Nikon Coolpix P900

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.

This and a second deer were deep in the trees yesterday morning. I got maybe three very quick shots and wasn't expecting any of them to come out at all. Happy to see this one's sweet, gentle face. 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.

I don't see Wood Ducks all that often and usually, when I do see them, they are far away. The light wasn't as good as I would have liked this morning at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, especially first thing, so my photos are not as sharp as they could have been, but I'm still happy to get them. It was another beautiful day, with the temperature getting up to about 17C. "The Wood Duck is one of the most stunningly pretty of all waterfowl. Males are iridescent chestnut and green, with ornate patterns on nearly every feather; the elegant females have a distinctive profile and delicate white pattern around the eye. These birds live in wooded swamps, where they nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around lake margins. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches." From AllABoutBirds. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Duck/id 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). I added a touch of filter in post-processing. 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.

Four days ago, on 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.

Four days ago, on 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.

Four days ago, on 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.

This was just a short, spur-of-the-moment drive (like most of my outings seem to be) yesterday, 24 October 2018. My destination was Forgetmenot Pond, along the eastern edge of the Rockies. I also called in at Elbow Falls to take a few photos on the way home. I had been hoping to get out to this area all year, and finally made it. I was glad that I had put my winter boots in my car, as when I reached my destination, i needed them. There was snow on the ground, which had partly melted and then frozen. The narrow path was just too icy to walk on in many places, so I only took a few photos at Forgetmenot Pond. Also, the light was awful, as there was no sign of the sun - not what the weather forecast had said. As I was leaving the city, the cloud formation was beautiful, but that quickly changed to solid, dreary cloud, which lasted all afternoon. I almost turned around and came home, as the distant mountains were far from clear. However, I had spent too much time the previous day, editing photos, and the constant mouse clicking had made my arm and shoulder more painful, so I really needed a break from my computer.