Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: birds of Alberta

I'm finding it hard to get motivated to go through my archives and somewhat more recent photos at the moment. I've taken very few photos during the past month and few are remotely inspiring. I really need to get out, period, and definitely need some new places to explore. Our weather forecast has a mix of snow and rain or scattered flurries on three days this coming week, but today is supposed to be OK, so I might go for a drive. Yesterday, I went on a two-hour walk in the afternoon with birding friends. This was down in South Glenmore Park, along the edge of the Glenmore Reservoir, looking right across to the windmill in Heritage Park. I always like seeing the small, blue and white mill in the far distance. Most of the Reservoir is still ice-covered and at this stage, the melting ice is a beautiful turquoise colour. Very quiet as far as birds were concerned, just the "usual" Chickadees, Ravens, Canada Geese and so on. I think the "highlights" were a Hairy Woodpecker (which only one of us actually saw) in the wooded area, and eight Swans that were on the far side of the Reservoir - too far away to see if they were Tundra or Trumpeter. After our walk, we went to Tim Horton's for coffee and a good chat. Always really enjoyable. On the way home, I called in at Fish Creek Park for ten minutes, to see if I could see this Great Horned Owl and either of her babies (someone had said that there were two). I was in luck, as one of the owlets put its head up for a few seconds. The light was really bad and the owls are quite high up in the tree, but at least I saw the little one for the first time. This was only the second time I had seen the adult on her nest, too. I was amazed that no one else was there, lol, which was good to see. Or maybe they were there earlier in the day.