Album Winter 2 from Anne Elliott

One House Sparrow, two House Sparrows ...

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:25:25 +0000

We finally managed to find some House Sparrows on our Nanton Bird Count on January 2nd - a row of the little birds sitting on a fence at someone's farm : ) Our final total for this species came to 73 by the end of the long day. I liked the "design" of this fence - much more interesting than straight planks.

When the snow started

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:01:01 +0000

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Just a basic shot of snow-capped posts. If you live somewhere where it doesn't snow, this is what it looks like, LOL. if only there was a way to let you feel the cold temperature, too. Mind you, today has been a beautiful day; our deep-freeze has come to an end (for now, anyway) and the sun was shining.

The end of picnic season

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:41:22 +0000

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I made myself go out yesterday afternoon into our first real fall of snow. Only went to a local park and stayed only about half an hour at most. The -27C (-16F) windchill comes as a shock to the body and I have to admit I find walking in deep snow extremely tiring. By 3:15 p.m., the light was lost, which gave me a good excuse to hurry back to the warmth of home and a mug of hot coffee : )

Winter memories

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:45:33 +0000

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Wasn't sure whether to post this or not - I think it looks a bit better in large size, if you have time to check it out. Seemed so long ago, until today, when we had a few tiny flakes of snow. Took this shot west of Calgary, along one of the gravel backroads, on 9th February.

A black and white world

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:00:54 +0000

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Well, more accurately, a brown and white world. Taken on the second day of an incredibly beautiful hoar frost, 22nd January. I drove a few of the backroads just south of the city to soak up all the beauty - unfortunately, the light was so dull, not good at all for taking photos, but it was amazing to be in a world of white.

Today's reward

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:04:08 +0000

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I was out on a walk at Griffith Woods this morning and then decided that, as I was already part of the way to Cochrane (NW of the city), I would go a bit further and check to see if there were any Northern Hawk Owls still in the area. Yet again, no sign of them at all, so I suspect they have already moved away, further north. Before checking this location, I did a brand new drive which, because of my driving phobia, was pretty brave : ). Actually, I missed the turn to Grand Valley Road (I was concentrating more on the number of kilometers) and drove a long way along Highway 1A before realizing that I must have gone wrong somewhere. This is the kind of scenery I was driivng in, some highway and a lot of gravel roads, too. When I eventually found the right turn, I kept my eyes open for a Great Gray Owl - they are sometimes seen in this area. Not a thing today, though, other than five Bald Eagles. They seemed to be enjoying the tremendously strong wind that accompanied me for most of my drive - it was all I could do to keep the car on the road!

Winter star

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:59:19 +0000

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Snapped a few quick shots along one of the gravel roads just south of the city on 27th January. I love it when the sun shines on the snow. I still can't get used to seeing hay bales covered in white.

Splash of colour

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:21:42 +0000

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This is about all I photographed yesterday afternoon, when I drove an area I'd never driven before - all in the slim hope that I might just see a Northern Hawk Owl that had been seen there. This bird is at the top of my Wish List : ) My concentration went on the unfamiliar road, not to mention the fast-moving vehicles that always seemed to appear out of nowhere each time I wanted to slow down and look for birds : ) I think these bushes are Willows of some kind - they added such gorgeous colour to the snowy landscape here and there. Oh, and needless to say, I never did find the Owl. This area is in the Foothills of the Rockies, just before Bragg Creek, west of Calgary. I made no turn-offs on this road, to make sure I didn't get myself lost - and, oh, how I hate that feeling of not knowing where I am.

When our world turns white

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:48:21 +0000

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This is a view looking out over the Weaselhead natural area in Calgary, taken on 3 December 2012. The hoar frost was magnificent that day, with everything covered in fine, white crystals.

Pristine ...

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 14:15:32 +0000

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Had a wonderful day out in the mountains on 13 January 2013, thanks to friends Cathy and Terry! I so rarely get to the mountains, especially during the winter months, so it was a real treat to go with them to the Highway 40/Smith Dorrien area. The Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail south of Canmore is a gravel road which passes through the heart of the scenic Smith-Dorrien Valley, one of the wildest areas of Kananaskis Country. This was just one of the many beautiful mountain scenes - there's just something about snow that hasn't been crossed with a pattern of animal tracks. We saw so many rabbit tracks in some places. Thanks so much, guys, for giving me the chance to see such magnificent scenery!

Having said that I so rarely get to the mountains, guess where I'm going today, on an annual birding day in the Sibbald and Exshaw area : ) Lucky me, though apparently very little was seen on the scouting day, except for two young Moose.

Common Tansy in winter

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 14:15:31 +0000

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Taken in hoar frost on 7 January 2013.

Temporary

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:09:48 +0000

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Not sure why I am always drawn towards icicles, lol. Found these ones on 4 January 2013, when four of us took part in the annual Audubon Horseshoe Canyon/Drumheller Christmas Bird Count.

I've got to dash and get ready for a bird walk this morning - will tell you about my "adventure" from yesterday when I get back. A most unwanted adventure!

Later: yesterday, I made myself drive quite a way east of Calgary for the very first time. Those who know me, know that I have battled a driving phobia most of my life. The last few years, I have longed to be able to drive eastwards, to see if I could find a Snowy Owl. So, finally, yesterday was THE day! I had gone to Google Maps, enlarged and printed 12 pages of maps and taped them together, so I was quite well prepared. The night before, I had tried to find out how far Lyalta was from Calgary, and on one website, there was a photo of a rather nice barn. Decided to make that my first destination point and I was successful. Driving a few roads near Lyalta, I thought I would try one last road before heading back towards Calgary. Well, guess who got herself stuck in snow and took an hour and a half to try and dig herself out in vain and had to go to the nearest farm to ask for help!!!!! My Google Maps maps said that this particular backroad went straight through - but it sure didn't! The farmer said that someone else had done it, when testing out his new vehicle, and had ended up plunging into the creek ahead! Thank goodness I didn't get that far along! I felt SO bad asking this elderly man for help. In fact, when I got to his farm, no one answered the door, but just as I was leaving (feeling sick to the stomach, especially as I have no cell phone), he called out to me from across the farmyard. I asked him if there was a garage in Lyalta that would be able to come and get me out, but he said he would try to dig me out. I am so thankful to this man! Needless to say, I thought I'd better stick to the paved roads for the rest of my time out there! Not a single Snowy Owl, of course. Felt totally shattered when I got home, and still today, ha. However, I did it! It might be the very last time I ever try it, but I did it.

Anyone else finding Flickr is rather weird today? It's almost as if it has "stuck" and nothing is happening : )

A change from red

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:09:47 +0000

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Much as I love a red barn, I thought this one was rather fine. Managed to find it yesterday afternoon, when I took my first ever drive quite a way east of Calgary. Those of you who know me, know I have battled a driving phobia for a few decades, so this was really pushing me out of my comfort zone, to say the least! The previous evening, I had been on Google to try and find out very roughly how long it should take me to drive to the area I wanted to get to. On one website, I had noticed a photo of this barn and I thought it would give me a definite place to find. More about what turned out to be a most unwanted "adventure" when I get back from a walk this morning.

Later: yesterday, I made myself drive quite a way east of Calgary for the very first time. Those who know me, know that I have battled a driving phobia most of my life. The last few years, I have longed to be able to drive eastwards, to see if I could find a Snowy Owl. So, finally, yesterday was THE day! I had gone to Google Maps, enlarged and printed 12 pages of maps and taped them together, so I was quite well prepared. The night before, I had tried to find out how far Lyalta was from Calgary, and on one website, there was a photo of a rather nice barn. Decided to make that my first destination point and I was successful. Driving a few roads near Lyalta, I thought I would try one last road before heading back towards Calgary. Well, guess who got herself stuck in snow and took an hour and a half to try and dig herself out in vain and had to go to the nearest farm to ask for help!!!!! My Google Maps maps said that this particular backroad went straight through - but it sure didn't! The farmer said that someone else had done it, when testing out his new vehicle, and had ended up in the creek ahead! Thank goodness I didn't get that far along! I felt SO bad asking this elderly man for help. In fact, when I got to his farm, no one answered the door, but just as I was leaving (feeling sick to the stomach, especially as I have no cell phone), he called out to me from across the farmyard. I asked him if there was a garage in Lyalta that would be able to come and get me out, but he said he would try to dig me out. I am so thankful to this man! Needless to say, I thought I'd better stick to the paved roads for the rest of my time out there! Not a single Snowy Owl, of course. Felt totally shattered when I got home, and still today, ha. However, I did it! It might be the very last time I ever try it, but I did it. (Though this barn was not in Lyalta, I've marked Lyalta on my map, more to remind myself where I drove to, than anything else).

Untouched

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:43:42 +0000

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Had a wonderful day out in the mountains on 13 January 2013, thanks to friends Cathy and Terry! I so rarely get to the mountains, especially during the winter months, so it was a real treat to go with them to the Highway 40/Smith Dorrien area. The Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail south of Canmore is a gravel road which passes through the heart of the scenic Smith-Dorrien Valley, one of the wildest areas of Kananaskis Country. This was just one of the many beautiful mountain scenes - there's just something about snow that hasn't been crossed with a pattern of animal trails (other than a slump line). We saw so many rabbit tracks in some places. Thanks so much, guys, for giving me the chance to see such magnificent scenery!

Fishing through a hole in the ice

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:43:41 +0000

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This was one of several ice-fishing "tents" that dotted the frozen Spray Lakes, south of Canmore (near Banff). I liked this bright red one, that added a tiny splash of warm colour to an otherwise white and blue landscape. Taken on a wonderful day out in the wild Highway 40/Smith Dorrien area, on 13 January 2013.

I won't forget this cat in a hurry : )

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:43:41 +0000

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I had a weird experience when I was in this farmyard, where we had called in while taking part in the annual Nanton Christmas Bird Count on 30 December 2012. I can't remember if I was trying to focus my camera on a Great Horned Owl or some other bird, but suddenly there was a furry face between my hands and touching my face and camera! This black and white cat had leapt at my clothes and appeared right against my face!! Talk about making me jump, ha!

A winter walk

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:56:46 +0000

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A cold walk on 12 January 2013, from Bebo Grove to Shannon Terrace, in Fish Creek Park. Quite beautiful, especially when the sun comes out, even if very briefly.

: )

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 14:50:01 +0000

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Good morning, everyone! Happy Christmas! Hope you all have a wonderful day. In Calgary, the temperature is -22C (-8F), with a windchilll of -32C (-26F), so I really hope you are warmer than we are here! What would Christmas be, without a bauble (even though my reflection had to be in it, showing me bending my knees to try and avoid one branch, but unable to avoid the one in my photo, lol? Taken on the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count in Canmore, near Banff. Each year, someone hangs a handful of Christmas ornaments on a spindly little tree down near the Bow River.

For many people, Christmas is a very difficult time, for various reasons. My thoughts are with them, including all the people in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, who have suffered such a huge tragic loss in their community the last couple of weeks. I think most people, far and wide around the world, have been affected by this and have these folks in their thoughts and prayers. As always, those who, for one reason or another, will spend Christmas alone, will also be in my thoughts. To those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I hope today will be a happy one for you. If you will be on the road, please don't drink and drive!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS and all the best in the New Year!

Common Redpoll

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:31:46 +0000

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This, and a number of other, Common Redpolls were feeding on the ground in someone's yard along one of the backroads SW of Nanton, Alberta. Taken on 30 December 2012, when three of us drove all the backroads in the SW quadrant of the circle for the annual Audubon Nanton Christmas Bird Count. It was such a great day, in such beautiful scenery.

"As energetic as their electric zapping call notes would suggest, Common Redpolls are active foragers that travel in busy flocks. Look for them feeding on catkins in birch trees or visiting feeders in winter. These small finches of the arctic tundra and boreal forest migrate erratically, and they occasionally show up in large numbers as far south as the central U.S. During such irruption years, redpolls often congregate at bird feeders (particularly thistle or nyjer seed), allowing delightfully close looks."

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Redpoll/id

Walking in a winter wonderland

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:24:56 +0000

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There continues to be a common theme to my photos these days - sigh ... snow. However, this image shows a good side of winter : ) Had a wonderful day out in the mountains yesterday, thanks to friends Cathy and Terry! I so rarely get to the mountains, especially during the winter months, so it was a real treat to go with them to the Highway 40/Smith Dorrien area. Thanks so much, guys!

The Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail south of Canmore is a gravel road which passes through the heart of the scenic Smith-Dorrien Valley, one of the wildest areas of Kananaskis Country.

I posted several photos to ipernity, this one included, and then I transferred almost 9,000 images from Flickr (thank goodness it's done!). The first few shots I posted are now duplicates and I'm not sure how to deal with them. For now, I've just copied and pasted the kind comments people made on the original posts, as obviously I don't want to lose them. I was just about to add this new copy to the groups I posted the original photos in, but that would be double posting, which would be really annoying to other members of the groups : )