Great Horned Owl with fall colours

I was surprised to find out that this photo was fit to use after I had lightened it. It was a fairly distant owl and the light was awful. Love the colour of those beautiful fall leaves - I think most of our trees now have bare branches, but we have had a really beautiful fall this year.

Early in the morning on 18 October 2014, I joined a group of friends for a few hours of birding. We started off at Frank Lake but didn't go to the blind area at all, for safety reasons. We just drove along the short road that goes from half way down the east side of the lake to near the edge of the lake. The last half of this backroad is so very deeply rutted that it's impossible to drive, so we had to walk the last part. It's hunting season and we could hear shots being fired. We were totally disgusted by the hundreds of empty shells that littered the ground!!! The advertised release dates for Pheasants at Frank Lake are October 15 to November 12.

From Frank Lake, we drove (carpooled) north to Carseland and stopped at the Reservoir, where we saw a beautiful Double-crested Cormorant with wings spread out to dry. Also spotted a Loon way out in the water and several Grey Partridges on a distant slope.

The rest of the day was spent driving the backroads east of the city. We called in at Eagle Lake and another lake - I never drive to this whole area, so I'm not sure exactly where we saw what. I was thrilled, however, to see around 2750 Snow Geese, most of them in one huge flock (swarm!). This was the first time I had seen the sky filled with this species. Leader Andrew Hart's detailed list provides me with the answers - am adding the link to his very detailed account and list here. He always does a superb job of his reports, as well as taking us all out on a very enjoyable day. Weather-wise, it couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks so much, Andrew!

Link to Andrew's very detailed account and list:
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Albertabird/conversations/mes...