Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Bird Count

We came across this scene when we were on the Sheep River/Turner Valley Bird Count recently. It all seemed a little too perfect, somehow - the shelter looked in perfect condition, the fence was new and undamaged, and the snow was untouched. In other words, it all looked pristine. Very beautiful with the trees covered in snow, but, perhaps a little too much perfection?

Good morning, everyone! Happy Christmas! Hope you all have a wonderful day. In Calgary, the temperature is -22C (-8F), with a windchilll of -32C (-26F), so I really hope you are warmer than we are here! What would Christmas be, without a bauble (even though my reflection had to be in it, showing me bending my knees to try and avoid one branch, but unable to avoid the one in my photo, lol? Taken on the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count in Canmore, near Banff. Each year, someone hangs a handful of Christmas ornaments on a spindly little tree down near the Bow River. For many people, Christmas is a very difficult time, for various reasons. My thoughts are with them, including all the people in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, who have suffered such a huge tragic loss in their community the last couple of weeks. I think most people, far and wide around the world, have been affected by this and have these folks in their thoughts and prayers. As always, those who, for one reason or another, will spend Christmas alone, will also be in my thoughts. To those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I hope today will be a happy one for you. If you will be on the road, please don't drink and drive! HAPPY CHRISTMAS and all the best in the New Year!

Taken from the back passenger side seat,on the far side of the road to where this beautiful Rough-legged Hawk was perched : ). Definitely cropped, but I was still happy to get it : ). This was seen on Sunday, while doing a Christmas Bird Count in the Nanton area, south of Calgary.

Five days ago, during the 109th annual Audubon Bird Count (in the Nanton area, south of Calgary), we passed about six goats near the roadside. Each one was completely different. I thought these little brown eyes looked like buttons, each with two "holes" for the thread to pass through : )

When we were doing a bit of walking on the 109th Audubon Christmas Bird Count in the Sheep River/Turner Valley area yesterday, I noticed how the sharp barbs of the barbed wire fences had trapped some of the freshly fallen snow. I've always loved barbed wire (don't ask me why, LOL) and was fascinated by the contrast between hard, cold metal and the delicate fluffiness of the snow.

This little male Downy Woodpecker was one of five that we saw on the Snakeshead (near Sundre, north of Calgary) Bird Count yesterday (part of the 109th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count). This little guy was at a feeder in someone's garden on a farm. My group of four people saw the following 16 species: Rock Pigeon-1 Downy Woodpecker-5 Hairy Woodpecker-1 Blue Jay-20 Black-billed Magpie-16 Common Raven-33 Black-capped Chickadee-67 Boreal Chickadee-6 Red-breasted Nuthatch-3 White-breasted Nuthatch-5 Brown Creeper-1 American Tree Sparrow-3 Dark-eyed Junco-1 Pine Grosbeak-17 Common Redpoll-9 House Sparrow-16 We travelled 97 km by car, 2 km by foot, 5 hrs by car, 1 hr by foot, 1 hr. feeder watching. Snow depth was 10-12" and the weather was sunny, -30C all morning, warming to -13C in pm. Light wsw wind. We also saw Coyote-1, Red Squirrel-2, Mule Deer-18. Also 2 Bald Eagles and 1 Rough-legged Hawk outside our territory.

Just a quick shot taken from a fast-moving car on our way home from spending the whole day on the Snakeshead Bird Count (near Sundre, north of Calgary) yesterday. This was part of the 109th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. I just liked the lighting and the long shadow of the barn. Not quite the composition I wanted, but the landscape flew past the window! We couldn't have stopped on the highway anyway, but I never ask people to stop so that I can take a photo. I just grab everything that I happen to get the chance for and feel very thankful for each and every shot that does turn out OK. I would drive people crazy and make them very annoyed, I'm sure, if I was always asking to take a photo, LOL! And understandly so!!! I need to add that some friends are extremely thoughtful and patient and do what they can to help me get a photo or two, which is unnecessary but greatly appreciated!

Brown Creepers are so difficult to photograph - they are tiny, very well camouflaged for climbing tree trunks, and they never stop moving, LOL! I quickly snapped this one on our 109th annual Audubon Bird Count in the Snakeshead area, NW of Calgary recently. I had spent too much time photographing a Downy Woodpecker on someone's feeder and then suddenly noticed this Creeper. I turned round to call to the three friends I was with, but no one was there. I was worried that they must all be waiting for me in the car, which was the other side of the farm house. I knew I'd better get photographic "proof" of this bird as it was the first one on this count. Sorry, Tony - I was in such a hurry that it never occurred to me that you could add this bird to your new Winter List - sorry you missed it, but hope you've seen one elsewhere since then : ) Oh, forgot to add that I've posted this photo, despite it being somewhat blurry and I didn't capture that long, curved beak, but I so rarely get photos of this species. At least it gives an idea of the beautiful feather pattern. These birds are uncommon year round in Alberta.

Saw these beautiful icicles under a bridge in Canmore, Kananaskis (near Banff) on Saturday. Four of us did the annual Bird Count there, in -30C weather (-40C with wind chill). Agony to remove a glove to take a quick shot, but I discovered a way to help with this. I tried one of the little Hand Warmer packs in my glove and it made so much difference.