Common Nighthawk / Chordeiles minor

I would have loved to have seen this Common Nighthawk lying on a close fence post or railing! It is a bird that I am really, really hoping to see this summer, as I have never seen a close, perched one. This one came as such a welcome surprise to all of us, when it flew very high overhead, over Forgetmenot Pond. This photo from below does at least show the very distinctive white stripes on the wings.

This morning, I am posting four photos taken yesterday, 7 June 2017, when I went out for the day with seven friends, to Kananaskis. We drove west of the city into the eastern edge of the mountains, stopping at a few different places, including Elbow Falls and Forgetmenot Pond. The scenic shot is my main image - the remaining three are ones that I want for my albums, but are definitely not good shots. Actually, I was excited to see all three of the subjects photographed, as I so rarely see any of them.

A few minutes ago I found the following 4-minute video taken by Kenneth Lori using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter and taken on 16 June 2016. It travels over the pond and the surrounding river and mountain scenery.

youtu.be/fEamf0nDXt4

What a great day we had yesterday! It was one beautiful find after another, and I think we all must have arrived back home at the end of the day, feeling happy and content. Dorothy and Stephen, as always, you planned a wonderful day for us and you even managed to arrange with the weatherman for beautiful sunshine and warmth, with an occasional welcome slight breeze. I still can't believe how lucky we were, seeing so many interesting things. In fact, I'm finding it difficult to decide what was the highlight for me yesterday. The Harlequin Duck, the distant Common Nighthawk, the dried-up Morrel mushrooms, the small cluster of beautiful brown jelly cup fungi?? And so on .... Great to spend a day with such a pleasant group of keen, interested people. Thanks so much for such a great day - my favourite kind of day : ) Thank you, also, for the ride and for the donuts you brought along for everyone to enjoy. Nice to end our day with a stop at the Cinnamon Spoon cafe in Bragg Creek, for a coffee.