The look
Backroads only for the brave
Ruddy Duck in June
A farmyard find
Rural winter scene
So much snow everywhere
Beware of the ditches
Lilium pardalinum
Hairy Woodpecker
Snow, snow and more snow
Yesterday's treat
At rest under the old tree
Storm clouds east of the city
Protea
The road to William's Coulee
Ruffed Grouse
I think I hear something
Road conditions
You can always count on a Chickadee
Warm, yellow rays
A quick glance
Pink Straw Flowers
Gray Jay up close
Dangling hearts
Clay-coloured Sparrow
A distant Golden Eagle
An apple a day ...
Mountain Chickadee
Go away, snow!
It's all about the eyes
A cold day of birding
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Perfectly textured
Looking almost unreal
A view from Mt. Shark, Kananaskis
Golden Eagle
Icy reflections
Spruce Grouse male
Bathed in sunlight
Am I a Sawflly Larva?
A distant Boreal Chickadee
Gray Jay pose
Happy New Year
Just happened to notice...
Colour on this winter wonderland day
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Sunlit Sharp-tailed Grouse


Sunday, 5 January 2014 was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton and its surrounding areas. This count was originally supposed to have taken place on 28 December 2013, but the weather forecast warned of a Flash Freeze, and so it was postponed till 5 January 2014. As you can see, the weather was bright and sunny for us that day. What you can't see was that it was brutally cold that day! On the hour-long drive south of Calgary, we hit -34C (-29.2F)!!!!! It did eventually warm up a few degrees and thankfully, there was no or very little wind, which makes all the difference. The only walking we had to do was when we called in at various farms and homesteads. One backroad in particular had too much snow on it, so we had to leave that one out. Also, there was just too much snow in many of the farmyards, so we weren't able to check out all the trees and bushes as thoroughly as we would like to have done. I absolutely love the scenery on this Count, so I was able to get a few shots to show some typical landscapes. As you can guess, this beautiful Sharp-tailed Grouse was a long way away - photographed at 48x zoom and then heavily cropped. Last winter, I did better with photos of them than this Count, but I'm still happy to have managed to get any shot. This area SW of Nanton is the only place I get to see these Grouse. I do have a couple of closer shots that I'll probably post.
After driving (being driven, for me, which was pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 4:00 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards to thoroughly enjoy a delicious supper. One of my favourite Bird Counts and perhaps the most favourite. Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! Can't wait for next Christmas!
After driving (being driven, for me, which was pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 4:00 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards to thoroughly enjoy a delicious supper. One of my favourite Bird Counts and perhaps the most favourite. Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! Can't wait for next Christmas!
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I'd love to have this in my group 'my favorite animals' - if you want.
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