https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/82359 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/82359 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:48:18 +0000 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 18:48:18 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/50314756 tag:ipernity.com,2019-08-13,doc-50314756 Tue, 13 Aug 2019 04:59:41 +0000 2019-08-08T16:05:33-06:00 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/293827/50314756"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/47/56/50314756.01d9b4d1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Tonight, I have just added 7 photos taken at the Saskatoon Farm, after my longish drive further SE, to look at a few old barns. Lots of colour at the Farm - lots of people, too.<br /> <br /> Our few hot days have come to an end, at least for now, and we are back to cool, rainy days (the last two days and today, with more to come). This morning, 12 August 2019, the temperature is only 12C again.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, 8 August 2019, was definitely more of a barn day than a bird day. A while ago, another photographer had mentioned that a few barns in a certain area SE of Calgary had been removed and I was curious to see if any of the ones I had seen before were now missing. There is one huge barn in particular that I am always hoping still stands. I would love to be able to get photos from both sides of it, but it is way out in a farmer's field that is, of course, private property. Standing in the road, I can only get a distant shot and, as often happens, I had a problem with heat distortion on distant shots. There is an old, round, wooden grain bin and a partly hidden, smaller barn just near the barn, too. I think the first time I ever saw the barn was on 21 January 2015, when I took my daughter out for the day.<br /> <br /> My intention two days ago had been to leave early in the morning, but it was already 10:45 am when I climbed into my car. Seeing that the weather forecast for the next six days included rain on each day, I knew I just had to do this trip straight away. Some of the roads I drove to get to my destination(s) were familiar, but others less so. There are two or three highway intersections that are confusing to me and I usually end up taking the wrong turn. <br /> <br /> For a change, I turned off the main highway going south before my usual turn, in order to shorten the distance. My first sighting was a distant Red-tailed Hawk perched on a wooden fence at a wetland that used to be a great spot, but now is totally dried up.<br /> <br /> After a quick stop at a tiny church that I always photograph when I am out that way, I continued east till I came to the three old Mossleigh grain elevators - one of the places I always get confused about which way to drive. Ideally, a dramatic sky would have been great, but I have taken better photos in the past.<br /> <br /> From Mossleigh, I did my usual exploring, finding that a lovely old, wooden house was still standing. I believe this was built from a kit years ago, and it remains in reasonably good condition.<br /> <br /> Eventually, I found the large barn that I wanted to see again. It took me a while to work out which road it was on (thought I knew!), but I found it after some driving back and forth. It was good to see the smaller barn, in less then good condition, just down the road. The other two times that I have been standing in the road to take photos of this smaller barn, a lady has come along the road from a nearby farm and very kindly told me to on in and take any photos I'd like. No-one around yesterday, so I stayed on the road,of course. At one point, I happened to glance up the road and saw what I thought was someone's dog on the crest of the road. When I zoomed in on my camera, I realized it was a coyote, who started walking towards me. Unfortunately, it turned off into the field and disappeared. When I was at this smaller barn, it amused me to see a magnificent Mule near the barn, plus a horse. The Mule looked huge and was a real poser, wanting to be in almost every shot I took. Such a gorgeous creature, that I don't remember seeing there before.<br /> <br /> Once I had taken a few photos, I started on my homeward drive, not stopping anywhere as I could see that, if I hurried, I could get to the Saskatoon Farm in time to get a meal before the restaurant closed for the day. Yay, I just made it.<br /> <br /> Knowing that Frank Lake was only a short drive away, I couldn't resist driving back south to have a quick look. Found a couple of my friends there and spent some enjoyable time with them. Only took a few photos there, most to be deleted, before heading home. A fun day, though hot and hazy. Total distance covered was 275 km.</div> Berries in the sunshine <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/293827/50314756"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/47/56/50314756.01d9b4d1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Tonight, I have just added 7 photos taken at the Saskatoon Farm, after my longish drive further SE, to look at a few old barns. Lots of colour at the Farm - lots of people, too.<br /> <br /> Our few hot days have come to an end, at least for now, and we are back to cool, rainy days (the last two days and today, with more to come). This morning, 12 August 2019, the temperature is only 12C again.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, 8 August 2019, was definitely more of a barn day than a bird day. A while ago, another photographer had mentioned that a few barns in a certain area SE of Calgary had been removed and I was curious to see if any of the ones I had seen before were now missing. There is one huge barn in particular that I am always hoping still stands. I would love to be able to get photos from both sides of it, but it is way out in a farmer's field that is, of course, private property. Standing in the road, I can only get a distant shot and, as often happens, I had a problem with heat distortion on distant shots. There is an old, round, wooden grain bin and a partly hidden, smaller barn just near the barn, too. I think the first time I ever saw the barn was on 21 January 2015, when I took my daughter out for the day.<br /> <br /> My intention two days ago had been to leave early in the morning, but it was already 10:45 am when I climbed into my car. Seeing that the weather forecast for the next six days included rain on each day, I knew I just had to do this trip straight away. Some of the roads I drove to get to my destination(s) were familiar, but others less so. There are two or three highway intersections that are confusing to me and I usually end up taking the wrong turn. <br /> <br /> For a change, I turned off the main highway going south before my usual turn, in order to shorten the distance. My first sighting was a distant Red-tailed Hawk perched on a wooden fence at a wetland that used to be a great spot, but now is totally dried up.<br /> <br /> After a quick stop at a tiny church that I always photograph when I am out that way, I continued east till I came to the three old Mossleigh grain elevators - one of the places I always get confused about which way to drive. Ideally, a dramatic sky would have been great, but I have taken better photos in the past.<br /> <br /> From Mossleigh, I did my usual exploring, finding that a lovely old, wooden house was still standing. I believe this was built from a kit years ago, and it remains in reasonably good condition.<br /> <br /> Eventually, I found the large barn that I wanted to see again. It took me a while to work out which road it was on (thought I knew!), but I found it after some driving back and forth. It was good to see the smaller barn, in less then good condition, just down the road. The other two times that I have been standing in the road to take photos of this smaller barn, a lady has come along the road from a nearby farm and very kindly told me to on in and take any photos I'd like. No-one around yesterday, so I stayed on the road,of course. At one point, I happened to glance up the road and saw what I thought was someone's dog on the crest of the road. When I zoomed in on my camera, I realized it was a coyote, who started walking towards me. Unfortunately, it turned off into the field and disappeared. When I was at this smaller barn, it amused me to see a magnificent Mule near the barn, plus a horse. The Mule looked huge and was a real poser, wanting to be in almost every shot I took. Such a gorgeous creature, that I don't remember seeing there before.<br /> <br /> Once I had taken a few photos, I started on my homeward drive, not stopping anywhere as I could see that, if I hurried, I could get to the Saskatoon Farm in time to get a meal before the restaurant closed for the day. Yay, I just made it.<br /> <br /> Knowing that Frank Lake was only a short drive away, I couldn't resist driving back south to have a quick look. Found a couple of my friends there and spent some enjoyable time with them. Only took a few photos there, most to be deleted, before heading home. A fun day, though hot and hazy. Total distance covered was 275 km.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/49126876 tag:ipernity.com,2019-05-21,doc-49126876 Tue, 21 May 2019 22:25:14 +0000 2019-05-19T11:50:09-06:00 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/293827/49126876"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/68/76/49126876.381c0e02.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It is almost time for Smugmug to close down Flickr for maintenance so that they can perform the mammoth task of transferring every single thing on Flickr to a new server. Hard to imagine, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the transfer all goes smoothly. There will probably be a few glitches to iron out afterwards, but these will no doubt eventually be fixed. <br /> <br /> The day before yesterday, 19 May 2019, I was out for the day with my daughter, to celebrate Mother's Day and yet another birthday for me. I always look forward to a day like this - my favourite way to spend a day! I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and windy, especially when we went to Frank Lake after spending time at the Saskatoon Farm. We both still managed to get a few photos and, today, the colourful ones are most welcome, as we have yet another gloomy day. I think it must have rained again last night, as I can see there are puddles out there.<br /> <br /> Our day started with a delicious breakfast at the Farm, after which we walked around the grounds. I always enjoy seeing the farm cats and dogs wandering about, inside and outside. Visitors are not allowed to bring dogs, which means that the farm animals can roam in peace. <br /> <br /> The gardens have not yet been planted with flowers - just as well, as I noticed that there was a risk of frost on two recent nights. There are flowers blooming in the greenhouses, though.<br /> <br /> Our next destination was Frank Lake, where we hoped to see at least a few birds. It was very quiet, with little to photograph - not the best time of the day. Two Eared Grebes were swimming near the blind, but what a challenge they were! Non stop swimming and constantly changing direction, fast. I think I ended up with a couple of photos that might be sharp enough to post - the rest have been deleted. A Yellow-headed Blackbird, perched on a cattail, was swaying in and out of the viewfinder.<br /> <br /> It felt really good to get out, as I have been spending so much time going through all the images from our trip to South Texas. It did feel a little strange to be driving, as I have barely been out the last few weeks.</div> Blossom on red <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/293827/49126876"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/68/76/49126876.381c0e02.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It is almost time for Smugmug to close down Flickr for maintenance so that they can perform the mammoth task of transferring every single thing on Flickr to a new server. Hard to imagine, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the transfer all goes smoothly. There will probably be a few glitches to iron out afterwards, but these will no doubt eventually be fixed. <br /> <br /> The day before yesterday, 19 May 2019, I was out for the day with my daughter, to celebrate Mother's Day and yet another birthday for me. I always look forward to a day like this - my favourite way to spend a day! I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and windy, especially when we went to Frank Lake after spending time at the Saskatoon Farm. We both still managed to get a few photos and, today, the colourful ones are most welcome, as we have yet another gloomy day. I think it must have rained again last night, as I can see there are puddles out there.<br /> <br /> Our day started with a delicious breakfast at the Farm, after which we walked around the grounds. I always enjoy seeing the farm cats and dogs wandering about, inside and outside. Visitors are not allowed to bring dogs, which means that the farm animals can roam in peace. <br /> <br /> The gardens have not yet been planted with flowers - just as well, as I noticed that there was a risk of frost on two recent nights. There are flowers blooming in the greenhouses, though.<br /> <br /> Our next destination was Frank Lake, where we hoped to see at least a few birds. It was very quiet, with little to photograph - not the best time of the day. Two Eared Grebes were swimming near the blind, but what a challenge they were! Non stop swimming and constantly changing direction, fast. I think I ended up with a couple of photos that might be sharp enough to post - the rest have been deleted. A Yellow-headed Blackbird, perched on a cattail, was swaying in and out of the viewfinder.<br /> <br /> It felt really good to get out, as I have been spending so much time going through all the images from our trip to South Texas. It did feel a little strange to be driving, as I have barely been out the last few weeks.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/47349154 tag:ipernity.com,2018-09-19,doc-47349154 Wed, 19 Sep 2018 15:01:20 +0000 2018-09-11T14:26:28-06:00 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/293827/47349154"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/91/54/47349154.cc387bff.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I am SO stressed out! Just spent the last three hours, while a technician went through my whole computer remotely, deleting every virus that has accumulated. I was told that I phoned them just in time, as I was not far away from losing everything on my computer. I always have Norton installed on my computer, but apparently the last three months I have not had Network Security working on my computer. Can you believe I had 5,614 viruses and if I had reached 6,000, everything would have been lost? Yikes! Funny, as the last few days, I have been backing up my photos to external hard drives and a flash drive. A costly morning, but now my computer is fine and I have a five-year Security. Just went to Google and discovered that all my endless bookmarks have disappeared ... sigh. Oh, well, I guess I start all over again. Before all this, I was on Facebook and had clicked on a video link from a friend's Facebook page. Suddenly, my whole screen was filled with the Virus alert. I don't know if that link was the actual cause of all this problem, or if it was 'the last straw'. Thankful for the clear help from the technician! Much appreciated.<br /> <br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Our botany season has come to an end and so, on 11 September 2018, our main Naturalist had a group of us visit his amazing garden and for a walk to look at wild and garden plants in his neighbourhood. This attractive bush caught our eye, with its gorgeous colour.<br /> <br /> "A sprawling, somewhat upright shrub with fine textured leaves that may turn reddish purple in fall; main attribute is showy pink capsules and bright red fall colour; will benefit from a frequent pruning to keep it in control.<br /> <br /> Turkistan Burning Bush has bluish-green foliage throughout the season. The narrow leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. It produces pink capsules from late summer to mid fall." From the link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://search.millcreeknursery.ca/11050005/Plant/145/Turkistan_Burning_Bush/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">search.millcreeknursery.ca/11050005/Plant/145/Turkistan_B...</a><br /> <br /> Not the greatest weather, but at least the rain kept away. I think more rain is in the forecast for the next week, which is a pity, as the fall leaves will all be on the ground before we know it.</div> Turkistan Burning Bush / Euonymus nanus turkmenistanicus <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/293827/47349154"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/91/54/47349154.cc387bff.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I am SO stressed out! Just spent the last three hours, while a technician went through my whole computer remotely, deleting every virus that has accumulated. I was told that I phoned them just in time, as I was not far away from losing everything on my computer. I always have Norton installed on my computer, but apparently the last three months I have not had Network Security working on my computer. Can you believe I had 5,614 viruses and if I had reached 6,000, everything would have been lost? Yikes! Funny, as the last few days, I have been backing up my photos to external hard drives and a flash drive. A costly morning, but now my computer is fine and I have a five-year Security. Just went to Google and discovered that all my endless bookmarks have disappeared ... sigh. Oh, well, I guess I start all over again. Before all this, I was on Facebook and had clicked on a video link from a friend's Facebook page. Suddenly, my whole screen was filled with the Virus alert. I don't know if that link was the actual cause of all this problem, or if it was 'the last straw'. Thankful for the clear help from the technician! Much appreciated.<br /> <br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Our botany season has come to an end and so, on 11 September 2018, our main Naturalist had a group of us visit his amazing garden and for a walk to look at wild and garden plants in his neighbourhood. This attractive bush caught our eye, with its gorgeous colour.<br /> <br /> "A sprawling, somewhat upright shrub with fine textured leaves that may turn reddish purple in fall; main attribute is showy pink capsules and bright red fall colour; will benefit from a frequent pruning to keep it in control.<br /> <br /> Turkistan Burning Bush has bluish-green foliage throughout the season. The narrow leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. It produces pink capsules from late summer to mid fall." From the link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://search.millcreeknursery.ca/11050005/Plant/145/Turkistan_Burning_Bush/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">search.millcreeknursery.ca/11050005/Plant/145/Turkistan_B...</a><br /> <br /> Not the greatest weather, but at least the rain kept away. I think more rain is in the forecast for the next week, which is a pity, as the fall leaves will all be on the ground before we know it.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46801882 tag:ipernity.com,2018-06-04,doc-46801882 Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:07:32 +0000 2018-06-03T13:52:40-06:00 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/293827/46801882"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/18/82/46801882.2f64eba9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 3 June 2018, I had hoped to drive out of the city for an annual morning walk followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Unfortunately, I never heard back from the leader about whether any others would be going from Calgary (though I was going to drive there myself). As it turned out, I had a great afternoon within the city, with an afternoon walk in Weaselhead, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. These birds are so tiny, that a long lens with great quality is needed in order to get a good shot. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!<br /> <br /> On my drive home early evening, I made a split second decision to keep driving to Fish Creek Park. I had only been down there twice this year and saw the adult male Great Horned Owl. I had heard that the female was on the nest and later, that there was just one owlet. Yesterday was my first visit to try and find this young one. <br /> Looking on the more important side, this meant one less person intruding on their area, of course, though I have to say that these owls are remarkably tolerant of humans. If a Canada Goose, on the other hand, should get anywhere near the nest or young ones, Mom or Dad flies in for an immediate attack. I think it would have taken me some time to find it, as it was so high up in a tree. Friends had already found it and were kind enough to take me to see it, which was much appreciated. They also showed me a very high Starling nest with three youngsters peering out. A tree cavity was also pointed out to me, with Mother Goose looking rather bored, incubating her eggs.<br /> <br /> The silvery berries of the native Wolf Willow or Silverberry shrub look attractive in winter, especially when seen against a blue sky. This shrub is popular with the Calliope Hummingbird and, in fact, this photo was taken in "The Meadow" in Weaselhead, where one can see these tiny birds. It has a very strong scent - some people love it, others dislike it intensely - I love it : )<br /> <br /> "Wolf willow berries were used by Blackfoot Natives to make seed necklaces. The berries were boiled to remove the flesh and the pointed nutlets strung onto necklaces or used to decorate the fringes on clothing. Each seed is dark brown with yellow stripes. When the first settlers arrived, the women quickly learned the art from the natives, and wolf willow seed necklaces became a popular gift to send home. <br /> <br /> Wolf willow fruit is mealy and dry, but was still eaten by some First Nations. Blackfoot Indians peeled and ate the berries or mixed them with grease and stored them in a cool place. This was eaten as a confection or added to soups and broths. The berries were sometimes mixed with blood or sugar and cooked for food. Children suffering from frostbite were treated with a strong solution made from the bark. The essential oil is in demand for aromatherapy. <br /> <br /> Though commonly called wolf willow, this plant species is not a willow at all. Instead, it belongs to the Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster) family and is related to thorny and Canada buffaloberry (Shepherdia)." <br /> <br /> <a href="http://plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/wolf-willow" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/wolf-willow</a></div> Wolf Willow / Elaeagnus commutata <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/293827/46801882"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/18/82/46801882.2f64eba9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 3 June 2018, I had hoped to drive out of the city for an annual morning walk followed by a delicious BBQ lunch. Unfortunately, I never heard back from the leader about whether any others would be going from Calgary (though I was going to drive there myself). As it turned out, I had a great afternoon within the city, with an afternoon walk in Weaselhead, during which we found a Rufous and a Calliope Hummingbird. These birds are so tiny, that a long lens with great quality is needed in order to get a good shot. This long walk was followed by coffee and chat at Tim Horton's, which is always much enjoyed. Thanks, as always, Janet and Bernie!<br /> <br /> On my drive home early evening, I made a split second decision to keep driving to Fish Creek Park. I had only been down there twice this year and saw the adult male Great Horned Owl. I had heard that the female was on the nest and later, that there was just one owlet. Yesterday was my first visit to try and find this young one. <br /> Looking on the more important side, this meant one less person intruding on their area, of course, though I have to say that these owls are remarkably tolerant of humans. If a Canada Goose, on the other hand, should get anywhere near the nest or young ones, Mom or Dad flies in for an immediate attack. I think it would have taken me some time to find it, as it was so high up in a tree. Friends had already found it and were kind enough to take me to see it, which was much appreciated. They also showed me a very high Starling nest with three youngsters peering out. A tree cavity was also pointed out to me, with Mother Goose looking rather bored, incubating her eggs.<br /> <br /> The silvery berries of the native Wolf Willow or Silverberry shrub look attractive in winter, especially when seen against a blue sky. This shrub is popular with the Calliope Hummingbird and, in fact, this photo was taken in "The Meadow" in Weaselhead, where one can see these tiny birds. It has a very strong scent - some people love it, others dislike it intensely - I love it : )<br /> <br /> "Wolf willow berries were used by Blackfoot Natives to make seed necklaces. The berries were boiled to remove the flesh and the pointed nutlets strung onto necklaces or used to decorate the fringes on clothing. Each seed is dark brown with yellow stripes. When the first settlers arrived, the women quickly learned the art from the natives, and wolf willow seed necklaces became a popular gift to send home. <br /> <br /> Wolf willow fruit is mealy and dry, but was still eaten by some First Nations. Blackfoot Indians peeled and ate the berries or mixed them with grease and stored them in a cool place. This was eaten as a confection or added to soups and broths. The berries were sometimes mixed with blood or sugar and cooked for food. Children suffering from frostbite were treated with a strong solution made from the bark. The essential oil is in demand for aromatherapy. <br /> <br /> Though commonly called wolf willow, this plant species is not a willow at all. Instead, it belongs to the Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster) family and is related to thorny and Canada buffaloberry (Shepherdia)." <br /> <br /> <a href="http://plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/wolf-willow" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/wolf-willow</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46462768 tag:ipernity.com,2018-03-25,doc-46462768 Sun, 25 Mar 2018 13:38:38 +0000 2018-03-24T14:11:42-06:00 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/293827/46462768"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/27/68/46462768.ba5b607b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 24 March 2018, I went with a group of about 20 fellow-birders for a day of birding west of the city. Not the greatest weather and there was not a huge variety of bird species. However, it was great to be out in beautiful mountain scenery. Places we stopped at included Seebe Dam, where we saw several Trumpeter Swans and a pair of Bald Eagles; Exshaw; Harvey Heights; Canmore town, where we saw a Pileated Woodpecker; and we also walked the Policeman's Creek Boardwalk Trail in Canmore.<br /> <br /> Thanks, Andrew, for a very enjoyable day out. Thanks so much, Anne B, for driving two of us all day - greatly appreciated!</div> Twice the beauty <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/293827/46462768"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/27/68/46462768.ba5b607b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 24 March 2018, I went with a group of about 20 fellow-birders for a day of birding west of the city. Not the greatest weather and there was not a huge variety of bird species. However, it was great to be out in beautiful mountain scenery. Places we stopped at included Seebe Dam, where we saw several Trumpeter Swans and a pair of Bald Eagles; Exshaw; Harvey Heights; Canmore town, where we saw a Pileated Woodpecker; and we also walked the Policeman's Creek Boardwalk Trail in Canmore.<br /> <br /> Thanks, Andrew, for a very enjoyable day out. Thanks so much, Anne B, for driving two of us all day - greatly appreciated!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46348436 tag:ipernity.com,2018-03-07,doc-46348436 Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:35:56 +0000 2015-05-29T13:44:26-07:00 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/293827/46348436"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/36/46348436.d7d1e33c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">All three photos posted today were taken on 29 May 2015, on a trip way down in southern Alberta. A small group of us spent the day at the Whaleback, climbing the ridges, doing a species count. We had such a great day, finding all sorts of things of interest - plants, mosses, lichens - and in my case, insects, animals and birds, too : ) In fact, anything and everything, lol.<br /> <br /> The weather was good for walking, not too warm and, up till the last part, dry. We were so lucky that the rain stayed away for most of the day. When I went on this outing in May 2013, it rained all day, though I still managed to get plenty of photos. On 29 May 2015, it was overcast with low cloud, making scenic shots rather unpleasant. <br /> <br /> Just before taking the turn for the road leading to a place to park, we stopped at a spot down by the river and did a search there. I was thrilled to bits to find three or four Tent Caterpillars on a plant next to a large rock and thought what a way to start the day. After taking a few photos, I walked to the other side of the rock and noticed what almost looked like a circular patch of lichen growing on the rock surface. A closer look revealed a mass of dozens of these caterpillars, with several others climbing up in single file to join the rest. Still makes me itch all over, just thinking about it, lol! <br /> <br /> Another highlight of the day for me was when I happened to notice a tiny spot of bright red deep inside a distant Early Yellow Locoweed flower. I zoomed in for a photo and thought it looked like it might be a Ladybug. Couldn't count the spots properly, so I very gently parted the petals to get a better look. Unfortunately, it crawled on to my hand and wouldn't return to a petal until after I had taken two or three shots, and then it immediately moved out of sight. I was so happy to find that it was a different kind of Ladybug, though I had seen one a few years ago - it was a Convergent Ladybug.<br /> <br /> Part way through the day, I stayed behind while the rest of the group climbed to a higher ridge, and I explored the lower ground. It was a place where I knew I wouldn't get lost - but I did have to wait till at least some of the others returned a few hours later, as others were needed to create an opening to climb though the barbed-wire fence again : ) I found plenty to photograph and it was quite a feeling to be so high up with such an amazing view all around, and to be alone up there. While I sat to eat lunch on a rocky outcrop with a couple of trees, a tiny Sparrow (of some kind) came to visit a couple of times and sing for me. Also, there were maybe half a dozen Brewer's Blackbirds that stayed around the area for much of the time, flying or perched on low bushes. A truly magical time.<br /> <br /> The rest of the group had a great time, too, and saw Parry's Townsendia flowers and lots of Balsamroot in bloom. Fortunately, I had seen the Townsendia before on a brutal hike to Picklejar Lakes several years ago. Two years ago, I had also seen hillsides at the Whaleback covered in the bright yellow Balsamroot flowers. I did manage to find several plants huddled together lower down, so was happy to get a few photos of these bright and cheery flowers.<br /> <br /> Altogether, a wonderful day in an incredibly beautiful place with great company! Many thanks, Robin and Cedric, for giving me a ride there and back - appreciated it SO much!</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/293827/46348436"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/36/46348436.d7d1e33c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">All three photos posted today were taken on 29 May 2015, on a trip way down in southern Alberta. A small group of us spent the day at the Whaleback, climbing the ridges, doing a species count. We had such a great day, finding all sorts of things of interest - plants, mosses, lichens - and in my case, insects, animals and birds, too : ) In fact, anything and everything, lol.<br /> <br /> The weather was good for walking, not too warm and, up till the last part, dry. We were so lucky that the rain stayed away for most of the day. When I went on this outing in May 2013, it rained all day, though I still managed to get plenty of photos. On 29 May 2015, it was overcast with low cloud, making scenic shots rather unpleasant. <br /> <br /> Just before taking the turn for the road leading to a place to park, we stopped at a spot down by the river and did a search there. I was thrilled to bits to find three or four Tent Caterpillars on a plant next to a large rock and thought what a way to start the day. After taking a few photos, I walked to the other side of the rock and noticed what almost looked like a circular patch of lichen growing on the rock surface. A closer look revealed a mass of dozens of these caterpillars, with several others climbing up in single file to join the rest. Still makes me itch all over, just thinking about it, lol! <br /> <br /> Another highlight of the day for me was when I happened to notice a tiny spot of bright red deep inside a distant Early Yellow Locoweed flower. I zoomed in for a photo and thought it looked like it might be a Ladybug. Couldn't count the spots properly, so I very gently parted the petals to get a better look. Unfortunately, it crawled on to my hand and wouldn't return to a petal until after I had taken two or three shots, and then it immediately moved out of sight. I was so happy to find that it was a different kind of Ladybug, though I had seen one a few years ago - it was a Convergent Ladybug.<br /> <br /> Part way through the day, I stayed behind while the rest of the group climbed to a higher ridge, and I explored the lower ground. It was a place where I knew I wouldn't get lost - but I did have to wait till at least some of the others returned a few hours later, as others were needed to create an opening to climb though the barbed-wire fence again : ) I found plenty to photograph and it was quite a feeling to be so high up with such an amazing view all around, and to be alone up there. While I sat to eat lunch on a rocky outcrop with a couple of trees, a tiny Sparrow (of some kind) came to visit a couple of times and sing for me. Also, there were maybe half a dozen Brewer's Blackbirds that stayed around the area for much of the time, flying or perched on low bushes. A truly magical time.<br /> <br /> The rest of the group had a great time, too, and saw Parry's Townsendia flowers and lots of Balsamroot in bloom. Fortunately, I had seen the Townsendia before on a brutal hike to Picklejar Lakes several years ago. Two years ago, I had also seen hillsides at the Whaleback covered in the bright yellow Balsamroot flowers. I did manage to find several plants huddled together lower down, so was happy to get a few photos of these bright and cheery flowers.<br /> <br /> Altogether, a wonderful day in an incredibly beautiful place with great company! Many thanks, Robin and Cedric, for giving me a ride there and back - appreciated it SO much!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46318944 tag:ipernity.com,2018-02-28,doc-46318944 Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:34:41 +0000 2017-03-20T07:09:46-07:00 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/293827/46318944"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/89/44/46318944.95ed0823.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Unfortunately, some birds are almost impossible to get a photo of. - and to spot in the first place. Took me a while to see this little bird, especially without binoculars, flitting in the distant tangle of branches, Glad I got at least some kind of record of it.<br /> <br /> "Bran-colored flycatcher are solitary unobtrusive birds, sometimes difficult to see as they move rapidly through the undergrowth in search of small insects and berries." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran-colored_flycatcher" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran-colored_flycatcher</a><br /> <br /> I wish I could remember where friends and I went on our last morning, 20 March 2017, on the island of Trinidad. When I Google the names of two bird species that we saw only in that area, the name Wallerfield Airfield comes up, so maybe that is where I took two of the three photos posted this morning, 28 February 2018. This was just a short, morning outing, before returning to Asa Wright, where we spent the afternoon photographing some of the birds and packing our bags ready for leaving in the middle of the night (around 2:00 am?) to catch our flight home. <br /> <br /> At one of our first stops on 20 March, we saw this Flycatcher, and a male Masked Yellowthroat. There was also a pair of Ruddy Ground-doves, and we had quick glimpses of a Blue-gray Tanager and a Tropical Mockingbird. I was quite surprised to see the rather fine houses in this area. <br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off! <br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.<br /> <br /> This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M</a><br /> <br /> I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk</a></div> Bran-colored Flycatcher / Myiophobus fasciatus, Trinidad <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/293827/46318944"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/89/44/46318944.95ed0823.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Unfortunately, some birds are almost impossible to get a photo of. - and to spot in the first place. Took me a while to see this little bird, especially without binoculars, flitting in the distant tangle of branches, Glad I got at least some kind of record of it.<br /> <br /> "Bran-colored flycatcher are solitary unobtrusive birds, sometimes difficult to see as they move rapidly through the undergrowth in search of small insects and berries." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran-colored_flycatcher" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bran-colored_flycatcher</a><br /> <br /> I wish I could remember where friends and I went on our last morning, 20 March 2017, on the island of Trinidad. When I Google the names of two bird species that we saw only in that area, the name Wallerfield Airfield comes up, so maybe that is where I took two of the three photos posted this morning, 28 February 2018. This was just a short, morning outing, before returning to Asa Wright, where we spent the afternoon photographing some of the birds and packing our bags ready for leaving in the middle of the night (around 2:00 am?) to catch our flight home. <br /> <br /> At one of our first stops on 20 March, we saw this Flycatcher, and a male Masked Yellowthroat. There was also a pair of Ruddy Ground-doves, and we had quick glimpses of a Blue-gray Tanager and a Tropical Mockingbird. I was quite surprised to see the rather fine houses in this area. <br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off! <br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.<br /> <br /> This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M</a><br /> <br /> I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46318162 tag:ipernity.com,2018-02-27,doc-46318162 Tue, 27 Feb 2018 16:41:49 +0000 2017-03-20T06:59:04-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46318162"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/81/62/46318162.ed508cac.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I wish I could remember where friends and I went on our last morning, 20 March 2017, on the island of Trinidad. When I Google the names of two bird species that we saw only in that area, the name Wallerfield Airfield comes up, so maybe that is where I took two of the three photos posted this morning, 27 February 2018. This was just a short, morning outing, before returning to Asa Wright, where we spent the afternoon photographing some of the birds and packing our bags ready for leaving in the middle of the night (around 2:00 am?) to catch our flight home. <br /> <br /> One of our first stops that morning was at the place seen in the next photo. Just off to the left of that photo, we saw a little Bran-coloured Flycatcher, and a Masked Yellowthroat (seen in the above photo). This is a male - the female does not have a mask. There was also a pair of Ruddy Ground-doves. I was quite surprised to see the rather fine houses in this area. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_yellowthroat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_yellowthroat</a><br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off! <br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.<br /> <br /> This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M</a><br /> <br /> I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk</a></div> Masked Yellowthroat / Geothlypis aequinoctialis, Trinidad <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/293827/46318162"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/81/62/46318162.ed508cac.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I wish I could remember where friends and I went on our last morning, 20 March 2017, on the island of Trinidad. When I Google the names of two bird species that we saw only in that area, the name Wallerfield Airfield comes up, so maybe that is where I took two of the three photos posted this morning, 27 February 2018. This was just a short, morning outing, before returning to Asa Wright, where we spent the afternoon photographing some of the birds and packing our bags ready for leaving in the middle of the night (around 2:00 am?) to catch our flight home. <br /> <br /> One of our first stops that morning was at the place seen in the next photo. Just off to the left of that photo, we saw a little Bran-coloured Flycatcher, and a Masked Yellowthroat (seen in the above photo). This is a male - the female does not have a mask. There was also a pair of Ruddy Ground-doves. I was quite surprised to see the rather fine houses in this area. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_yellowthroat" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_yellowthroat</a><br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off! <br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.<br /> <br /> This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M</a><br /> <br /> I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46164288 tag:ipernity.com,2018-01-21,doc-46164288 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:20:43 +0000 2017-12-13T11:41:10-07:00 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/293827/46164288"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/42/88/46164288.d3424b7c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 13 December 2017, I was out on the road by 9:20 am, which is a miracle in itself. I find it almost impossible to get out early when I am going for a drive by myself. I didn't have any photos edited ready to post that morning, which helped. Seeing snowflake icons in the forecast for too many of the days that coming week, I thought I had better take a drive SE of the city while the roads were clear. I was lucky with the clouds in the morning, but it did cloud over in the afternoon. <br /> <br /> My hope was to maybe find a Snowy Owl in this whole area, like I had done in previous years. I knew I would probably have more luck if I drove the back roads NE of the city, but I didn't feel like driving that far. No luck finding a Snowy Owl and, in fact, there were barely any birds of any kind to be seen - just a small flock of Common Redpolls and two or three Magpies. At least I knew that I would pass several old barns that I have photographed on previous occasions. It just felt good to be in such scenery on a beautiful, sunny day. That is, until I somehow got lost on the way back home. I think I know where I may have gone wrong. Seeing a huge road sign that said North Calgary, I wasn't sure if I would end up on the dreaded Deerfoot Trail, like happened last time I was out in that area. So, I kept driving straight and found myself in a fairly built-up area that I had never been in before. Ended up driving back the way I had come until I was on familiar ground. A long way and a lot of wasted time! Total round trip was 333 km.</div> Old and the new <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/293827/46164288"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/42/88/46164288.d3424b7c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 13 December 2017, I was out on the road by 9:20 am, which is a miracle in itself. I find it almost impossible to get out early when I am going for a drive by myself. I didn't have any photos edited ready to post that morning, which helped. Seeing snowflake icons in the forecast for too many of the days that coming week, I thought I had better take a drive SE of the city while the roads were clear. I was lucky with the clouds in the morning, but it did cloud over in the afternoon. <br /> <br /> My hope was to maybe find a Snowy Owl in this whole area, like I had done in previous years. I knew I would probably have more luck if I drove the back roads NE of the city, but I didn't feel like driving that far. No luck finding a Snowy Owl and, in fact, there were barely any birds of any kind to be seen - just a small flock of Common Redpolls and two or three Magpies. At least I knew that I would pass several old barns that I have photographed on previous occasions. It just felt good to be in such scenery on a beautiful, sunny day. That is, until I somehow got lost on the way back home. I think I know where I may have gone wrong. Seeing a huge road sign that said North Calgary, I wasn't sure if I would end up on the dreaded Deerfoot Trail, like happened last time I was out in that area. So, I kept driving straight and found myself in a fairly built-up area that I had never been in before. Ended up driving back the way I had come until I was on familiar ground. A long way and a lot of wasted time! Total round trip was 333 km.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46047654 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-23,doc-46047654 Sat, 23 Dec 2017 16:33:21 +0000 2017-12-19T15:24:51-07:00 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/293827/46047654"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/54/46047654.246a7481.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three more photos from our High River Christmas Bird Count - I need a change of things to photograph! I happened to notice that this Common Redpoll had an orange spot on its forehead, instead of a red one.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant, with low visibility. Looked like there were about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence by the next morning. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon the next day! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.<br /> <br /> Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.<br /> <br /> "High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.<br /> <br /> Mallard-500 <br /> Northern Shoveler-1 f. <br /> Northern Pintail-2 <br /> Common Goldeneye-3 <br /> Gray Partridge-8 <br /> Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake <br /> Prairie Falcon-1 <br /> Rock Pigeon-56 <br /> Great Horned Owl-6 <br /> Snowy Owl-1 <br /> Blue Jay-4 <br /> Black-billed Magpie-17 <br /> Common Raven-4 <br /> Song Sparrow-1 <br /> Snow Bunting-150 <br /> Common Redpoll-790 <br /> House Sparrow-202<br /> Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.<br /> <br /> Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.<br /> <br /> Coyote-4 <br /> Skunk track by observation blind <br /> Meadow Vole-1 <br /> Mule Deer-6 <br /> Moose-1 f.<br /> <br /> Km by Car- 58 <br /> Km on foot -5 <br /> Total km - 63 <br /> <br /> Time by car – 2 hrs <br /> Time on foot-5 hrs <br /> Total party hours-7 hrs"</div> Common Redpoll with an orange spot <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/293827/46047654"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/54/46047654.246a7481.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three more photos from our High River Christmas Bird Count - I need a change of things to photograph! I happened to notice that this Common Redpoll had an orange spot on its forehead, instead of a red one.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant, with low visibility. Looked like there were about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence by the next morning. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon the next day! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow.<br /> <br /> Common Redpolls were enjoyed at some feeders. They gave me the first opportunity to take photos this season. Much as I prefer photos without feeders, I am very glad for this chance. They are such dainty little birds, and fast-moving. It always looks like a feeding frenzy when they are at the feeders.<br /> <br /> "High River CBC, SE Quadrant, including Frank Lake. 0800-1545, Tue, 19 Dec2017. Light overcast, light snow beginning at 1100. N Wind 10kph, -07 to -06°C. Ground bare initially, 3 cm at end. Little Bow River, mostly open.<br /> <br /> Mallard-500 <br /> Northern Shoveler-1 f. <br /> Northern Pintail-2 <br /> Common Goldeneye-3 <br /> Gray Partridge-8 <br /> Bald Eagle-1 ad, on Frank Lake <br /> Prairie Falcon-1 <br /> Rock Pigeon-56 <br /> Great Horned Owl-6 <br /> Snowy Owl-1 <br /> Blue Jay-4 <br /> Black-billed Magpie-17 <br /> Common Raven-4 <br /> Song Sparrow-1 <br /> Snow Bunting-150 <br /> Common Redpoll-790 <br /> House Sparrow-202<br /> Ring-necked Pheasant tracks by observation blind.<br /> <br /> Gord Fraser, on W side of Little Bow, just N of 594 Av, had 40 Gray Partridges this a.m.<br /> <br /> Coyote-4 <br /> Skunk track by observation blind <br /> Meadow Vole-1 <br /> Mule Deer-6 <br /> Moose-1 f.<br /> <br /> Km by Car- 58 <br /> Km on foot -5 <br /> Total km - 63 <br /> <br /> Time by car – 2 hrs <br /> Time on foot-5 hrs <br /> Total party hours-7 hrs"</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/46047646 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-23,doc-46047646 Sat, 23 Dec 2017 16:32:08 +0000 2017-12-19T15:10:03-07:00 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/293827/46047646"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/46/46047646.d3b34d16.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three more photos from our High River Christmas Bird Count - I need a change of things to photograph! This is the same female Moose that I posted the other day, just a more distant shot.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant, with low visibility. Looked like there were about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence by the next morning. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon the next day! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow. I have added a bit of filter in post-processing, to make her stand out a bit more.<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> Hungry Moose <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/293827/46047646"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/76/46/46047646.d3b34d16.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three more photos from our High River Christmas Bird Count - I need a change of things to photograph! This is the same female Moose that I posted the other day, just a more distant shot.<br /> <br /> Four days ago, on 19 December 2017, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for High River, a town to the south of Calgary. I am adding the report by Gus Yaki, the leader of our small group of 7, travelling in two cars. What Gus did not add, because he did not stay for the delicious Potluck supper after the Count, is that the forecast snow (Snowfall Warning in effect) arrived in full force in the evening and the drive back to Calgary was most unpleasant, with low visibility. Looked like there were about 10" of the white stuff on top of my fence by the next morning. Thanks so much, Lorrie and John, for being so kind and picking me up in the early morning and driving me all day long, and then dropping me off for the Potluck and returning later to collect me ready for the three of us to return to Calgary. Appreciated more than I can say! Thanks, also, to Greg Wagner for organizing the Count - as usual, great job! Last, but not least, many thanks to those who organized and prepared such a wonderful feast for us all to thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day! I left home around 7:00 am and arrived home about 8:15 pm, finally getting to bed at 2:00 am and eventually waking up at noon the next day! Was I tired after a full day out, especially after only two hours sleep the previous night!<br /> <br /> I should also add my thanks to the various property owners who very kindly gave us permission to wander round their farmyards in search of any birds. Being allowed to do this adds so much more interest to our Count day, and we really appreciate it.<br /> <br /> One exciting sighting was a beautiful female Moose, maybe two years old! This was the very first sighting ever of a Moose in our SE quadrant of the High River Count circle. From a distance, she was barely noticeable through the falling snow. I have added a bit of filter in post-processing, to make her stand out a bit more.<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/293827/46017034 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-15,doc-46017034 Fri, 15 Dec 2017 16:28:34 +0000 2017-12-13T11:43:09-07:00 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/293827/46017034"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/70/34/46017034.412432e9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Two days ago, on 13 December 2017, I was out on the road by 9:20 am, which is a miracle in itself. I find it almost impossible to get out early when I am going for a drive by myself. I didn't have any photos edited ready to post that morning, which helped. Seeing snowflake icons in the forecast for too many of the days this coming week, I thought I had better take a drive SE of the city while the roads were clear. I was lucky with the clouds in the morning, but it did cloud over in the afternoon. <br /> <br /> My hope was to maybe find a Snowy Owl in this whole area, like I had done in previous years. I knew I would probably have more luck if I drove the back roads NE of the city, but I didn't feel like driving that far. No luck finding a Snowy Owl and, in fact, there were barely any birds of any kind to be seen - just a small flock of Common Redpolls and two or three Magpies. At least I knew that I would pass several old barns that I have photographed on previous occasions. It just felt good to be in such scenery on a beautiful, sunny day. That is, until I somehow got lost on the way back home. I think I know where I may have gone wrong. Seeing a huge road sign that said North Calgary, I wasn't sure if I would end up on the dreaded Deerfoot Trail, like happened last time I was out in that area. So, I kept driving straight and found myself in a fairly built-up area that I had never been in before. Ended up driving back the way I had come until I was on familiar ground. A long way and a lot of wasted time!<br /> <br /> Our temperature this morning, 15 December 2017, is -2C, much cooler than what we have been having the last while. The forecast for tonight and tomorrow is for a few snow flurries, then a couple of nice days before the snow returns, just in time for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. Looks like we may be getting a white Christmas after all. Everywhere is bone dry and firefighters were battling a grass fire just the other day, so moisture is much-needed. Crazy in December!</div> Looking across the prairie <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/293827/46017034"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/70/34/46017034.412432e9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Two days ago, on 13 December 2017, I was out on the road by 9:20 am, which is a miracle in itself. I find it almost impossible to get out early when I am going for a drive by myself. I didn't have any photos edited ready to post that morning, which helped. Seeing snowflake icons in the forecast for too many of the days this coming week, I thought I had better take a drive SE of the city while the roads were clear. I was lucky with the clouds in the morning, but it did cloud over in the afternoon. <br /> <br /> My hope was to maybe find a Snowy Owl in this whole area, like I had done in previous years. I knew I would probably have more luck if I drove the back roads NE of the city, but I didn't feel like driving that far. No luck finding a Snowy Owl and, in fact, there were barely any birds of any kind to be seen - just a small flock of Common Redpolls and two or three Magpies. At least I knew that I would pass several old barns that I have photographed on previous occasions. It just felt good to be in such scenery on a beautiful, sunny day. That is, until I somehow got lost on the way back home. I think I know where I may have gone wrong. Seeing a huge road sign that said North Calgary, I wasn't sure if I would end up on the dreaded Deerfoot Trail, like happened last time I was out in that area. So, I kept driving straight and found myself in a fairly built-up area that I had never been in before. Ended up driving back the way I had come until I was on familiar ground. A long way and a lot of wasted time!<br /> <br /> Our temperature this morning, 15 December 2017, is -2C, much cooler than what we have been having the last while. The forecast for tonight and tomorrow is for a few snow flurries, then a couple of nice days before the snow returns, just in time for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. Looks like we may be getting a white Christmas after all. Everywhere is bone dry and firefighters were battling a grass fire just the other day, so moisture is much-needed. Crazy in December!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45999350 tag:ipernity.com,2017-12-10,doc-45999350 Sun, 10 Dec 2017 17:25:16 +0000 2017-12-09T12:30:54-07:00 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/293827/45999350"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/50/45999350.999d5f3a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">"The CEI (Cochrane Ecological Institute) is a family founded, charitable organization devoted to breeding endangered species for reintroduction, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release, educating the public, monitoring habitat and species, and developing non intrusive wildlife survey methods. The CEI was founded (1971) by Miles and Beryl Smeeton and is now run by their daughter, Clio Smeeton. Miles and Beryl Smeeton were internationally known sailors, mountaineers, and explorers.<br /> <br /> The Smeetons initiated the swift fox reintroduction program in Canada in 1972, six years before the species was declared extirpated in Canada. All animals held at the CEI are destined for reintroduction. They are not maintained for public exhibit, trade, or sale. Over the 26 years of its existence the CEI has also been an integral part of the Canadian Wildlife Service's Trumpeter swan (Cygnus bucinnator) and wood bison (B.b.athabascae) reintroduction programs, as well as playing a key role in the Canadian swift fox reintroduction program. The CEI is unique in that it holds the world's longest established (1972), largest (20 pairs), and only captive breeding colony of swift fox. These animals are bred solely for reintroduction as part of the CEI's ecosystem restoration program. <br /> <br /> Internationally, as species and habitat vanish, the concept of ecosystem restoration through the reintroduction of indigenous flora and fauna, is gaining greater and greater prominence. The preservation of habitat without those species, which made that habitat a viable whole, is a sterile exercise." From the CEI's website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ceinst.org/about-us.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ceinst.org/about-us.html</a><br /> <br /> "Cochrane Ecological Institute's Swift Fox Reintroduction programs began in 1972 under the direction of Beryl and Miles Smeeton. Since that time 0ver 800 Swift fox were reintroduced to the Canadian Prairie. This has resulted in the Species being downlisted by the Canadian Government from Extirpated to Endangered.<br /> <br /> In 1998 the CEI was invited by the Blackfeet Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department, Browning, Montana to join in a partnership to start the first swift fox re-introduction in the USA on the Blackfeet Tribal Lands. Defenders of Wildlife also became partners in this project and the first swift foxes were released on Blackfeet land in the fall of 1998.This program continued until 2003.<br /> <br /> The CEI was requested to design and implement a Swift Fox reintroduction program on Blood reserve lands in Alberta Canada in 2003. This resulted in only a 2 year program because of complications resulting from permitting problems and the new Species at Risk Act in Canada." From the CEI website.<br /> <br /> Friend, Gayle, had made an appointment to go to this Centre yesterday, 9 December 2017, and invited me to go along, too. I had longed to visit and, a few years ago, two friends and I were all set to go, but a major storm prevented us from going. Made an interesting morning yesterday, going on a tour of the grounds with our guide, Lisa Dahlseide. I know Lisa in connection with the Weaselhead Natural Area and it was so nice to see that she was going to be our leader for this walk. She has such a wealth of knowledge and her personality is very much a "people person", including doing a lot of work with young children and nature. As well as being a busy mother of three young children, she is part time Naturalist with Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society and the Education Director for the Cochrane Ecological Institute.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, I was too busy being distracted by taking photos of things, that I missed a lot of the explanations for the animals/birds that we saw. I always think that I will be able to find information once I get home and get on the Internet, but that doesn't always happen. "Wildlife" that we saw including several (4?) Bison that had originally been brought up from Waterton years ago; the deer; several Wild Turkeys; a Great Horned Owl that is unable to be released and, apparently, does not have the right personality for being trained as a Wildlife Ambassador; and a pair of birds that I have never seen before - White Pheasants. I missed the explanation for these Pheasants, unfortunately. <br /> <br /> After our visit to the Centre, we drove to Cochrane for an enjoyable lunch. Took a while to drive round looking for somewhere to eat - I had no idea that Cochrane had grown so much. Thanks so much, Gayle, for a different kind of day! Much enjoyed and appreciated.</div> Wild Turkey <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/293827/45999350"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/50/45999350.999d5f3a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">"The CEI (Cochrane Ecological Institute) is a family founded, charitable organization devoted to breeding endangered species for reintroduction, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release, educating the public, monitoring habitat and species, and developing non intrusive wildlife survey methods. The CEI was founded (1971) by Miles and Beryl Smeeton and is now run by their daughter, Clio Smeeton. Miles and Beryl Smeeton were internationally known sailors, mountaineers, and explorers.<br /> <br /> The Smeetons initiated the swift fox reintroduction program in Canada in 1972, six years before the species was declared extirpated in Canada. All animals held at the CEI are destined for reintroduction. They are not maintained for public exhibit, trade, or sale. Over the 26 years of its existence the CEI has also been an integral part of the Canadian Wildlife Service's Trumpeter swan (Cygnus bucinnator) and wood bison (B.b.athabascae) reintroduction programs, as well as playing a key role in the Canadian swift fox reintroduction program. The CEI is unique in that it holds the world's longest established (1972), largest (20 pairs), and only captive breeding colony of swift fox. These animals are bred solely for reintroduction as part of the CEI's ecosystem restoration program. <br /> <br /> Internationally, as species and habitat vanish, the concept of ecosystem restoration through the reintroduction of indigenous flora and fauna, is gaining greater and greater prominence. The preservation of habitat without those species, which made that habitat a viable whole, is a sterile exercise." From the CEI's website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ceinst.org/about-us.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ceinst.org/about-us.html</a><br /> <br /> "Cochrane Ecological Institute's Swift Fox Reintroduction programs began in 1972 under the direction of Beryl and Miles Smeeton. Since that time 0ver 800 Swift fox were reintroduced to the Canadian Prairie. This has resulted in the Species being downlisted by the Canadian Government from Extirpated to Endangered.<br /> <br /> In 1998 the CEI was invited by the Blackfeet Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department, Browning, Montana to join in a partnership to start the first swift fox re-introduction in the USA on the Blackfeet Tribal Lands. Defenders of Wildlife also became partners in this project and the first swift foxes were released on Blackfeet land in the fall of 1998.This program continued until 2003.<br /> <br /> The CEI was requested to design and implement a Swift Fox reintroduction program on Blood reserve lands in Alberta Canada in 2003. This resulted in only a 2 year program because of complications resulting from permitting problems and the new Species at Risk Act in Canada." From the CEI website.<br /> <br /> Friend, Gayle, had made an appointment to go to this Centre yesterday, 9 December 2017, and invited me to go along, too. I had longed to visit and, a few years ago, two friends and I were all set to go, but a major storm prevented us from going. Made an interesting morning yesterday, going on a tour of the grounds with our guide, Lisa Dahlseide. I know Lisa in connection with the Weaselhead Natural Area and it was so nice to see that she was going to be our leader for this walk. She has such a wealth of knowledge and her personality is very much a "people person", including doing a lot of work with young children and nature. As well as being a busy mother of three young children, she is part time Naturalist with Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society and the Education Director for the Cochrane Ecological Institute.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, I was too busy being distracted by taking photos of things, that I missed a lot of the explanations for the animals/birds that we saw. I always think that I will be able to find information once I get home and get on the Internet, but that doesn't always happen. "Wildlife" that we saw including several (4?) Bison that had originally been brought up from Waterton years ago; the deer; several Wild Turkeys; a Great Horned Owl that is unable to be released and, apparently, does not have the right personality for being trained as a Wildlife Ambassador; and a pair of birds that I have never seen before - White Pheasants. I missed the explanation for these Pheasants, unfortunately. <br /> <br /> After our visit to the Centre, we drove to Cochrane for an enjoyable lunch. Took a while to drive round looking for somewhere to eat - I had no idea that Cochrane had grown so much. Thanks so much, Gayle, for a different kind of day! Much enjoyed and appreciated.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45770068 tag:ipernity.com,2017-11-02,doc-45770068 Thu, 02 Nov 2017 17:42:51 +0000 2017-10-30T16:02:08-06:00 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/293827/45770068"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/00/68/45770068.3a21f2cc.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I don't know if everyone is getting so many small things going wrong with Flickr at the moment. It seems as if everything I try to do goes wrong or takes too long to work. Stats are a mess.<br /> <br /> Last night and this morning, 2 November 2017, we had our first major fall of snow in the city (at least in my part of the city). Still snowing this afternoon, and I'm just so thankful I don't have to go anywhere today. Temperature is -10C (windchill -18C) at around 1:30 pm. Stay warm, everyone, and drive safely!<br /> <br /> Again, all three photos posted this morning were taken three days ago, on 30 October 2017. They show what a varied day I had. I spent the day driving mostly roads that I had been along before (a round trip of 230 km). I still find a few roads so confusing! My destination was partly to check on two old barns that I had only seen and photographed once before. Having been there with my daughter in January 2015, I knew that there were several other old barns and homesteads en route. This day was definitely a barn day, not a bird or wildlife day. <br /> <br /> The large barn in a photo I posted the day before yesterday was one that I had been looking forward to finding and seeing for the first time, which I finally did in January 2015, with my daughter. I would love to have been able to get photos from both sides of it, but it was in a farmer's field that was, of course, private property. <br /> <br /> The second old barn that I saw in this area is in far worse condition, but I love it. It was funny, because I was standing in the road and had already taken a handful of photos of this crumbling, weathered structure, when I noticed someone walking towards me in the distance. Talk about deja vu! I started walking towards her and it turned out that she lived at the farm just down the road, but had previously lived in the house next to this decaying barn and it was her property. She told me to wander wherever I wished, take as many photos as I wanted. I laughed and said that in January 2015, when my daughter and I had been standing right there in the road, a lady came by on her horse and told us the very same story - it must have been the same person! Felt so good!<br /> <br /> Another place I stopped at was a farmyard full of old barns, sheds and vehicles. I pulled over and got out to take a quick shot of an old, blue truck from across the road. A person happened to just appear, walking across his farmyard, so I called out to him and we had a delightful chat. I think he was very amused at my passion for old things and told me to walk around and take whatever photos I wanted. Which I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! The blue truck in a photo posted two days ago was just one of several old vehicles, mainly cars. I told him what an amazing place he had, full of interesting things. I got the impression that he saw things very differently - lots of old things that needed fixing or tidying up : ) I told him to just leave everything as it is - a photographer's dream : )<br /> <br /> On the way home, I called in at the Saskatoon Farm to see if the restaurant was still open, but it had just closed (3:30 pm). I realized I had been enjoying myself so much that I had totally forgotten to eat anything all day. Managed to get a much-needed cup of coffee, though, and I did buy a box of frozen, uncooked Saskatoon Berry and White Chocolate scones. I bought some of these last time I was there and they are so good, piping hot, straight out of the oven. Noticed this lonely autumn leaf on one of the shrubs - added a touch of filter to the image in post-processing.</div> Goodbye fall, hello winter! <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/293827/45770068"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/00/68/45770068.3a21f2cc.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I don't know if everyone is getting so many small things going wrong with Flickr at the moment. It seems as if everything I try to do goes wrong or takes too long to work. Stats are a mess.<br /> <br /> Last night and this morning, 2 November 2017, we had our first major fall of snow in the city (at least in my part of the city). Still snowing this afternoon, and I'm just so thankful I don't have to go anywhere today. Temperature is -10C (windchill -18C) at around 1:30 pm. Stay warm, everyone, and drive safely!<br /> <br /> Again, all three photos posted this morning were taken three days ago, on 30 October 2017. They show what a varied day I had. I spent the day driving mostly roads that I had been along before (a round trip of 230 km). I still find a few roads so confusing! My destination was partly to check on two old barns that I had only seen and photographed once before. Having been there with my daughter in January 2015, I knew that there were several other old barns and homesteads en route. This day was definitely a barn day, not a bird or wildlife day. <br /> <br /> The large barn in a photo I posted the day before yesterday was one that I had been looking forward to finding and seeing for the first time, which I finally did in January 2015, with my daughter. I would love to have been able to get photos from both sides of it, but it was in a farmer's field that was, of course, private property. <br /> <br /> The second old barn that I saw in this area is in far worse condition, but I love it. It was funny, because I was standing in the road and had already taken a handful of photos of this crumbling, weathered structure, when I noticed someone walking towards me in the distance. Talk about deja vu! I started walking towards her and it turned out that she lived at the farm just down the road, but had previously lived in the house next to this decaying barn and it was her property. She told me to wander wherever I wished, take as many photos as I wanted. I laughed and said that in January 2015, when my daughter and I had been standing right there in the road, a lady came by on her horse and told us the very same story - it must have been the same person! Felt so good!<br /> <br /> Another place I stopped at was a farmyard full of old barns, sheds and vehicles. I pulled over and got out to take a quick shot of an old, blue truck from across the road. A person happened to just appear, walking across his farmyard, so I called out to him and we had a delightful chat. I think he was very amused at my passion for old things and told me to walk around and take whatever photos I wanted. Which I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! The blue truck in a photo posted two days ago was just one of several old vehicles, mainly cars. I told him what an amazing place he had, full of interesting things. I got the impression that he saw things very differently - lots of old things that needed fixing or tidying up : ) I told him to just leave everything as it is - a photographer's dream : )<br /> <br /> On the way home, I called in at the Saskatoon Farm to see if the restaurant was still open, but it had just closed (3:30 pm). I realized I had been enjoying myself so much that I had totally forgotten to eat anything all day. Managed to get a much-needed cup of coffee, though, and I did buy a box of frozen, uncooked Saskatoon Berry and White Chocolate scones. I bought some of these last time I was there and they are so good, piping hot, straight out of the oven. Noticed this lonely autumn leaf on one of the shrubs - added a touch of filter to the image in post-processing.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45649378 tag:ipernity.com,2017-10-10,doc-45649378 Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:01:12 +0000 2017-09-24T12:30:04-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45649378"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/78/45649378.64842204.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is, unfortunately, not a good quality photo - zoomed in from a long distance - but I loved the red berries and the fact that the owl was perched on a fence post.<br /> <br /> This photo was taken on 24 September 2017, when I ended up driving east of the city on my own. The meeting time for a trip east with other birders was given incorrectly in our newsletter, which said 9:30 am instead of 8:00 am that was given in a different place. Three of us arrived around 9:15 am, only to discover that no one else turned up. So, we went for a walk at the meeting place, Carburn Park, and afterwards, I decided that I would drive east of the city and wander around a few of the back roads. It was definitely a good decision as, though I didn't see many birds, two of them were beautiful Great Horned Owls.<br /> <br /> I ended up driving very different back roads to what I had thought of doing. They were all in the south of the area, and many were new roads to me. Old barns outnumbered birds photographed, with about five new barns and just two owls. The first owl I came across (seen in this photo) flew low across the road in front of me. At first, I thought it was a hawk of some kind, as Great Horned Owls aren't often seen flying in the daytime, It landed on a fence post in a field, where it sat for a minute or two, before flying to a distant old barn window on a farm property. <br /> <br /> Later on, after getting myself completely lost, I realized that I was not too far from an old grain elevator that I had discovered four years ago. On that day, I remember being so happy to have come across this elevator. That day, when I got out of my car and walked a bit closer to get photos, I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed a Great Horned Owl sitting in a window. I never expected that there would be an owl in the window again, but there it was! Happy day!<br /> <br /> The following day, 25 September 2017, I spent the day with a friend, travelling south of the city to the Pine Coulee Reservoir and area. The rolling hills of this whole area are so beautiful. The birds we saw were all far away, needing Tony's spotting scope, except for a Eurasian Collared Dove and several small birds. Meanwhile, I was enjoying the scenery and anything else that caught my eye.<br /> <br /> We called in at the Pine Coulee campground and the Willow Creek Provincial Park campground and did a walk at each. Both were deserted and very peaceful. At the Willow Creek Provincial Park campground, the silence was broken by the call of a Belted Kingfisher. There was a bright yellow sign warning that there was a Bear in the area, but it was nowhere to be seen.<br /> <br /> The weather was perfect all day, starting off chilly, but getting up to about 20C in the afternoon, and a sky full of clouds. Thanks so much for the invite, Tony - much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed! Pure luxury, too, not having to drive.</div> Great Horned Owl on a fence post <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/293827/45649378"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/78/45649378.64842204.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is, unfortunately, not a good quality photo - zoomed in from a long distance - but I loved the red berries and the fact that the owl was perched on a fence post.<br /> <br /> This photo was taken on 24 September 2017, when I ended up driving east of the city on my own. The meeting time for a trip east with other birders was given incorrectly in our newsletter, which said 9:30 am instead of 8:00 am that was given in a different place. Three of us arrived around 9:15 am, only to discover that no one else turned up. So, we went for a walk at the meeting place, Carburn Park, and afterwards, I decided that I would drive east of the city and wander around a few of the back roads. It was definitely a good decision as, though I didn't see many birds, two of them were beautiful Great Horned Owls.<br /> <br /> I ended up driving very different back roads to what I had thought of doing. They were all in the south of the area, and many were new roads to me. Old barns outnumbered birds photographed, with about five new barns and just two owls. The first owl I came across (seen in this photo) flew low across the road in front of me. At first, I thought it was a hawk of some kind, as Great Horned Owls aren't often seen flying in the daytime, It landed on a fence post in a field, where it sat for a minute or two, before flying to a distant old barn window on a farm property. <br /> <br /> Later on, after getting myself completely lost, I realized that I was not too far from an old grain elevator that I had discovered four years ago. On that day, I remember being so happy to have come across this elevator. That day, when I got out of my car and walked a bit closer to get photos, I couldn't believe my eyes when I noticed a Great Horned Owl sitting in a window. I never expected that there would be an owl in the window again, but there it was! Happy day!<br /> <br /> The following day, 25 September 2017, I spent the day with a friend, travelling south of the city to the Pine Coulee Reservoir and area. The rolling hills of this whole area are so beautiful. The birds we saw were all far away, needing Tony's spotting scope, except for a Eurasian Collared Dove and several small birds. Meanwhile, I was enjoying the scenery and anything else that caught my eye.<br /> <br /> We called in at the Pine Coulee campground and the Willow Creek Provincial Park campground and did a walk at each. Both were deserted and very peaceful. At the Willow Creek Provincial Park campground, the silence was broken by the call of a Belted Kingfisher. There was a bright yellow sign warning that there was a Bear in the area, but it was nowhere to be seen.<br /> <br /> The weather was perfect all day, starting off chilly, but getting up to about 20C in the afternoon, and a sky full of clouds. Thanks so much for the invite, Tony - much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed! Pure luxury, too, not having to drive.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44786264 tag:ipernity.com,2017-05-12,doc-44786264 Fri, 12 May 2017 17:43:31 +0000 2017-05-11T16:05:14-06:00 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/293827/44786264"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/62/64/44786264.35b53cdb.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The last 7 images that I have just uploaded were taken yesterday afternoon, 11 May 2017, at a pond in Calgary. Love seeing these beautiful catkins, but I can never remember if they are Bebb's Willow catkins. Much as I would rather not interrupt my Trinidad photos, I did want to post these local birds and plants, otherwise I might forget. Sorry that I have added so many photos, and at such a fast rate! Seeing my calendar filling up rather quickly, I know that I will be getting various chances to take photos, and it would help greatly if I can get my holiday photos finished. <br /> <br /> This morning, I finished the last few photos taken at Manzaniila Beach, Trinidad. From there, we drove the Nariva Swamp area, which is mainly agricultural habitats with some wetlands. Some good birding there and I will be posting various new species. Also, at least a couple of plants that we enjoyed seeing, especially the Sacred Lotus. This is one of my favourite things to photograph in the Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo.</div> Willow - Bebb&#039;s? <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/293827/44786264"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/62/64/44786264.35b53cdb.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">The last 7 images that I have just uploaded were taken yesterday afternoon, 11 May 2017, at a pond in Calgary. Love seeing these beautiful catkins, but I can never remember if they are Bebb's Willow catkins. Much as I would rather not interrupt my Trinidad photos, I did want to post these local birds and plants, otherwise I might forget. Sorry that I have added so many photos, and at such a fast rate! Seeing my calendar filling up rather quickly, I know that I will be getting various chances to take photos, and it would help greatly if I can get my holiday photos finished. <br /> <br /> This morning, I finished the last few photos taken at Manzaniila Beach, Trinidad. From there, we drove the Nariva Swamp area, which is mainly agricultural habitats with some wetlands. Some good birding there and I will be posting various new species. Also, at least a couple of plants that we enjoyed seeing, especially the Sacred Lotus. This is one of my favourite things to photograph in the Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44731942 tag:ipernity.com,2017-04-28,doc-44731942 Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:50:11 +0000 2017-03-16T15:59:01-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44731942"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/42/44731942.005ad431.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I think this was my favourite bird to see during our five day stay at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the island of Trinidad (off the coast of Venezuela). I had seen photos of them before six friends and I went on this adventure, and I was hoping so much that we would see one. I need not have worried, as there were so many of these small, purple/blue birds each day. Just love their bright, yellow legs and feet. I remember reading that some of these birds are darker, more purple than others, and this one seems to be one of the darker ones.<br /> <br /> "The purple honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus) is a small bird in the tanager family. It is found in the tropical New World from Colombia and Venezuela south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. A few, possibly introduced birds have been recorded on Tobago. <br /> <br /> The purple honeycreeper is 4.5 in (11.5 cm) long, weighs 0.42 oz (12 g) and has a long black decurved bill. The male is purple with black wings, tail and belly, and bright yellow legs. Females and immatures have green upperparts, and green-streaked yellowish-buff underparts. The throat is cinnamon, and there is a blue moustachial stripe. The call of purple honeycreeper is a thin high-pitched zree.<br /> <br /> This is a forest canopy species, but also occurs in cocoa and citrus plantations. At the upper limit of its altitudinal range, it frequents premontane rainforest, usually rather low-growing (33–50 ft/10–15 m) and full of epiphytes and mosses.<br /> <br /> The purple honeycreeper is often found in small groups. It feeds on nectar (particularly from bromeliad and similar flowers, to which its bill shape is adapted), berries and insects, mainly in the canopy. It is a bold and inquisitive bird, responding readily to the call of the ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) by coming out of cover and searching for the presumed predator to mob it. The female purple honeycreeper builds a small cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs." From Wikippedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_honeycreeper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_honeycreeper</a><br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday (or was it actually my third?) of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!<br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> Even after five weeks, I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.</div> Purple Honeycreeper male, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad <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/293827/44731942"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/42/44731942.005ad431.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I think this was my favourite bird to see during our five day stay at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the island of Trinidad (off the coast of Venezuela). I had seen photos of them before six friends and I went on this adventure, and I was hoping so much that we would see one. I need not have worried, as there were so many of these small, purple/blue birds each day. Just love their bright, yellow legs and feet. I remember reading that some of these birds are darker, more purple than others, and this one seems to be one of the darker ones.<br /> <br /> "The purple honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus) is a small bird in the tanager family. It is found in the tropical New World from Colombia and Venezuela south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. A few, possibly introduced birds have been recorded on Tobago. <br /> <br /> The purple honeycreeper is 4.5 in (11.5 cm) long, weighs 0.42 oz (12 g) and has a long black decurved bill. The male is purple with black wings, tail and belly, and bright yellow legs. Females and immatures have green upperparts, and green-streaked yellowish-buff underparts. The throat is cinnamon, and there is a blue moustachial stripe. The call of purple honeycreeper is a thin high-pitched zree.<br /> <br /> This is a forest canopy species, but also occurs in cocoa and citrus plantations. At the upper limit of its altitudinal range, it frequents premontane rainforest, usually rather low-growing (33–50 ft/10–15 m) and full of epiphytes and mosses.<br /> <br /> The purple honeycreeper is often found in small groups. It feeds on nectar (particularly from bromeliad and similar flowers, to which its bill shape is adapted), berries and insects, mainly in the canopy. It is a bold and inquisitive bird, responding readily to the call of the ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) by coming out of cover and searching for the presumed predator to mob it. The female purple honeycreeper builds a small cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs." From Wikippedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_honeycreeper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_honeycreeper</a><br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday (or was it actually my third?) of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!<br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> Even after five weeks, I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44670992 tag:ipernity.com,2017-04-19,doc-44670992 Wed, 19 Apr 2017 16:56:25 +0000 2017-03-16T10:13:07-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44670992"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/09/92/44670992.a6ffd693.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Late last night, around midnight, I posted the remaining photos form Day 4 of my trip to Trinidad & Tobago. Many of the things seen in the photos were things that I wanted to remember, but that did not make very inspiring images, to myself or anyone else. Anyway, Day 4 is now over and so I am half way through the trip. It has taken me four weeks to get this much done, so I still have a few more weeks to go. Now that spring has arrived, things get so much busier, what with birding, and botany that is about to start. Not to mention that I still have to get my Taxes done and I'm running out of time. Since I returned home, I have only been out with my camera three times, I think - in fact, basically, I have just sat and sat at my computer! - but I do have several photos that I want to post, just to remind myself of where I went and a few of the things I saw. Maybe I will post these tonight, before I start on Day 5 of Trinidad & Tobago - I think they will provide a much-needed break from endless, very green photos! I had hoped to post all my holiday photos without interruption, but I can see that's not going to happen.<br /> <br /> The above photo is of a beautiful tropical plant with a common name, Hot Lips, for obvious reasons. One of the synonyms that I have seen used is Cephaelis tomentosa. The photo was taken towards the end of a morning's walk at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, along a trail that led to several interesting birds, including the unusual Bearded Bellbird (photos posted last night). If I remember correctly, the afternoon was spent at the Centre, watching birds from the veranda. <br /> <br /> "P. poeppigiana is a large shrub. The inflorescences are carried upright or semi-erect and are surrounded by large bracts, colored a conspicuous red, that attract pollinators. The flowers themselves are inconspicuous, with the small yellow petals and sepals forming a narrow corollar tube. Pollinators are mainly hummingbirds, namely small hermit (Phaethornithinae) species like the black-throated hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis), straight-billed hermit (P. bourcieri) and reddish hermit (P. ruber). They do not insert their bills deeply into the small flowers, and thus the pollinators of this bush include curved- and straight-billed species alike." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotria_poeppigiana" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotria_poeppigiana</a><br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday (or was it actually my third?) of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!<br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to squeeze past each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> Even after exactly one month, I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.</div> Hot Lips / Psychotria poeppigiana, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Trinidad <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/293827/44670992"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/09/92/44670992.a6ffd693.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Late last night, around midnight, I posted the remaining photos form Day 4 of my trip to Trinidad & Tobago. Many of the things seen in the photos were things that I wanted to remember, but that did not make very inspiring images, to myself or anyone else. Anyway, Day 4 is now over and so I am half way through the trip. It has taken me four weeks to get this much done, so I still have a few more weeks to go. Now that spring has arrived, things get so much busier, what with birding, and botany that is about to start. Not to mention that I still have to get my Taxes done and I'm running out of time. Since I returned home, I have only been out with my camera three times, I think - in fact, basically, I have just sat and sat at my computer! - but I do have several photos that I want to post, just to remind myself of where I went and a few of the things I saw. Maybe I will post these tonight, before I start on Day 5 of Trinidad & Tobago - I think they will provide a much-needed break from endless, very green photos! I had hoped to post all my holiday photos without interruption, but I can see that's not going to happen.<br /> <br /> The above photo is of a beautiful tropical plant with a common name, Hot Lips, for obvious reasons. One of the synonyms that I have seen used is Cephaelis tomentosa. The photo was taken towards the end of a morning's walk at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, along a trail that led to several interesting birds, including the unusual Bearded Bellbird (photos posted last night). If I remember correctly, the afternoon was spent at the Centre, watching birds from the veranda. <br /> <br /> "P. poeppigiana is a large shrub. The inflorescences are carried upright or semi-erect and are surrounded by large bracts, colored a conspicuous red, that attract pollinators. The flowers themselves are inconspicuous, with the small yellow petals and sepals forming a narrow corollar tube. Pollinators are mainly hummingbirds, namely small hermit (Phaethornithinae) species like the black-throated hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis), straight-billed hermit (P. bourcieri) and reddish hermit (P. ruber). They do not insert their bills deeply into the small flowers, and thus the pollinators of this bush include curved- and straight-billed species alike." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotria_poeppigiana" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotria_poeppigiana</a><br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday (or was it actually my third?) of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!<br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to squeeze past each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> Even after exactly one month, I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44530698 tag:ipernity.com,2017-03-26,doc-44530698 Sun, 26 Mar 2017 16:31:57 +0000 2017-03-13T08:18:10-06:00 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/293827/44530698"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/98/44530698.4f28f665.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This was one of the first birds I saw when we arrived at the Blue Waters Inn, on the island of Tobago, on 13 March 2017. I kept hearing beautiful bird song, but it took me a while to find the bird. and I only just managed to get this quick shot.<br /> <br /> "The bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) is a species of passerine bird of uncertain relation. It is tentatively placed in the tanager family, but classified as incertae sedis by other authorities such as the American Ornithologists' Union. Its classification is debated, and it is often placed in its own family: Coerebidae. It has recently been suggested the bananaquit should be split into three species, but this has yet to receive widespread recognition. This small, active nectarivore is found in warmer parts of the Americas, and is generally common." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananaquit" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananaquit</a><br /> <br /> Bear with me, everyone, as I think I am going to have to post 5 photos (I posted 6 the first two days) from my trip each day, otherwise it will take me many months (years?) to get them on to Flickr. Obviously, no comments expected, unless you happen to like one photo in particular. Actually, I am so disappointed with my photos - never have so many photos come out blurry, many totally blurry and no use at all. I'm not sure why, though the light was often really bad and maybe the humidity had some effect. For some species, I will be posting awful shots, just for the record. I might even post a pile of photos at a time this evening, when fewer people are on Flickr, and then post five better images tomorrow morning. Won't even stop and add descriptions, etc., just so that I can get my photos added here.<br /> <br /> It will take me forever to do much of a write-up about this trip, but I hope to add an extra bit of information about each photo to the very simple, basic description. Right now, I'm not quite sure where I was and when, lol! We arrived back in Calgary in the evening of 21 March 2017, and I have to get myself somewhat organized and should be seeing to all sorts of important things. Instead, of course, I have been stuck in front of my computer all day, each day : ) Totally dead beat after such a busy time away, dealing with extremely early mornings and hot, humid weather. Those of you who know me well, know that I am a dreadful night-owl, so getting up around 5:15 am was an absolute killer. Also, heat and humidity don't agree with my body, so each trip out was quite exhausting - but a thrill, of course! In the morning of 21 March, we had to get up around 2:00 am, as we had such an early flight (5 and a half hours) from Trinidad to Toronto - followed by a four-hour flight back to Calgary. On our very first day, we had three flights in a row, as we flew from Calgary to Toronto, then Toronto to Port of Spain on Trinidad, from where we had a short flight to the island of Tobago. <br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday (or was it actually my third?) of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week holiday with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!<br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with quite a few of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the much larger island of Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to squeeze past each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> I'm already missing the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing.</div> Bananaquit / Coereba flaveola, Tobago <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/293827/44530698"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/98/44530698.4f28f665.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This was one of the first birds I saw when we arrived at the Blue Waters Inn, on the island of Tobago, on 13 March 2017. I kept hearing beautiful bird song, but it took me a while to find the bird. and I only just managed to get this quick shot.<br /> <br /> "The bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) is a species of passerine bird of uncertain relation. It is tentatively placed in the tanager family, but classified as incertae sedis by other authorities such as the American Ornithologists' Union. Its classification is debated, and it is often placed in its own family: Coerebidae. It has recently been suggested the bananaquit should be split into three species, but this has yet to receive widespread recognition. This small, active nectarivore is found in warmer parts of the Americas, and is generally common." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananaquit" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananaquit</a><br /> <br /> Bear with me, everyone, as I think I am going to have to post 5 photos (I posted 6 the first two days) from my trip each day, otherwise it will take me many months (years?) to get them on to Flickr. Obviously, no comments expected, unless you happen to like one photo in particular. Actually, I am so disappointed with my photos - never have so many photos come out blurry, many totally blurry and no use at all. I'm not sure why, though the light was often really bad and maybe the humidity had some effect. For some species, I will be posting awful shots, just for the record. I might even post a pile of photos at a time this evening, when fewer people are on Flickr, and then post five better images tomorrow morning. Won't even stop and add descriptions, etc., just so that I can get my photos added here.<br /> <br /> It will take me forever to do much of a write-up about this trip, but I hope to add an extra bit of information about each photo to the very simple, basic description. Right now, I'm not quite sure where I was and when, lol! We arrived back in Calgary in the evening of 21 March 2017, and I have to get myself somewhat organized and should be seeing to all sorts of important things. Instead, of course, I have been stuck in front of my computer all day, each day : ) Totally dead beat after such a busy time away, dealing with extremely early mornings and hot, humid weather. Those of you who know me well, know that I am a dreadful night-owl, so getting up around 5:15 am was an absolute killer. Also, heat and humidity don't agree with my body, so each trip out was quite exhausting - but a thrill, of course! In the morning of 21 March, we had to get up around 2:00 am, as we had such an early flight (5 and a half hours) from Trinidad to Toronto - followed by a four-hour flight back to Calgary. On our very first day, we had three flights in a row, as we flew from Calgary to Toronto, then Toronto to Port of Spain on Trinidad, from where we had a short flight to the island of Tobago. <br /> <br /> This adventure was only the second holiday (or was it actually my third?) of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week holiday with my great friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. <br /> <br /> Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - flights (we were so very lucky to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off!), accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could chose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself!<br /> <br /> What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with quite a few of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. <br /> <br /> The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on the much larger island of Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up a mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a van/small bus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was just enough room for two vehicles to squeeze past each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road took just over an hour each way.<br /> <br /> I'm already missing the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44258424 tag:ipernity.com,2017-01-22,doc-44258424 Sun, 22 Jan 2017 18:02:06 +0000 2016-11-11T12:13:14-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44258424"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/24/44258424.6f50c8c0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Wondering .... is this photo showing as my main image for today? Not supposed to be.<br /> <br /> This photo was taken on 11 November 2016, when my daughter and I had a day out together. We started off at 9:00 am and drove straight to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast - I had my usual delicious meal of quiche and sweet potato fries. On a quick wander round the grounds, several Ornamental Cabbage or Flowering Kale were the only plants with colour. The rest had all gone to seed. These hanging fruit caught my eye, but I don't know what they are. The background is a wall of a huge greenhouse.<br /> <br /> The Saskatoon Farm is an interesting place that is maybe a 25-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside greenhouses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things, and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They also have a restaurant that offers great food. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.saskatoonfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.saskatoonfarm.com/</a><br /> <br /> We then drove west into Okotoks, to go to the antique store, All Around the House, and to the Christmas Market being held in the town.<br /> <br /> From here, for some insane reason, we drove as far as Millarville to go to their annual Christmas Market. I don't think I have ever seen as many cars anywhere, for anything! It was totally crazy, with endless vehicles lined up along various nearby roads, waiting to be able to park in the fields, as the market parking lot was full most of the time. Thankfully, they had arranged for two or three small school buses to transport people from the field to the Market. Some people chose to get a wagon ride instead, or walk. <br /> <br /> Later, when we were ready to leave, we had to wait for a bus again. More time (hours?) was spent waiting for buses than was spent actually walking around the huge Market. Once inside, it was absolutely packed, so you couldn't really get to any of the booths to look at things, anyway. I think we've both decided that this would probably be our last annual trip to this Market! We know that it would be much more relaxing and fun to be driving the back roads, looking for birds and other things to photograph : ) However, for me, the main reason for this day was to spend precious time with my daughter, so it was a good day. Thanks, Rachel!</div> Unidentified fruit <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/293827/44258424"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/24/44258424.6f50c8c0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Wondering .... is this photo showing as my main image for today? Not supposed to be.<br /> <br /> This photo was taken on 11 November 2016, when my daughter and I had a day out together. We started off at 9:00 am and drove straight to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast - I had my usual delicious meal of quiche and sweet potato fries. On a quick wander round the grounds, several Ornamental Cabbage or Flowering Kale were the only plants with colour. The rest had all gone to seed. These hanging fruit caught my eye, but I don't know what they are. The background is a wall of a huge greenhouse.<br /> <br /> The Saskatoon Farm is an interesting place that is maybe a 25-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside greenhouses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things, and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They also have a restaurant that offers great food. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.saskatoonfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.saskatoonfarm.com/</a><br /> <br /> We then drove west into Okotoks, to go to the antique store, All Around the House, and to the Christmas Market being held in the town.<br /> <br /> From here, for some insane reason, we drove as far as Millarville to go to their annual Christmas Market. I don't think I have ever seen as many cars anywhere, for anything! It was totally crazy, with endless vehicles lined up along various nearby roads, waiting to be able to park in the fields, as the market parking lot was full most of the time. Thankfully, they had arranged for two or three small school buses to transport people from the field to the Market. Some people chose to get a wagon ride instead, or walk. <br /> <br /> Later, when we were ready to leave, we had to wait for a bus again. More time (hours?) was spent waiting for buses than was spent actually walking around the huge Market. Once inside, it was absolutely packed, so you couldn't really get to any of the booths to look at things, anyway. I think we've both decided that this would probably be our last annual trip to this Market! We know that it would be much more relaxing and fun to be driving the back roads, looking for birds and other things to photograph : ) However, for me, the main reason for this day was to spend precious time with my daughter, so it was a good day. Thanks, Rachel!</div> Anne Elliott