Nikon Coolpix P900

Tonight, I added seven photos from a birding walk yesteday, 16 October 2018. I wanted to get them posted before (hopefully) posting tomorrow a few photos taken today in Carburn Park. Yesterday morning, I finally got out on a walk with birding friends. I have missed almost all the walks, so wanted to do this one. It was a longer walk than I maybe should have done, irritating the inflammation in the bursae of my shoulders and hips. Such a pain and very difficult to get rid of, I'm finding. Anti-inflammatory gel and Tylenol don't do enough, so I may end up having to get shots to help with the inflammation and pain. I've never had one of these before and feel very hesitant to do so now. From the bit I have read so far, the shots themselves sound very painful, but can also cause other problems. They don't always work, either. Anyway, yesterday's walk started off beautifully before we even left the parking lot, with us watching a huge murmuration of Starlings - the largest murmuration (2500 birds) I have ever witnessed. A Merlin was keeping the huge flock in motion, and it did end up catching one of them. Much further along on our walk, we noticed a White-tailed Deer across the river and on the Island at Mallard Point. Two healthy Coyotes were stalking it, but in the end, it ran off with its tail lifted, showing the white panic 'flag'. As usual, while others were looking for birds, my camera lens turned to a few other things as well. Loved the two leaves I spotted, happily showing off their beautiful fall colours and pattern. Everyone here is so thankful that we are now having a fall season, after the nasty shock of two severe snow storms at the beginning of October. Warmth and sunshine at last!! Another thing I photographed was a small spider on a wooden bridge railing. I was able to have my camera lens right up close to the insect and it seemed to work. With something like a butterfly, though, you most likely would not be able to get that close without causing it to fly away. I still can't see how to take telemacro shots of say, wildflowers, unless I stand half a mile away : )

I added a touch of filter during post-processing. Tonight, I added seven photos from a birding walk yesteday, 16 October 2018. I wanted to get them posted before (hopefully) posting tomorrow a few photos taken today in Carburn Park. Yesterday morning, I finally got out on a walk with birding friends. I have missed almost all the walks, so wanted to do this one. It was a longer walk than I maybe should have done, irritating the inflammation in the bursae of my shoulders and hips. Such a pain and very difficult to get rid of, I'm finding. Anti-inflammatory gel and Tylenol don't do enough, so I may end up having to get shots to help with the inflammation and pain. I've never had one of these before and feel very hesitant to do so now. From the bit I have read so far, the shots themselves sound very painful, but can also cause other problems. They don't always work, either. Anyway, yesterday's walk started off beautifully before we even left the parking lot, with us watching a huge murmuration of Starlings - the largest murmuration (2500 birds) I have ever witnessed. A Merlin was keeping the huge flock in motion, and it did end up catching one of them. Much further along on our walk, we noticed a White-tailed Deer across the river and on the Island at Mallard Point. Two healthy Coyotes were stalking it, but in the end, it ran off with its tail lifted, showing the white panic 'flag'. As usual, while others were looking for birds, my camera lens turned to a few other things as well. Loved these two leaves, happily showing off their beautiful fall colours and pattern. Everyone here is so thankful that we are now having a fall season, after the nasty shock of two severe snow storms at the beginning of October. Warmth and sunshine at last!! Another thing I photographed was a small spider on a wooden bridge railing. I was able to have my camera lens up close to the insect and it seemed to work. With something like a butterfly, though, you most likely would not be able to get that close without causing it to fly away. I still can't see how to take telemacro shots of say, wildflowers, unless I stand half a mile away : )

Yesterday afternoon, 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see. "Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website. www.ferrets.ca/ Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. Yesterday, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. As if a couple of Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. Not the greatest photos, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Has been a long time, no see.

Yesterday afternoon, 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see. "Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website. www.ferrets.ca/ Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. Yesterday, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. As if a couple of Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. Not the greatest photos, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Has been a long time, no see.

Yesterday afternoon, 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see. "Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website. www.ferrets.ca/ Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. Yesterday, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. As if a couple of Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. Not the greatest photos, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Has been a long time, no see.

Yesterday afternoon, 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting this and a second Ferret that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". This is the male, larger than the other animal who was a female. Both are rescue animals, which was good to see. "Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website. www.ferrets.ca/ Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. Yesterday, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. As if a couple of Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. Not the greatest photos, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Has been a long time, no see.

It was another beautiful day on 20 October 2018, with the temperature getting up to about 17C. I joined a group of friends for a morning birding walk at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Always an enjoyable walk and we saw some of the usual things, including a Great Blue Heron perched way off in the distance, a couple of the deer who live there, and quite a few Wood Ducks (seen in very poor light). After the walk, some of us drove over to the nearby Blackfoot Diner for lunch. Always fun to sit and chat. Thanks, Janet, for another enjoyable morning.

It was another beautiful day on 20 October 2018, with the temperature getting up to about 17C. I joined a group of friends for a morning birding walk at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Always an enjoyable walk and we saw some of the usual things, including a Great Blue Heron perched way off in the distance, a couple of the deer who live there, and quite a few Wood Ducks (seen in very poor light). After the walk, some of us drove over to the nearby Blackfoot Diner for lunch. Always fun to sit and chat. Thanks, Janet, for another enjoyable morning.

It was another beautiful day on 20 October 2018, with the temperature getting up to about 17C. I joined a group of friends for a morning birding walk at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Always an enjoyable walk and we saw some of the usual things, including a Great Blue Heron perched way off in the distance, a couple of the deer who live there, and quite a few Wood Ducks (seen in very poor light). After the walk, some of us drove over to the nearby Blackfoot Diner for lunch. Always fun to sit and chat. Thanks, Janet, for another enjoyable morning.