Brown Creeper

To quote the first sentence in the "Birds of Alberta" book by Fisher and Acorn:

"Creepers are downright hard to find".

Intent on its feeding, the creeper spirals up large tree trunks, myopically plucking hidden invertebrate morsels from bark fissures with its tweezer-like bill. When it reaches the upper branches, the creeper takes a short flight down to the base of a neighbouring tree to begin another ascent. When Brown Creepers are frightened, they freeze and flatten against tree trunks, becoming even harder to see."

Uncommon year-round in Alberta. Saw this one (and two others) at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, this afternoon. Very difficult birds to photograph, as they move so quickly! When I do see them, they are usually climbing up a tree, not feeding on the ground. Wish I could get one in sunlight - they are always deep in the grove of trees, so light is poor and hence not a good image : ). Camouflage for these small birds is amazing when they are against the tree bark.