Such cute little hands and feet

"The diet of the least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) consists mainly of seeds, nuts and fruits, although it will also take other plant material, such as leaves and flowers, as well as fungi, insects and occasionally birds’ eggs. The least chipmunk may also sometimes feed on carrion.

While foraging, the least chipmunk will often fill its cheek pouches with seeds and nuts, which it then hoards in various locations or carries to its burrow to store for the winter. This behaviour, typical of chipmunks, is reflected in the scientific name of the genus Tamias, which comes from the Greek for ‘storer’ or ‘distributor’." From Arkive.

www.arkive.org/least-chipmunk/tamias-minimus/

We saw this little Least Chipmunk yesterday afternoon, while we were on a birding walk at the west end of South Glenmore Park as far as Weaselhead. It was busy eating and stuffing its cheek pouches with nuts and seeds. We also saw two extremely distant Great Horned Owl owlets sitting together in a tree on a distant hillside.

I have missed so many of the birding walks (and botany walks) and there is just one more walk left and then they come to an end till the end of August/beginning of September. Yesterday afternoon's walk was very enjoyable, as was a stop at the Good Earth cafe afterwards : ) Will add our leaders' final list of species seen - thanks for a great walk Janet, Bernie and Stephen!:

FFCPPSoc. Birding West end of South Glenmore Park, Calgary. 1:15-4:15 PM. Sun. June 12/16. Gusting West winds 30 - 40 Km/hr, 21 to 23C, Sunny skies.

1. Great Blue Heron - 1
2. Swainson's Hawk - 1 seen by BD pre-walk
3. Franklin's Gull - 60
4. Great Horned Owl - 2 juveniles
5. Downy Woodpecker - 4 (including pair seen at nest sight feeding young)
6. Eastern Phoebe - 2
7. Least Flycatcher - 4 heard
8. Red-eyed Vireo - 4 heard
9. American Crow - 7
10. Tree Swallow - 3
11. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 including one flying into nest
12. White-breasted Nuthatch - 1
13. House Wren - 3 heard
14. American Robin - 1
15. Veery - 2 heard
16. Cedar Waxwing - 3
17. Yellow Warbler - 6 (5 heard, 1 seen)
18. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 heard
19. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4
20. White-throated Sparrow - 2 heard
21. Red-winged Blackbird - 13
22. Brown-headed Cowbird - 5
23. American Goldfinch - 4
24. House Sparrow - 1

White-tailed Deer - 1
Least Chipmunk - 1
Red Squirrel - 1
Swallow-tailed Butterfly - 8

As usual on our birding walks, I take very few photos, so yesterday after the walk, I decided I would drive to a wetland in SW Calgary to check on the Red-necked Grebes. The light was harsh and I had to look into the sun and couldn't even tell if there were any babies. Obviously the wrong time of day to go there.

From there, I decided to go SW of the city and check on Bluebirds, Snipe and maybe even a Great Gray Owl if I was very lucky. Only stopped at one Bluebird box and the parents were busy bringing insects to feed their babies. Every now and then, a baby would peer out of the small hole, so I know it won't be long till they fledge.

Driving along one road to search for an owl, I noticed a truck pulled over in the distance. I always slow right down when I see a vehicle stopped, just in case it is a photographer taking photos of something interesting. I never want to spook a bird or animal and spoil a photographer's fun. I was so focused on the truck, looking to see if the driver was pointing a camera, that at first I didn't notice the person standing the other side of the road OR the owl sitting on the fence! When I realized it was a friend, I pulled over, got out and took a few photos. I don't know if this was one of the two Great Grays that I had seen within the last 10 days or so. It is possible either way. Also spotted two Bobolinks chasing each other and then disappearing - no chance for a photo.