Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: South Glenmore Park/Weaselhead

Photographed on a walk in South Glenmore Park/Weaselhead on 7 June 2011. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a brood parasitic icterid - these words are from Wikipedia and new ones to me, lol! "'Brood parasitic' means that it lays its eggs in the nests of other small passerines (perching birds), particularly those that build cup-like nests. The Brown-headed Cowbird eggs have been documented in nests of at least 220 host species, including hummingbirds and raptors. The young cowbird is fed by the host parents at the expense of their own young. Brown-headed Cowbird females can lay 36 eggs in a season. More than 140 different species of birds are known to have raised young cowbirds." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown-headed_Cowbird

This photo was taken on June 7th, in South Glenmore Park. I rarely see one of these common little Clay-coloured Sparrows up close, so we were very lucky that morning. They really are quite a pretty little bird. I have taken so many photos recently, but somehow don't seem to be getting the chance to go through them and pick out more than one or two to post, if that. Today, it's supposed to go up to 32C, and I will be staying home as I need to recover from yesterday's great hike at Plateau Mountain : ) This morning, it's already 30C in my computer room, so I know it will become unbearable later on. Air conditioning would be so nice!!! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay-colored_Sparrow

A rather similar photo to one I posted awhile ago, but wanted it for my Birds of Alberta 6 set. It is unusual to see a Clay-coloured Sparrow so close, so I was happy for the opportunity. Photographed in South Glenmore Park/Weaselhead on June 7th.