Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: explore2014June18

I think I'm right in saying that this is a Brewer's Blackbird - if not, please do let me know! Taken late afternoon on Monday, 16 June 2014. I had a late afternoon physiotherapy session (shoulder and back), and had already decided that I would go for a short drive SW of the city straight afterwards, no matter what the weather. Well, dark clouds filled the sky and part way there, the rain started. Normally, I never go out with my camera when it's raining, but I did manage to get several shots that were worth keeping, including the rather grainy Swainson's Hawk that I posted yesterday. It has rained the last few days and more rain is expected for today and tomorrow. Almost one year ago to the day of southern Alberta's devastating Flood of the Century in June 2013, people are getting anxious about the amount of rain that has been falling and continues to fall. Most of the flooding concerns seem to be from just south of Calgary, especially in the SW corner of Alberta in places like Pincher Creek. I guess we will all be finding out in the next while.

My friends, Cathy and Terry, and I, had left Calgary early morning on Wednesday, 14 May 2014, and I think it was around 12:15 a.m. midnight on Thursday, 15 May, that they dropped me off at home after two long, wonderful days in the Rocky Mountains, west of the city. Wednesday night was spent in a spotless motel, in a place that had so many Mountain Sheep roaming the streets, lol! This is just one of the many females - the males were off somewhere else and we didn't see any males at all that weekend.

Taken late yesterday afternoon, in the rain. I had a late afternoon physiotherapy session (shoulder and back), and had already decided that I would go for a short drive SW of the city straight afterwards, no matter what the weather. Well, dark clouds filled the sky and part way there, the rain started. This beautiful Swainson's Hawk was sitting on a high fence that ran along the top of an embankment on the side of the road. On a sunny day, it would have been perfect, but, grainy photos are better than nothing, especially as this bird of prey was all that I saw to photograph during the whole drive. The bird was little more than a dark silhouette, so needed brightening. At just after 7:00 a.m. this morning, it's still raining. I got up early, hoping to meet up with friends for one last bird walk, but I just don't feel like getting soaked. I would only be able to manage a very short distance, anyway, thanks to an extremely painful back, so I might just climb back into bed instead .... sigh. Almost one year ago to the day of southern Alberta's devastating Flood of the Century in June 2013, people are getting anxious about the amount of rain that has been falling and continues to fall. Most of the flooding concerns seem to be from just south of Calgary, especially in places like Pincher Creek. I guess we will all be finding out in the next while.