Sunflowers

On 25 September 2016, it was a day of birding east of the city, with a group of birding friends. We set out at 8:00 am and our main stopping places were Weed Lake, Marsland Basin and Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park. I will add our leader's (Howard Heffler) list of species below. Pretty much the usual sightings - lots of ducks, a number of Hawks including a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk and several juvenile White-throated Sparrows which were seen while walking around at Lynn and Sue's acreage at Marsland Basin. Also, a Merlin that was perched high up on a power pole. The water level at the wetland at Marsland Basin was very high, so there was no sign of the mudflats there - consequently, barely any shorebirds to be seen. We did have three small flocks of Greater White-fronted Geese fly in formation high overhead while we were looking out over the water, which was great. As usual, most birds we saw were much too far away for photos. As usually happens, when birds are too far away for me to see, my camera lens turns to a few other subjects, including this photo of one of the many Sunflowers that were growing in Lynn's garden. Many thanks for leading this trip, Howard, and thanks, too, to Jim for driving half of us. I always appreciate a trip like this, with people who are all expert birders - and then there's me, lol! "Eight participants met at Carburn Park at 8:00 AM and spent a beautiful fall day birding three locations east of Calgary. We first stopped at the south end of Weed Lake. Water levels were high so there was almost no shorebird habitat. A highlight was the large numbers of American Pipits. Marsland Basin, thanks to Lynn and Sue, is a wonderful spot for both the wetland and the treed areas. Next we went Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park. We were not able to pick out a Mew Gull that had been recently reported there among the 100’s of Ring-billed Gulls. Thanks to Nimali Seneviratne for keeping track of species and doing the eBird postings. The combined list for the day was: Greater White-fronted Goose 108 Canada Goose 36 Gadwall 45 American Wigeon 22 Mallard 325 Northern Shoveler 400 Northern Pintail 80 Green-winged Teal 278 Bufflehead 18 Common Merganser 3 Ruddy Duck 5 Gray Partridge 20 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Eared Grebe 1 Double-crested Cormorant 3 American White Pelican 12 Great Blue Heron 4 White-faced Ibis 1 Bald Eagle 1 Northern Harrier 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Swainson's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 6 American Coot 51 Killdeer 4 Long-billed Dowitcher 9 Wilson's Snipe 2 Greater Yellowlegs 4 Franklin's Gull 3 Ring-billed Gull 1,000 Rock Pigeon 2 Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 Belted Kingfisher 2 Northern Flicker 1 Merlin 1 Blue Jay 2 Black-billed Magpie 6 Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 Marsh Wren 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 Swainson's Thrush 2 European Starling 34 American Pipit 95 Ovenbird 1 Orange-crowned Warbler 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 Dark-eyed Junco 5 White-throated Sparrow 6 Western Meadowlark 5 Common Grackle 2 House Sparrow 12

It feels good to see a bright Sunflower on such a cold, snowy day as today, 10 December 2016. Several of these tall flowers were growing at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre three months ago. It had been a few years since my last visit to the Alberta Bird of Prey Centre - I had only been maybe three or four times - and I had been longing to go back. Much too far and all new driving territory for me to even think about driving there myself. However, on 9 September 2016, that is exactly what I did. A friend had said she would come along, too, but she emailed me at 1:00 am that morning to say that she assumed our trip had been cancelled, as she hadn't heard back about the time to meet. In fact, I had sent two emails giving the time, so I don't know what happened there. Very unfortunate, as it would have been great to have had company on such a long drive, and I know she would have had great fun with her camera. I knew it would be a long day and further than I would normally drive - and in a brand new car that I am still learning to drive! Only got lost twice on this 481 km drive, one minor and the other major. Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere way down south and I ended up in the city of Lethbridge, that I had very carefully planned to avoid. After driving for three and three-quarter hours, I finally arrived, to my huge relief. Despite getting there later than I had hoped, I still had plenty of time to wander round the grounds and photograph the various raptors. Some were tethered out in a couple of grassy areas and others were in outdoor cages. Wonderful to get such a close look at the various majestic birds. I took a slightly different way home via #845 (?), making absolutely sure that I didn't accidentally find myself in Lethbridge again and it wasn't too long before I found myself in the area that I had driven a few weeks before, when I went SW of Vulcan to look for Common Nighthawks (without any luck). Just so happy that I finally made myself do this drive. When I Googled the Centre's website, I had discovered that they were closing two days later for the winter. So, it was either a case of going the next day or not at all till next May onward. The day after this adventure, 10 September 2016, I took my daughter on a long drive in Kananaskis. This was yet another place that I had longed to be able to drive for many years - and finally I did it! I had been lots of times with various friends, but this was the very first time I had ever driven myself. We had planned to do this a few weeks earlier, but then my car had major repairs that needed to be done. Instead, I knew I just couldn't put any more money into my 17-year-old car, and I ended up replacing it. So glad we went on this particular day, as it snowed the following day.

Happy Christmas, everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day today (Christmas Eve) and tomorrow (Christmas Day). Here in Calgary, it's 11:00 am as I type. The temperature is -12C (windchill -17C), and there is a Snowfall Warning in effect. Yesterday and today, I think we've had more snow than we've had all 'winter', and it's still snowing. A quick look through my window and I think I've decided that I can survive my Christmas dinner without roast parsnips - in all these years, I have never forgotten to buy them before! Blame it on the dizziness that I've had for at least 10 days now, lol, though it's not as bad as it was before. For many people, Christmas is a very difficult time, for various reasons. My thoughts are with them and, as always, with those who for one reason or another will spend Christmas alone. To those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a happy weekend, anyway. Wishing you all a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and all the very best in the New Year! If you will be on the road, please don't drink and drive! Two days ago, on 22 December 2016, my daughter and I had our Christmas together, as she has to work on Christmas Day. We went to the Saskatoon Farm and had a delicious breakfast. She is in so much pain that we can't go for a drive to look for Snowy Owls or old barns. She has an appointment next month and is more than ready to take the absolute earliest date for her major surgery. The Saskatoon Farm is an interesting place that is maybe a 25-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside greenhouses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things, and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They have a restaurant that offers great food. They had so many Sunflowers growing there this fall, both large and small like this one, though they are all dead now, of course. Love to see them in all their stages. www.saskatoonfarm.com/ On the way to drop my daughter off at home, we called in at the Glamorgan Bakery - a well-known bakery that we have used for the last few decades. It always feels good to see their traditional cookies, Cheese Buns, cakes and pies. Thanks, Rachel, for a lovely few hours spent together - the best Christmas gift possible.

This photo was taken on 1 October 2016, when I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the … What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists. On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many. For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website. www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/ After our walk in the Gardens, I went back to Sandy's place and we had an early supper. Managed to catch her sweet dog, Finn, for a couple of photos.

Taken yesterday, 28 April 2017, when I spent the day with my daughter. She was not up to a long day's drive, so we went to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast and a wander round their grounds. I always love to see and photograph their Sunflowers, at any season. Afterwards, we called in at Spruce-it-Up Garden Centre, which neither of us had visited before. From there, I drove westwards as far as the Priddis area, where we had hoped to see a few birds. Not too much to be seen, though we did see a very welcome little Yellow-rumped Warbler, various hawks including a rather distant, Rough-legged Hawk perched on a lichen-covered fence, and several Mountain Bluebirds. Typical weather - a mix of sun, cloud, rain and even a few snowflurries, but at least it didn't rain heavily all day. Thanks for an enjoyable day, Rachel! Lovely to spend it with you. I was so short of sleep and ended up sleeping all morning today, which is why I'm posting rather late. If I have time, I might just add later a few more photos taken yesterday, so that I can get back to dealing with my Trinidad & Tobago captures. Two back-to-back day trips coming up, though, so editing time will be very scarce. I have to get up in the middle of the night for the second trip, or I may even stay up the whole night to make sure I don't oversleep. What we birders/photographers do in the hope of taking photos!

I am doing a superb job of bombarding everyone with photos - sorry! My main aim is to work on and finish all the photos from my trip to Trinidad & Tobago in March. However, I am getting the odd day when I go out and needless to say, I take photos, even though I really don't need any more to look through and edit, ha. This photo is from yesterday, 28 April 2017, when I spent the day with my daughter. She was not up to a long day's drive, so we went to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast and a wander round their grounds. I always love to see and photograph their Artichokes and Sunflowers, at any season. Afterwards, we called in at Spruce-it-Up Garden Centre, which neither of us had visited before. From there, I drove westwards as far as the Priddis area, where we had hoped to see a few birds. Not too much to be seen, though we did see a very welcome little Yellow-rumped Warbler, various hawks including a rather distant, Rough-legged Hawk perched on a lichen-covered fence, American Kestrels, and several Mountain Bluebirds. We had typical weather - a mix of sun, cloud, rain and even a few snowflurries, but at least it didn't rain heavily all day. Thanks for an enjoyable day, Rachel! Lovely to spend it with you. I was so short of sleep and ended up sleeping all morning today. Two back-to-back day trips coming up, so editing time will be very scarce. I have to get up in the middle of the night for the second trip (just after 2:00 am), or I may even stay up the whole night to make sure I don't oversleep. What we birders/photographers do for the chance of taking photos!

I am doing a superb job of bombarding everyone with photos - sorry! My main aim is to work on and finish all the photos from my trip to Trinidad & Tobago in March. However, I am getting the odd day when I go out and needless to say, I take photos, even though I really don't need any more to look through and edit, ha. This photo is from yesterday, 28 April 2017, when I spent the day with my daughter. She was not up to a long day's drive, so we went to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast and a wander round their grounds. I always love to see and photograph their Artichokes and Sunflowers, at any season. Afterwards, we called in at Spruce-it-Up Garden Centre, which neither of us had visited before. From there, I drove westwards as far as the Priddis area, where we had hoped to see a few birds. Not too much to be seen, though we did see a very welcome little Yellow-rumped Warbler, various hawks including a rather distant, Rough-legged Hawk perched on a lichen-covered fence, American Kestrels, and several Mountain Bluebirds. We had typical weather - a mix of sun, cloud, rain and even a few snowflurries, but at least it didn't rain heavily all day. Thanks for an enjoyable day, Rachel! Lovely to spend it with you. I was so short of sleep and ended up sleeping all morning today. Two back-to-back day trips coming up, so editing time will be very scarce. I have to get up in the middle of the night for the second trip (just after 2:00 am), or I may even stay up the whole night to make sure I don't oversleep. What we birders/photographers do for the chance of taking photos!

This is one of the wild, small-flowered Sunflowers that I saw on my long drive south yesterday, I only found them growing along one particular gravel back road. This summer, we have had practically no 'normal' summer days. They have been either too hot thanks to our endless heatwave, or too smoky thanks to all the wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta. The forecast for yesterday looked good, sunshine all day, with rain forecast on several of the coming days. I decided to finally do a drive all the way down south to near Lethbridge, so that I could again visit the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale. Last year, I did this drive for the very first time on my own and I wanted to make sure I didn't lose my courage to do it again. During the 511 km that I drove, I had to ask for help with directions twice - both times in the same small hamlet! The forecast was for sun all day, but there was no mention of the smoke haze that completely blocked out the mountains and pretty much the foothills, too. I was almost tempted to turn around and come home, but I had noticed rain in the forecast for some coming days. I reckoned I would still be able to photograph the fairly close birds at the Centre, which worked out fine. Amazingly, I managed to make myself get up early yesterday morning, 3 August 2017, and set off just before 8:30 am. My intention was to drive straight to Coaldale without stopping anywhere en route. Not an easy thing for me to do, as I much prefer driving the back roads rather than the highways. However, I knew it would take me a few hours to get there and I wanted to have as much time as possible down there. On the way home, I drove one dusty, gravel road, but saw nothing but a couple of Horned Larks perched on fence posts. A couple of old barns (that I had seen before) and a few scenic shots, were more or less all I took. Twelve hours later, I finally arrived home, at 8:30 pm, totally tired out, and my car was just about out of gas. For the first time in the year that I have had this vehicle, the gas level warning light came on. Also, it surprises me that the oil change light has never come on, as I have done 8,500 km in just under 12 months. I was given free oil changes for the life of the car, but was told that I can't get them done until the light comes on, on the dashboard. Think I'd better contact the dealership and ask about this. Almost a year sounds far too long to not have an oil change.

September already! Here, trees have started getting yellow leaves, everywhere is bone dry, and three days ago, the temperature rose to 33C. Still got a few very hot days in the forecast. The crazy imbalance of weather just gets worse and worse, with no rain and continuing wildfires in the west, and too much water brought by hurricane/tropical storm Harvey, causing devastating flooding and damage in eastern U.S.. If only the two sides could share the water - how ironic it all is. Two days ago, on 31 August 2017, I went with 16 birder friends on a day's outing east of Calgary. What a full, rewarding day we had, with 83 species seen! I will add our leader's final list in a comment box below, mainly for my own interest/record. Thanks, Andrew! There were many species that I did not see, as they were too far away, but I was delighted to see three or four species that I hadn't seen or photographed before, including a Black-bellied Plover and Baird's Sandpipers. It was yet another smoky day (which we've been getting all summer, from the wildfires in British Columbia and, to a much lesser extent, Alberta), but the temperature was more bearable (got up to around 25C) than most of our summer. Early morning was quite chilly, in fact. Today, the smoke blown into Alberta continues. I saw on TV yesterday morning that the dreadful Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta, that started well over a year ago on 1 May 2016, is finally completely out. After meeting in the city, we car-pooled in five cars east to Langdon. Our first stop was at Weed Lake; first the south end and then the east side. All the birds were far away, so any photos I took were group shots or a single, very distant lone bird. This kind of birding is very different from when I go out anywhere on my own. It involves a lot of very careful study of each area we stop at, with binoculars and scopes, and it provides very important information on all the bird species. When I go out by myself, I am looking for any kind of bird that is close enough to photograph - usually, the closer the better, of course. I never count bird numbers and I don't make lists. I simply look for anything beautiful - and that often includes old barns, scenery, wildflowers, insects, and so on. From Weed Lake, we continued east, eventually reaching Eagle Lake and Marsland Basin. I always love going to the latter location; a great place that is called 'home' for our friends, Lynn and Sue. They have a wonderful wetland on their property. After looking at the distant birds, I wandered around the grounds, finding a beautiful, tiny butterfly (Checkered Skipper sp.?), Sunflowers in the garden with a pair of American Goldfinches feeding on the Sunflower seeds, and the two donkeys. Needless to say, by the time we reached the Eagle Lake area, I wasn't sure where we were, each time we stopped. Two days later, I'm hoping I can remember where I saw at least some of the birds in my photos. A thoroughly enjoyable trip - thanks, Andrew, as always! Many thanks, too, Lenora and Dick, for letting Dorothy and me carpool with you. It was so much appreciated.