Explore, Flickr

One of these days, I WILL see some different species of bird! Today, though, I was back in my favorite spot, bombarded by endless Chickadees and the pair of White-breasted Nuthatches. I can't believe what I did, too. I was holding my hand out for the Chickadees and then turned to talk to an elderly gentleman who had driven up, parked and started talking to me about the birds. When I turned my head to look down at my hand, there was the little Downy Woodpecker sitting on it. She made me jump, and off she flew!

A little Chickadee from my walk this afternoon.

Snowy Owl female and owlet at the Calgary Zoo. This is a cropped version of a photo similar to one I posted a while ago. So "ugly", it's cute!

Oops, again - my flash delayed the photo of this Northern Flicker, but I ended up with this gorgeous display of colour and pattern instead! So beautiful.

Another of my favourite photos, also of Bow Lake, taken maybe 25 years ago. It's rather a sombre photo, which is why I like the contrasting pink of the tall Fireweed.

Much of its time was spent in this tall, upright position. What a long, lean animal! Wow, just noticed that this made Explore #4 today, 28th December 2006!! Thanks everyone - very much appreciated! "Counting its tail, a large Long-tailed Weasel male, the largest of the three species in Canada, stretches nearly half a metre (20 in) in length, yet can slip into a hole just 3 cm (1.25 in) across. This enables it to enter small rodent tunnels used by mice and voles. In summer, it enters ground squirrels burrows in search of its favourite food. Average males measure 406 mm (16 in), their tail is 135 mm (5.25) long and they weigh 225 g (12.6 oz). Males are approximately 25 per cent larger than females, which on average weigh only 102 g (5.7 oz). When winter approaches, within 30 days it grows a coat of white, giving it perfect camouflage against the snow -- all except for the tip of its tail, which stays black. A hungry predator, such as a hawk or owl, aims for that black tip, enabling the weasel to escape. Towards spring, between late February and April, in only 25 days, it reverses the process, acquiring the cinnamon-brown topcoat it will use all summer. This includes brown feet, unlike the other two species which retain white feet. The underside is usually buff-coloured." (Taken from the weaselhead.org website).

This is the male from the pair of White-breasted Nuthatches that always comes to see me on my walks.

I was so excited that I had seen this little Long-tailed Weasel that I didn't take the time to go through all the photos I took of it before chosing and posting my favourites. Thought I would post these four extra images, as they all show different behaviour and poses. It kept disappearing into burrows and then would pop up again and take another look at me. The cutest little thing. Also, I may never seen it again, so I'd better make the most of it. We have had a little more snow since this sighting and when I went to the park again this afternoon, I thought how difficult it would be to spot this animal in its winter coat against the snow.

Just wanted to send my best wishes to you all and to thank you again for all your visits, comments, Favorites and invites. Knowing that you have taken the time to have a look at any photo of mine means a lot to me! Sharing is priceless. Happy New Year to each and every one of you. The highest this got in Explore was #423 on 1st January 2007.