Birds of Alberta 2

I was lucky enough to be treated to a great day out today, cruising the rolling hills south of Calgary, to see what birds we could find. I say we, but I should correct that to "my friend", as he is the excellent birder and I am just a little beyond the level of "it was a large/small bird"! He found a Golden Eagle, Bald Eagles, several Rough-legged Hawks, Sharp-tailed Grouse (a flock of about 25 that landed in a field), perhaps around 50 Wild Turkeys (the only ones I had seen were at the Zoo!), a Hairy Woodpecker, and a couple of Three-toed Woodpeckers which were a first for me. These photos are really for my own record, not fine examples of good photography:)

I was lucky enough to be treated to a great day out today, cruising the rolling hills south of Calgary, to see what birds we could find. I say we, but I should correct that to "my friend", as he is the excellent birder and I am just a little beyond the level of "it was a large/small bird"! He found a Golden Eagle, Bald Eagles, several Rough-legged Hawks, Sharp-tailed Grouse (a flock of about 25 that landed in a field), perhaps around 50 Wild Turkeys (the only ones I had seen were at the Zoo!), a Hairy Woodpecker, and a couple of Three-toed Woodpeckers which were a first for me. These photos are really for my own record, not fine examples of good photography:) Reminder to self - photos taken through the windscreen of a vehicle come out blurry! These are the sharpest of the ones I took. Thought I had lightened them enough, but I guess I was wrong!

I was lucky enough to be treated to a great day out today, cruising the rolling hills south of Calgary, to see what birds we could find. I say we, but I should correct that to "my friend", as he is the excellent birder and I am just a little beyond the level of "it was a large/small bird"! He found a Golden Eagle, Bald Eagles, several Rough-legged Hawks, Sharp-tailed Grouse (a flock of about 25 that landed in a field), perhaps around 50 Wild Turkeys (the only ones I had seen were at the Zoo!), a Hairy Woodpecker, and a couple of Three-toed Woodpeckers which were a first for me. The latter were deep in the forest of Brown-Lowery Park and my camera does not handle low light - hence the flash in its eye and a dark photo. My very first ones, though, so I'm still happy.

From this angle, the third owl can't be seen - it's behind these two on the next branch.

Took this photo yesterday, 1st January 2007, in my usual favourite place. All three Great Horned Owls were sitting together instead of usually two in this tree and the young one elsewhere (like today). Perhaps they were simply celebrating New Year together!

Another Chickadee (or could it be the same one??) from my short walk today, seen against the sunset. This photo got to #115 on 5th January 2007.

I think I'm beginning to suffer withdrawal symptoms from lack of photographic subject matter (apart from my very enjoyable birding day out on 31st December!). I was back to Chickadees today. Thank goodness they are ALWAYS there!

Just one of the gang of Chickadees that greets me each time I arrive at the park. I know what THEY want, and usually they find me within a few minutes or less!

The little lady who has sat on my hand. Love the way these Downy Woodpeckers tilt their head sometimes.