle
Winter wonderland with a bonus
The best colour to see in winter
Hiding
Shepard Energy Centre, east of Calgary, Alberta
Common Redpoll / Acanthis flammea
Common Redpolls
Golden Eagle along the fenceline
Pine Grosbeak / Pinicola enucleator
A road less travelled
Each one different from the others
Guarding the barn
One of five White-tailed Deer
Pine Grosbeak / Pinicola enucleator
Fish Creek Park New Year's Day Bird Count
Northern Shrike / Lanius excubitor
At the end of the day
Winter colours
A touch of frost
A toothy smile
Remnant of the old days
Lovable, but shy
The rule of red
Hairy Woodpecker
Ice is nice
Eurasian Collared-Doves
With a view of the mountains and the prairies
Bohemian Waxwings
Long-billed ice bird
The beautiful Badlands of Alberta
Christmas is a fun time for a kitten
Old homestead and barn
Bald Eagle in the Badlands of Alberta
Tea, anyone?
A favourite little country church
The only one
Creature of the forest
Great Gray Owl in early morning light
Cute as always
Ruffed Grouse - from my archives
Puffed up for warmth
One of my favourite barns
Rural decay in winter
Downy Woodpecker
Weathered wood
Popcan-sized cutie
A closer view
Enjoying seeds and sunshine
Old homestead with texture
Mule Deer at dusk
Roller coaster roads in winter
A prairie homestead
Sunshine on a mighty peak
Blackie grain terminal
There once was an owl
A red prairie barn
Snowy Owl with mountain bokeh
A favourite tree
The Famous Five again
Our beautiful Foothills
White-tailed Deer
Off limits
Wolf Willow berries
Barn on a hoarfrosty day
Sitting in the middle of the lake
The old and the new
Two of a kind
A barn to be proud of
On a fence post, but no Vole
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148 visits
Pine Grosbeaks adding colour to our winter
I think these gorgeous Pine Grosbeaks were the highlight of the day for me, two days ago. We had been told about a farm family who had lots of these Grosbeaks at their feeders, and we are so glad that we called in. We also saw a Gray Jay there, to add to our species list. My small group of 4 friends and myself, travelling in two cars, did see 5 Golden Eagles, too, which was a real thrill, but they were way off in the distance and I couldn't get any close photos like this one : ) Much as I prefer to not have feeder shots, I was still happy to get the chance to photograph these birds up close.
Some years, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton is held late in December. Other years, it ends up being held early January, sometimes delayed because of really bad weather. The Count that took place two days ago, on 3 January 2016, was part of the 2015 Bird Count.
As you can see, the weather was bright and sunny for us this day. What you can't see was that it was very cold for the first part of the day, then warming up to a more pleasant cold later on! I think it was -21C when we started. On last year's trip in January (for the 2013 Count, but delayed), on the hour-long drive south of Calgary, we hit -34C (-29.2F)!!!!! Again, this year, there was no or very little wind, which makes all the difference. Also, the only walking we had to do was when we called in at various farms.
We drove through such beautiful scenery when we were covering the SW quadrant of the Christmas Bird Count circle that centered on the town of Nanton, Alberta. A landscape over which the occasional Golden Eagle soars (my small group saw 5!) and in which some years - but definitely not yesterday! - numerous Sharp-tailed Grouse wander on the ground or perch in trees. I absolutely love this area SW of Nanton! Some of these backroads are extremely steep and almost look vertical when seen from a distance. Some years, the whole area is white, covered in deep snow, so that you can't tell where the roadside ends and the ditch begins. This Count, it wasn't too bad, thank goodness, though I might have felt differently if I had been one of the two drivers for our group!
Around lunch time, we returned to the Truch family's place as we were very nearby, and ate our lunch in the warmth of their cosy home.
After driving (being driven, for me, which is always pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 3:30 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards. This is one of my favourite Bird Counts, and perhaps the most favourite.
Just before leaving for Calgary at the end of the day, we were shown the family's Llamas, two Donkeys, Peacocks, and several tiny white Quail. I should have taken photos of these animals when it was daylight - but maybe I can do it next year.
Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony and Andrew, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! It was another well-organized Count, Mike, as usual - thanks. Can't wait for next Christmas!
Some years, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton is held late in December. Other years, it ends up being held early January, sometimes delayed because of really bad weather. The Count that took place two days ago, on 3 January 2016, was part of the 2015 Bird Count.
As you can see, the weather was bright and sunny for us this day. What you can't see was that it was very cold for the first part of the day, then warming up to a more pleasant cold later on! I think it was -21C when we started. On last year's trip in January (for the 2013 Count, but delayed), on the hour-long drive south of Calgary, we hit -34C (-29.2F)!!!!! Again, this year, there was no or very little wind, which makes all the difference. Also, the only walking we had to do was when we called in at various farms.
We drove through such beautiful scenery when we were covering the SW quadrant of the Christmas Bird Count circle that centered on the town of Nanton, Alberta. A landscape over which the occasional Golden Eagle soars (my small group saw 5!) and in which some years - but definitely not yesterday! - numerous Sharp-tailed Grouse wander on the ground or perch in trees. I absolutely love this area SW of Nanton! Some of these backroads are extremely steep and almost look vertical when seen from a distance. Some years, the whole area is white, covered in deep snow, so that you can't tell where the roadside ends and the ditch begins. This Count, it wasn't too bad, thank goodness, though I might have felt differently if I had been one of the two drivers for our group!
Around lunch time, we returned to the Truch family's place as we were very nearby, and ate our lunch in the warmth of their cosy home.
After driving (being driven, for me, which is always pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 3:30 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards. This is one of my favourite Bird Counts, and perhaps the most favourite.
Just before leaving for Calgary at the end of the day, we were shown the family's Llamas, two Donkeys, Peacocks, and several tiny white Quail. I should have taken photos of these animals when it was daylight - but maybe I can do it next year.
Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony and Andrew, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! It was another well-organized Count, Mike, as usual - thanks. Can't wait for next Christmas!
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