Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: 109th annual Audubon 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?

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.