https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/1293563 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/1293563 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:39:49 +0000 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:39:49 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/33754107 tag:ipernity.com,2014-07-05,doc-33754107 Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:26:03 +0000 2014-06-12T16:54:31-06:00 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/293827/33754107"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/144/41/07/33754107.dd2fda24.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I'm posting this image as much for the Dandelion bokeh as for the Brewer's Blackbird. Taken on 12 June 2014, when I went for a drive along the backroads SW of the city.<br /> <br /> "A bird to be seen in the full sun, the male Brewer’s Blackbird is a glossy, almost liquid combination of black, midnight blue, and metallic green. Females are a staid brown, without the male’s bright eye or the female Red-winged Blackbird’s streaks. Common in towns and open habitats of much of the West, you’ll see these long-legged, ground-foraging birds on sidewalks and city parks as well as chuckling in flocks atop shrubs, trees, and reeds." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id</a></div> Dandelion bokeh <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/293827/33754107"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/144/41/07/33754107.dd2fda24.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I'm posting this image as much for the Dandelion bokeh as for the Brewer's Blackbird. Taken on 12 June 2014, when I went for a drive along the backroads SW of the city.<br /> <br /> "A bird to be seen in the full sun, the male Brewer’s Blackbird is a glossy, almost liquid combination of black, midnight blue, and metallic green. Females are a staid brown, without the male’s bright eye or the female Red-winged Blackbird’s streaks. Common in towns and open habitats of much of the West, you’ll see these long-legged, ground-foraging birds on sidewalks and city parks as well as chuckling in flocks atop shrubs, trees, and reeds." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/33702153 tag:ipernity.com,2014-07-03,doc-33702153 Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:39:07 +0000 2014-06-27T16:18:52-06:00 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/293827/33702153"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/143/21/53/33702153.0e23a264.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this male Brewer's Blackbird a few days ago, on 27 June 2014, when I drove a few of the backroads SW of the city. This is such a busy time for birds, collecting insects to feed to their young.<br /> <br /> "A bird to be seen in the full sun, the male Brewer’s Blackbird is a glossy, almost liquid combination of black, midnight blue, and metallic green. Females are a staid brown, without the male’s bright eye or the female Red-winged Blackbird’s streaks. Common in towns and open habitats of much of the West, you’ll see these long-legged, ground-foraging birds on sidewalks and city parks as well as chuckling in flocks atop shrubs, trees, and reeds."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id</a><br /> <br /> The famous, annual Calgary Stampede begins tomorrow, with the Stampede Parade taking place in the morning. William Shatner (from Star Trek) is our Parade Marshall. No worries about the weather, as it's a beautiful, sunny day today and tomorrow is supposed to be good, too.</div> Brewer&#039;s Blackbird with food for his babies <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/293827/33702153"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/143/21/53/33702153.0e23a264.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this male Brewer's Blackbird a few days ago, on 27 June 2014, when I drove a few of the backroads SW of the city. This is such a busy time for birds, collecting insects to feed to their young.<br /> <br /> "A bird to be seen in the full sun, the male Brewer’s Blackbird is a glossy, almost liquid combination of black, midnight blue, and metallic green. Females are a staid brown, without the male’s bright eye or the female Red-winged Blackbird’s streaks. Common in towns and open habitats of much of the West, you’ll see these long-legged, ground-foraging birds on sidewalks and city parks as well as chuckling in flocks atop shrubs, trees, and reeds."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/brewers_blackbird/id</a><br /> <br /> The famous, annual Calgary Stampede begins tomorrow, with the Stampede Parade taking place in the morning. William Shatner (from Star Trek) is our Parade Marshall. No worries about the weather, as it's a beautiful, sunny day today and tomorrow is supposed to be good, too.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/33284595 tag:ipernity.com,2014-06-14,doc-33284595 Sat, 14 Jun 2014 04:36:52 +0000 2011-09-08T13:54:08-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/33284595"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/143/45/95/33284595.32a2a2a0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A very, very dirty window can sometimes create a rather effective background, lol. This window, completely covered in dried water spots, was in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, on 8 September 2011. The butterfly that kindly landed on it is a Blue Wave (Myscelia cyaniris). I've added two other photos, posted previously, to show the colour of this species when the light hits it in just the right way. Such a gorgeous blue!<br /> <br /> "A rather small butterfly, the Blue Wave/Banded Purple Wing is identified as one of the Bluewings by the shining sapphire blue of the upperwings that can appear black or positively neon depending upon how the light is reflected off the wings. Somewhat like other butterflies with bright blue upperwings (the morphos), the underwings of the Blue Wave/Banded Purple Wing are a mottled light gray that acts as excellent camouflage."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.costaricahotels.com/myscelia-cyaniris/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.costaricahotels.com/myscelia-cyaniris/</a></div> Blue Wave, Myscelia cyaniris <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/293827/33284595"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/143/45/95/33284595.32a2a2a0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A very, very dirty window can sometimes create a rather effective background, lol. This window, completely covered in dried water spots, was in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo, on 8 September 2011. The butterfly that kindly landed on it is a Blue Wave (Myscelia cyaniris). I've added two other photos, posted previously, to show the colour of this species when the light hits it in just the right way. Such a gorgeous blue!<br /> <br /> "A rather small butterfly, the Blue Wave/Banded Purple Wing is identified as one of the Bluewings by the shining sapphire blue of the upperwings that can appear black or positively neon depending upon how the light is reflected off the wings. Somewhat like other butterflies with bright blue upperwings (the morphos), the underwings of the Blue Wave/Banded Purple Wing are a mottled light gray that acts as excellent camouflage."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.costaricahotels.com/myscelia-cyaniris/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.costaricahotels.com/myscelia-cyaniris/</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23413303 tag:ipernity.com,2009-04-02,doc-23413303 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:41:23 +0000 2009-03-31T09:37:46-06:00 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/293827/23413303"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/33/03/23413303.c9b2f974.240.jpg?r2" width="181" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We saw something like 500 Bohemian Waxwings down at Burnsmead the other day. They would land in the tree tops and then they would all fly down to the ground and take mouthfuls of snow, en masse. Too many branches and bushes in the way for any decent shots, but this one did land on this low branch - though this pose is not the best, LOL. However, it was this or nothing, so I'm going with "this", as I rarely get to see Bohemians this close. Unlike a few of my other Bohemian photos, this bird is a typical, sleek one, not puffed up against the cold.</div> Camera shy <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/293827/23413303"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/33/03/23413303.c9b2f974.240.jpg?r2" width="181" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We saw something like 500 Bohemian Waxwings down at Burnsmead the other day. They would land in the tree tops and then they would all fly down to the ground and take mouthfuls of snow, en masse. Too many branches and bushes in the way for any decent shots, but this one did land on this low branch - though this pose is not the best, LOL. However, it was this or nothing, so I'm going with "this", as I rarely get to see Bohemians this close. Unlike a few of my other Bohemian photos, this bird is a typical, sleek one, not puffed up against the cold.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23413299 tag:ipernity.com,2009-03-31,doc-23413299 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:38:48 +0000 2009-03-21T12:33:28-06:00 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/293827/23413299"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/32/99/23413299.c178a588.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is the male Great Horned Owl in Fish Creek Park - not "my" usual owl. He sits on guard within reach of the pair's nesting tree and, when you are lucky, he can be alert and a little active. I didn't see this pair's young ones last year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this year.</div> Do you mind? <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/293827/23413299"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/32/99/23413299.c178a588.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is the male Great Horned Owl in Fish Creek Park - not "my" usual owl. He sits on guard within reach of the pair's nesting tree and, when you are lucky, he can be alert and a little active. I didn't see this pair's young ones last year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this year.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23413285 tag:ipernity.com,2009-03-10,doc-23413285 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:48:54 +0000 2009-03-10T12:26:55-06:00 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/293827/23413285"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/32/85/23413285.21e450c4.240.jpg?r2" width="175" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I was so happy today when I discovered that the male Great Horned Owl in a local park had finally moved to one of the "usual" trees he perches in, across from the nesting tree! Each year, when his mate is on the nest, he sits across the narrow road from the tall tree stump in which they nest, staying close by. He tends to stay here all day, every day, and rarely bothers to open his eyes. It looks like he is just above eye level, but in fact is sitting quite high in the tree. The lighting is not good in the owl grove, but I love to call in and see him : (. Note his talons!</div> Doing what comes naturally <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/293827/23413285"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/32/85/23413285.21e450c4.240.jpg?r2" width="175" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I was so happy today when I discovered that the male Great Horned Owl in a local park had finally moved to one of the "usual" trees he perches in, across from the nesting tree! Each year, when his mate is on the nest, he sits across the narrow road from the tall tree stump in which they nest, staying close by. He tends to stay here all day, every day, and rarely bothers to open his eyes. It looks like he is just above eye level, but in fact is sitting quite high in the tree. The lighting is not good in the owl grove, but I love to call in and see him : (. Note his talons!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23404221 tag:ipernity.com,2009-06-15,doc-23404221 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:08:05 +0000 2009-06-15T11:24:40-06:00 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/293827/23404221"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/42/21/23404221.e3354256.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is just a small part of the large, condominium-style birdhouse that a family built and placed in their garden, east of the city. I was out south and east of the city with a friend for a good part of today and was thrilled to see some of these beautiful birds for the very first time. I had seen and heard reports of Purple Martins being seen, so it was a thrill to finally see some ourselves. The lady to whom this birdhouse belongs was so kind and welcoming to us, which we appreciated greatly. These birds are uncommon in Alberta (May to August). They live in colonies in these fancy birdhouses (will post a photo showing the whole birdhouse another time).</div> Purple Martins <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/293827/23404221"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/42/21/23404221.e3354256.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is just a small part of the large, condominium-style birdhouse that a family built and placed in their garden, east of the city. I was out south and east of the city with a friend for a good part of today and was thrilled to see some of these beautiful birds for the very first time. I had seen and heard reports of Purple Martins being seen, so it was a thrill to finally see some ourselves. The lady to whom this birdhouse belongs was so kind and welcoming to us, which we appreciated greatly. These birds are uncommon in Alberta (May to August). They live in colonies in these fancy birdhouses (will post a photo showing the whole birdhouse another time).</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23404147 tag:ipernity.com,2009-05-18,doc-23404147 Mon, 18 May 2009 22:00:47 +0000 2009-05-17T16:08:40-06:00 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/293827/23404147"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/41/47/23404147.40bbd58f.240.jpg?r2" width="181" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Let me introduce you to one of the two Great Horned owlets at Burnsmead, Fish Creek Park! Presumably, this is the older one, and s/he has now left the nest and ventured up the branch to higher "ground". Adorable to watch and always amusing when they lift up a foot and appear to examine their talons, as if wondering what it is, LOL. Would love to have been there when this large baby climbed upwards for the very first time. Balance still needs to be worked on, ha, ha.</div> Into the great wide open <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/293827/23404147"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/41/47/23404147.40bbd58f.240.jpg?r2" width="181" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Let me introduce you to one of the two Great Horned owlets at Burnsmead, Fish Creek Park! Presumably, this is the older one, and s/he has now left the nest and ventured up the branch to higher "ground". Adorable to watch and always amusing when they lift up a foot and appear to examine their talons, as if wondering what it is, LOL. Would love to have been there when this large baby climbed upwards for the very first time. Balance still needs to be worked on, ha, ha.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23402141 tag:ipernity.com,2010-11-15,doc-23402141 Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:48:11 +0000 2010-11-13T10:25:59-06:00 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/293827/23402141"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/21/41/23402141.08a220d1.240.jpg?r2" width="187" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We were SO lucky to see not just a Northern Pygmy-owl (rare to uncommon in Alberta), but to see it swoop down and catch this unfortunate little Meadow Vole. Witnessed at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on November 13th. This tiny owl is popcan-sized, about the size of a person's fist, and it is a vicious predator and will attack and kill prey that is larger than itself. Average length of a female Northern Pygmy-owl is 18.5 cm (7.3"), male: 16.5 cm (6.5"). A heavily cropped image : )<br /> <br /> <a href="http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=164" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=164</a><br /> <br /> "Measurements of average adult male Meadow Voles are: total length, 150 mm (6 in); tail, 37 mm (1.5 in); weight, 31.5 g (1 oz). Females are only slightly smaller."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=542" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=542</a></div> The demise of a Meadow Vole <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/293827/23402141"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/21/41/23402141.08a220d1.240.jpg?r2" width="187" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We were SO lucky to see not just a Northern Pygmy-owl (rare to uncommon in Alberta), but to see it swoop down and catch this unfortunate little Meadow Vole. Witnessed at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on November 13th. This tiny owl is popcan-sized, about the size of a person's fist, and it is a vicious predator and will attack and kill prey that is larger than itself. Average length of a female Northern Pygmy-owl is 18.5 cm (7.3"), male: 16.5 cm (6.5"). A heavily cropped image : )<br /> <br /> <a href="http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=164" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=164</a><br /> <br /> "Measurements of average adult male Meadow Voles are: total length, 150 mm (6 in); tail, 37 mm (1.5 in); weight, 31.5 g (1 oz). Females are only slightly smaller."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=542" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=542</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23402035 tag:ipernity.com,2010-11-14,doc-23402035 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 22:23:35 +0000 2010-11-13T12:49:25-06:00 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/293827/23402035"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/20/35/23402035.6d5e9642.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Another photo of the tiny Northern Pygmy-owl that we saw at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on 13th November (oh, that was just yesterday, ha!) These little birds of prey are rare to uncommon in Alberta and are such a treat to see. No bigger than fist-sized, so this photo isn't that much smaller than life-sized. They are SO hard to find - usually, you can be made aware of one when a bunch of Chickadees start making a loud noise or else you happen to notice this owl in flight. They always seem to be so intent on looking and listening for a snack or meal. Vicious little raptors, but they look so cute : )</div> Looking for lunch <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/293827/23402035"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/20/35/23402035.6d5e9642.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Another photo of the tiny Northern Pygmy-owl that we saw at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on 13th November (oh, that was just yesterday, ha!) These little birds of prey are rare to uncommon in Alberta and are such a treat to see. No bigger than fist-sized, so this photo isn't that much smaller than life-sized. They are SO hard to find - usually, you can be made aware of one when a bunch of Chickadees start making a loud noise or else you happen to notice this owl in flight. They always seem to be so intent on looking and listening for a snack or meal. Vicious little raptors, but they look so cute : )</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23402023 tag:ipernity.com,2011-01-08,doc-23402023 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:09:36 +0000 2011-01-02T14:52:17-06:00 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/293827/23402023"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/20/23/23402023.5ea3381f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A very heavily cropped shot of a Sharp-tailed Grouse taken on January 2nd, when we went on the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count south of the city, in the south west quadrant of the Nanton and area circle. Too many annoying little branches, but I liked the beautiful feather pattern on the breast.</div> Sharp-tailed Grouse <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/293827/23402023"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/20/23/23402023.5ea3381f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A very heavily cropped shot of a Sharp-tailed Grouse taken on January 2nd, when we went on the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count south of the city, in the south west quadrant of the Nanton and area circle. Too many annoying little branches, but I liked the beautiful feather pattern on the breast.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23401943 tag:ipernity.com,2010-11-23,doc-23401943 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:23:49 +0000 2010-11-11T12:43:38-06:00 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/293827/23401943"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/19/43/23401943.a8635c37.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">One of my least favourite recent shots of this tiny Northern Pygmy-owl - they are the size of a popcan or a person's fist! However, despite the messy background, it does show the feather patterns - and a beak that has changed colour after a recent snack of Meadow Vole : ) I hope they've been able to find enough food the last few days, while we've been in a very unpleasant deep-freeze. Frozen meals are fine when you have a microwave, LOL. All my photos of this little bird of prey were taken in Fish Creek Park and are heavily cropped. If anyone is interested, I have 32 shots of these tiny, rare to uncommon in Alberta owls in my Northern Pygmy-owl Set.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157625428490406/with/5202192652/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157625428490406/...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Pygmy-owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Pygmy-owl</a><br /> <br /> For those of you who THINK you had cold weather today, read this, LOL!!!! Apparently, here in Calgary, we were the second coldest place on earth this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I noticed this link on my son's Facebook page just now.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+coldest+place+Earth+Weather+tracker/3872612/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+coldest+place+Ea...</a></div> Northern Pygmy-owl <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23401943"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/19/43/23401943.a8635c37.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">One of my least favourite recent shots of this tiny Northern Pygmy-owl - they are the size of a popcan or a person's fist! However, despite the messy background, it does show the feather patterns - and a beak that has changed colour after a recent snack of Meadow Vole : ) I hope they've been able to find enough food the last few days, while we've been in a very unpleasant deep-freeze. Frozen meals are fine when you have a microwave, LOL. All my photos of this little bird of prey were taken in Fish Creek Park and are heavily cropped. If anyone is interested, I have 32 shots of these tiny, rare to uncommon in Alberta owls in my Northern Pygmy-owl Set.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157625428490406/with/5202192652/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157625428490406/...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Pygmy-owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Pygmy-owl</a><br /> <br /> For those of you who THINK you had cold weather today, read this, LOL!!!! Apparently, here in Calgary, we were the second coldest place on earth this morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I noticed this link on my son's Facebook page just now.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+coldest+place+Earth+Weather+tracker/3872612/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Calgary+coldest+place+Ea...</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23401893 tag:ipernity.com,2010-03-27,doc-23401893 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:51:24 +0000 2010-03-26T11:12:30-06:00 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/293827/23401893"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/18/93/23401893.400110ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">When I was out in the mountains yesterday with friends at the Golden Eagle Migration area near Mt. Lorette, two or three of these curious Gray Jays flew down to check us out. A lot of low cloud and low light, so my photos aren't as good as I wish they had been, but it was so nice to actually see a bird reasonably close, unlike the Golden Eagles, which were little more than very distant specks. The Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is also called "Camp Robber", "Canada Jay" and "Whiskeyjack".<br /> <br /> "The Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis, is a member of the crow and jay family (Corvidae) found in the boreal forests across North America north to the tree-line and in subalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains south to New Mexico and Arizona.... To the delight of modern campers, many individual Gray Jays quickly learn that we can be an excellent source of food, even coming to the hand for bread, raisins, or cheese." From Wikipedia.</div> Gray Jay <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/293827/23401893"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/18/93/23401893.400110ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">When I was out in the mountains yesterday with friends at the Golden Eagle Migration area near Mt. Lorette, two or three of these curious Gray Jays flew down to check us out. A lot of low cloud and low light, so my photos aren't as good as I wish they had been, but it was so nice to actually see a bird reasonably close, unlike the Golden Eagles, which were little more than very distant specks. The Gray Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is also called "Camp Robber", "Canada Jay" and "Whiskeyjack".<br /> <br /> "The Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis, is a member of the crow and jay family (Corvidae) found in the boreal forests across North America north to the tree-line and in subalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains south to New Mexico and Arizona.... To the delight of modern campers, many individual Gray Jays quickly learn that we can be an excellent source of food, even coming to the hand for bread, raisins, or cheese." From Wikipedia.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23401869 tag:ipernity.com,2010-11-20,doc-23401869 Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:57:02 +0000 2010-11-13T12:46:47-06:00 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/293827/23401869"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/18/69/23401869.170af841.240.jpg?r2" width="179" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A lot of birders never get to see a tiny, popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl go into compression mode. Well, most birders never get to see one of these owls, period : ) They are rare to uncommon in Alberta. When we were watching this one in Fish Creek Park a week ago, it started shrinking, but only got this far.<br /> <br /> "Despite their small size, Northern Pygmy Owls are quite fierce, and will attack prey or drive off intruders several times their own size. When one of these owls is threatened, it will puff up its feathers and spread its tail to make itself look larger. When hiding, it tries to look thin, faces the danger, and closes its eyes into slits." From OwlPages.com.</div> Partial compression <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/293827/23401869"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/18/69/23401869.170af841.240.jpg?r2" width="179" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A lot of birders never get to see a tiny, popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl go into compression mode. Well, most birders never get to see one of these owls, period : ) They are rare to uncommon in Alberta. When we were watching this one in Fish Creek Park a week ago, it started shrinking, but only got this far.<br /> <br /> "Despite their small size, Northern Pygmy Owls are quite fierce, and will attack prey or drive off intruders several times their own size. When one of these owls is threatened, it will puff up its feathers and spread its tail to make itself look larger. When hiding, it tries to look thin, faces the danger, and closes its eyes into slits." From OwlPages.com.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23401795 tag:ipernity.com,2010-04-12,doc-23401795 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:11:46 +0000 2006-05-12T15:24:56-06:00 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/293827/23401795"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/17/95/23401795.7dffe0ab.240.jpg?r2" width="181" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is a photo I took on 12th May 2006, of an incredible Great Horned Owlet that was learning to fly down in Weaselhead. I posted a few other photos of it back then, but didn't get round to posting this one. It seemed as curious about me as I was of it : )))) Mom and Dad were both in nearby trees as this youngster flew to first one tree and then to the tree near where I was standing in absolute awe. I barely moved for ages, other than lifting up my camera to my eyes. It was one of those totally magical experiences that you can relive as if it were only yesterday.</div> An old friend <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/293827/23401795"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/17/95/23401795.7dffe0ab.240.jpg?r2" width="181" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is a photo I took on 12th May 2006, of an incredible Great Horned Owlet that was learning to fly down in Weaselhead. I posted a few other photos of it back then, but didn't get round to posting this one. It seemed as curious about me as I was of it : )))) Mom and Dad were both in nearby trees as this youngster flew to first one tree and then to the tree near where I was standing in absolute awe. I barely moved for ages, other than lifting up my camera to my eyes. It was one of those totally magical experiences that you can relive as if it were only yesterday.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23401669 tag:ipernity.com,2010-04-11,doc-23401669 Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:59:59 +0000 2010-04-10T16:09:36-06:00 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/293827/23401669"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/16/69/23401669.ed393f06.240.jpg?r2" width="183" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Such a very heavily cropped photo, but I can get away with it at this size displayed on the computer. It's such a rare thing that I actually manage to find hawks when I'm driving and yesterday I saw about 7 or 8 of them just south of the city. All were circling way, way up in the sky, except for this Rough-legged Hawk who perched in a tree by the side of the road. Guess when a large, noisy truck went zooming by on an otherwise empty road! Luckily, I got this shot before it flew!</div> Rough-legged Hawk <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/293827/23401669"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/16/69/23401669.ed393f06.240.jpg?r2" width="183" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Such a very heavily cropped photo, but I can get away with it at this size displayed on the computer. It's such a rare thing that I actually manage to find hawks when I'm driving and yesterday I saw about 7 or 8 of them just south of the city. All were circling way, way up in the sky, except for this Rough-legged Hawk who perched in a tree by the side of the road. Guess when a large, noisy truck went zooming by on an otherwise empty road! Luckily, I got this shot before it flew!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23400833 tag:ipernity.com,2009-06-11,doc-23400833 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:11:23 +0000 2009-06-08T13:46:00-06:00 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/293827/23400833"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/08/33/23400833.13e7d2d8.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A common bird, but it posed nicely for me, so I decided to post the photo, LOL.</div> Brewer&#039;s Blackbird <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/293827/23400833"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/08/33/23400833.13e7d2d8.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A common bird, but it posed nicely for me, so I decided to post the photo, LOL.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23400697 tag:ipernity.com,2009-07-15,doc-23400697 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:39:43 +0000 2009-05-21T14:13:25-06:00 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/293827/23400697"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/06/97/23400697.39db7031.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">At least I THINK that's what it is (a female). If I'm wrong, perhaps someone could let me know the correct ID - thanks! Taken in a friend's garden - thanks, Phil and Jen! Very distant photo, but I believe it's the first shot I have of one of these tiny birds, so bear with me : )</div> Orange-crowned Warbler <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/293827/23400697"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/06/97/23400697.39db7031.240.jpg?r2" width="180" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">At least I THINK that's what it is (a female). If I'm wrong, perhaps someone could let me know the correct ID - thanks! Taken in a friend's garden - thanks, Phil and Jen! Very distant photo, but I believe it's the first shot I have of one of these tiny birds, so bear with me : )</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23400403 tag:ipernity.com,2009-06-27,doc-23400403 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:39:26 +0000 2009-06-23T12:51:16-06:00 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/293827/23400403"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/04/03/23400403.8fa1b278.240.jpg?r2" width="237" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I couldn't find any of the four owls in the Burnsmead family when I called in at the park the day before yesterday. However, on 23rd June, I did see them and they were so accessible. Just a delight to see the two youngsters. This is the older owlet - just loved her/his glassy eyes and beautiful wing feather patterns and colours. Thank goodness for 18x zoom : )</div> Older of the two owlets <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/293827/23400403"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/04/03/23400403.8fa1b278.240.jpg?r2" width="237" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I couldn't find any of the four owls in the Burnsmead family when I called in at the park the day before yesterday. However, on 23rd June, I did see them and they were so accessible. Just a delight to see the two youngsters. This is the older owlet - just loved her/his glassy eyes and beautiful wing feather patterns and colours. Thank goodness for 18x zoom : )</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/23400397 tag:ipernity.com,2009-06-02,doc-23400397 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:17:14 +0000 2009-05-29T12:47:55-06:00 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/293827/23400397"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/03/97/23400397.7ae0dfe2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I don't know what this Great Horned Owl's "problem" was : ) I think this was the male, down at Sikome, Fish Creek Park. One of his two owlets was in the next tree, screeching non-stop, so presumably it was hungry. Dad turned round to look at me once and then ignored me. I've read that flattened eartufts mean that the bird is under stress, but it was not from my presence. Half a dozen shots and I was out of there anyway. Though it looks like I was very close to this owl, in fact he was way up in a tall tree! Lighting was grim, in amongst the trees. No sign of Mom and the other owlet.</div> Owl with attitude <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/293827/23400397"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/133/03/97/23400397.7ae0dfe2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I don't know what this Great Horned Owl's "problem" was : ) I think this was the male, down at Sikome, Fish Creek Park. One of his two owlets was in the next tree, screeching non-stop, so presumably it was hungry. Dad turned round to look at me once and then ignored me. I've read that flattened eartufts mean that the bird is under stress, but it was not from my presence. Half a dozen shots and I was out of there anyway. Though it looks like I was very close to this owl, in fact he was way up in a tall tree! Lighting was grim, in amongst the trees. No sign of Mom and the other owlet.</div> Anne Elliott