Sparkling feathers

Update on the massive wildfire in the Fort McMurray area:

"On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Albertan history. As of May 17, it continues to spread across northern Alberta, consuming forested areas and impacting Athabasca oil sands operations. It may become the costliest disaster in Canadian history.

.... While the fire had moved away from Fort McMurray, explosions and poor air quality continued to prevent residents and rebuilding crews from returning to the town. The wildfire is still burning and is expected to take months to contain and extinguish." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Fort_McMurray_wildfire

www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/the-fort-mcmurray-di...

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I wasn't sure whether to post this photo, but decided that I would, as I like the sparkle. These were just two plain white feathers floating on the green water of Frank Lake, near the birding blind. On 15 May 2016, I spent the day with a group of friends on a trip SE of Calgary, to Frank Lake. This is one of my favourite areas and I always look forward to our day trips there.

Will add the report and final list of 63 species, compiled by our leader, Howard Heffler. As usual, I didn't see some of the species, as I don't use binoculars and most birds were very, very distant. Thanks so much for a great day, Howard, and thanks so much for the ride, Andrew! Both much appreciated.

"Fourteen participants showed up by 8:30 AM at Anderson LRT and we car pooled in four vehicles to Basin #1 at Frank Lake. From the entrance parking lot we had good views of two Short-eared Owls hunting over the marsh. They are such beautiful flyers. We drove to the outfall and walked to the blind and back. We then drove to Basin #2 where we lucked into a couple of distant White-winged Scoters. An Eastern Kingbird was a first-of-year for me. Next was Brant Lake where the highlight was Black-bellied Plovers. It was (relatively) warm and sunny all day with a bit of wind in the afternoon. Thanks to the regulars and to the newbies for coming out. And thanks to Andrew Hart for eBird listing.

Snow Goose 1
Canada Goose 195
Trumpeter Swan 1
Tundra Swan 4
Gadwall 144
American Wigeon 6
Mallard 300
Blue-winged Teal 4
Cinnamon Teal 3
Northern Shoveler 267
Canvasback 1
Redhead 24
Ring-necked Duck 2
Lesser Scaup 140
White-winged Scoter 2
Bufflehead 8
Ruddy Duck 290
Red-necked Grebe 4
Eared Grebe 230
Western Grebe 17
Double-crested Cormorant 25
American White Pelican 64
Great Blue Heron 1
Black-crowned Night-Heron 5
White-faced Ibis 13
Northern Harrier 2
Swainson's Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sora 2
American Coot 500
Black-necked Stilt 1
American Avocet 16
Black-bellied Plover 2
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 4
Willet 10
Marbled Godwit 8
Wilson's Snipe 2
Wilson's Phalarope 1
Franklin's Gull 1022
California Gull 185
Black Tern 1
Common Tern 3
Forster's Tern 16
Rock Pigeon 2
Short-eared Owl 3
Merlin 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Black-billed Magpie 4
Common Raven 1
Tree Swallow 20
Marsh Wren 1
European Starling 10
American Pipit 2
Clay-colored Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 2
Savannah Sparrow 16
Red-winged Blackbird 72
Western Meadowlark 4
Yellow-headed Blackbird 280
Brewer's Blackbird 8
Brown-headed Cowbird 9
House Sparrow 1

Howard Heffler"