https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/album/449743 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/album/449743 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:06:00 +0000 Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:06:00 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/49658512/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2019-07-18,doc-49658512 Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:20:54 +0000 2019-07-11T14:52:19-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/49658512/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/12/49658512.1f60d867.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">"July 20, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the first humans landing on the Moon on July 20, 1969 as part of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar mission." People are remembering this exciting, successful event this week. I was trying to remember where I was when this all took place, so I checked. In the week before, we flew from Seria, Brunei, Borneo, back to England for a short while. On the journey from Borneo, we spent 6th - 13th July in Hong Kong, then in Rome, Italy, from 14th - 18th July, arriving in Birmingham, England, at my parents' house on 18th July. We ended up in Holland in October 1969 and returned to Borneo about a week before Christmas 1969. So, I am guessing that we were with my parents when the Moon Landing took place. My parents never had a TV, and I can't remember if we watched it at any friend's house. So much packing, travelling and chaos : )<br /> <br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> On 11 July 2019, it turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy at the end of it. Total distance driven was 461 km, leaving home at 8:45 am and arriving back home 12 hours later, at 8:45 pm. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, to make sure I don't lose the courage to do this.<br /> <br /> Weather-wise, it was a beautiful, sunny day, with plenty of white clouds Unlike when I did this drive in August 2018, there was no smoke from any wildfires, thank goodness. <br /> <br /> It was a good day for Hawks, seeing some on the way south and a few on the way home. I did spot one Ferruginous Hawk, but it was perched on a very distant fence post. I'm also wondering if one of the 'hawks' was actually an immature Golden Eagle - seen in photo #4 posted this morning. I saw it from a fair distance and I remember thinking what a large hawk it was. Stopping at an angle in the middle of the road, I managed to get one shot before it took off and a couple just as it was doing so. <br /> <br /> A couple of Common Nighthawks also helped make my day. For several years, I had longed to see one of these unusual birds and, finally in 2017, I managed to find four of them. In 2018, I was able to find just one. These birds are 9½ inches from the tip of bill to the tip of tail. Very strange looking birds, and always a thrill to see one.<br /> <br /> "On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id</a><br /> <br /> "North America has 13 nighthawk populations. All but one are in decline and the species is considered threatened in Canada and several U.S. states."<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-track-nighthawks-from-northern-alberta-to-brazil-1.4026199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-trac...</a><br /> <br /> My actual destination on 11 July 2019 was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where a photo was taken. <br /> <br /> This Centre is a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures,and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, including educating the public away from the Centre. Sometimes, a bird is used as a foster parent, too. <br /> <br /> I love the changing scenery as one drives south, and my drive was timed perfectly to catch the golden Canola fields. Maybe half way, I pulled over to take a few photos of an old barn and there was a truck just pulling away. I thought the guy might have been taking photos, too. We got talking and one of the things we both said was that we had never seen a blue field of Flax Later in my drive, guess what I found : ) Looked beautiful, with blue on one side of the road and a field of yellow Canola on the opposite side. <br /> <br /> This was definitely a rewarding day, full of sightings of all kinds. My favourite kind of day!</div> Great Horned Owl - rehab <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/49658512/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/12/49658512.1f60d867.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">"July 20, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the first humans landing on the Moon on July 20, 1969 as part of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar mission." People are remembering this exciting, successful event this week. I was trying to remember where I was when this all took place, so I checked. In the week before, we flew from Seria, Brunei, Borneo, back to England for a short while. On the journey from Borneo, we spent 6th - 13th July in Hong Kong, then in Rome, Italy, from 14th - 18th July, arriving in Birmingham, England, at my parents' house on 18th July. We ended up in Holland in October 1969 and returned to Borneo about a week before Christmas 1969. So, I am guessing that we were with my parents when the Moon Landing took place. My parents never had a TV, and I can't remember if we watched it at any friend's house. So much packing, travelling and chaos : )<br /> <br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> On 11 July 2019, it turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy at the end of it. Total distance driven was 461 km, leaving home at 8:45 am and arriving back home 12 hours later, at 8:45 pm. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, to make sure I don't lose the courage to do this.<br /> <br /> Weather-wise, it was a beautiful, sunny day, with plenty of white clouds Unlike when I did this drive in August 2018, there was no smoke from any wildfires, thank goodness. <br /> <br /> It was a good day for Hawks, seeing some on the way south and a few on the way home. I did spot one Ferruginous Hawk, but it was perched on a very distant fence post. I'm also wondering if one of the 'hawks' was actually an immature Golden Eagle - seen in photo #4 posted this morning. I saw it from a fair distance and I remember thinking what a large hawk it was. Stopping at an angle in the middle of the road, I managed to get one shot before it took off and a couple just as it was doing so. <br /> <br /> A couple of Common Nighthawks also helped make my day. For several years, I had longed to see one of these unusual birds and, finally in 2017, I managed to find four of them. In 2018, I was able to find just one. These birds are 9½ inches from the tip of bill to the tip of tail. Very strange looking birds, and always a thrill to see one.<br /> <br /> "On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id</a><br /> <br /> "North America has 13 nighthawk populations. All but one are in decline and the species is considered threatened in Canada and several U.S. states."<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-track-nighthawks-from-northern-alberta-to-brazil-1.4026199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-trac...</a><br /> <br /> My actual destination on 11 July 2019 was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where a photo was taken. <br /> <br /> This Centre is a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures,and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, including educating the public away from the Centre. Sometimes, a bird is used as a foster parent, too. <br /> <br /> I love the changing scenery as one drives south, and my drive was timed perfectly to catch the golden Canola fields. Maybe half way, I pulled over to take a few photos of an old barn and there was a truck just pulling away. I thought the guy might have been taking photos, too. We got talking and one of the things we both said was that we had never seen a blue field of Flax Later in my drive, guess what I found : ) Looked beautiful, with blue on one side of the road and a field of yellow Canola on the opposite side. <br /> <br /> This was definitely a rewarding day, full of sightings of all kinds. My favourite kind of day!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/48287590/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2019-03-13,doc-48287590 Wed, 13 Mar 2019 02:47:19 +0000 2018-08-21T13:36:01-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/48287590/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/75/90/48287590.51d78054.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">No time to get out with my camera at the moment, so I have added another three photos from my archives. I am adding the description from a previously posted photo taken on the same day.<br /> <br /> "On 21 August 2018, it turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 8 or 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy at the end of it. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, making sure I don't lose confidence to get there.<br /> <br /> Weather-wise, it was around 24C, so not too hot. Yes, it was still smokey from the British Columbia wildfires, making distant hills barely visible and deleting mountains from view, but it didn't have too much effect on closer photography. <br /> <br /> It was a good day for Hawks, seeing three on the way south and a few on the way home. I almost missed two Swainson's Hawks, as the hay bale they were standing on was way out in a large field. At first, I thought there were three hawks together, but when I stopped to take a few photos, I realized that there were only two - one looked almost like two hawks close together, but then I saw that it had its wings mantled. I guess it wanted to make sure that the second hawk behind it couldn't steal any of the food from it. <br /> <br /> A lone Common Nighthawk also helped make my day. For several years, I had longed to see one of these unusual birds and, finally last year (2017), I managed to find four of them. That time was almost two months earlier in the year than my recent find, so I wasn't expecting to see any in late August. I would still love to find one lying on a wooden railing rather than a metal railing. Last year, I did get a photo of one on a fence post, but the angle was not the greatest. These birds are 9½ inches from the tip of bill to the tip of tail. <br /> <br /> "On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id</a><br /> <br /> "North America has 13 nighthawk populations. All but one are in decline and the species is considered threatened in Canada and several U.S. states."<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-track-nighthawks-from-northern-alberta-to-brazil-1.4026199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-trac...</a><br /> <br /> A Horned Lark, a Western Meadowlark juvenile, and a Vesper Sparrow gave me the chance for a photo or two, and a lone hawk I spotted way in the distance was a Ferruginous Hawk. A happy sighting, as these hawks are so few and far between.<br /> <br /> My actual destination on 21 August 2018 was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken. <br /> <br /> This Centre is a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures,and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, including educating the public away from the Centre. Sometimes, a bird is used as a foster parent, too. I didn't see a Turkey Vulture or a Golden Eagle this time."</div> Great Horned Owl / Bubo virginianus <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/48287590/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/75/90/48287590.51d78054.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">No time to get out with my camera at the moment, so I have added another three photos from my archives. I am adding the description from a previously posted photo taken on the same day.<br /> <br /> "On 21 August 2018, it turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 8 or 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy at the end of it. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, making sure I don't lose confidence to get there.<br /> <br /> Weather-wise, it was around 24C, so not too hot. Yes, it was still smokey from the British Columbia wildfires, making distant hills barely visible and deleting mountains from view, but it didn't have too much effect on closer photography. <br /> <br /> It was a good day for Hawks, seeing three on the way south and a few on the way home. I almost missed two Swainson's Hawks, as the hay bale they were standing on was way out in a large field. At first, I thought there were three hawks together, but when I stopped to take a few photos, I realized that there were only two - one looked almost like two hawks close together, but then I saw that it had its wings mantled. I guess it wanted to make sure that the second hawk behind it couldn't steal any of the food from it. <br /> <br /> A lone Common Nighthawk also helped make my day. For several years, I had longed to see one of these unusual birds and, finally last year (2017), I managed to find four of them. That time was almost two months earlier in the year than my recent find, so I wasn't expecting to see any in late August. I would still love to find one lying on a wooden railing rather than a metal railing. Last year, I did get a photo of one on a fence post, but the angle was not the greatest. These birds are 9½ inches from the tip of bill to the tip of tail. <br /> <br /> "On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id</a><br /> <br /> "North America has 13 nighthawk populations. All but one are in decline and the species is considered threatened in Canada and several U.S. states."<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-track-nighthawks-from-northern-alberta-to-brazil-1.4026199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/little-backpacks-gps-used-to-trac...</a><br /> <br /> A Horned Lark, a Western Meadowlark juvenile, and a Vesper Sparrow gave me the chance for a photo or two, and a lone hawk I spotted way in the distance was a Ferruginous Hawk. A happy sighting, as these hawks are so few and far between.<br /> <br /> My actual destination on 21 August 2018 was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken. <br /> <br /> This Centre is a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures,and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, including educating the public away from the Centre. Sometimes, a bird is used as a foster parent, too. I didn't see a Turkey Vulture or a Golden Eagle this time."</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47877488/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-12-19,doc-47877488 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:51:51 +0000 2018-12-18T14:48:14-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47877488/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/74/88/47877488.ebfe3336.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Adding a few photos from yesterday's Christmas Bird Count for High River. I might have to be without my computer for however (?) long, as it keeps stopping and I have to unplug it every time. No idea why this is happening. The computer freezes; the top light on top of the tower stays on, but the tiny light on the front of the tower goes off and won't come back again and I can't use the computer. Today, I will have to call in at the store and speak to the technician and see what he says. Hoping so much that I won't be without my computer for long as I really, really need to have access to it, especially for the next two weeks ... sigh.</div> Great Horned Owl, High River Christmas Bird Count <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47877488/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/74/88/47877488.ebfe3336.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Adding a few photos from yesterday's Christmas Bird Count for High River. I might have to be without my computer for however (?) long, as it keeps stopping and I have to unplug it every time. No idea why this is happening. The computer freezes; the top light on top of the tower stays on, but the tiny light on the front of the tower goes off and won't come back again and I can't use the computer. Today, I will have to call in at the store and speak to the technician and see what he says. Hoping so much that I won't be without my computer for long as I really, really need to have access to it, especially for the next two weeks ... sigh.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47624294/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-11-07,doc-47624294 Wed, 07 Nov 2018 16:31:20 +0000 2018-10-17T15:16:06-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47624294/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/42/94/47624294.d5c6af53.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This morning, my appointment to get two cortisone injections in my knees has just been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday. With a temperature of -9C (windchill -13C), I wish that meant I didn't need to go out in the cold and clear the snow off my car. However, I have a few errands that I really need to run.<br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. <br /> <br /> As if a couple of 'rescue' 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. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. <br /> <br /> 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. Had been a long time, no see.</div> Licorice Allsorts (candy) eyes <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47624294/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/42/94/47624294.d5c6af53.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This morning, my appointment to get two cortisone injections in my knees has just been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday. With a temperature of -9C (windchill -13C), I wish that meant I didn't need to go out in the cold and clear the snow off my car. However, I have a few errands that I really need to run.<br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. <br /> <br /> As if a couple of 'rescue' 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. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. <br /> <br /> 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. Had been a long time, no see.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47620392/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-11-06,doc-47620392 Tue, 06 Nov 2018 17:10:20 +0000 2018-10-17T15:12:04-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47620392/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/03/92/47620392.ee73147d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">To all my American friends - today is THE day. Make sure you get out and VOTE! Good luck. The world will be watching.<br /> <br /> The temperature this morning, 6 November 2018, is -10C (windchill -14C) and it is snowing again. "SNOW and ICE create messy, SLICK driving conditions in Calgary." Thanks Weather Network, just what I wanted to read : ) So glad I don't have to go out today, though I will have to tomorrow, to get a cortizone injection in both of my knees (unfortunately, two in shoulders and two in hips, for very painful bursitis (inflammation), at a later date). Never had one of these shots before and I am really hoping that they will work. I'm a mess, ha.<br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. <br /> <br /> As if a couple of 'rescue' 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. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. <br /> <br /> 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. Had been a long time, no see.</div> Great Horned Owl <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47620392/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/03/92/47620392.ee73147d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">To all my American friends - today is THE day. Make sure you get out and VOTE! Good luck. The world will be watching.<br /> <br /> The temperature this morning, 6 November 2018, is -10C (windchill -14C) and it is snowing again. "SNOW and ICE create messy, SLICK driving conditions in Calgary." Thanks Weather Network, just what I wanted to read : ) So glad I don't have to go out today, though I will have to tomorrow, to get a cortizone injection in both of my knees (unfortunately, two in shoulders and two in hips, for very painful bursitis (inflammation), at a later date). Never had one of these shots before and I am really hoping that they will work. I'm a mess, ha.<br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl. <br /> <br /> As if a couple of 'rescue' 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. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck. <br /> <br /> 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. Had been a long time, no see.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47515998/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-10-22,doc-47515998 Mon, 22 Oct 2018 05:51:03 +0000 2018-10-17T15:29:57-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47515998/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/59/98/47515998.3e048e15.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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.</div> Great Horned Owl <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47515998/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/59/98/47515998.3e048e15.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47515780/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-10-22,doc-47515780 Mon, 22 Oct 2018 05:45:22 +0000 2018-10-21T16:35:07-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47515780/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/57/80/47515780.fd6526ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Just for the record <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47515780/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/57/80/47515780.fd6526ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47506826/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-10-19,doc-47506826 Fri, 19 Oct 2018 04:01:06 +0000 2018-10-17T15:09:49-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47506826/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/68/26/47506826.ad8527a5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday afternoon, 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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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.</div> Got my owl &#039;fix&#039; yesterday <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47506826/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/68/26/47506826.ad8527a5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday afternoon, 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. <br /> <br /> "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.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.ferrets.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ferrets.ca/</a><br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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. <br /> <br /> 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.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47270730/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-09-06,doc-47270730 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:06:49 +0000 2018-08-21T13:39:34-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47270730/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/07/30/47270730.a5de19bb.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On the spur of the moment tonight, I decided that I might just try and get up early tomorrow morning and go for a drive. The smoke from the British Columbia wildfires hasn't been hanging around the last few days, so I really should make the most of a clear day. Rather than post my three photos in the morning, I thought I would post them tonight, to avoid leaving home later than I want. <br /> <br /> On 21 August 2018, it turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 8 or 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, making sure I don't lose confidence to get there. I left home at 9:00 am, just a bit later than I had hoped. Arrived back home somewhere around 8:30 pm.<br /> <br /> Weather-wise, it was around 24C, so not too hot. Yes, it was still smokey from the British Columbia wildfires, making distant hills barely visible and deleting mountains from view, but it didn't have too much effect on closer photography. <br /> <br /> Unfortunately, this Bison is a domestic animal, on a farm. A Prairie Bison? I have seen wild Bison and I do have photos of them in the wild. Couldn't resist stopping to take a few shots of these animals. <br /> <br /> It was also a good day for Hawks, seeing three on the way south and a few on the way home. I almost missed two of the hawks, as the hay bale was way out in a large field. At first, I thought there were three hawks together, but when I stopped to take a few photos, I realized that there were only two - one looked almost like two hawks close together, but then I saw that it had its wings mantled. I guess it wanted to make sure that the second hawk behind it couldn't steal any of the food from it.<br /> <br /> A Horned Lark, a Vesper Sparrow, a Mourning Dove, and a Western Meadowlark gave me the chance for a photo or two and, to my delight, a hawk I spotted way in the distance turned out to be a Ferruginous Hawk. A happy sighting, as they tend to be few and far between.<br /> <br /> My actual destination was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken. I have seen and photographed many wild owls in their natural habitat, but I still love seeing them at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale - up close and personal.</div> I LOVE owls - in case you didn&#039;t know : ) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47270730/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/07/30/47270730.a5de19bb.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On the spur of the moment tonight, I decided that I might just try and get up early tomorrow morning and go for a drive. The smoke from the British Columbia wildfires hasn't been hanging around the last few days, so I really should make the most of a clear day. Rather than post my three photos in the morning, I thought I would post them tonight, to avoid leaving home later than I want. <br /> <br /> On 21 August 2018, it turned out to be such a great day, with some much-appreciated sightings. I must have spent about 8 or 9 hours driving and almost every inch of my body ached like crazy. Now, each summer, I try and do two or three longer (for me) drives, making sure I don't lose confidence to get there. I left home at 9:00 am, just a bit later than I had hoped. Arrived back home somewhere around 8:30 pm.<br /> <br /> Weather-wise, it was around 24C, so not too hot. Yes, it was still smokey from the British Columbia wildfires, making distant hills barely visible and deleting mountains from view, but it didn't have too much effect on closer photography. <br /> <br /> Unfortunately, this Bison is a domestic animal, on a farm. A Prairie Bison? I have seen wild Bison and I do have photos of them in the wild. Couldn't resist stopping to take a few shots of these animals. <br /> <br /> It was also a good day for Hawks, seeing three on the way south and a few on the way home. I almost missed two of the hawks, as the hay bale was way out in a large field. At first, I thought there were three hawks together, but when I stopped to take a few photos, I realized that there were only two - one looked almost like two hawks close together, but then I saw that it had its wings mantled. I guess it wanted to make sure that the second hawk behind it couldn't steal any of the food from it.<br /> <br /> A Horned Lark, a Vesper Sparrow, a Mourning Dove, and a Western Meadowlark gave me the chance for a photo or two and, to my delight, a hawk I spotted way in the distance turned out to be a Ferruginous Hawk. A happy sighting, as they tend to be few and far between.<br /> <br /> My actual destination was the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken. I have seen and photographed many wild owls in their natural habitat, but I still love seeing them at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale - up close and personal.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46814750/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-06-05,doc-46814750 Tue, 05 Jun 2018 14:55:11 +0000 2018-06-03T19:09:08-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46814750/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/47/50/46814750.ed77c22e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Is anyone else totally fed up of all the porn spam that is going on right now? Endless 'Likes' on hundreds of my photos by 'young girls' - and it won't stop when you go to their Flickr page, click on About and block them. Blocking them does not work! Plenty of Flickr members are posting complaints on the help forum, but, so far, I haven't seen any response from Flickr staff. <br /> <br /> Yesterday, I finally swapped one stressor for another - just crazy. I had been told to try out the replacement Nikon B700 while I was on my two-week trip. Part way through the trip, I gave up - so many of my photos were being ruined because of the shift in composition when I pressed the shutter button all the way down. These images jumped upwards, down or to either side, resulting in headless or half birds, etc.. I had taken three cameras with me - my old, trustworthy Panasonic FZ200 (which unfortunately only has 24x optical zoom); my FZ1000 (a brand new replacement that I received just days before I left the city, which, to my horror, I discovered had the same problem as the original - skipping photos while in Playback), and the Nikon B700. Much as I wanted/needed the 60x optical zoom of the B700, it was just not useable. So, yesterday, I returned it to the store and got a refund. Now I am back to using my old Canon SX60, which I was using just occasionally, and had put aside many months ago, as I find the image stabilization becomes so bad when more zoom is used. <br /> <br /> The new stressor started yesterday, when I noticed a large brown stain on my dining room ceiling! A while ago, I had had two new toilets installed, and I discovered that the upstairs one has been leaking. I always turn off the water in my place when I go away, thank goodness, but now I will have to call the plumber and get him to come and take a look. My ceiling looks a mess!<br /> <br /> The day before yesterday, 3 June 2018, I had hoped to drive out of the city for an annual morning walk followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Unfortunately, I never heard back from the leader about whether any others would be going from Calgary (though I was going to drive there myself). As it turned out, I had a great afternoon within the city, with an afternoon walk in Weaselhead with friends, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!<br /> <br /> On my drive home early evening, I made a split second decision to keep driving to Fish Creek Park. I had only been down there twice this year and saw the adult male Great Horned Owl. I had heard that the female was on the nest and later, that there was just one owlet. Yesterday was my first visit to try and find this young one, who had only just recently left the nest. Looking on the more important side, this meant one less person intruding on their area, of course, though I have to say that these owls are remarkably tolerant of humans. If a Canada Goose, on the other hand, should get anywhere near the nest or young ones, Mom or Dad flies in for an immediate attack. I think it would have taken me some time to find it, as it was so high up in a tree. Friends had already found it and were kind enough to take me to see it, which was much appreciated. They also showed me a very high Starling nest with three youngsters peering out. A tree cavity was also pointed out to me, with Mother Goose looking rather bored, incubating her eggs. <br /> <br /> "With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics.<br /> <br /> Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. You may see them at dusk sitting on fence posts or tree limbs at the edges of open areas, or flying across roads or fields with stiff, deep beats of their rounded wings. Their call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl</a></div> Great Horned Owlet <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46814750/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/47/50/46814750.ed77c22e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Is anyone else totally fed up of all the porn spam that is going on right now? Endless 'Likes' on hundreds of my photos by 'young girls' - and it won't stop when you go to their Flickr page, click on About and block them. Blocking them does not work! Plenty of Flickr members are posting complaints on the help forum, but, so far, I haven't seen any response from Flickr staff. <br /> <br /> Yesterday, I finally swapped one stressor for another - just crazy. I had been told to try out the replacement Nikon B700 while I was on my two-week trip. Part way through the trip, I gave up - so many of my photos were being ruined because of the shift in composition when I pressed the shutter button all the way down. These images jumped upwards, down or to either side, resulting in headless or half birds, etc.. I had taken three cameras with me - my old, trustworthy Panasonic FZ200 (which unfortunately only has 24x optical zoom); my FZ1000 (a brand new replacement that I received just days before I left the city, which, to my horror, I discovered had the same problem as the original - skipping photos while in Playback), and the Nikon B700. Much as I wanted/needed the 60x optical zoom of the B700, it was just not useable. So, yesterday, I returned it to the store and got a refund. Now I am back to using my old Canon SX60, which I was using just occasionally, and had put aside many months ago, as I find the image stabilization becomes so bad when more zoom is used. <br /> <br /> The new stressor started yesterday, when I noticed a large brown stain on my dining room ceiling! A while ago, I had had two new toilets installed, and I discovered that the upstairs one has been leaking. I always turn off the water in my place when I go away, thank goodness, but now I will have to call the plumber and get him to come and take a look. My ceiling looks a mess!<br /> <br /> The day before yesterday, 3 June 2018, I had hoped to drive out of the city for an annual morning walk followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Unfortunately, I never heard back from the leader about whether any others would be going from Calgary (though I was going to drive there myself). As it turned out, I had a great afternoon within the city, with an afternoon walk in Weaselhead with friends, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!<br /> <br /> On my drive home early evening, I made a split second decision to keep driving to Fish Creek Park. I had only been down there twice this year and saw the adult male Great Horned Owl. I had heard that the female was on the nest and later, that there was just one owlet. Yesterday was my first visit to try and find this young one, who had only just recently left the nest. Looking on the more important side, this meant one less person intruding on their area, of course, though I have to say that these owls are remarkably tolerant of humans. If a Canada Goose, on the other hand, should get anywhere near the nest or young ones, Mom or Dad flies in for an immediate attack. I think it would have taken me some time to find it, as it was so high up in a tree. Friends had already found it and were kind enough to take me to see it, which was much appreciated. They also showed me a very high Starling nest with three youngsters peering out. A tree cavity was also pointed out to me, with Mother Goose looking rather bored, incubating her eggs. <br /> <br /> "With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics.<br /> <br /> Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. You may see them at dusk sitting on fence posts or tree limbs at the edges of open areas, or flying across roads or fields with stiff, deep beats of their rounded wings. Their call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46801904/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-06-04,doc-46801904 Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:09:56 +0000 2018-06-03T18:57:11-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46801904/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/04/46801904.0fceef39.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 3 June 2018, I had hoped to drive out of the city for an annual morning walk followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Unfortunately, I never heard back from the leader about whether any others would be going from Calgary (though I was going to drive there myself). As it turned out, I had a great afternoon within the city, with an afternoon walk in Weaselhead with friends, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!<br /> <br /> On my drive home early evening, I made a split second decision to keep driving to Fish Creek Park. I had only been down there twice this year and saw the adult male Great Horned Owl. I had heard that the female was on the nest and later, that there was just one owlet. Yesterday was my first visit to try and find this young one, who had only just recently left the nest. Looking on the more important side, this meant one less person intruding on their area, of course, though I have to say that these owls are remarkably tolerant of humans. If a Canada Goose, on the other hand, should get anywhere near the nest or young ones, Mom or Dad flies in for an immediate attack. I think it would have taken me some time to find it, as it was so high up in a tree. Friends had already found it and were kind enough to take me to see it, which was much appreciated. They also showed me a very high Starling nest with three youngsters peering out. A tree cavity was also pointed out to me, with Mother Goose looking rather bored, incubating her eggs. <br /> <br /> "With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics.<br /> <br /> Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. You may see them at dusk sitting on fence posts or tree limbs at the edges of open areas, or flying across roads or fields with stiff, deep beats of their rounded wings. Their call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl</a></div> Great Horned Owlet <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46801904/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/04/46801904.0fceef39.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 3 June 2018, I had hoped to drive out of the city for an annual morning walk followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Unfortunately, I never heard back from the leader about whether any others would be going from Calgary (though I was going to drive there myself). As it turned out, I had a great afternoon within the city, with an afternoon walk in Weaselhead with friends, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!<br /> <br /> On my drive home early evening, I made a split second decision to keep driving to Fish Creek Park. I had only been down there twice this year and saw the adult male Great Horned Owl. I had heard that the female was on the nest and later, that there was just one owlet. Yesterday was my first visit to try and find this young one, who had only just recently left the nest. Looking on the more important side, this meant one less person intruding on their area, of course, though I have to say that these owls are remarkably tolerant of humans. If a Canada Goose, on the other hand, should get anywhere near the nest or young ones, Mom or Dad flies in for an immediate attack. I think it would have taken me some time to find it, as it was so high up in a tree. Friends had already found it and were kind enough to take me to see it, which was much appreciated. They also showed me a very high Starling nest with three youngsters peering out. A tree cavity was also pointed out to me, with Mother Goose looking rather bored, incubating her eggs. <br /> <br /> "With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics.<br /> <br /> Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. You may see them at dusk sitting on fence posts or tree limbs at the edges of open areas, or flying across roads or fields with stiff, deep beats of their rounded wings. Their call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46561168/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-04-23,doc-46561168 Mon, 23 Apr 2018 16:50:25 +0000 2018-04-15T00:56:15-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46561168/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/11/68/46561168.97a25861.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I was so glad that I finally got out for a few hours on 15 April 2018, joining a group of friends on a birding trip SE of the city. It was a cloudy day, but beautiful. Deep snow everywhere - no one would ever think this was spring. Though plenty of species were seen, almost all were far, far away and totally out of camera range. However, we did find Great Horned Owls at three different locations, which was great - one in a tree, another on a nest, and this one in a barn. The inside of this structure was dark and the first car missed noticing the owl. Happily, the second car spotted it and caught our attention. I brightened the image so that the owl is more obvious. Any day when an owl is seen is a GOOD day : )<br /> <br /> Wow, has our weather taken a turn for the better! This afternoon, the temperature is supposed to get up to 14C and for the coming week, between 15C and 21C! This should get rid of any snow that is still on the ground. To the south of us, snow melt has caused flooding of fields and roads, unfortunately.</div> Almost missed, but gratefully seen <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46561168/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/11/68/46561168.97a25861.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I was so glad that I finally got out for a few hours on 15 April 2018, joining a group of friends on a birding trip SE of the city. It was a cloudy day, but beautiful. Deep snow everywhere - no one would ever think this was spring. Though plenty of species were seen, almost all were far, far away and totally out of camera range. However, we did find Great Horned Owls at three different locations, which was great - one in a tree, another on a nest, and this one in a barn. The inside of this structure was dark and the first car missed noticing the owl. Happily, the second car spotted it and caught our attention. I brightened the image so that the owl is more obvious. Any day when an owl is seen is a GOOD day : )<br /> <br /> Wow, has our weather taken a turn for the better! This afternoon, the temperature is supposed to get up to 14C and for the coming week, between 15C and 21C! This should get rid of any snow that is still on the ground. To the south of us, snow melt has caused flooding of fields and roads, unfortunately.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46526338/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-04-16,doc-46526338 Mon, 16 Apr 2018 15:44:17 +0000 2018-04-14T23:29:12-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46526338/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/38/46526338.3b91da67.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Once again, a giant leap from the tropical rainforest of Trinidad to the latest Alberta snowfall that arrived this morning. Sigh ... will this ever end, lol? Our temperature just before noon is -1C (windchill -7C). Thinking ahead to next month, it is not that unusual for us to have a major May snowstorm. Hopefully not this year.<br /> <br /> From the Weather Network:<br /> <br /> "Snowfall Warning Issued at 10:39 Monday 16 April 2018<br /> Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected. 10 to 20 cm of heavy wet snow are likely.<br /> <br /> Snow will end from south to north tonight, with 10 to 20 cm generally expected. <br /> <br /> Near the eastern edge of the warning, including the city of Calgary, snowfall amounts will be highly variable and dependent on elevation. Lower portions of Calgary may see less than 10 cm while higher areas, most notably the northwestern part of the city, will likely see higher amounts.<br /> <br /> Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow."<br /> <br /> Sure, this sounds and feels like spring : )<br /> <br /> I feel so glad that I finally got out for a few hours yesterday, 15 April 2018, joining a group of friends on a birding trip SE of the city.</div> One of yesterday&#039;s Great Horned Owls <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46526338/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/63/38/46526338.3b91da67.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Once again, a giant leap from the tropical rainforest of Trinidad to the latest Alberta snowfall that arrived this morning. Sigh ... will this ever end, lol? Our temperature just before noon is -1C (windchill -7C). Thinking ahead to next month, it is not that unusual for us to have a major May snowstorm. Hopefully not this year.<br /> <br /> From the Weather Network:<br /> <br /> "Snowfall Warning Issued at 10:39 Monday 16 April 2018<br /> Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected. 10 to 20 cm of heavy wet snow are likely.<br /> <br /> Snow will end from south to north tonight, with 10 to 20 cm generally expected. <br /> <br /> Near the eastern edge of the warning, including the city of Calgary, snowfall amounts will be highly variable and dependent on elevation. Lower portions of Calgary may see less than 10 cm while higher areas, most notably the northwestern part of the city, will likely see higher amounts.<br /> <br /> Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow."<br /> <br /> Sure, this sounds and feels like spring : )<br /> <br /> I feel so glad that I finally got out for a few hours yesterday, 15 April 2018, joining a group of friends on a birding trip SE of the city.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46481246/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-04-02,doc-46481246 Mon, 02 Apr 2018 16:04:12 +0000 2018-04-01T13:44:04-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46481246/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/12/46/46481246.534ad87d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday was Easter Sunday (as well as being April Fool's Day). I decided to join friends for an afternoon walk in Fish Creek Park, despite the overcast sky, cold temperature and a forecast for yet more snow. We only had a few snowflakes and this morning, there is just a light dusting over everything. The temperature this morning, 2 April 2018, is -9C (windchill -14C). The forecast for this week shows snow every other day.<br /> <br /> One of our stops yesterday was to see the male Great Horned Owl, perched where he was almost impossible to see, his camouflage was so good. This was the only photo I got, fully zoomed and from far away. Those eyes looked tightly shut and he was no doubt getting some sleep after a busy night of hunting.<br /> <br /> We were also lucky to see two Coyotes together, at first way off in the distance and then they came somewhat closer. Beautiful animals, though we were concerned to see them in the area, having been asked by a family if we had seen their puppy that had run off from the parking lot. We kept our eyes open for the two and a half hours that we were walking, but we saw the family still searching. To spot a white dog against all the snow would have been difficult, and it wasn't answering to its name being called. I do hope this had a happy ending!<br /> <br /> Migrating birds are beginning to be seen in and around Calgary - but, let's face it, who in their right mind would want to come to a place where spring is still an ongoing time of cold and snow?!<br /> <br /> After braving the cold, coffee at Tim Horton's was the perfect ending to our afternoon of birding. On the way there, we stopped to look at a new birding blind that we had heard about. Made from rusty metal with several holes cut out of it, it was certainly a rather unusual sight. Thanks, Bernie and Janet, for leading the walk - always appreciated.</div> Sleepy Great Horned Owl <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46481246/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/12/46/46481246.534ad87d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday was Easter Sunday (as well as being April Fool's Day). I decided to join friends for an afternoon walk in Fish Creek Park, despite the overcast sky, cold temperature and a forecast for yet more snow. We only had a few snowflakes and this morning, there is just a light dusting over everything. The temperature this morning, 2 April 2018, is -9C (windchill -14C). The forecast for this week shows snow every other day.<br /> <br /> One of our stops yesterday was to see the male Great Horned Owl, perched where he was almost impossible to see, his camouflage was so good. This was the only photo I got, fully zoomed and from far away. Those eyes looked tightly shut and he was no doubt getting some sleep after a busy night of hunting.<br /> <br /> We were also lucky to see two Coyotes together, at first way off in the distance and then they came somewhat closer. Beautiful animals, though we were concerned to see them in the area, having been asked by a family if we had seen their puppy that had run off from the parking lot. We kept our eyes open for the two and a half hours that we were walking, but we saw the family still searching. To spot a white dog against all the snow would have been difficult, and it wasn't answering to its name being called. I do hope this had a happy ending!<br /> <br /> Migrating birds are beginning to be seen in and around Calgary - but, let's face it, who in their right mind would want to come to a place where spring is still an ongoing time of cold and snow?!<br /> <br /> After braving the cold, coffee at Tim Horton's was the perfect ending to our afternoon of birding. On the way there, we stopped to look at a new birding blind that we had heard about. Made from rusty metal with several holes cut out of it, it was certainly a rather unusual sight. Thanks, Bernie and Janet, for leading the walk - always appreciated.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46209424/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-02-03,doc-46209424 Sat, 03 Feb 2018 18:18:19 +0000 2017-08-03T14:04:16-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46209424/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/24/46209424.93bd80a1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Police notice for Calgary, afternoon of 3 February 2018:<br /> <br /> "ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE: Deerfoot Trail is now closed in both directions from McKnight Boulevard to Anderson Road due to poor driving conditions and multiple collisions.<br /> <br /> Please find alternate routes and drive safe!<br /> <br /> The weather has created winter driving conditions on all roads throughout the city. Please slow down, leave extra room between vehicles and ensure your lights are on if you are out and about today.<br /> <br /> If you do not need to be on the roads today, we are recommending that you not travel."<br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Rick Mercer's video "Plus 1 in Canada". I can so relate to this - so funny! And, yes, it's snowing AGAIN today, heavily. Temperature early afternoon is -21C (windchill -31C). Yet another day at home.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/wkDvqQKGgDA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/wkDvqQKGgDA</a><br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Thought I'd better post three more local photos today, instead of more green rainforest shots, before I lose all my Contacts : ) As far as my Trinidad & Tobago trip is concerned, I have more or less finished with photos of mangrove trees and other greenery, and will be posting a few (distant) bird images.<br /> <br /> This young, light-coloured Great Horned Owl was just so perfect and seemed to be a great character. Three adults tethered nearby were also quite pale in colour. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken. I have seen and photographed many wild owls in their natural habitat, but I still love seeing them at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta.<br /> <br /> Last summer (2017), we had practically no 'normal' summer days. Most were too hot thanks to an almost endless heatwave, and also too smoky thanks to all the wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta. The weather forecast for 3 August 2017 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. The previous year (2016), 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 kms that I drove, I had to ask for help with directions twice - both times in the same small hamlet. It was a hot day, with a temperature of 31C when I was at the Centre.<br /> <br /> Though the forecast was for sun all day, there was no mention of the smoke haze that completely blocked out the mountains and pretty much the foothills, too. Very quickly, I was almost tempted to turn around and come home, but I had noticed rain in the forecast for the coming days. I reckoned I would still be able to photograph the fairly close birds at the Centre, which worked out fine.<br /> <br /> Amazingly, I managed to make myself get up early that morning, 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 slowly along the back roads rather than the less interesting 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. <br /> <br /> I finally arrived home at 8:30 pm, after a 12-hour day, totally tired out, and my car was just about out of gas. So happy to have been down there again, though.</div> A cute, young face <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46209424/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/24/46209424.93bd80a1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Police notice for Calgary, afternoon of 3 February 2018:<br /> <br /> "ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE: Deerfoot Trail is now closed in both directions from McKnight Boulevard to Anderson Road due to poor driving conditions and multiple collisions.<br /> <br /> Please find alternate routes and drive safe!<br /> <br /> The weather has created winter driving conditions on all roads throughout the city. Please slow down, leave extra room between vehicles and ensure your lights are on if you are out and about today.<br /> <br /> If you do not need to be on the roads today, we are recommending that you not travel."<br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Rick Mercer's video "Plus 1 in Canada". I can so relate to this - so funny! And, yes, it's snowing AGAIN today, heavily. Temperature early afternoon is -21C (windchill -31C). Yet another day at home.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/wkDvqQKGgDA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/wkDvqQKGgDA</a><br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Thought I'd better post three more local photos today, instead of more green rainforest shots, before I lose all my Contacts : ) As far as my Trinidad & Tobago trip is concerned, I have more or less finished with photos of mangrove trees and other greenery, and will be posting a few (distant) bird images.<br /> <br /> This young, light-coloured Great Horned Owl was just so perfect and seemed to be a great character. Three adults tethered nearby were also quite pale in colour. I know some people feel that photographing birds that are not out in the wild is cheating. I kind of agree, though I think it's fine as long as someone says where it was taken. I have seen and photographed many wild owls in their natural habitat, but I still love seeing them at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta.<br /> <br /> Last summer (2017), we had practically no 'normal' summer days. Most were too hot thanks to an almost endless heatwave, and also too smoky thanks to all the wildfires in British Columbia and Alberta. The weather forecast for 3 August 2017 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. The previous year (2016), 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 kms that I drove, I had to ask for help with directions twice - both times in the same small hamlet. It was a hot day, with a temperature of 31C when I was at the Centre.<br /> <br /> Though the forecast was for sun all day, there was no mention of the smoke haze that completely blocked out the mountains and pretty much the foothills, too. Very quickly, I was almost tempted to turn around and come home, but I had noticed rain in the forecast for the coming days. I reckoned I would still be able to photograph the fairly close birds at the Centre, which worked out fine.<br /> <br /> Amazingly, I managed to make myself get up early that morning, 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 slowly along the back roads rather than the less interesting 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. <br /> <br /> I finally arrived home at 8:30 pm, after a 12-hour day, totally tired out, and my car was just about out of gas. So happy to have been down there again, though.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46194300/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2018-01-29,doc-46194300 Mon, 29 Jan 2018 18:04:06 +0000 2018-01-28T13:09:37-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46194300/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/43/00/46194300.667a3964.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I am posting these three photos this morning just for the record of yesterday's horribly cold walk in Fish Creek Park. The temperature was only around -15C (windchill was much colder!), but there was a light wind and it was the worst kind of cold. <br /> <br /> Our walk started at the Ranch and, after just a short walk west in the hope of finding a Pileated Woodpecker that strangers had told us about, we made our way east to the Bow River. It looked as cold as it felt! Worth it, though, to see this Great Horned Owl at the start of our walk, perched very high up in a Spruce tree. There was a tangle of thin twigs right in front of its face, but the owl lowered its head just once to see us better and I clicked. Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm.<br /> <br /> On the way to the river, we noticed, through the lightly-falling snow, several White-tailed Deer in the distance. Though the river was not frozen over, endless small pieces of ice were flowing fast, with a few ducks in the water, too. In the third photo I posted, if you look carefully, you can see two Bald Eagles perched in the trees on the far side of the river.<br /> <br /> It was a long walk, two and a half hours, giving me the 10,000 steps for the day - which so very rarely happens these days (the last two years). Because there were so few birds to stop and watch, the walk was almost non-stop walking, which I always find difficult and painful. The only way to fix that was with a stop at Tim Horton's for coffee : ) Always just as enjoyable to sit and chat as it is to be on a walk itself.</div> Curious glance from a Great Horned Owl <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46194300/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/43/00/46194300.667a3964.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I am posting these three photos this morning just for the record of yesterday's horribly cold walk in Fish Creek Park. The temperature was only around -15C (windchill was much colder!), but there was a light wind and it was the worst kind of cold. <br /> <br /> Our walk started at the Ranch and, after just a short walk west in the hope of finding a Pileated Woodpecker that strangers had told us about, we made our way east to the Bow River. It looked as cold as it felt! Worth it, though, to see this Great Horned Owl at the start of our walk, perched very high up in a Spruce tree. There was a tangle of thin twigs right in front of its face, but the owl lowered its head just once to see us better and I clicked. Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm.<br /> <br /> On the way to the river, we noticed, through the lightly-falling snow, several White-tailed Deer in the distance. Though the river was not frozen over, endless small pieces of ice were flowing fast, with a few ducks in the water, too. In the third photo I posted, if you look carefully, you can see two Bald Eagles perched in the trees on the far side of the river.<br /> <br /> It was a long walk, two and a half hours, giving me the 10,000 steps for the day - which so very rarely happens these days (the last two years). Because there were so few birds to stop and watch, the walk was almost non-stop walking, which I always find difficult and painful. The only way to fix that was with a stop at Tim Horton's for coffee : ) Always just as enjoyable to sit and chat as it is to be on a walk itself.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46047660/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-23,doc-46047660 Sat, 23 Dec 2017 16:34:47 +0000 2017-12-19T12:18:35-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46047660/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/60/46047660.a6f944f3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three more photos from our High River Christmas Bird Count - I need a change of things to photograph! This is the same owl that I posted two days ago, just taken from a different angle. We had five other Great Horned Owls on our Count, which was great.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant, with low visibility. Looked like there were about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence by the next morning. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon the next day! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.<br /> <br /> Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.<br /> <br /> "High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.<br /> <br /> Mallard-500 <br /> Northern Shoveler-1 f. <br /> Northern Pintail-2 <br /> Common Goldeneye-3 <br /> Gray Partridge-8 <br /> Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake <br /> Prairie Falcon-1 <br /> Rock Pigeon-56 <br /> Great Horned Owl-6 <br /> Snowy Owl-1 <br /> Blue Jay-4 <br /> Black-billed Magpie-17 <br /> Common Raven-4 <br /> Song Sparrow-1 <br /> Snow Bunting-150 <br /> Common Redpoll-790 <br /> House Sparrow-202<br /> Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.<br /> <br /> Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.<br /> <br /> Coyote-4 <br /> Skunk track by observation blind <br /> Meadow Vole-1 <br /> Mule Deer-6 <br /> Moose-1 f.<br /> <br /> Km by Car- 58 <br /> Km on foot -5 <br /> Total km - 63 <br /> <br /> Time by car – 2 hrs <br /> Time on foot-5 hrs <br /> Total party hours-7 hrs"</div> Always a treat <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46047660/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/60/46047660.a6f944f3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three more photos from our High River Christmas Bird Count - I need a change of things to photograph! This is the same owl that I posted two days ago, just taken from a different angle. We had five other Great Horned Owls on our Count, which was great.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant, with low visibility. Looked like there were about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence by the next morning. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon the next day! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.<br /> <br /> Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.<br /> <br /> "High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.<br /> <br /> Mallard-500 <br /> Northern Shoveler-1 f. <br /> Northern Pintail-2 <br /> Common Goldeneye-3 <br /> Gray Partridge-8 <br /> Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake <br /> Prairie Falcon-1 <br /> Rock Pigeon-56 <br /> Great Horned Owl-6 <br /> Snowy Owl-1 <br /> Blue Jay-4 <br /> Black-billed Magpie-17 <br /> Common Raven-4 <br /> Song Sparrow-1 <br /> Snow Bunting-150 <br /> Common Redpoll-790 <br /> House Sparrow-202<br /> Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.<br /> <br /> Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.<br /> <br /> Coyote-4 <br /> Skunk track by observation blind <br /> Meadow Vole-1 <br /> Mule Deer-6 <br /> Moose-1 f.<br /> <br /> Km by Car- 58 <br /> Km on foot -5 <br /> Total km - 63 <br /> <br /> Time by car – 2 hrs <br /> Time on foot-5 hrs <br /> Total party hours-7 hrs"</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46043370/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-21,doc-46043370 Thu, 21 Dec 2017 16:21:45 +0000 2017-12-19T12:21:11-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46043370/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/33/70/46043370.1f73771e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY WINTER, everyone! Today, we are one day closer to spring.<br /> <br /> Two days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon yesterday, which is why I posted so late yesterday! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> This Great Horned Owl was one of six that we saw in the Count area, perched nicely out in the open. We saw a second owl in the same farmyard - that one had a very pale grey face.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.<br /> <br /> Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.<br /> <br /> "High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.<br /> <br /> Mallard-500 <br /> Northern Shoveler-1 f. <br /> Northern Pintail-2 <br /> Common Goldeneye-3 <br /> Gray Partridge-8 <br /> Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake <br /> Prairie Falcon-1 <br /> Rock Pigeon-56 <br /> Great Horned Owl-6 <br /> Snowy Owl-1 <br /> Blue Jay-4 <br /> Black-billed Magpie-17 <br /> Common Raven-4 <br /> Song Sparrow-1 <br /> Snow Bunting-150 <br /> Common Redpoll-790 <br /> House Sparrow-202<br /> Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.<br /> <br /> Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.<br /> <br /> Coyote-4 <br /> Skunk track by observation blind <br /> Meadow Vole-1 <br /> Mule Deer-6 <br /> Moose-1 f.<br /> Participants:<br /> <br /> Km by Car- 58 <br /> Km on foot -5 <br /> Total km - 63 <br /> <br /> Time by car – 2 hrs <br /> Time on foot-5 hrs <br /> Total party hours-7 hrs"</div> A welcome addition to our Christmas Bird Count <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46043370/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/33/70/46043370.1f73771e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY WINTER, everyone! Today, we are one day closer to spring.<br /> <br /> Two days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant. Looks like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence today. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon yesterday, which is why I posted so late yesterday! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> This Great Horned Owl was one of six that we saw in the Count area, perched nicely out in the open. We saw a second owl in the same farmyard - that one had a very pale grey face.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.<br /> <br /> Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.<br /> <br /> "High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.<br /> <br /> Mallard-500 <br /> Northern Shoveler-1 f. <br /> Northern Pintail-2 <br /> Common Goldeneye-3 <br /> Gray Partridge-8 <br /> Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake <br /> Prairie Falcon-1 <br /> Rock Pigeon-56 <br /> Great Horned Owl-6 <br /> Snowy Owl-1 <br /> Blue Jay-4 <br /> Black-billed Magpie-17 <br /> Common Raven-4 <br /> Song Sparrow-1 <br /> Snow Bunting-150 <br /> Common Redpoll-790 <br /> House Sparrow-202<br /> Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.<br /> <br /> Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.<br /> <br /> Coyote-4 <br /> Skunk track by observation blind <br /> Meadow Vole-1 <br /> Mule Deer-6 <br /> Moose-1 f.<br /> Participants:<br /> <br /> Km by Car- 58 <br /> Km on foot -5 <br /> Total km - 63 <br /> <br /> Time by car – 2 hrs <br /> Time on foot-5 hrs <br /> Total party hours-7 hrs"</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46000894/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-11,doc-46000894 Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:55:22 +0000 2017-12-09T12:52:21-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46000894/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/08/94/46000894.d85ead69.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">For anyone who is unfamiliar with the popular candy, Licorice Allsorts, take a look at these photos on Google, lol! The large, round, yellow ones with the black licorice centre are my favourites. They were first produced in Sheffield, England, by Geo. Bassett & Co Ltd.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=licorice+allsorts&rlz=1C1CHMO_en-GBCA580CA580&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir6qTbxILYAhVYwWMKHdCUAewQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=1094" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.google.ca/search?q=licorice+allsorts&rlz=1C1CHMO_...</a><br /> <br /> Friend, Gayle, made an appointment to go to the Cochrane Ecological Institute Centre the day before yesterday, 9 December 2017, and invited me to go along, too. I had longed to visit and, a few years ago, two friends and I were all set to go, but a major storm prevented us from going. It made an interesting morning, going on a tour of the grounds with our guide, Lisa Dahlseide. I know Lisa in connection with the Weaselhead Natural Area in Calgary and it was so nice to see that she was going to be our leader for this walk. She has such a wealth of knowledge and her personality is very much a "people person", including doing a lot of work with young children and nature. As well as being a busy mother of three young children, she is part time Naturalist with Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society and the Education Director for the Cochrane Ecological Institute.<br /> <br /> This Great Horned Owl was sharing a huge "barn" with another owl of the same species. The injured owl in this photo is unable to be released and, apparently, does not have the right personality for being trained as a Wildlife Ambassador. The light was low and this photo is poor quality, but I wanted to add it to my album for this visit. Unfortunately, I was too busy being distracted by taking photos of things, that I missed a lot of the explanations for the animals/birds that we saw. I always think that I will be able to find information once I get home and get on the Internet, but that doesn't always happen. "Wildlife" that we saw including several (4?) Bison that had originally been brought up from Waterton years ago; deer; several Wild Turkeys; two Great Horned Owls; and a pair of birds that I have never seen before - White Pheasants. I missed the explanation for these Pheasants, unfortunately. <br /> <br /> After our visit to the Centre, we drove to Cochrane for an enjoyable lunch. Took a while to drive round looking for somewhere to eat - I had no idea that Cochrane had grown so much. Thanks so much, Gayle, for a different kind of day! Much enjoyed and appreciated.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://vimeo.com/225317099" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">vimeo.com/225317099</a><br /> <br /> "The CEI (Cochrane Ecological Institute) is a family founded, charitable organization devoted to breeding endangered species for reintroduction, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release, educating the public, monitoring habitat and species, and developing non intrusive wildlife survey methods. The CEI was founded (1971) by Miles and Beryl Smeeton and is now run by their daughter, Clio Smeeton. Miles and Beryl Smeeton were internationally known sailors, mountaineers, and explorers.<br /> <br /> The Smeetons initiated the swift fox reintroduction program in Canada in 1972, six years before the species was declared extirpated in Canada. All animals held at the CEI are destined for reintroduction. They are not maintained for public exhibit, trade, or sale. Over the 26 years of its existence the CEI has also been an integral part of the Canadian Wildlife Service's Trumpeter swan (Cygnus bucinnator) and wood bison (B.b.athabascae) reintroduction programs, as well as playing a key role in the Canadian swift fox reintroduction program. The CEI is unique in that it holds the world's longest established (1972), largest (20 pairs), and only captive breeding colony of swift fox. These animals are bred solely for reintroduction as part of the CEI's ecosystem restoration program. <br /> <br /> Internationally, as species and habitat vanish, the concept of ecosystem restoration through the reintroduction of indigenous flora and fauna, is gaining greater and greater prominence. The preservation of habitat without those species, which made that habitat a viable whole, is a sterile exercise." From the CEI's website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ceinst.org/about-us.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ceinst.org/about-us.html</a><br /> <br /> "Cochrane Ecological Institute's Swift Fox Reintroduction programs began in 1972 under the direction of Beryl and Miles Smeeton. Since that time 0ver 800 Swift fox were reintroduced to the Canadian Prairie. This has resulted in the Species being downlisted by the Canadian Government from Extirpated to Endangered.<br /> <br /> In 1998 the CEI was invited by the Blackfeet Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department, Browning, Montana to join in a partnership to start the first swift fox re-introduction in the USA on the Blackfeet Tribal Lands. Defenders of Wildlife also became partners in this project and the first swift foxes were released on Blackfeet land in the fall of 1998.This program continued until 2003.<br /> <br /> The CEI was requested to design and implement a Swift Fox reintroduction program on Blood reserve lands in Alberta Canada in 2003. This resulted in only a 2 year program because of complications resulting from permitting problems and the new Species at Risk Act in Canada." From the CEI website.</div> Licorice Allsorts eyes <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46000894/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/08/94/46000894.d85ead69.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">For anyone who is unfamiliar with the popular candy, Licorice Allsorts, take a look at these photos on Google, lol! The large, round, yellow ones with the black licorice centre are my favourites. They were first produced in Sheffield, England, by Geo. Bassett & Co Ltd.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=licorice+allsorts&rlz=1C1CHMO_en-GBCA580CA580&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwir6qTbxILYAhVYwWMKHdCUAewQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=1094" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.google.ca/search?q=licorice+allsorts&rlz=1C1CHMO_...</a><br /> <br /> Friend, Gayle, made an appointment to go to the Cochrane Ecological Institute Centre the day before yesterday, 9 December 2017, and invited me to go along, too. I had longed to visit and, a few years ago, two friends and I were all set to go, but a major storm prevented us from going. It made an interesting morning, going on a tour of the grounds with our guide, Lisa Dahlseide. I know Lisa in connection with the Weaselhead Natural Area in Calgary and it was so nice to see that she was going to be our leader for this walk. She has such a wealth of knowledge and her personality is very much a "people person", including doing a lot of work with young children and nature. As well as being a busy mother of three young children, she is part time Naturalist with Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society and the Education Director for the Cochrane Ecological Institute.<br /> <br /> This Great Horned Owl was sharing a huge "barn" with another owl of the same species. The injured owl in this photo is unable to be released and, apparently, does not have the right personality for being trained as a Wildlife Ambassador. The light was low and this photo is poor quality, but I wanted to add it to my album for this visit. Unfortunately, I was too busy being distracted by taking photos of things, that I missed a lot of the explanations for the animals/birds that we saw. I always think that I will be able to find information once I get home and get on the Internet, but that doesn't always happen. "Wildlife" that we saw including several (4?) Bison that had originally been brought up from Waterton years ago; deer; several Wild Turkeys; two Great Horned Owls; and a pair of birds that I have never seen before - White Pheasants. I missed the explanation for these Pheasants, unfortunately. <br /> <br /> After our visit to the Centre, we drove to Cochrane for an enjoyable lunch. Took a while to drive round looking for somewhere to eat - I had no idea that Cochrane had grown so much. Thanks so much, Gayle, for a different kind of day! Much enjoyed and appreciated.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://vimeo.com/225317099" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">vimeo.com/225317099</a><br /> <br /> "The CEI (Cochrane Ecological Institute) is a family founded, charitable organization devoted to breeding endangered species for reintroduction, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release, educating the public, monitoring habitat and species, and developing non intrusive wildlife survey methods. The CEI was founded (1971) by Miles and Beryl Smeeton and is now run by their daughter, Clio Smeeton. Miles and Beryl Smeeton were internationally known sailors, mountaineers, and explorers.<br /> <br /> The Smeetons initiated the swift fox reintroduction program in Canada in 1972, six years before the species was declared extirpated in Canada. All animals held at the CEI are destined for reintroduction. They are not maintained for public exhibit, trade, or sale. Over the 26 years of its existence the CEI has also been an integral part of the Canadian Wildlife Service's Trumpeter swan (Cygnus bucinnator) and wood bison (B.b.athabascae) reintroduction programs, as well as playing a key role in the Canadian swift fox reintroduction program. The CEI is unique in that it holds the world's longest established (1972), largest (20 pairs), and only captive breeding colony of swift fox. These animals are bred solely for reintroduction as part of the CEI's ecosystem restoration program. <br /> <br /> Internationally, as species and habitat vanish, the concept of ecosystem restoration through the reintroduction of indigenous flora and fauna, is gaining greater and greater prominence. The preservation of habitat without those species, which made that habitat a viable whole, is a sterile exercise." From the CEI's website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ceinst.org/about-us.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ceinst.org/about-us.html</a><br /> <br /> "Cochrane Ecological Institute's Swift Fox Reintroduction programs began in 1972 under the direction of Beryl and Miles Smeeton. Since that time 0ver 800 Swift fox were reintroduced to the Canadian Prairie. This has resulted in the Species being downlisted by the Canadian Government from Extirpated to Endangered.<br /> <br /> In 1998 the CEI was invited by the Blackfeet Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department, Browning, Montana to join in a partnership to start the first swift fox re-introduction in the USA on the Blackfeet Tribal Lands. Defenders of Wildlife also became partners in this project and the first swift foxes were released on Blackfeet land in the fall of 1998.This program continued until 2003.<br /> <br /> The CEI was requested to design and implement a Swift Fox reintroduction program on Blood reserve lands in Alberta Canada in 2003. This resulted in only a 2 year program because of complications resulting from permitting problems and the new Species at Risk Act in Canada." From the CEI website.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45843488/in/album/449743 tag:ipernity.com,2017-11-13,doc-45843488 Mon, 13 Nov 2017 17:40:47 +0000 2017-11-12T12:05:27-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45843488/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/34/88/45843488.2a7fc341.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A new Great Horned Owl for me yesterday and one the previous day (in Fish Creek Park). Lucky me! The one in this photo was seen at one of our stops yesterday. A second owl was perched just above this one, but was half hidden by branches. I had seen Great Horned Owls in this tree before - though I have no idea where we were and would never be able to find the tree again.<br /> <br /> All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 12 November 2017. A group of eight of us went S and SE of the city on a birding trip to one of my favourite areas. This included Pine Couleee Reservoir, Clear Lake and the Twin Valley Reservoir. I just love the landscape through which we drove - barren, rugged, middle-of-nowhere kind of scenery. It looks so different in each season - I think my favourite time of year is when there is a covering of snow on the empty hills and ice on most of the water. I've still not had the courage to drive in this area myself, as I know that I might never find my way out of it.<br /> <br /> Several previous trips had covered part of yesterday's drive, but much of the return drive was in a huge area that I had never been to before. We crossed the main highway #2 south and travelled the backroads way, way south of the Frank Lake area, and kept going north until we got back to the city. The Twin Valley Reservoir was one of the stops we made in this new-to-me area. <br /> <br /> Actually, I have just been reading my account of a trip made on 9 November 2013, and discovered that in fact I HAD been to this area before. Just shows that I often have no idea where we are at any given time. Since the trip in 2013, I do have a better understanding of the area S and SE of Calgary. The following is from Terry's account of that day, four years ago:<br /> <br /> "The north end of Clear Lake was frozen, so, we headed north to the Twin Valleys Dam Reservoir, and, drove up the east side of it. This produced more Rough-legged Hawks,and, a Prairie Falcon. Some herds of Mule Deer and flocks of Gray Partridge were seen on the trip home via Highways 804, 799, 552, and Dunbow Road." <br /> <br /> As on almost all these day trips out of the city, almost every bird is far, far away, needing at least binoculars and best of all, a scope. This owl and a couple of tiny Common Redpolls were the only closer photos I took. This was the first time that I had seen Redpolls this year, so it was a nice sighting. They were flying back and forth from the trees to perch on a fence.<br /> <br /> Also, as always happens, my camera lens turns to things other than birds. Scenic shots are always taken - after all, I feel that it is important to record the habitat of any birds seen. I have no excuse to give for photographing any old barn or homestead, other than that I LOVE to photograph them : )<br /> <br /> Terry (Korolyk), you took us on such an amazing trip! So many new places, to me at least. You even arranged with the weatherman for a beautiful, sunny day. It couldn't have been a better outing - so very enjoyable. Now all I need to do is look at a map and try and find roughly where we travelled! Really appreciate your carefully made lists of all species seen, and where. I see that eBird is down this morning, so I can't yet access your lists again.</div> One of a pair <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45843488/in/album/449743"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/34/88/45843488.2a7fc341.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A new Great Horned Owl for me yesterday and one the previous day (in Fish Creek Park). Lucky me! The one in this photo was seen at one of our stops yesterday. A second owl was perched just above this one, but was half hidden by branches. I had seen Great Horned Owls in this tree before - though I have no idea where we were and would never be able to find the tree again.<br /> <br /> All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 12 November 2017. A group of eight of us went S and SE of the city on a birding trip to one of my favourite areas. This included Pine Couleee Reservoir, Clear Lake and the Twin Valley Reservoir. I just love the landscape through which we drove - barren, rugged, middle-of-nowhere kind of scenery. It looks so different in each season - I think my favourite time of year is when there is a covering of snow on the empty hills and ice on most of the water. I've still not had the courage to drive in this area myself, as I know that I might never find my way out of it.<br /> <br /> Several previous trips had covered part of yesterday's drive, but much of the return drive was in a huge area that I had never been to before. We crossed the main highway #2 south and travelled the backroads way, way south of the Frank Lake area, and kept going north until we got back to the city. The Twin Valley Reservoir was one of the stops we made in this new-to-me area. <br /> <br /> Actually, I have just been reading my account of a trip made on 9 November 2013, and discovered that in fact I HAD been to this area before. Just shows that I often have no idea where we are at any given time. Since the trip in 2013, I do have a better understanding of the area S and SE of Calgary. The following is from Terry's account of that day, four years ago:<br /> <br /> "The north end of Clear Lake was frozen, so, we headed north to the Twin Valleys Dam Reservoir, and, drove up the east side of it. This produced more Rough-legged Hawks,and, a Prairie Falcon. Some herds of Mule Deer and flocks of Gray Partridge were seen on the trip home via Highways 804, 799, 552, and Dunbow Road." <br /> <br /> As on almost all these day trips out of the city, almost every bird is far, far away, needing at least binoculars and best of all, a scope. This owl and a couple of tiny Common Redpolls were the only closer photos I took. This was the first time that I had seen Redpolls this year, so it was a nice sighting. They were flying back and forth from the trees to perch on a fence.<br /> <br /> Also, as always happens, my camera lens turns to things other than birds. Scenic shots are always taken - after all, I feel that it is important to record the habitat of any birds seen. I have no excuse to give for photographing any old barn or homestead, other than that I LOVE to photograph them : )<br /> <br /> Terry (Korolyk), you took us on such an amazing trip! So many new places, to me at least. You even arranged with the weatherman for a beautiful, sunny day. It couldn't have been a better outing - so very enjoyable. Now all I need to do is look at a map and try and find roughly where we travelled! Really appreciate your carefully made lists of all species seen, and where. I see that eBird is down this morning, so I can't yet access your lists again.</div> Anne Elliott