Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Cochrane Reserve

Two days ago, I took part in the Cochrane Reserve 2007 Christmas Bird Count. This is north-west of the city. This little male Downy Woodpecker had just visited the feeders at one of the farms/ranches that we stopped at during the day. He looks a little windswept : ) Birds sighted by my small group of 5 people, just in case anyone is interested : Bald Eagle-2ad/1imm, all feeding on dead coyote. Rough-legged Hawk-6 Merlin-1 (located 1 km east of Water Valley, 3:50pm) Rock Pigeon-7 Great Horned Owl-2 Northern Pygmy-Owl-1 (S on R 4.4, about 1 km S of our S boundary-T29.0, at 4:15pm) Downy Woodpecker-15 (plus 1 at Pygmy-Owl) Hairy Woodpecker-2 (plus 1 at Pygmy-Owl) Pileated Woodpecker-1 Blue Jay-2 Black-billed Magpie-49 Common Raven-19 (plus 11 in a group heading west at 4pm.) Black-capped Chickadee-78 Boreal Chickadee-6 Red-breasted Nuthatch-16 White-breasted Nuthatch-4 Golden-crowned Kinglet-2 European Starling-5 Brown Creeper-1 Bohemian Waxwing-50 White-winged Crossbill-33 Common Redpoll-205 House Sparrow-170 Coyote (alive)-1 White-tailed Deer-13 Mule Deer-8

On 30th December, I took part in the Cochrane Reserve 2007 Christmas Bird Count. This is north-west of the city. The word "reserve" is a little misleading - all this really is, is an area of hills and roads with isolated farms and ranches. This little male Downy Woodpecker had just visited the feeders at one of the farms/ranches that we stopped at during the day. Capturing a male is always a bonus, as the splash of bright red does add something to a photo.

On 30th December, I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. This assortment of buildings, old and new, were on one of the farms that we called in at.

I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. Just outside our count area at the end of the day, we saw a beautiful little Northern Pygmy-owl atop a tall Spruce tree. Thanks, Tony, for bringing your scope - what an amazing view we were able to get of this tiny, perfect owl! We called in at various farms and ranches and saw all sorts of things in addition to the birds. This bright red barn was a photographic "must", as I love barns and I love red : ). We have a similar day tomorrow, only starting around 7:10 a.m. (phew!), and in the Sheep River/Turner Valley area, south of the city. Can't wait to see what we will find.

I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. Just outside our count area at the end of the day, we saw a beautiful little Northern Pygmy-owl atop a tall Spruce tree. Thanks, Tony, for bringing your scope - what an amazing view we were able to get of this tiny, perfect owl! We called in at various farms and ranches and saw all sorts of things in addition to the birds. One of these things was this huge, gentle dog that I think must be quite elderly. It followed us around in a quiet, dignified manner. Loved the colour of its fur in the sunlight.

I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. Just outside our count area at the end of the day, we saw a beautiful little Northern Pygmy-owl atop a tall Spruce tree. Thanks, Tony, for bringing your scope - what an amazing view we were able to get of this tiny, perfect owl! We called in at various farms and ranches and saw all sorts of things in addition to the birds. This adult Bald Eagle was in a field with two or three (?) immature Eagles, and it was feasting on a dead Coyote. I don't know if the Coyote was already dead when the Eagle found it. I had to crop heavily, but the photo is still a rather distant view. Sad for the Coyote, but good to know that the Eagle was getting a full stomach. We have a similar day tomorrow, only starting around 7:10 a.m. (phew!), and in the Sheep River/Turner Valley area, south of the city.

I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. Just outside our count area at the end of the day, we saw a beautiful little Northern Pygmy-owl atop a tall Spruce tree. Thanks, Tony, for bringing your scope - what an amazing view we were able to get of this tiny, perfect owl! We called in at various farms and ranches and saw all sorts of things in addition to the birds. This little male Downy Woodpecker was one of the many birds we watched and counted. We have a similar day tomorrow, only starting around 7:10 a.m. (phew!), and in the Sheep River/Turner Valley area, south of the city. Then, the following morning, it is the New Year's Day Count in Fish Creek Park. The morning after that, I will HAVE to sleep in, LOL!

Yesterday, I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. Just outside our count area at the end of the day, we saw a beautiful little Northern Pygmy-owl atop a tall Spruce tree. Thanks, Tony, for bringing your scope - what an amazing view we were able to get of this tiny, perfect owl! We called in at various farms and ranches and saw all sorts of things in addition to the birds. The scenery is spectacular! This photo is what you see when you look westwards towards the mountains. The rolling Foothills in the foregoround are just as beautiful in their own way.

Yesterday, I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23. We called in at various farms and ranches and saw all sorts of things in addition to the birds. This little male Downy Woodpecker was visiting the feeders at a farm house. They are so small and very cute.

These little Common Redpolls are common in Alberta from October to April, but are predictably unpredictable as far as numbers are concerned. This bird was one of a flock that was flying around a farm area south of Calgary. It happened to land on this piece of farm equipment. I would guess that this is a female, as the males tend to have pinkish breasts. Yesterday, I was out from 6:10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., taking part in a Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, north-west of Calgary. Not sure of the exact number of bird species we saw, but it was around 23.

Two days ago, I took part in the Cochrane Reserve 2007 Christmas Bird Count. This is north-west of the city. We also stop and visit various farms/ranches in the area and talk with the owners about what species of birds they see on their land. Lots of very friendly, helpful people! This and another Llama live on one of the farms. Did you know that they have a bad habit of spitting? There are too many Llamas in Alberta now and people find that they are unable to sell them. They are useful, though, in helping to keep Coyotes away from the farm animals.

Thought these grasses looked pretty with the sun shining through them. Saw them on a farm when I took part in the annual 2007 Christmas Bird Count on the Cochrane Reserve, NW of Calgary. This is not a "special" reserve, but is part of the network of country roads and rolling hills east of the mountains, north-west of the city.