https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/22941 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/22941 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:24:29 +0000 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:24:29 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46338798 tag:ipernity.com,2018-03-05,doc-46338798 Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:18:29 +0000 2018-03-04T14:04:17-07:00 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/293827/46338798"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/87/98/46338798.da8a797e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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).</div> Coyote crossing the frozen Elbow River <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/293827/46338798"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/87/98/46338798.da8a797e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">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.<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> 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).</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46178246 tag:ipernity.com,2018-01-24,doc-46178246 Wed, 24 Jan 2018 17:16:46 +0000 2018-01-23T11:37:24-07:00 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/293827/46178246"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/82/46/46178246.dcd7c21f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">With our winter weather being comparatively mild (-10C warming up to -2C), I decided to join friends yesterday morning for a local walk. Usually, this walk goes eastwards but yesterday my group walked west. I haven't been in that direction for many years and couldn't even remember what the area looked like. Came home with practically no photos and certainly no decent shots. However, it was good to get some fresh air and much-needed (but very painful) exercise, in the company of good friends.<br /> <br /> It turned out to be a long walk, with practically no birds being seen in the first part. However, we did see a very distant Northern Goshawk juvenile down on the ground, feeding apparently on a Ring-necked Pheasant. We had seen six of these Pheasants in flight in the same area. <br /> <br /> The other highlight for me, was seeing the ice formation along the creek. I don't remember ever seeing this before, so it took me by surprise. I don't drive in the mountains in winter, so I never see any of the amazing frozen waterfalls that some people see.</div> Yesterday&#039;s local walk <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/293827/46178246"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/82/46/46178246.dcd7c21f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">With our winter weather being comparatively mild (-10C warming up to -2C), I decided to join friends yesterday morning for a local walk. Usually, this walk goes eastwards but yesterday my group walked west. I haven't been in that direction for many years and couldn't even remember what the area looked like. Came home with practically no photos and certainly no decent shots. However, it was good to get some fresh air and much-needed (but very painful) exercise, in the company of good friends.<br /> <br /> It turned out to be a long walk, with practically no birds being seen in the first part. However, we did see a very distant Northern Goshawk juvenile down on the ground, feeding apparently on a Ring-necked Pheasant. We had seen six of these Pheasants in flight in the same area. <br /> <br /> The other highlight for me, was seeing the ice formation along the creek. I don't remember ever seeing this before, so it took me by surprise. I don't drive in the mountains in winter, so I never see any of the amazing frozen waterfalls that some people see.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46162268 tag:ipernity.com,2018-01-19,doc-46162268 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 17:53:34 +0000 2018-01-18T10:43:55-07:00 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/293827/46162268"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/22/68/46162268.1068e794.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 18 January 2018, I almost came home with an empty memory card in my camera. Luckily, we were treated to a distant view of a Pileated Woodpecker at the furthest point of our walk, and then to a couple of gorgeous Pine Grosbeak males feeding on berries. Usually, when I see Pine Grosbeaks, they are either flying high overhead or else perched at the top of a very tall tree in the distance. To see them close shows them in all their glory. In some ways, I think a back view is the most beautiful, showing the black and white wing pattern.<br /> <br /> Much as I would love to jump in my car and go for a drive, I just haven't been able to do so the last 10 or so days, dealing with various services shutting down after my credit card was compromised by someone in eastern Canada, and consequently cancelled. So, a morning's walk in Fish Creek Park with a group of friends sounded appealing, especially as others had seen a Black-backed Woodpecker, a Three-toed Woodpecker and even the tiny Northern Pygmy-owl. As almost always happens, none of these birds were seen yesterday, ha.<br /> <br /> "Fish Creek Park is a provincial park located in the southern part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is the second largest urban park in Canada after Pippy Park in St. John's and one of the largest urban parks in North America, stretching 19 km (12 mi) from east to west. At 13.48 km2 (5.20 sq mi), it is over three times the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park.<br /> <br /> The growth of Calgary has left the park bordered on all sides by the city. It is also bordered on the west by the territory of the Tsuu T’ina Nation (Sarcee), a First Nation.<br /> <br /> Fish Creek flows along the length of the park and joins the Bow River at the east side of the park. Fish Creek park used to span the width of the city but Calgary has grown beyond the edges of the park." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Creek_Provincial_Park" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Creek_Provincial_Park</a><br /> <br /> We are still having milder weather, often sunny and even a few degrees above 0°C on some days. Yesterday was 2C-7C, which felt wonderful. Perfect weather for getting out ... sigh. We know there is still plenty of snow that will come before spring arrives.</div> Yesterday&#039;s walk in Fish Creek Park <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/293827/46162268"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/22/68/46162268.1068e794.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 18 January 2018, I almost came home with an empty memory card in my camera. Luckily, we were treated to a distant view of a Pileated Woodpecker at the furthest point of our walk, and then to a couple of gorgeous Pine Grosbeak males feeding on berries. Usually, when I see Pine Grosbeaks, they are either flying high overhead or else perched at the top of a very tall tree in the distance. To see them close shows them in all their glory. In some ways, I think a back view is the most beautiful, showing the black and white wing pattern.<br /> <br /> Much as I would love to jump in my car and go for a drive, I just haven't been able to do so the last 10 or so days, dealing with various services shutting down after my credit card was compromised by someone in eastern Canada, and consequently cancelled. So, a morning's walk in Fish Creek Park with a group of friends sounded appealing, especially as others had seen a Black-backed Woodpecker, a Three-toed Woodpecker and even the tiny Northern Pygmy-owl. As almost always happens, none of these birds were seen yesterday, ha.<br /> <br /> "Fish Creek Park is a provincial park located in the southern part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is the second largest urban park in Canada after Pippy Park in St. John's and one of the largest urban parks in North America, stretching 19 km (12 mi) from east to west. At 13.48 km2 (5.20 sq mi), it is over three times the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park.<br /> <br /> The growth of Calgary has left the park bordered on all sides by the city. It is also bordered on the west by the territory of the Tsuu T’ina Nation (Sarcee), a First Nation.<br /> <br /> Fish Creek flows along the length of the park and joins the Bow River at the east side of the park. Fish Creek park used to span the width of the city but Calgary has grown beyond the edges of the park." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Creek_Provincial_Park" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Creek_Provincial_Park</a><br /> <br /> We are still having milder weather, often sunny and even a few degrees above 0°C on some days. Yesterday was 2C-7C, which felt wonderful. Perfect weather for getting out ... sigh. We know there is still plenty of snow that will come before spring arrives.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46047630 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-22,doc-46047630 Fri, 22 Dec 2017 16:06:42 +0000 2017-12-19T10:50:00-07:00 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/293827/46047630"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/30/46047630.f7c88ba6.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Our Christmas Bird Count three days ago started at Frank Lake. There was some open water closer to the outlet, but most of the lake was frozen. <br /> <br /> Three 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. Looked like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence. 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> The birding blind at Frank Lake <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/293827/46047630"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/30/46047630.f7c88ba6.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Our Christmas Bird Count three days ago started at Frank Lake. There was some open water closer to the outlet, but most of the lake was frozen. <br /> <br /> Three 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. Looked like there could be about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence. 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/293827/41379988 tag:ipernity.com,2016-03-17,doc-41379988 Thu, 17 Mar 2016 18:42:17 +0000 2016-03-15T12:57:17-06:00 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/293827/41379988"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/99/88/41379988.f9cb570f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">All three photos posted today were taken the day before yesterday, 15 March 2016. I drove NW of Calgary again, hoping that maybe one of the Great Gray Owls might just be seen. When I arrived, a car was pulled over at the side of the road and the occupants were photographing an owl. It was hidden from my view by a group of bushes and I only saw it when it flew over to the distant trees. <br /> <br /> This particular photo was taken during my drive there, to give an idea of the kind of countryside I go through to reach my destination. The drive is along a huge valley, past farms and fields and the very occasional wildlife, such as Mule Deer. Love the colouring of the fields at the moment, though they may now be at least partly covered in the snow that fell last night, at least here in Calgary.<br /> <br /> I hadn't been sure whether to do such a long drive that day (roughly 250 km round trip) as the weather forecast wasn't exactly the best. Just after I left home, a few snowflakes fell for maybe five minutes, but not enough to settle. When I got closer to my destination, the gravel roads were snow-covered and not very pleasant to drive on. However, I'm glad I did decide to go, as I did get to see an owl on several different trees while it hunted. Eventually, it flew off into the forest and didn't return. <br /> <br /> Last night, we had some proper snow - March does tend to be the snowiest month here. The temperature is -1C early this afternoon and the sun is trying to burst through the overcast sky.</div> A sky filled with clouds <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/293827/41379988"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/99/88/41379988.f9cb570f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">All three photos posted today were taken the day before yesterday, 15 March 2016. I drove NW of Calgary again, hoping that maybe one of the Great Gray Owls might just be seen. When I arrived, a car was pulled over at the side of the road and the occupants were photographing an owl. It was hidden from my view by a group of bushes and I only saw it when it flew over to the distant trees. <br /> <br /> This particular photo was taken during my drive there, to give an idea of the kind of countryside I go through to reach my destination. The drive is along a huge valley, past farms and fields and the very occasional wildlife, such as Mule Deer. Love the colouring of the fields at the moment, though they may now be at least partly covered in the snow that fell last night, at least here in Calgary.<br /> <br /> I hadn't been sure whether to do such a long drive that day (roughly 250 km round trip) as the weather forecast wasn't exactly the best. Just after I left home, a few snowflakes fell for maybe five minutes, but not enough to settle. When I got closer to my destination, the gravel roads were snow-covered and not very pleasant to drive on. However, I'm glad I did decide to go, as I did get to see an owl on several different trees while it hunted. Eventually, it flew off into the forest and didn't return. <br /> <br /> Last night, we had some proper snow - March does tend to be the snowiest month here. The temperature is -1C early this afternoon and the sun is trying to burst through the overcast sky.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41020544 tag:ipernity.com,2016-01-29,doc-41020544 Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:21:06 +0000 2016-01-22T13:50:43-07:00 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/293827/41020544"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/05/44/41020544.8fe1a1cd.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="182" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on 22 January 2016, when I was fortunate enough to get a place on a bus trip to Lake Louise and the annual Ice Sculpture display, Banff National Park, in the Rocky Mountains. It is a two-hour drive west of Calgary. Of course, any time a bus trip is organized way ahead of the day, you have no idea what the weather is going to be like. The weather was grim all day, with snow all day long, turning to really heavy, wet snow when we stood in the parking lot at the end of the day. No sign of the sun, which made photography a real challenge. There were so many people visiting the area that it was more or less impossible to get photos without at least a few people included. Even the mountains had mostly disappeared. Our bus driver, Tim, did a wonderful job of getting us to the lake and all the way back to Calgary safely. I was just so thankful that I wasn't driving!<br /> <br /> Some of the group chose to snowshoe, others to walk, and others to join Anne Belton's group for birding. I was expecting a stroll along the lake shore and around the Chateau grounds, lol, but instead we did a hike along the creek all the way to Lake Louise Village, roughly 4.2 km! The trail was very narrow - wide enough for heavy winter boots and icers plus maybe a couple of inches on either side. If you were unlucky enough to walk an inch further, you would have one leg plunge into snow up to your knee or higher. I was so thankful that this didn't happen to me, but it did mean that my eyes were looking downwards all the time instead of soaking up the glorious, snow-covered forest. The snow was so thick on the trees and when it became just too heavy for a branch to support, you stood the risk of being snow-bombed from high above. A lot of the trail was downhill - not particularly fun in such conditions, but we all took it very slowly, though there were several tumbles or someone would end up travelling on their rear end. Not the easiset hike, but the surroundings couldn't have been more beautiful. Thankfully, the bus driver had arranged to drive down to the Village ready to pick us up and take us back uphill to the Lake.<br /> <br /> As for the birds, well, they obviously didn't particularly like the grey, snowy day and stayed in hiding, other than several Common Ravens, a couple of Magpies, one or two Clark's Nutcrackers and two House Sparrows. Back at the Chateau, two of the birders did see a very distant Stellar's Jay - always a lovely bird to see, but it was too far for them to get photos. <br /> <br /> We had time to wander round the Ice Scuptures area, in front of the Chateau. Some beautiful work created by sculptors from various parts of the world. Each year, they seem to have an ice castle built out on the frozen lake. The carving and actual competition had taken place a few days before we went.<br /> <br /> "Winter comes alive in iconic Lake Louise, Alberta. Ice Magic Festival, January 15 - 24, 2016 is a world class event with over 20 years under its belt. Talented ice artists from around the world delicately balance grueling physical labour with precision artistry in a 34 hour International Ice Carving Competition.<br /> <br /> Jaw-dropping scenery sets the stage as ice carving teams of 2 create sculptures illustrating their interpretations of our chosen theme for 2016: Earth, Wind, Fire & Water - Elements of Life." Taken from link below. I love that the prize money for this competition is only a comparativey small amount, which I think shows that the carvers do what they do for love of the art, not for the money : )<br /> <br /> Team Ice Carving Competition<br /> 1st Place: $2,500<br /> 2nd Place: $1,500<br /> 3rd Place: $750<br /> Carver's Choice: $750<br /> People's Choice: $500 <br /> <br /> One Carver, One Hour, One Block<br /> 1st Place: $1,000<br /> 2nd Place: $300<br /> 3rd Place: $200<br /> People's Choice: $250<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-Events/Festivals/Winter/SnowDays/Ice-Magic-Festival" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-Events/Festivals/Winter/Snow...</a><br /> <br /> So, a wonderful day trip for us all in breathtaking surroundings. I am especially appreciative, as I don't drive to the mountains, so rarely get to see them. Many thanks to FLC for doing such a great job of organizing this most enjoyable day for us. Thanks to Anne Belton for taking some of us on a beautiful hike through the forest. Definitely a day to remember.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Lake_Louise" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Lake_Louise</a></div> Chateau Lake Louise and ice castle <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/293827/41020544"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/05/44/41020544.8fe1a1cd.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="182" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on 22 January 2016, when I was fortunate enough to get a place on a bus trip to Lake Louise and the annual Ice Sculpture display, Banff National Park, in the Rocky Mountains. It is a two-hour drive west of Calgary. Of course, any time a bus trip is organized way ahead of the day, you have no idea what the weather is going to be like. The weather was grim all day, with snow all day long, turning to really heavy, wet snow when we stood in the parking lot at the end of the day. No sign of the sun, which made photography a real challenge. There were so many people visiting the area that it was more or less impossible to get photos without at least a few people included. Even the mountains had mostly disappeared. Our bus driver, Tim, did a wonderful job of getting us to the lake and all the way back to Calgary safely. I was just so thankful that I wasn't driving!<br /> <br /> Some of the group chose to snowshoe, others to walk, and others to join Anne Belton's group for birding. I was expecting a stroll along the lake shore and around the Chateau grounds, lol, but instead we did a hike along the creek all the way to Lake Louise Village, roughly 4.2 km! The trail was very narrow - wide enough for heavy winter boots and icers plus maybe a couple of inches on either side. If you were unlucky enough to walk an inch further, you would have one leg plunge into snow up to your knee or higher. I was so thankful that this didn't happen to me, but it did mean that my eyes were looking downwards all the time instead of soaking up the glorious, snow-covered forest. The snow was so thick on the trees and when it became just too heavy for a branch to support, you stood the risk of being snow-bombed from high above. A lot of the trail was downhill - not particularly fun in such conditions, but we all took it very slowly, though there were several tumbles or someone would end up travelling on their rear end. Not the easiset hike, but the surroundings couldn't have been more beautiful. Thankfully, the bus driver had arranged to drive down to the Village ready to pick us up and take us back uphill to the Lake.<br /> <br /> As for the birds, well, they obviously didn't particularly like the grey, snowy day and stayed in hiding, other than several Common Ravens, a couple of Magpies, one or two Clark's Nutcrackers and two House Sparrows. Back at the Chateau, two of the birders did see a very distant Stellar's Jay - always a lovely bird to see, but it was too far for them to get photos. <br /> <br /> We had time to wander round the Ice Scuptures area, in front of the Chateau. Some beautiful work created by sculptors from various parts of the world. Each year, they seem to have an ice castle built out on the frozen lake. The carving and actual competition had taken place a few days before we went.<br /> <br /> "Winter comes alive in iconic Lake Louise, Alberta. Ice Magic Festival, January 15 - 24, 2016 is a world class event with over 20 years under its belt. Talented ice artists from around the world delicately balance grueling physical labour with precision artistry in a 34 hour International Ice Carving Competition.<br /> <br /> Jaw-dropping scenery sets the stage as ice carving teams of 2 create sculptures illustrating their interpretations of our chosen theme for 2016: Earth, Wind, Fire & Water - Elements of Life." Taken from link below. I love that the prize money for this competition is only a comparativey small amount, which I think shows that the carvers do what they do for love of the art, not for the money : )<br /> <br /> Team Ice Carving Competition<br /> 1st Place: $2,500<br /> 2nd Place: $1,500<br /> 3rd Place: $750<br /> Carver's Choice: $750<br /> People's Choice: $500 <br /> <br /> One Carver, One Hour, One Block<br /> 1st Place: $1,000<br /> 2nd Place: $300<br /> 3rd Place: $200<br /> People's Choice: $250<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-Events/Festivals/Winter/SnowDays/Ice-Magic-Festival" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-Events/Festivals/Winter/Snow...</a><br /> <br /> So, a wonderful day trip for us all in breathtaking surroundings. I am especially appreciative, as I don't drive to the mountains, so rarely get to see them. Many thanks to FLC for doing such a great job of organizing this most enjoyable day for us. Thanks to Anne Belton for taking some of us on a beautiful hike through the forest. Definitely a day to remember.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Lake_Louise" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Lake_Louise</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/37790098 tag:ipernity.com,2015-03-30,doc-37790098 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:50:19 +0000 2015-03-29T13:33:30-06:00 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/293827/37790098"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/00/98/37790098.a21def3d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I'm finding it hard to get motivated to go through my archives and somewhat more recent photos at the moment. I've taken very few photos during the past month and few are remotely inspiring. I really need to get out, period, and definitely need some new places to explore. Our weather forecast has a mix of snow and rain or scattered flurries on three days this coming week, but today is supposed to be OK, so I might go for a drive.<br /> <br /> Yesterday, I went on a two-hour walk in the afternoon with birding friends. This was down in South Glenmore Park, along the edge of the Glenmore Reservoir, looking right across to the windmill in Heritage Park. I always like seeing the small, blue and white mill in the far distance. Most of the Reservoir is still ice-covered and at this stage, the melting ice is a beautiful turquoise colour. <br /> <br /> Very quiet as far as birds were concerned, just the "usual" Chickadees, Ravens, Canada Geese and so on. I think the "highlights" were a Hairy Woodpecker (which only one of us actually saw) in the wooded area, and eight Swans that were on the far side of the Reservoir - too far away to see if they were Tundra or Trumpeter.<br /> <br /> After our walk, we went to Tim Horton's for coffee and a good chat. Always really enjoyable.<br /> <br /> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> The Bruderheim Windmill<br /> <br /> "Wilhelm Mallon, a carpenter and blacksmith of German descent, arrived in Canada in 1910. He happily discovered that the sandy soil of his farm near Bruderheim, Alberta, about 50 kilometres north of Edmonton, grew a good crop of spring rye. The next step was building a mill to make the sort of rye bread that had been a staple back home in Belarus.<br /> <br /> From 1920 to 1924, Mallon completed this mill, which was the second he'd built on the farm. Mallon used hand tools to shape the gears, wheels and shafts from scrub birch, and shaped his millstones from granite found in the North Saskatchewan River. Despite being constantly hampered by a lack of wind, Mallon's mill did a good business in the area. In 1964, the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations donated the structure to Heritage Park, along with $35,000 for its restoration." From the Heritage Park website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.heritagepark.ca/park-information/attractions-and-exhibits/bruderheim-windmill.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.heritagepark.ca/park-information/attractions-and-exhi...</a></div> Turquoise <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/293827/37790098"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/00/98/37790098.a21def3d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I'm finding it hard to get motivated to go through my archives and somewhat more recent photos at the moment. I've taken very few photos during the past month and few are remotely inspiring. I really need to get out, period, and definitely need some new places to explore. Our weather forecast has a mix of snow and rain or scattered flurries on three days this coming week, but today is supposed to be OK, so I might go for a drive.<br /> <br /> Yesterday, I went on a two-hour walk in the afternoon with birding friends. This was down in South Glenmore Park, along the edge of the Glenmore Reservoir, looking right across to the windmill in Heritage Park. I always like seeing the small, blue and white mill in the far distance. Most of the Reservoir is still ice-covered and at this stage, the melting ice is a beautiful turquoise colour. <br /> <br /> Very quiet as far as birds were concerned, just the "usual" Chickadees, Ravens, Canada Geese and so on. I think the "highlights" were a Hairy Woodpecker (which only one of us actually saw) in the wooded area, and eight Swans that were on the far side of the Reservoir - too far away to see if they were Tundra or Trumpeter.<br /> <br /> After our walk, we went to Tim Horton's for coffee and a good chat. Always really enjoyable.<br /> <br /> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> The Bruderheim Windmill<br /> <br /> "Wilhelm Mallon, a carpenter and blacksmith of German descent, arrived in Canada in 1910. He happily discovered that the sandy soil of his farm near Bruderheim, Alberta, about 50 kilometres north of Edmonton, grew a good crop of spring rye. The next step was building a mill to make the sort of rye bread that had been a staple back home in Belarus.<br /> <br /> From 1920 to 1924, Mallon completed this mill, which was the second he'd built on the farm. Mallon used hand tools to shape the gears, wheels and shafts from scrub birch, and shaped his millstones from granite found in the North Saskatchewan River. Despite being constantly hampered by a lack of wind, Mallon's mill did a good business in the area. In 1964, the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations donated the structure to Heritage Park, along with $35,000 for its restoration." From the Heritage Park website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.heritagepark.ca/park-information/attractions-and-exhibits/bruderheim-windmill.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.heritagepark.ca/park-information/attractions-and-exhi...</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/31849617 tag:ipernity.com,2014-04-11,doc-31849617 Fri, 11 Apr 2014 15:21:24 +0000 2014-02-10T10:34:33-06:00 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/293827/31849617"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/142/96/17/31849617.a7e0e789.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Much as I love the patterns and textures created by melting ice, we are all hoping that we have now had the last of winter's gifts : ) Most of the ground is bare, for the first time in six or seven months. Yesterday was the first time in all those months that I actually went out wearing runners, not heavy winter boots, lol. <br /> <br /> Took this photo of the ice melting along the edge of the creek in Fish Creek Park on 10 February 2014.<br /> <br /> Did you all know that you can now hover your mouse over the date the image was taken and you will see the date it was posted? This was one of yesterday's changes - a good change. A few hours later, another change occurred - you can no longer click on the three dots to edit tags, only the date and time. You can still do it using the organizer, but that is more complicated. This change I definitely don't like. Have fun, everyone! I wonder what changes today will bring!<br /> <br /> Guess I've just found out what the next "mess" is! I've just opened a second browser window for Flickr and found that there is nothing on this black panel - no description, tags, sets, groups, no three dots. Late last night, a friend (in England) told me that this was happening to her, and now it has reached us here. Really hope this was just a temporary glitch!</div> At the edge of the creek <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/293827/31849617"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/142/96/17/31849617.a7e0e789.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Much as I love the patterns and textures created by melting ice, we are all hoping that we have now had the last of winter's gifts : ) Most of the ground is bare, for the first time in six or seven months. Yesterday was the first time in all those months that I actually went out wearing runners, not heavy winter boots, lol. <br /> <br /> Took this photo of the ice melting along the edge of the creek in Fish Creek Park on 10 February 2014.<br /> <br /> Did you all know that you can now hover your mouse over the date the image was taken and you will see the date it was posted? This was one of yesterday's changes - a good change. A few hours later, another change occurred - you can no longer click on the three dots to edit tags, only the date and time. You can still do it using the organizer, but that is more complicated. This change I definitely don't like. Have fun, everyone! I wonder what changes today will bring!<br /> <br /> Guess I've just found out what the next "mess" is! I've just opened a second browser window for Flickr and found that there is nothing on this black panel - no description, tags, sets, groups, no three dots. Late last night, a friend (in England) told me that this was happening to her, and now it has reached us here. Really hope this was just a temporary glitch!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/31720067 tag:ipernity.com,2014-04-07,doc-31720067 Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:42:40 +0000 2014-04-06T10:38:03-06:00 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/293827/31720067"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/141/00/67/31720067.2c796b34.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken yesterday, 6 April 2014, when I went with a group of 10 friends to Frank Lake for several hours. Posting this image to show how the area near the bird blind (hide) is flooded and frozen over. The wooden boardwalk leading to the blind was pure ice and I didn't bother going, knowing that most of the lake was still frozen over, so there would be no, or very few, birds to be seen. On 15 March 2014, the area looked completely different - see photo in comment box below. <br /> <br /> Will add Tony Timmons' report for today's Frank Lake trip - thanks, Tony, both for writing up the list and for taking us down to one of my favourite areas outside the city:<br /> <br /> "Eleven people were on the trip today, birding Frank Lake and area. We tallied 35 species. Most of the lake is still covered in ice.<br /> <br /> As many as 10,000 Northern Pintails were seen in the fields,sloughs and flying overhead. Two hundred swans were feeding in the fields.<br /> <br /> Of note were two Eurasian Wigeons spotted in the shallow sloughs.<br /> <br /> Canada Goose<br /> Tundra Swan<br /> Trumpeter Swan<br /> Gadwall<br /> American Wigeon<br /> Eurasian Wigeon<br /> Mallard<br /> Cinnamon Teal<br /> Northern Shoveler<br /> Northern Pintail<br /> Green-winged Teal<br /> Canvasback<br /> Redhead<br /> Ring-necked Duck<br /> Lesser Scaup<br /> Bufflehead<br /> Common Goldeneye<br /> Common Merganser<br /> Ruddy Duck<br /> Bald Eagle<br /> Northern Harrier<br /> Rough-legged Hawk<br /> Coot<br /> Killdeer<br /> Ring-billed Gull<br /> California Gull<br /> Great Horned Owl<br /> Horned Lark<br /> Robin<br /> Rock Pigeon,Magpie,Crow,Raven,Starling,House Sparrow"<br /> <br /> As you can see from the list, birds are returning after being elsewhere all winter. Only very distant views of them all, except for one Great Horned Owl on her nest - impossible to get a proper shot because she is hidden by a tangle of branches.</div> Spring in Alberta <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/293827/31720067"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/141/00/67/31720067.2c796b34.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken yesterday, 6 April 2014, when I went with a group of 10 friends to Frank Lake for several hours. Posting this image to show how the area near the bird blind (hide) is flooded and frozen over. The wooden boardwalk leading to the blind was pure ice and I didn't bother going, knowing that most of the lake was still frozen over, so there would be no, or very few, birds to be seen. On 15 March 2014, the area looked completely different - see photo in comment box below. <br /> <br /> Will add Tony Timmons' report for today's Frank Lake trip - thanks, Tony, both for writing up the list and for taking us down to one of my favourite areas outside the city:<br /> <br /> "Eleven people were on the trip today, birding Frank Lake and area. We tallied 35 species. Most of the lake is still covered in ice.<br /> <br /> As many as 10,000 Northern Pintails were seen in the fields,sloughs and flying overhead. Two hundred swans were feeding in the fields.<br /> <br /> Of note were two Eurasian Wigeons spotted in the shallow sloughs.<br /> <br /> Canada Goose<br /> Tundra Swan<br /> Trumpeter Swan<br /> Gadwall<br /> American Wigeon<br /> Eurasian Wigeon<br /> Mallard<br /> Cinnamon Teal<br /> Northern Shoveler<br /> Northern Pintail<br /> Green-winged Teal<br /> Canvasback<br /> Redhead<br /> Ring-necked Duck<br /> Lesser Scaup<br /> Bufflehead<br /> Common Goldeneye<br /> Common Merganser<br /> Ruddy Duck<br /> Bald Eagle<br /> Northern Harrier<br /> Rough-legged Hawk<br /> Coot<br /> Killdeer<br /> Ring-billed Gull<br /> California Gull<br /> Great Horned Owl<br /> Horned Lark<br /> Robin<br /> Rock Pigeon,Magpie,Crow,Raven,Starling,House Sparrow"<br /> <br /> As you can see from the list, birds are returning after being elsewhere all winter. Only very distant views of them all, except for one Great Horned Owl on her nest - impossible to get a proper shot because she is hidden by a tangle of branches.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/31199337 tag:ipernity.com,2014-03-20,doc-31199337 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 15:18:21 +0000 2014-03-16T13:51:59-06:00 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/293827/31199337"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/141/93/37/31199337.0d1da1fc.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I finally have my new COMPUTER up and running (kind of) after four weeks of total computer stress, complicated by the computer store mess-up, and surgery. Now I am discovering "the good, the bad and the ugly" of Windows 7! Definitely, the"ugly" would apply to the inability to manually rearrange photos in the order you want / need them!!! I am totally amazed and horrified that you can't do this. I searched the Internet and found forums full of endless complaints about this ridiculous issue, many going back to 2010. So, they still haven't changed it, after all this time. I would have thought it would be such a simple thing for Microsoft to change. Every time I want to find a photo, I have to look through many dozens, or more likely many hundreds, of tiny photo icons, trying to find the one photo I need. I would say that being able to arrange photos in the order I (and most photographers, no doubt!) need is one of the most important, necessary functions, so this is not good. If anyone has discovered a way to get round this or has any ideas to make it easier, I would LOVE to hear from you! THANKS!<br /> <br /> Sometimes, when the birds are few and far between, and most definitely very distant, something else is spotted that makes my day : ) This Christmas bauble (?) was lying on the ice along the edge of the Bow River at Pearce Estate on 16 March 2014. Not sure if maybe someone had decorated a little Spruce tree in the park somewhere, or maybe it was there as a result of last June's Alberta Flood of the Century, washed out of someone's basement. Later that morning, though, another highlight of the day came in the form of three Great Horned Owlets and Mom! We had carpooled to nearby downtown, hoping that we might be able to find this beautiful little family and, sure enough, we were in luck. I posted a photo of one of the owlets the other day.</div> The highlight of my morning.jpg <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/293827/31199337"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/141/93/37/31199337.0d1da1fc.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I finally have my new COMPUTER up and running (kind of) after four weeks of total computer stress, complicated by the computer store mess-up, and surgery. Now I am discovering "the good, the bad and the ugly" of Windows 7! Definitely, the"ugly" would apply to the inability to manually rearrange photos in the order you want / need them!!! I am totally amazed and horrified that you can't do this. I searched the Internet and found forums full of endless complaints about this ridiculous issue, many going back to 2010. So, they still haven't changed it, after all this time. I would have thought it would be such a simple thing for Microsoft to change. Every time I want to find a photo, I have to look through many dozens, or more likely many hundreds, of tiny photo icons, trying to find the one photo I need. I would say that being able to arrange photos in the order I (and most photographers, no doubt!) need is one of the most important, necessary functions, so this is not good. If anyone has discovered a way to get round this or has any ideas to make it easier, I would LOVE to hear from you! THANKS!<br /> <br /> Sometimes, when the birds are few and far between, and most definitely very distant, something else is spotted that makes my day : ) This Christmas bauble (?) was lying on the ice along the edge of the Bow River at Pearce Estate on 16 March 2014. Not sure if maybe someone had decorated a little Spruce tree in the park somewhere, or maybe it was there as a result of last June's Alberta Flood of the Century, washed out of someone's basement. Later that morning, though, another highlight of the day came in the form of three Great Horned Owlets and Mom! We had carpooled to nearby downtown, hoping that we might be able to find this beautiful little family and, sure enough, we were in luck. I posted a photo of one of the owlets the other day.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/29322969 tag:ipernity.com,2014-01-03,doc-29322969 Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:48:42 +0000 2013-12-15T09:49:46-07:00 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/293827/29322969"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/140/29/69/29322969.1ddd408e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Sometimes, you get all sorts of reflections in icicles. Saw these ones when I was out for the day along the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail with friends Cathy and Terry, on 15 December 2013.<br /> <br /> It's snowing yet again today. CBC News reported on 21 December 2013:<br /> <br /> "December 2013 SNOWFALL in Calgary has broken a 112-year record according to the city. The City made the announcement in a tweet Saturday morning after weeks of on-and-off heavy snowfall left many residents complaining about the lack of snow removal in parts of Calgary. "A total of 43.8 cm of snow has fallen in Calgary this month. We haven’t seen this much snow in 112 years!" tweeted the City." By the end of December, I think we had had about 52 cm for the whole month of December.</div> Icy reflections <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/293827/29322969"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/140/29/69/29322969.1ddd408e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Sometimes, you get all sorts of reflections in icicles. Saw these ones when I was out for the day along the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail with friends Cathy and Terry, on 15 December 2013.<br /> <br /> It's snowing yet again today. CBC News reported on 21 December 2013:<br /> <br /> "December 2013 SNOWFALL in Calgary has broken a 112-year record according to the city. The City made the announcement in a tweet Saturday morning after weeks of on-and-off heavy snowfall left many residents complaining about the lack of snow removal in parts of Calgary. "A total of 43.8 cm of snow has fallen in Calgary this month. We haven’t seen this much snow in 112 years!" tweeted the City." By the end of December, I think we had had about 52 cm for the whole month of December.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/28043375 tag:ipernity.com,2013-11-10,doc-28043375 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 06:59:08 +0000 2013-11-09T11:48:37-07:00 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/293827/28043375"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/139/33/75/28043375.54712a47.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Had a great day of birding today, S of Calgary, in an area that I don't think I've been to before. The scene in my image is at Pine Coulee Reservoir, and as you can see, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. There was a lot of ice on the Reservoir, but there was also plenty of open water, being enjoyed by a lot of water birds, including Canada Geese, Swans and a good variety of ducks, etc.. After stopping at several places along the Reservoir, we continued to Clear Lake, where there were a lot of Snow Geese - this was the first time I'd seen them in great numbers. We also saw two Long-tailed Ducks today, and something like 17 or 18 Rough-legged Hawks, plus Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harriers, Prairie Falcon, etc..<br /> <br /> The following report was written by Terry Korolyk, who was our trip leader. Hope he won't mind my using this, as it is so well documented - and accurate : ) Terry has done, and continues to do, phenomenal recording of bird sightings for many years, which has been extremely valuable to endless birders. His photostream on Flickr is: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/</a>. Thanks so much, Terry, for such a great day!<br /> <br /> "Fifteen birders and the Trip Leader thoroughly enjoyed a day of birding today visiting Pine Coulee Reservoir and Clear Lake in the Stavely area. Highlight was 2 Winter-plumaged female LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Pine Coulee, one off the Dam there; the other seen from the road on the east side of the Reservoir approximately a kilometre south of Township Road 150.<br /> <br /> Mind-boggling numbers of waterfowl, particularly Mallards, were at the Reservoir, but, also in large numbers were Canada Geese and Hutchinson's subspecies Cackling Geese. Small numbers of Swans, both Trumpeter and Tundra, were in the north end of the Reservoir. Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were also in good numbers with species there in smaller numbers in the north end being Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, and others. A juvenile Greater Scaup or Greater Scaup-Lesser Scaup hybrid was on the north side of the bridge which is part of the highway from Stavely that runs across the Reservoir at roughly its halfway point.<br /> <br /> North of the Bridge to the Dam was concentrated mainly with dabblers such as American Coot, American Wigeon, and Gadwall. Others here included approximately 40 Eared Grebes. One Killdeer was at the north end; another just north of the Bridge.<br /> <br /> Raptors were in good numbers and variety at the Reservoir including 2 Golden Eagles; 2 juvenile Bald Eagles; 4 Northern Harriers; a Merlin, and many Rough-legged Hawks. The drive to Clear Lake on Township Road 140 produced another juvenile Bald Eagle; 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and, more Rough-legged Hawks.<br /> <br /> There was still much open water off the Campground at Clear Lake with Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and, Mallard there in large numbers, and, a generous sprinkling of all the other Duck species. On the ice edge north of the Campground, probably 2,000+ SNOW and ROSS'S GEESE rested. One blue SNOW GEESE was there and, there was a very generous assortment of ROSS'S GEESE in these birds; probably 200+ at least. <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. Total Rough-legged Hawk numbers for the Trip was 17 with one of the parties seeing one while they were travelling to the starting point."</div> Pine Coulee Reservoir <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/293827/28043375"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/139/33/75/28043375.54712a47.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Had a great day of birding today, S of Calgary, in an area that I don't think I've been to before. The scene in my image is at Pine Coulee Reservoir, and as you can see, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. There was a lot of ice on the Reservoir, but there was also plenty of open water, being enjoyed by a lot of water birds, including Canada Geese, Swans and a good variety of ducks, etc.. After stopping at several places along the Reservoir, we continued to Clear Lake, where there were a lot of Snow Geese - this was the first time I'd seen them in great numbers. We also saw two Long-tailed Ducks today, and something like 17 or 18 Rough-legged Hawks, plus Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harriers, Prairie Falcon, etc..<br /> <br /> The following report was written by Terry Korolyk, who was our trip leader. Hope he won't mind my using this, as it is so well documented - and accurate : ) Terry has done, and continues to do, phenomenal recording of bird sightings for many years, which has been extremely valuable to endless birders. His photostream on Flickr is: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/</a>. Thanks so much, Terry, for such a great day!<br /> <br /> "Fifteen birders and the Trip Leader thoroughly enjoyed a day of birding today visiting Pine Coulee Reservoir and Clear Lake in the Stavely area. Highlight was 2 Winter-plumaged female LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Pine Coulee, one off the Dam there; the other seen from the road on the east side of the Reservoir approximately a kilometre south of Township Road 150.<br /> <br /> Mind-boggling numbers of waterfowl, particularly Mallards, were at the Reservoir, but, also in large numbers were Canada Geese and Hutchinson's subspecies Cackling Geese. Small numbers of Swans, both Trumpeter and Tundra, were in the north end of the Reservoir. Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were also in good numbers with species there in smaller numbers in the north end being Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, and others. A juvenile Greater Scaup or Greater Scaup-Lesser Scaup hybrid was on the north side of the bridge which is part of the highway from Stavely that runs across the Reservoir at roughly its halfway point.<br /> <br /> North of the Bridge to the Dam was concentrated mainly with dabblers such as American Coot, American Wigeon, and Gadwall. Others here included approximately 40 Eared Grebes. One Killdeer was at the north end; another just north of the Bridge.<br /> <br /> Raptors were in good numbers and variety at the Reservoir including 2 Golden Eagles; 2 juvenile Bald Eagles; 4 Northern Harriers; a Merlin, and many Rough-legged Hawks. The drive to Clear Lake on Township Road 140 produced another juvenile Bald Eagle; 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and, more Rough-legged Hawks.<br /> <br /> There was still much open water off the Campground at Clear Lake with Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and, Mallard there in large numbers, and, a generous sprinkling of all the other Duck species. On the ice edge north of the Campground, probably 2,000+ SNOW and ROSS'S GEESE rested. One blue SNOW GEESE was there and, there was a very generous assortment of ROSS'S GEESE in these birds; probably 200+ at least. <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. Total Rough-legged Hawk numbers for the Trip was 17 with one of the parties seeing one while they were travelling to the starting point."</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23422263 tag:ipernity.com,2010-01-02,doc-23422263 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:51:16 +0000 2010-01-01T15:54:38-06:00 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/293827/23422263"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/22/63/23422263.bd76e45c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Though the day was bitterly cold yesterday for our Fish Creek Park New Year's Day Bird Count, grasses and bushes were covered with ice crystals in places along the Bow River. Just too cold, though, to take more than a handful of photos.</div> Transformation <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/293827/23422263"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/22/63/23422263.bd76e45c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Though the day was bitterly cold yesterday for our Fish Creek Park New Year's Day Bird Count, grasses and bushes were covered with ice crystals in places along the Bow River. Just too cold, though, to take more than a handful of photos.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23185087 tag:ipernity.com,2009-02-01,doc-23185087 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:33:28 +0000 2009-01-29T14:41:58-06:00 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/293827/23185087"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/50/87/23185087.42a9e0fa.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Just a view from behind the little waterfall at the Calgary Zoo, looking up towards the sky. Beautiful layers of ice have formed and I liked the different shades of grey.</div> Layers and splash <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/293827/23185087"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/50/87/23185087.42a9e0fa.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Just a view from behind the little waterfall at the Calgary Zoo, looking up towards the sky. Beautiful layers of ice have formed and I liked the different shades of grey.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/22622467 tag:ipernity.com,2013-05-01,doc-22622467 Wed, 01 May 2013 14:43:27 +0000 2013-04-29T17:07:22-06:00 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/293827/22622467"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/24/67/22622467.e2ede4ee.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It stopped snowing and began to brighten up just as I was getting near to the parking lot after spending a couple of hours in a snowstorm with strong winds. This is a small part of the Glenmore Reservoir, taken from South Glenmore Park and looking towards Heritage Park - you can see the windmill and the old oil derrick. When I read the forecast for the day before yesterday, I decided to stay home and not go on a bird walk with friends. The photo in the comment box below is is what they saw and I missed : ) Apparently, they were all saying how much I would have loved these ice formations. Thanks to an immediate e-mail from Joanne, who was on the walk, I was able to dash out and see them for myself. So, it was back to winter boots, winter jacket plus two fleece jackets for a very cold walk in driving snow. Unfortunately, the snow was covering the ice crystals and the light was atrocious, but you can get the idea : ) Joanne, can't thank you enough! Very thoughtful of you to let me know. I also saw at least two Loons way, way out in the middle of the Reservoir, a number of American Wigeons and various others. I wasn't there to look for birds though - my focus was on the ice. Only one third of the Reservoir is open water, so far, but warmer weather is on its way. Can't believe I stayed there so long - long enough to need Tim Horton's Drive-through on the way home, for hot chili and soup : )</div> Spring in Calgary <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/293827/22622467"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/24/67/22622467.e2ede4ee.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It stopped snowing and began to brighten up just as I was getting near to the parking lot after spending a couple of hours in a snowstorm with strong winds. This is a small part of the Glenmore Reservoir, taken from South Glenmore Park and looking towards Heritage Park - you can see the windmill and the old oil derrick. When I read the forecast for the day before yesterday, I decided to stay home and not go on a bird walk with friends. The photo in the comment box below is is what they saw and I missed : ) Apparently, they were all saying how much I would have loved these ice formations. Thanks to an immediate e-mail from Joanne, who was on the walk, I was able to dash out and see them for myself. So, it was back to winter boots, winter jacket plus two fleece jackets for a very cold walk in driving snow. Unfortunately, the snow was covering the ice crystals and the light was atrocious, but you can get the idea : ) Joanne, can't thank you enough! Very thoughtful of you to let me know. I also saw at least two Loons way, way out in the middle of the Reservoir, a number of American Wigeons and various others. I wasn't there to look for birds though - my focus was on the ice. Only one third of the Reservoir is open water, so far, but warmer weather is on its way. Can't believe I stayed there so long - long enough to need Tim Horton's Drive-through on the way home, for hot chili and soup : )</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/22619347 tag:ipernity.com,2012-11-15,doc-22619347 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:54:38 +0000 2012-11-12T10:34:38-06:00 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/293827/22619347"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/93/47/22619347.e5ff6632.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">With slightly wamer temperatures, the snow from the recent heavy snowfall is melting nicely. This is what it looked like along the edge of the creek in Fish Creek Park three days ago. This morning, it's -2C (28F) and sunny. Looks beautiful outside, but I need to see to a few urgent errands rather than go for a drive. Also, I came out in a cold a couple of days ago and don't feel like doing anything - the morning after I had said to a friend, "I never, or very rarely, get colds"!</div> Down by the creek <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/293827/22619347"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/93/47/22619347.e5ff6632.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">With slightly wamer temperatures, the snow from the recent heavy snowfall is melting nicely. This is what it looked like along the edge of the creek in Fish Creek Park three days ago. This morning, it's -2C (28F) and sunny. Looks beautiful outside, but I need to see to a few urgent errands rather than go for a drive. Also, I came out in a cold a couple of days ago and don't feel like doing anything - the morning after I had said to a friend, "I never, or very rarely, get colds"!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/22611327 tag:ipernity.com,2012-03-12,doc-22611327 Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:16:02 +0000 2012-03-02T13:18:43-06:00 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/293827/22611327"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/13/27/22611327.3094026c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Just the edge of a frozen mini waterfall at the Calgary Zoo, taken on March 2nd. Our weekend weather was so beautifully mild and we were walking through slush and puddles when we were on an afternoon walk in the Sikome/Hull's Wood area of Fish Creek Park yesterday. What a winter this has been, apart from a few bitterly cold spells!</div> Before the great melt <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/293827/22611327"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/13/27/22611327.3094026c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Just the edge of a frozen mini waterfall at the Calgary Zoo, taken on March 2nd. Our weekend weather was so beautifully mild and we were walking through slush and puddles when we were on an afternoon walk in the Sikome/Hull's Wood area of Fish Creek Park yesterday. What a winter this has been, apart from a few bitterly cold spells!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/22602575 tag:ipernity.com,2011-01-23,doc-22602575 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:02:55 +0000 2011-01-22T10:50:30-06:00 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/293827/22602575"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/25/75/22602575.edc3b47a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Looking out over the frozen Glenmore Reservoir and into the sun when I was on a second walk at North Glenmore Park yesterday late afternoon.</div> Sun plus ice <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/293827/22602575"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/25/75/22602575.edc3b47a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Looking out over the frozen Glenmore Reservoir and into the sun when I was on a second walk at North Glenmore Park yesterday late afternoon.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/22602009 tag:ipernity.com,2010-12-29,doc-22602009 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:55:27 +0000 2010-11-29T16:44:46-06:00 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/293827/22602009"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/20/09/22602009.ba052c37.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">LOL, just reminding myself that winter has its very own beauty - just wish it wasn't COLD at the same time : ) Today is a cold, grey day and the snow is falling, but unfortunately it is very fine snow, not the beautiful, fluffy stuff where you can see the individual snowflakes. Stay warm everyone - and be careful on the roads. The days are getting longer - yay!</div> Two for the prICE of one <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/293827/22602009"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/20/09/22602009.ba052c37.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">LOL, just reminding myself that winter has its very own beauty - just wish it wasn't COLD at the same time : ) Today is a cold, grey day and the snow is falling, but unfortunately it is very fine snow, not the beautiful, fluffy stuff where you can see the individual snowflakes. Stay warm everyone - and be careful on the roads. The days are getting longer - yay!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/22601865 tag:ipernity.com,2010-11-28,doc-22601865 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 18:07:43 +0000 2010-10-16T10:52:38-06:00 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/293827/22601865"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/18/65/22601865.ee0288b8.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Seen while I was on a walk at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on October 16th. I always love to see ice crystals growing around the edge of autumn leaves : ) Just wish the accompanying cold temperature would go away, but I guess it just doesn't work that way. Haven't checked on today's temperature yet, but snow is gently falling.</div> Crystal edging <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/293827/22601865"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/132/18/65/22601865.ee0288b8.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Seen while I was on a walk at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on October 16th. I always love to see ice crystals growing around the edge of autumn leaves : ) Just wish the accompanying cold temperature would go away, but I guess it just doesn't work that way. Haven't checked on today's temperature yet, but snow is gently falling.</div> Anne Elliott