Photos, videos and docs of Anne Elliott, with the keywords: "Weaselhead"

Cedar Waxwing / Bombycilla cedrorum

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 05:09:20 +0000

Instead of starting on Day 9 of our 13-day birding trip to South Texas, I thought I had better deal with a couple of walks I went on in the last few days. One was a birding walk and the other a botany outing. I usually miss most of these, but made an extra effort to get out with friends for a few hours. I will also have some photos from today, 13 June 2019, after being invited to spend some time at a friend's acreage this morning, followed by a short drive along a few of my usual roads. They should be somewhat 'better' images : )

The 9 photos added tonight were taken in Calgary on 9 June 2019, when I went with friends on a birding walk down in Weaselhead. It turned out to be a much longer walk than expected, around 5 km, but felt further than that. This walk always starts with a long hill to walk down and the same hill to face at the end of the walk.

It was rather quiet bird-wise, but we were happy to see a Calliope Hummingbird. I have posted a couple of shots, just for my own record.

I almost didn't go on this walk, as the weather forecast said there might be rain. Fortunately, we were lucky. Our weather has been its usual crazy self - snow was even mentioned in the forecast for this week, but it has changed to rain and maybe some thunderstorms. The ground is so dry, so we need all the moisture we can get. It rained when I was out this afternoon - for about five minutes.

Yellow Lady's-slipper / Cypripedium parviflorum

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 15:40:36 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

What joy to get on Flickr this morning and find that there has been no new porn-spam activity overnight! Unfortunately, the hundreds of spam Likes have not (yet) been removed from the recent activity list. Thanks so much, Helen (Haden), for sending the link to Pete Rowbottom's posting about this issue.

Yesterday, 5 June 2018, I finally got out on my first botany walk of the season, having missed the first few weeks. Friends and I looked at the plants that were growing on the way down into Weaselhead, including these beautiful Yellow Lady-s slippers. They grow in so few places, so it is always a treat to find some in a location that is kept secret.

Two days earlier, I had been down into Weaselhead with birding friends. The next two photos were taken that day - Cliff Swallows collecting mud from the edge of the Elbow River to repair or build new nests that one can see under the large, green bridge that crosses over the river. When you walk across the bridge, you can find yourself surrounded by dozens of these birds flying in almost a mini-murmuration.

Today, I am getting my snow tires off and my All-season tires put on, at long last. I had to wait 8 or 9 days for the first available appointment time. Before we know it, it will be time to get those snow tires put back on. Our summer season is sadly so very short.

Calliope Hummingbird / Selasphorus calliope

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:08:55 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

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, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. These birds are so tiny, that a long lens with great quality is needed in order to get a good shot. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!

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.
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.

"The Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest bird in the United States. It weighs about one-third as much as the smallest North American warblers and about the same as a ping pong ball.

This tiny hummingbird is the smallest long-distance migrant in the world. Calliope Hummingbirds travel around 5,000 miles each year in a big oval from the breeding to wintering grounds. They migrate north along the Pacific Coast in the spring, but return to the wintering grounds in Mexico via an inland route along the Rocky Mountains." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Calliope_Hummingbird/overview

Wolf Willow / Elaeagnus commutata

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:07:32 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

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, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. These birds are so tiny, that a long lens with great quality is needed in order to get a good shot. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!

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.
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.

The silvery berries of the native Wolf Willow or Silverberry shrub look attractive in winter, especially when seen against a blue sky. This shrub is popular with the Calliope Hummingbird and, in fact, this photo was taken in "The Meadow" in Weaselhead, where one can see these tiny birds. It has a very strong scent - some people love it, others dislike it intensely - I love it : )

"Wolf willow berries were used by Blackfoot Natives to make seed necklaces. The berries were boiled to remove the flesh and the pointed nutlets strung onto necklaces or used to decorate the fringes on clothing. Each seed is dark brown with yellow stripes. When the first settlers arrived, the women quickly learned the art from the natives, and wolf willow seed necklaces became a popular gift to send home.

Wolf willow fruit is mealy and dry, but was still eaten by some First Nations. Blackfoot Indians peeled and ate the berries or mixed them with grease and stored them in a cool place. This was eaten as a confection or added to soups and broths. The berries were sometimes mixed with blood or sugar and cooked for food. Children suffering from frostbite were treated with a strong solution made from the bark. The essential oil is in demand for aromatherapy.

Though commonly called wolf willow, this plant species is not a willow at all. Instead, it belongs to the Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster) family and is related to thorny and Canada buffaloberry (Shepherdia)."

plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/wolf-willow

Common Redpoll

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 12:56:58 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

A huge leap from the two tropical photos from Trinidad that I posted yesterday! On 4 March 2018, it was such a beautiful winter's day, and I decided to join seven friends for a walk down into Weaselhead in the afternoon. The previous day, a birding walk had been cancelled because the weather was so bad and the long, steep hill down to river level was very icy. It is almost unheard of for a birding walk to be cancelled! The roads were not in good condition especially the residential streets. I have lived in this city for 40 years and I don't remember ever seeing this much snow on the ground. Just crazy.

There were not a whole lot of birds to be seen on this walk, but it is always a delight to see the dainty little Common Redpolls. This female had a rather orangy coloured spot on her forehead, rather than the usual red/deep pink. I seem to remember that last winter, there were no Redpolls to be seen. Nice to see a beautiful lone Coyote travelling across the frozen, snow-covered Elbow River.

Coffee at Tim Horton's afterwards was enjoyable, as always. Thanks for a great walk, Janet, Bernie and Stephen! I always appreciate your giving up your Sunday afternoon for the rest of us.

"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.

Some studies show that in winter, redpolls subsist almost entirely on a diet of birch seeds. They eat up to 42 percent of their body mass every day. They can store up to about 2 grams (0.07 oz.) of seeds in a stretchy part of their esophagus, enough for about a quarter of their daily energy requirement.

A few banding records have shown that some Common Redpolls are incredibly wide ranging. Among them, a bird banded in Michigan was recovered in Siberia; others in Alaska have been recovered in the eastern U.S., and a redpoll banded in Belgium was found 2 years later in China.

Common Redpolls can survive temperatures of –65 degrees Fahrenheit. A study in Alaska found Redpolls put on about 31 percent more plumage by weight in November than they did in July." Bits and pieces taken from AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Redpoll/overview

A beautiful day in Weaselhead

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:31:29 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Two days ago, on 4 March 2018, it was such a beautiful day, and I decided to join seven friends for a walk down into Weaselhead in the afternoon. The previous day, a birding walk had been cancelled because the weather was so bad and the long, steep hill down to river level was very icy. It is almost unheard of for a birding walk to be cancelled! The roads were not in good condition especially the residential streets. I have a bad feeling that my car is now stuck in the ruts outside my place - when I got home after the walk, it was almost impossible to drive over the mounds of snow that have built up over the last few months. Not sure how I am going to be able to reverse out of this spot. Guess I will find out. I have lived in this city for 40 years and I don't remember ever seeing this much snow on the ground. Just crazy.

There were not a whole lot of birds to be seen on yesterday's walk, but it is always a delight to see the dainty little Common Redpolls. I seem to remember that last winter, there were no Redpolls to be seen. Nice to see a beautiful lone Coyote travelling across the frozen, snow-covered Elbow River. I will add the leaders' list of species seen in a comment box below. Coffee at Tim Horton's afterwards was enjoyable, as always. Thanks for a great walk, Janet, Bernie and Stephen! I always appreciate your giving up your Sunday afternoon for the rest of us.

I made the mistake of checking the weather forecast for Alberta for the coming spring and summer, though of course we all know that the forecast is often incorrect. For us, it will be a cold spring followed by an above normal summer. More big storms to come - actually, March is said to be our snowiest month, anyway. Looks like it could be another year without mushrooms growing, just like last year. The temperature this morning, 6 March 2018, is -17C (windchill -17C).

Common Redpoll female

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:21:03 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

A huge leap from the rainforest of Trinidad photos posted yesterday to the snowy shots posted today! Yesterday, 4 March 2018, was such a beautiful day, and I decided to join seven friends for a walk down into Weaselhead in the afternoon. The previous day, a birding walk had been cancelled because the weather was so bad and the long, steep hill down to river level was very icy. It is almost unheard of for a birding walk to be cancelled! The roads were not in good condition especially the residential streets. I have a bad feeling that my car is now stuck in the ruts outside my place - when I got home after the walk, it was almost impossible to drive over the mounds of snow that have built up over the last few months. Not sure how I am going to be able to reverse out of this spot. Guess I will find out. I have lived in this city for 40 years and I don't remember ever seeing this much snow on the ground. Just crazy.

There were not a whole lot of birds to be seen on yesterday's walk, but it is always a delight to see the dainty little Common Redpolls. I seem to remember that last winter, there were no Redpolls to be seen. Nice to see a beautiful lone Coyote travelling across the frozen, snow-covered Elbow River. I will add the leaders' list of species seen in a comment box below. Coffee at Tim Horton's afterwards was enjoyable, as always. Thanks for a great walk, Janet, Bernie and Stephen! I always appreciate your giving up your Sunday afternoon for the rest of us.

I made the mistake of checking the weather forecast for Alberta for the coming spring and summer, though of course we all know that the forecast is often incorrect. For us, it will be a cold spring followed by an above normal summer. More big storms to come - actually, March is said to be our snowiest month, anyway. Looks like it could be another year without mushrooms growing, just like last year. The temperature this morning, 5 March 2018, is -22C (windchill -29C).

"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.

Some studies show that in winter redpolls subsist almost entirely on a diet of birch seeds. They eat up to 42 percent of their body mass every day. They can store up to about 2 grams (0.07 oz.) of seeds in a stretchy part of their esophagus, enough for about a quarter of their daily energy requirement.

A few banding records have shown that some Common Redpolls are incredibly wide ranging. Among them, a bird banded in Michigan was recovered in Siberia; others in Alaska have been recovered in the eastern U.S., and a redpoll banded in Belgium was found 2 years later in China.

Common Redpolls can survive temperatures of –65 degrees Fahrenheit. A study in Alaska found Redpolls put on about 31 percent more plumage by weight in November than they did in July." Bits and pieces taken from AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Redpoll/overview

With more big storms to come

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:19:45 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Coyote crossing the frozen Elbow River

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:18:29 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Lost, in Weaselhead

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 18:36:26 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

I missed posting any photos yesterday, as I was just too tired the day before to look for and edit images. Today, I am a little more prepared and organized, but still posting late.

It always puzzles me when I/we come across "discarded" or lost foot-ware, even more so on a cold, snowy day. I don't know if these were on the ground when someone spotted them or if they were already on the park bench. Perhaps the young child was in a stroller and kicked off his warm boots, but I would have thought the person pushing the stroller would have then walked into them. Very strange, but I thought I would post a photo here, just in case someone happens to see my photo of their child's lost boots.

These were seen yesterday, 14 November 2017, while friends and I were on a morning birding walk in Weaselhead. What a dull, miserable, overcast, cold, gloomy, somewhat foggy morning it was - just the opposite to what the weather forecast had said. I don't know why I went, other than that I knew I should get out on a walk, especially before real winter sets in, and I hibernate.

Did we see endless, amazing birds? No, of course not, despite doing a much longer walk than expected! It was very quiet bird-wise, with the "usual" birds seen, such as Chickadees and Nuthatches. The only photo, out of maybe half a dozen shots, was this photo of little boots.

Common Merganser family

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:33:30 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Yesterday afternoon, 11 June 2017, I decided to join a few friends for a walk in Weaselhead. No rain was forecast, so I thought I had better make the most of it. We were hoping to see the three species of Hummingbird, but the Rufous stayed hidden. We only had a very distant look at a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a very fleeting look at a tiny Calliope Hummingbird, when it flew past us like a huge bumblebee, and disappeared from sight. Still good to see them,, though.

The Merganser family in this photo was such a delight to see. Mom had just these four babies and they were so cute. We also saw another Merganser family with eight ducklings. I have added our leaders' list of species seen, in a comment box below.

We were pleased to see a pair of Eastern Phoebes in their usual place. One of the birds had a piece of fishing line in its beak - photo posted this morning. It is such a distant photo, so the quality is poor, making it impossible to enlarge and be able to tell if it was caught or just being carried to perhaps add to their nest. The bird kept flying around and the fishing line stayed in place. I do hope the the nylon line had not got tangled around the bird somehow. Fishermen need to be far more careful and not discard any unwanted line - wildlife pays the price! Simple enough - just take it home with you!

As well as birds, we saw quite a few species of wildflower. There were so many beautiful wild Roses in bloom.

"Common Mergansers are streamlined ducks that float gracefully down small rivers or shallow shorelines. The males are striking with clean white bodies, dark green heads, and a slender, serrated red bill. The elegant gray-bodied females have rich, cinnamon heads with a short crest. In summer, look for them leading ducklings from eddy to eddy along streams or standing on a flat rock in the middle of the current. These large ducks nest in hollow trees; in winter they form flocks on larger bodies of water." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Merganser/id

One of many

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:33:30 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Yesterday afternoon, 11 June 2017, I decided to join a few friends for a walk in Weaselhead. No rain was forecast, so I thought I had better make the most of it. We were hoping to see the three species of Hummingbird, but the Rufous stayed hidden. We only had a very distant look at a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a very fleeting look at a tiny Calliope Hummingbird, when it flew past us like a huge bumblebee, and disappeared from sight. Still good to see them,, though.

We saw two Merganser families - such a delight to see. One Mom had four babies and the other had eight ducklings. I have added our leaders' list of species seen, in a comment box below.

We were pleased to see a pair of Eastern Phoebes in their usual place. One of the birds had a piece of fishing line in its beak - photo posted this morning. It is such a distant photo, so the quality is poor, making it impossible to enlarge and be able to tell if it was caught or just being carried to perhaps add to their nest. The bird kept flying around and the fishing line stayed in place. I do hope the the nylon line had not got tangled around the bird somehow. Fishermen need to be far more careful and not discard any unwanted line - wildlife pays the price! Simple enough - just take it home with you!

As well as birds, we saw quite a few species of wildflower. There were so many beautiful wild Roses in bloom. Some of the flowers we saw include Shooting Stars, Rock Jasmine, Solomon's Seal, Rosy Pussytoes, Heart-leaved Alexander, Violet, Wild Strawberry, Blue Clematis, Yellow Mountain Avens, Arnica sp, Windflower, Indian Paintbrush and Elk(?) Thistle.

Eastern Phoebe with fishing line

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 15:33:30 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This is NOT my main photo (on Flickr) for today, so should not show as my main one - my photo of the female Common Merganser and her four babies is supposed to show as my main (better) image! The babies are so cute : )

Yesterday afternoon, 11 June 2017, I decided to join a few friends for a walk in Weaselhead. No rain was forecast, so I thought I had better make the most of it. We were hoping to see the three species of Hummingbird, but the Rufous stayed hidden. We only had a very distant look at a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a very fleeting look at a tiny Calliope Hummingbird, when it flew past us like a huge bumblebee, and disappeared from sight. Still good to see them,, though.

We saw two Merganser families - such a delight to see. One Mom had four babies and the other had eight ducklings. I have added our leaders' list of species seen, in a comment box below.

We were pleased to see a pair of Eastern Phoebes in their usual place. One of the birds had a piece of fishing line in its beak. It is such a distant photo, so the quality is poor, making it impossible to enlarge and be able to tell if it was caught or just being carried to perhaps add to their nest. The bird kept flying around and the fishing line stayed in place. I do hope the the nylon line had not got tangled around the bird somehow. Fishermen need to be far more careful and not discard any unwanted line - wildlife pays the price! Simple enough - just take it home with you!

"One of our most familiar eastern flycatchers, the Eastern Phoebe’s raspy “phoebe” call is a frequent sound around yards and farms in spring and summer. These brown-and-white songbirds sit upright and wag their tails from prominent, low perches. They typically place their mud-and-grass nests in protected nooks on bridges, barns, and houses, which adds to the species’ familiarity to humans. Hardy birds, Eastern Phoebes winter farther north than most other flycatchers and are one of the earliest returning migrants in spring." From AllAboutBirds.

As well as birds, we saw quite a few species of wildflower. There were so many beautiful wild Roses in bloom.

Such cute little hands and feet

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:09:47 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

"The diet of the least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) consists mainly of seeds, nuts and fruits, although it will also take other plant material, such as leaves and flowers, as well as fungi, insects and occasionally birds’ eggs. The least chipmunk may also sometimes feed on carrion.

While foraging, the least chipmunk will often fill its cheek pouches with seeds and nuts, which it then hoards in various locations or carries to its burrow to store for the winter. This behaviour, typical of chipmunks, is reflected in the scientific name of the genus Tamias, which comes from the Greek for ‘storer’ or ‘distributor’." From Arkive.

www.arkive.org/least-chipmunk/tamias-minimus/

We saw this little Least Chipmunk yesterday afternoon, while we were on a birding walk at the west end of South Glenmore Park as far as Weaselhead. It was busy eating and stuffing its cheek pouches with nuts and seeds. We also saw two extremely distant Great Horned Owl owlets sitting together in a tree on a distant hillside.

I have missed so many of the birding walks (and botany walks) and there is just one more walk left and then they come to an end till the end of August/beginning of September. Yesterday afternoon's walk was very enjoyable, as was a stop at the Good Earth cafe afterwards : ) Will add our leaders' final list of species seen - thanks for a great walk Janet, Bernie and Stephen!:

FFCPPSoc. Birding West end of South Glenmore Park, Calgary. 1:15-4:15 PM. Sun. June 12/16. Gusting West winds 30 - 40 Km/hr, 21 to 23C, Sunny skies.

1. Great Blue Heron - 1
2. Swainson's Hawk - 1 seen by BD pre-walk
3. Franklin's Gull - 60
4. Great Horned Owl - 2 juveniles
5. Downy Woodpecker - 4 (including pair seen at nest sight feeding young)
6. Eastern Phoebe - 2
7. Least Flycatcher - 4 heard
8. Red-eyed Vireo - 4 heard
9. American Crow - 7
10. Tree Swallow - 3
11. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 including one flying into nest
12. White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
13. House Wren - 3 heard
14. American Robin - 1
15. Veery - 2 heard
16. Cedar Waxwing - 3
17. Yellow Warbler - 6 (5 heard, 1 seen)
18. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 heard
19. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4
20. White-throated Sparrow - 2 heard
21. Red-winged Blackbird - 13
22. Brown-headed Cowbird - 5
23. American Goldfinch - 4
24. House Sparrow - 1

White-tailed Deer - 1
Least Chipmunk - 1
Red Squirrel - 1
Swallow-tailed Butterfly - 8

As usual on our birding walks, I take very few photos, so yesterday after the walk, I decided I would drive to a wetland in SW Calgary to check on the Red-necked Grebes. The light was harsh and I had to look into the sun and couldn't even tell if there were any babies. Obviously the wrong time of day to go there.

From there, I decided to go SW of the city and check on Bluebirds, Snipe and maybe even a Great Gray Owl if I was very lucky. Only stopped at one Bluebird box and the parents were busy bringing insects to feed their babies. Every now and then, a baby would peer out of the small hole, so I know it won't be long till they fledge.

Driving along one road to search for an owl, I noticed a truck pulled over in the distance. I always slow right down when I see a vehicle stopped, just in case it is a photographer taking photos of something interesting. I never want to spook a bird or animal and spoil a photographer's fun. I was so focused on the truck, looking to see if the driver was pointing a camera, that at first I didn't notice the person standing the other side of the road OR the owl sitting on the fence! When I realized it was a friend, I pulled over, got out and took a few photos. I don't know if this was one of the two Great Grays that I had seen within the last 10 days or so. It is possible either way. Also spotted two Bobolinks chasing each other and then disappearing - no chance for a photo.

Cow Parsnip / Heracleum maximum

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:09:09 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Finally, a wildflower! I can't believe how few wildflowers there are this spring - just too dry for them to grow. Consequently, I've been posting more bird photos than usual. Catching sight of this tall Cow Parsnip flower growing at the west end of South Glenmore Park stopped me in my tracks - the first one I have seen this year.

I have missed so many of the birding walks (and botany walks) and there is just one more birding walk left and then they come to an end till the end of August/beginning of September. Yesterday afternoon's walk (12 June 2016) was very enjoyable, as was a stop at the Good Earth cafe afterwards : ) Will add our leaders' final list of species seen - thanks for a great walk Janet, Bernie and Stephen!:

FFCPPSoc. Birding West end of South Glenmore Park, Calgary. 1:15-4:15 PM. Sun. June 12/16. Gusting West winds 30 - 40 Km/hr, 21 to 23C, Sunny skies.

1. Great Blue Heron - 1
2. Swainson's Hawk - 1 seen by BD pre-walk
3. Franklin's Gull - 60
4. Great Horned Owl - 2 juveniles
5. Downy Woodpecker - 4 (including pair seen at nest sight feeding young)
6. Eastern Phoebe - 2
7. Least Flycatcher - 4 heard
8. Red-eyed Vireo - 4 heard
9. American Crow - 7
10. Tree Swallow - 3
11. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 including one flying into nest
12. White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
13. House Wren - 3 heard
14. American Robin - 1
15. Veery - 2 heard
16. Cedar Waxwing - 3
17. Yellow Warbler - 6 (5 heard, 1 seen)
18. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 heard
19. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4
20. White-throated Sparrow - 2 heard
21. Red-winged Blackbird - 13
22. Brown-headed Cowbird - 5
23. American Goldfinch - 4
24. House Sparrow - 1

White-tailed Deer - 1
Least Chipmunk - 1
Red Squirrel - 1
Swallow-tailed Butterfly - 8

As usual on our birding walks, I take very few photos, if any, so yesterday after the walk, I decided I would drive to a wetland in SW Calgary to check on the Red-necked Grebes. The light was harsh and I had to look into the sun and couldn't even tell if there were any babies. Obviously the wrong time of day to go there.

From there, I decided to go SW of the city and quickly check on Bluebirds, Snipe and maybe even a Great Gray Owl if I was very lucky. Only stopped at one Bluebird box and the parents were busy bringing insects to feed their babies. Every now and then, a baby would peer out of the small hole, so I know it won't be long till these ones fledge. A handsome male American Robin flew to the fence post next to the male Bluebird at one point, as if to ask for its photo to be taken, too. What a sight to see the two birds together - brilliant blue and bright red.

Driving along one road to search for an owl, I noticed a truck pulled over in the distance. I always slow right down when I see a vehicle stopped, just in case it is a photographer taking photos of something interesting. I never want to spook a bird or animal and spoil a photographer's fun. I was so focused on the truck, looking to see if there was a driver pointing a camera, that at first I didn't notice the person standing the other side of the road OR the owl sitting on the fence! When I realized it was a friend, I pulled over, got out and took a few photos. I don't know if this was one of the two Great Grays that I had seen within the last 10 days or so. It is possible either way. Also spotted two distant Bobolinks chasing each other and then disappearing - no chance for a photo.

Wild Blue Columbine / Aquilegia brevistyla

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:09:43 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Something tells me that this photo might be showing as my main photo today.

On 7 June 2015, it was a hot day – way too hot for my liking. I was not keen on the idea of being out in the sun for three hours, but neither could I have stayed in my place one more minute - it felt like an oven!

I decided to join birding friends for a walk at the west end of South Glenmore Park and we had a lovely, leisurely walk, stopping often to look at, or listen to, a variety of birds. I think my favourites were a pair of colourful American Goldfinch. It was also fun to see a little Black-capped Chickadee looking out from its nest cavity.

There were quite a few species of wildflower as well, including these dainty Blue Columbine flowers. I so rarely go on a walk these days, so I tend to miss many of the wildflowers.

The name "Columbine" comes from the word "Columba", meaning dove. The five petals look rather like a ring of doves.

Will add Janet and Bernie’s bird list below, for my own memory. Thanks for such an enjoyable afternoon, both of you! A stop afterwards at the Good Earth café was so much appreciated and enjoyed, too.

1. Great Blue Heron - 1
2. Canada Goose - 40
3. Mallard - 5
4. Gadwall - 2
5. Swainson's Hawk - 1
6. Franklin's Gull - 30+
7. Woodpecker sp. likely Sapsucker - 1
8. Olive-sided Flycatcher -1
9. Least Flycatcher - 12
10. Red-eyed Vireo - 2
11. Black-billed Magpie - 1
12. American Crow - 4
13. Common Raven - 1
14. Tree Swallow - 4
15. Black-capped Chickadee - 2 @nest site.
16. House Wren - 11
17. American Robin - 6
18. Cedar Waxwing - 6
19. Yellow Warbler - 10
20. Chipping Sparrow - 1
21. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4
22. Baltimore Oriole - 1
23. Red-winged Blackbird - 3
24. Brown-headed Cowbird - 3
25. House Finch - 3
26. American Goldfinch - 5
27. House Sparrow - 2

Least Chipmunk - 1
Muskrat - 1
Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly - 10+
Blue Azure - 1
Alpine sp. Butterfly - 15+

Least Chipmunk

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:18:00 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Amazing, our temperature yesterday, 19 April 2016, got up to 27C! We have been having summer weather and it's only spring. The temperature in Calgary climbed high enough yesterday to top a century-old weather record.

"According to Environment Canada, the previous record high for Calgary on April 19 was recorded at the Calgary International Airport in 1910 when it was 26.7 C. Calgary had tied that record by 2 p.m. and beat it at around 5 p.m. by reaching 27.5 C."

globalnews.ca/news/2647710/calgary-poised-to-break-100-ye...

This photo was taken on 31 March 2016, on a birding walk in North Glenmore Park and Weaselhead as far as the green, metal bridge. No sign of the sun until our walk was over. When I opened my front door, I realized just how gloomy it was outside, with dark grey clouds filling the sky. Temperature was 3C to 5C. Far from a good day to take photos, but we were still quite lucky with the bird and mammal species we saw.

We split into three groups, going in different directions, but still eventually covering the same locations. My group looked out over the Glenmore Reservoir and then drove through the park to the Crowchild Stormwater Ponds. After we returned to the main parking lot, we walked down into Weaselhead, crossing the green, metal bridge, and then walked back up the long hill.

Everyone enjoyed watching this little Least Chipmunk stuffing his cheek pouches with nuts and seeds. He was so small, so fast, and SO cute.

"A small rodent with a long, narrow but fairly bushy tail, the least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) is the smallest and most widely distributed chipmunk species in North America.

The diet of the least chipmunk consists mainly of seeds, nuts and fruits, although it will also take other plant material, such as leaves and flowers, as well as fungi, insects and occasionally birds’ eggs. The least chipmunk may also sometimes feed on carrion.

While foraging, the least chipmunk will often fill its cheek pouches with seeds and nuts, which it then hoards in various locations or carries to its burrow to store for the winter. This behaviour, typical of chipmunks, is reflected in the scientific name of the genus Tamias, which comes from the Greek for ‘storer’ or ‘distributor’." From the Arkive website.

www.arkive.org/least-chipmunk/tamias-minimus/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_chipmunk

I will add the list of species compiled by our leaders:

Canada Goose-40
Trumpeter Swan-25
American Wigeon-3.
Mallard-20
Green-winged Teal-1 m(ale).
Bufflehead-1
Common Goldeneye-50
Common Merganser-80
Bald Eagle-1, imm(ature) unsuccessfully trying to capture a Common Goldeneye.
Northern Goshawk-1
Ring-billed Gull-50
California Gull? - 4
Herring Gull-2+
Great Horned Owl-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Northern Flicker-7+. 5 in Wslhd parking lot, landing on utility pole.
Blue Jay-9, in one group at parking lot
Black-billed Magpie-12
American Crow-8
Common Raven-2
Black-capped Chickadee-30
Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
White-breasted Nuthatch-2
American Robin-5+
American Tree Sparrow-3
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco-3
House Finch-4
White-winged Crossbill-50+
Common Redpoll-1
Pine Siskin-30
American Goldfinch-1 heard.

Coyote-1
Red Squirrel-2
Eastern Gray Squirrel-1, with lots of rufous on ears, neck and legs, suggestive of Fox Squirrel.
Least Chipmunk-3
Snowshoe Hare-1

After the walk, friend Sandy and I went for lunch at a nearby cafe. A savoury crepe and welcome coffee really hit the spot. Great to get the chance to chat with you and catch up on news, Sandy!

Least Chipmunk

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:14:08 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Added later, in the evening, on 1 April 2016. I don't know how many of you make posters through fd's Scout program. I have just finished creating 166 posters (lol!!!) and 10 for my daughter today, thanks to fd's annual April 1st 'treat' for us. That is one disadvantage of having so many images on Flickr - too many posters to make. All ones photos are displayed in 'Order of Interestingness" just for today. I love these attractive posters, and they are a great way to keep a record of every photo that you have posted on Flickr. Something to keep in mind, given the various articles and comments about whether Flickr is likely to be closing down or not. I guess we will all find out, eventually.

All three photos that I've uploaded today were taken yesterday morning, on a birding walk in North Glenmore Park and Weaselhead as far as the green, metal bridge. No sign of the sun until our walk was over. When I opened my front door, I realized just how gloomy it was outside, with dark grey clouds filling the sky. Temperature was 3C to 5C. Far from a good day to take photos, but we were still quite lucky with the bird and mammal species we saw. I had to brighten all three photos, but when I see them this morning, they all still look rather dark - and I think I'm too tired to brighten them more.

We split into three groups, going in different directions, but still eventually covering the same locations. My group looked out over the Glenmore Reservoir and then drove through the park to the Crowchild Stormwater Ponds. After we returned to the main parking lot, we walked down into Weaselhead, crossing the green, metal bridge, and then walked back up the long hill.

Everyone enjoyed watching this little Least Chipmunk stuffing his cheek pouches with nuts and seeds. He was so small, so fast, and SO cute.

"A small rodent with a long, narrow but fairly bushy tail, the least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) is the smallest and most widely distributed chipmunk species in North America.

The diet of the least chipmunk consists mainly of seeds, nuts and fruits, although it will also take other plant material, such as leaves and flowers, as well as fungi, insects and occasionally birds’ eggs. The least chipmunk may also sometimes feed on carrion.

While foraging, the least chipmunk will often fill its cheek pouches with seeds and nuts, which it then hoards in various locations or carries to its burrow to store for the winter. This behaviour, typical of chipmunks, is reflected in the scientific name of the genus Tamias, which comes from the Greek for ‘storer’ or ‘distributor’." From the Arkive website.

www.arkive.org/least-chipmunk/tamias-minimus/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_chipmunk

I will add the list of species compiled by our leaders:

Canada Goose-40
Trumpeter Swan-25
American Wigeon-3.
Mallard-20
Green-winged Teal-1 m(ale).
Bufflehead-1
Common Goldeneye-50
Common Merganser-80
Bald Eagle-1, imm(ature) unsuccessfully trying to capture a Common Goldeneye.
Northern Goshawk-1
Ring-billed Gull-50
California Gull? - 4
Herring Gull-2+
Great Horned Owl-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Northern Flicker-7+. 5 in Wslhd parking lot, landing on utility pole.
Blue Jay-9, in one group at parking lot
Black-billed Magpie-12
American Crow-8
Common Raven-2
Black-capped Chickadee-30
Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
White-breasted Nuthatch-2
American Robin-5+
American Tree Sparrow-3
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco-3
House Finch-4
White-winged Crossbill-50+
Common Redpoll-1
Pine Siskin-30
American Goldfinch-1 heard.

Coyote-1
Red Squirrel-2
Eastern Gray Squirrel-1, with lots of rufous on ears, neck and legs, suggestive of Fox Squirrel.
Least Chipmunk-3
Snowshoe Hare-1

After the walk, friend Sandy and I went for lunch at a nearby cafe. A savoury crepe and welcome coffee really hit the spot. Great to get the chance to chat with you and catch up on news, Sandy!

Wooden bridge at Weaselhead

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:13:38 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

All three photos that I've uploaded today were taken yesterday morning, on a birding walk in North Glenmore Park and Weaselhead as far as the green, metal bridge. This photo was taken from this bridge, looking across to the small, wooden bridge. No sign of the sun until our walk was over. When I opened my front door, I realized just how gloomy it was outside, with dark grey clouds filling the sky. Temperature was 3C to 5C. Far from a good day to take photos, but we were still quite lucky with the bird and mammal species we saw. I had to brighten all three photos, but when I see them this morning, they all still look rather dark - and I think I'm too tired to brighten them more.

We split into three groups, going in different directions, but still eventually covering the same locations. We looked out over the Glenmore Reservoir and then drove through the park to the Crowchild Stormwater Ponds. After we returned to the main parking lot, we walked down into Weaselhead, crossing the green, metal bridge, and then walked back up the long hill.

I will add the list of species compiled by our leaders:

Canada Goose-40
Trumpeter Swan-25
American Wigeon-3.
Mallard-20
Green-winged Teal-1 m(ale).
Bufflehead-1
Common Goldeneye-50
Common Merganser-80
Bald Eagle-1, imm(ature) unsuccessfully trying to capture a Common Goldeneye.
Northern Goshawk-1
Ring-billed Gull-50
California Gull? - 4
Herring Gull-2+
Great Horned Owl-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Northern Flicker-7+. 5 in Wslhd parking lot, landing on utility pole.
Blue Jay-9, in one group at parking lot
Black-billed Magpie-12
American Crow-8
Common Raven-2
Black-capped Chickadee-30
Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
White-breasted Nuthatch-2
American Robin-5+
American Tree Sparrow-3
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco-3
House Finch-4
White-winged Crossbill-50+
Common Redpoll-1
Pine Siskin-30
American Goldfinch-1 heard.

Coyote-1
Red Squirrel-2
Eastern Gray Squirrel-1, with lots of rufous on ears, neck and legs, suggestive of Fox Squirrel.
Least Chipmunk-3
Snowshoe Hare-1

After the walk, friend Sandy and I went for lunch at a nearby cafe. A savoury crepe and welcome coffee really hit the spot. Great to get the chance to chat with you and catch up on news, Sandy!

Downy Woodpecker

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:13:38 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

All three photos that I've uploaded today were taken yesterday morning, on a birding walk in North Glenmore Park and Weaselhead as far as the green, metal bridge. No sign of the sun until our walk was over. When I opened my front door, I realized just how gloomy it was outside, with dark grey clouds filling the sky. Temperature was 3C to 5C. Far from a good day to take photos, but we were still quite lucky with the bird and mammal species we saw. I had to brighten all three photos, but when I see them this morning, they all still look rather dark - and I think I'm too tired to brighten them more.

We split into three groups, going in different directions, but still eventually covering the same locations. My group looked out over the Glenmore Reservoir and then drove through the park to the Crowchild Stormwater Ponds. After we returned to the main parking lot, we walked down into Weaselhead, crossing the green, metal bridge, and then walked back up the long hill.

This little Downy Woodpecker male was feeding on the same log as the Least Chipmunk - along with an American Tree Sparrow, a Blue Jay that flew down just once, and a little Red Squirrel who had so much fun leaping backwards and forwards acoss an enormous puddle. I don't think we'd ever seen a Squirrel act quite that way before.

I will add the list of species compiled by our leaders:

Canada Goose-40
Trumpeter Swan-25
American Wigeon-3.
Mallard-20
Green-winged Teal-1 m(ale).
Bufflehead-1
Common Goldeneye-50
Common Merganser-80
Bald Eagle-1, imm(ature) unsuccessfully trying to capture a Common Goldeneye.
Northern Goshawk-1
Ring-billed Gull-50
California Gull? - 4
Herring Gull-2+
Great Horned Owl-2
Downy Woodpecker-4
Northern Flicker-7+. 5 in Wslhd parking lot, landing on utility pole.
Blue Jay-9, in one group at parking lot
Black-billed Magpie-12
American Crow-8
Common Raven-2
Black-capped Chickadee-30
Red-breasted Nuthatch-7
White-breasted Nuthatch-2
American Robin-5+
American Tree Sparrow-3
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco-3
House Finch-4
White-winged Crossbill-50+
Common Redpoll-1
Pine Siskin-30
American Goldfinch-1 heard.

Coyote-1
Red Squirrel-2
Eastern Gray Squirrel-1, with lots of rufous on ears, neck and legs, suggestive of Fox Squirrel.
Least Chipmunk-3
Snowshoe Hare-1

After the walk, friend Sandy and I went for lunch at a nearby cafe. A savoury crepe and welcome coffee really hit the spot. Great to get the chance to chat with you and catch up on news, Sandy!