Cats and Dogs

After our three-hour walk at Beaverdam Flats yesterday morning, we drove a few streets away to hopefully see a Mourning Dove in a certain birder's garden. We did find one of them in a Spruce tree on the opposite side of the road, hidden deep within the darkness of the branches. While we were standing watching for birds, this cat strolled across the road to join us. Pat, I'm not sure if this was your cat? Thanks for letting us visit yet again : ) Always a treat each year to see the Doves that love your garden.

One of the beautiful cats that we saw during the annual Cochrane Wildlife Reserve Christmas Bird Count (N of Calgary) on 28 December 2012. Only three of us covered this particular area, east of Highway 22 (the Cowboy Trail). There are not that many chances to take photos of birds on these counts - so many are very distant - but I always look forward to seeing farm cats and dogs and beautiful scenery.

On 17 December 2011, I was on the Banff/Canmore Christmas Bird Count (in the Rocky Mountains). This was the 37th consecutive year for this event. My small group covered the Harvey Heights area. The meeting place for the various groups was at the home of Colleen Campbell, who so generously opens up her home to us each year, including giving us a lovely warm place to go back to, to eat our lunches and to finalize the lists of birds seen by the end of the day. Colleen is a long-time Wildlife Researcher, who focused exclusively on grizzly bears from 1993 until 2006. She is also known for her incredibly beautiful artwork - photography is another of her keen interests. She had just taken in two adorable little rescue kittens - they were so soft and gentle! There was room in my backback to have put both kittens in to take home with me - but I thought Colleen might notice that they were missing : ) Colleen, thank you so much from us all, for your generosity and welcome - and that includes the welcome that Jesse always gives everyone. What a sweet, intelligent dog she is!

This is one of the beautiful cats belonging to Keith Logan and his wife, seen when a group of us spent the day at their home and property yesterday, 21 August 2013. They live NW of Cochrane on a 35-acre parcel of land. After enjoying seeing a lot of Keith's stunning photography and incredible woodwork, and enjoying coffee and the most delicious cheese scones and spicy scones straight out of the oven, we then walked on their land to record all flora and fauna seen. We all agree - if you sit in one of Keith's chairs, you'll see that no chair could ever be more comfortable - they are simply amazing! Thanks to Keith and his wife, Sandy, for such an enjoyable day! www.keithlogan.com/Keith_Logan/Photography/Photography.html www.keithlogan.com/Keith_Logan/Woodworking/Woodworking.html If there is anyone who has never watched the amazing, caring rescue work done by ELDAD HAGAR, I can guarantee you will find the videos of his rescues incredibly moving. He definitely has a "magic touch". <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJkZXh9v_i4&feature=share&list=TL7BrEOV8B73g" Lol, I was just deleting a few old e-mails and came across this one, a YouTube video entitled Sh*t Birders Say. For those of you who go birding, you might be able to relate to this. I laugh all the way through it, as I've heard it all many times before, out in the field! http://youtu.be/NaX7i1Q7-Rw

This is one of the three (?) beautiful cats belonging to Keith Logan and his wife, Sandy, seen when a group of us spent the day at their home and property on 21 August 2013. Actually, I'm not sure if this is a female or male, but it's one gorgeous cat. They live NW of Cochrane on a 35-acre parcel of land. After enjoying seeing a lot of Keith's stunning photography and incredible woodwork, and enjoying coffee and the most delicious cheese scones and spicy scones straight out of the oven, we then walked on their land to record all flora and fauna seen. We all agree - if you sit in one of Keith's wooden chairs, you'll see that no chair could ever be more comfortable - they are simply amazing! Thanks to Keith and his wife for such an enjoyable day!

This is one of the three (?) beautiful cats belonging to Keith Logan and his wife, Sandy, seen when a group of us spent the day at their home and property on 21 August 2013. They live NW of Cochrane on a 35-acre parcel of land. After enjoying seeing a lot of Keith's stunning photography and incredible woodwork, and enjoying coffee and the most delicious cheese scones and spicy scones straight out of the oven, we then walked on their land to record all flora and fauna seen. We all agree - if you sit in one of Keith's wooden chairs, you'll see that no chair could ever be more comfortable - they are simply amazing! Thanks to Keith and his wife for such an enjoyable day! www.keithlogan.com/Keith_Logan/Photography/Photography.html www.keithlogan.com/Keith_Logan/Woodworking/Woodworking.html

Hard to believe, but this cute Corgi with different coloured eyes, despite its looks, was constantly on the run through deep snow and difficult to photograph : ) He and his playmate came out to greet us when we pulled into one of the farmyards during the annual Christmas High River Bird Count yesterday, 17 December 2013. If anyone happens to be interested in reading about the Count and what species we were lucky enough to see, just check one of the two previous images posted.

When we take part in the various annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts, we often call in at farms and homesteads to ask for permission to take a look around their yards, hoping to find a few birds. I always enjoy trying to capture a few farm cat and dog images. This beautiful cat was seen on 17 December 2013, during the High River Bird Count.

This dog and its playmate (a Corgi) came out to greet us when we pulled into one of the farmyards during the annual High River Christmas Bird Count on 17 December 2013.