Red-winged Blackbird

This morning, I wasn't going to upload any photos, as the issue with views and photos not showing up on Contacts' pages doesn't seem to be fixed, according to the Help Forum. Then I realized that I had better post a photo, anyway, to check on whether the issue is still happening on my own photos. Is anyone seeing this photo in their feed??

I had hoped to go for a drive today, 19 July 2017, but the sky is overcast and heavy with smoke from the British Columbia wildfires and fires in Alberta itself, blowing in from the west. Useless for any scenic shots and definitely most unpleasant to be outdoors. "Calgary air quality expected to reach ‘high risk’ rating on Wednesday" (i.e. today).

What a great day our group of four people had on 28 May 2017, taking part in the annual May Species Count. We travelled in just one car, which worked out well. On the 2016 May Species Count, we had been unable to find a Great Gray Owl, but then I drove back to the area the next day, and found two of them. No matter how many times I see one of these owls and no matter how many hundreds/thousands of photos I've taken of them, each owl is just as exciting as the very first. So, it was a thrill to see one of these spectacular owls on our 2017 Count.

This Count's owl was on a fence post when we first saw it. As is usually the case with these owls, it was focused on finding a Meadow Vole for a snack and in fact did catch one while I was watching. It moved to a few different fence posts in its search. Once it had caught its prey, it ate it there, down on the ground - with its back to us, of course. I was kind of hoping it would fly back up to the fence with it, but it didn't.

While I was taking photos, various people came along the road, a couple in cars, but most were cyclists out for a long ride on such a beautiful, sunny day. The owl basically ignored everyone, giving just a quick glance at us every once in a while. Their concentration never fails to leave me in awe.

My small group found 72 species of bird on this 2017 Count - amazing, really. Three pairs of great eyes - plus me : ) Part of our Count covers some of my favourite roads, so it is not surprising that I enjoy it so much. Once the Count had finished, I drove a few of the roads again on my way home, mainly focusing on two pairs of Mountain Bluebirds that I had enjoyed watching last year. As usual, there were a few Red-winged Blackbirds hanging out nearby. Needless to say, I went home feeling very happy after a long day of birding, and oh, so tired!