Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Exshaw

How important it is for us to remember those who have served their country (not just Canada) and made the ultimate sacrifice. Unfortunately, there are thousands more on this Continent and elsewhere across the globe, who have returned from fighting, only to live their lives in the suffering and torture that continues to haunt them. These men and women, too, so often tend to be "the forgotten", though I think there is a little more awareness now. So sad, when the rest of us have so much to be thankful for, thanks to them. I remember - and I am thankful. "Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918, as the major hostilities of World War I were formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. The day was specifically dedicated by King George V, on 7 November 1919, to the observance of members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. The red poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem In Flanders Fields. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilt in the war." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Flanders_Fields I remember watching a segment on CNN Heroes on TV. A lady had the great idea to give war veterans a dog of their very own. She helps each man or woman train their dog, which accompanies them everywhere. They are learning to focus on their companion, especially when horrendous thoughts and flashbacks start to appear. They find that this can help to calm the owner. Sounds as if "man's best friend" is coming to the rescue yet again. I always get mixed up between Exshaw and Harvie Heights, but I think this photo was taken in Exshaw, outside their Legion building. A group of friends and I walked past the Legion while we were searching for birds, during a day trip to the mountains, west of the city. I will add the helpful, detailed report from our leader, Howard Heffler, and the eBird list compiled by Nimali S., with thanks to both of them! Thanks, too, Gail, for the ride all day long - greatly appreciated and enjoyed! "Thirteen participants met at Assumption School at 8:30 AM and spent the day birding several locations west of Calgary. We first stopped at Jumping Pound pond. There were both species of swan and a few puddle ducks. We made another quick stop at Sibbald ponds where there were six swans. It appeared to be a family of five Trumpeters and one lonely Tundra. The (apparent) Tundra was all white but had a mostly pink bill. It was being harassed by the others so we concluded (speculated) was a second year bird that still had a pink bill (or maybe a first year bird that had turned white prematurely??). It was smaller than the others and was obviously an outcast. If anyone has any thoughts they would be most welcome. It was cold and windy at Bow Valley Park and a quick walk on Flowing Waters trail proved fruitless so we moved to the Seebe dam. Again there were a few swans and ducks but the cold winds seemed unfriendly to birds and birders alike. In Exshaw it was still cold and windy and there were few birds. However, a flock of about 45 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch was the highlight of the day. These are such active birds and their feeding habits are fun to watch as the flock seems to roll forward along the ground as the birds in the back leap-frog the leaders. The Canmore Visitor Center was an excellent (warm and comfortable) bathroom and lunch stop. Harvie Heights offered a few boreal birds but not as many as hoped for. An interesting note for future planning is that the community prohibits bird feeders until November 1st in an effort to reduce conflicts with bears or cougars. Thanks to Nimali Seneviratne for keeping track of species and doing the eBird postings."

Needless to say, I am only posting this really poor photo for the record. This is a bird species that I have only ever seen once before, a few years ago, and I may never see it again. This flock was flying fast and in-flight shots were the only option. I will add the previously posted photo from my first sighting in 2008, in a comment box below. "These birds are locally common from mid-March to October; a few might overwinter.... They can be seen in mountain meadows, alpine tundra, avalanche slopes, roadsides and occasionally towns.... A few of these birds spend winter in Alberta on chinook-warmed slopes and at feeding stations in the foothills, but most leave the province for better climes to the south." From Birds of Alberta by Fisher and Acorn. "The gray-crowned rosy finch, or gray-crowned rosy-finch, (Leucosticte tephrocotis) is a species of passerine bird in the family Fringillidae native to Alaska, western Canada, and the north-western United States. Due to its remote and rocky alpine habitat it is rarely seen." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray-crowned_rosy_finch Below, I will add the helpful, detailed report from our leader, Howard Heffler, and the eBird list compiled by Nimali S., with thanks to both of them! Thanks, too, Gail, for the ride all day long - greatly appreciated and enjoyed! "Thirteen participants met at Assumption School at 8:30 AM and spent the day birding several locations west of Calgary. We first stopped at Jumping Pound pond. There were both species of swan and a few puddle ducks. We made another quick stop at Sibbald ponds where there were six swans. It appeared to be a family of five Trumpeters and one lonely Tundra. The (apparent) Tundra was all white but had a mostly pink bill. It was being harassed by the others so we concluded (speculated) was a second year bird that still had a pink bill (or maybe a first year bird that had turned white prematurely??). It was smaller than the others and was obviously an outcast. If anyone has any thoughts they would be most welcome. It was cold and windy at Bow Valley Park and a quick walk on Flowing Waters trail proved fruitless so we moved to the Seebe dam. Again there were a few swans and ducks but the cold winds seemed unfriendly to birds and birders alike. In Exshaw it was still cold and windy and there were few birds. However, a flock of about 45 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch was the highlight of the day. These are such active birds and their feeding habits are fun to watch as the flock seems to roll forward along the ground as the birds in the back leap-frog the leaders. The Canmore Visitor Center was an excellent (warm and comfortable) bathroom and lunch stop. Harvie Heights offered a few boreal birds but not as many as hoped for. An interesting note for future planning is that the community prohibits bird feeders until November 1st in an effort to reduce conflicts with bears or cougars. Thanks to Nimali Seneviratne for keeping track of species and doing the eBird postings. The combined list for the day (including species seen while driving) was: Snow Goose 1 Canada Goose 63 Trumpeter Swan 37 Tundra Swan 30 American Wigeon 3 Mallard 40 Common Merganser 1 Common Loon 2 Western Grebe 1 Rough-legged Hawk 2 Rock Pigeon 9 Downy Woodpecker 1 Gray Jay 2 Clark's Nutcracker 3 Black-billed Magpie 6 Common Raven 2 Black-capped Chickadee 6 Mountain Chickadee 7 Boreal Chickadee 1 (heard only) Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 45 White-winged Crossbill 1 House Sparrow 2 Howard Heffler Calgary"

Today, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. There wasn't much snow to be seen until we got further into the mountains. I was very happy that we were lucky enough to see a Stellar's Jay at Harvie Heights (near Canmore). Back in February, I had seen one in exactly the same place! Very difficult to get a photo of these birds, so I was pleased that even this very distant, cropped shot captured the bird suffiiciently to tell what it is. This bird is the provincial bird of B.C.. In Alberta, Stellars are spotted most often in the Rockies and this is a wintering one. They are locally uncommon year-round. "These birds have glossy blue plumage; black head and nape; large, black crest; white streaks on the forehead and chin; wings and tail are accentuated by dark blue." From Birds of Alberta by Fisher and Acorn.

Today, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. There wasn't much snow to be seen until we got further into the mountains. The early morning sun was glorious in this area. Turned everything to an orange glow.

Today, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. There wasn't much snow to be seen until we got further into the mountains. This photo was taken at Barrier Lake. It was windy and cold - looked quite bleak, and the mist was rising and blowing from the frozen lake in the distance. I so rarely get to go to the mountains, so always appreciate any chance that I do get, at any time of year.

Yesterday, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. I was very happy that we were lucky enough to see a Stellar's Jay at Harvie Heights (near Canmore). Back in February, I had seen one in exactly the same place! Very difficult to get a photo of these birds, so I was pleased that even this very distant, cropped shot captured the bird suffiiciently to tell what it is. I may never seen one again, which is why I am posting two (very poor) photos of this gorgeous bird : ). Maybe one day, I will be able to get a closer, sharp photo of one. Till then ..... This bird is the provincial bird of B.C.. In Alberta, Stellars are spotted most often in the Rockies and this is a wintering one. They are locally uncommon year-round. "These birds have glossy blue plumage; black head and nape; large, black crest; white streaks on the forehead and chin; wings and tail are accentuated by dark blue." From Birds of Alberta by Fisher and Acorn.

What a difference the sun makes. Yesterday, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. There wasn't much snow to be seen until we got further into the mountains. Once there, there was a fine snow falling part of the time.

Yesterday, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. There wasn't much snow to be seen until we got further into the mountains. Once there, there was a fine snow falling part of the time. I always find that when I photograph mountain peaks that are not in the sun, I end up with an image that looks black and white.

Yesterday, 5th January 2008, I went on an outing to the Sibbald, Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights areas in the mountains. We saw quite a few of these Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches at someone's feeder in Harvie Heights. I had never seen one of these birds before and was happy to get a distant photo or two. "These birds are locally common from mid-March to October; a few might overwinter.... They can be seen in mountain meadows, alpine tundra, avalanche slopes, roadsides and occasionally towns.... A few of these birds spend winter in Alberta on chinook-warmed slopes and at feeding stations in the foothills, but most leave the province for better climes to the south." From Birds of Alberta by Fisher and Acorn.

Another view of mountain peaks taken on a day outing to the mountains last Saturday. Some photos were taken through the window of a fast-moving car, but I can't remember if this was one of them. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't.

Another mountain view from my day out on Saturday 5th January. We went through the Sibbald area and to Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights, to see what birds we could find. Seeing the scenery is such a bonus for me, as I rarely get to the mountains.

Another mountain view from my day out on Saturday 5th January. We went through the Sibbald area and to Exshaw, Canmore and Harvie Heights, to see what birds we could find. Seeing the scenery is such a bonus for me, as I rarely get to the mountains.