Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: beam

Wanted to catch up on a few recent local shots, before starting on Day 9 of our Ontario and Quebec trip in May 2018. The first two shots I posted were taken at Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park, on 20 January 2019, when I joined friends for an afternoon birding walk. Not a lot of birds to be seen or heard, but it was still an enjoyable walk. As usual, some of us went for coffee afterwards, which makes for a great ending to the afternoon. The other six photos were taken on 21 January 2019, when I went for a drive east of the city, hoping that I might just be lucky enough to find a Snowy Owl. In the end, I managed to find three, though the third one took flight when I was way down the road. It may have spotted movement in the field. The owl in this photo and the other owl photo I posted tonight was the first owl I came across. The light was dismal when I first saw it and it was almost impossible to photograph. Later on, after driving a few more back roads, the sun had come out and this handsome male was dazzling white. There have been a lot of Snowy Owls this winter, but that does not mean that they are easy to find. A couple of days ago, I was back east of the city again and thinking to myself that most people probably have no idea what goes into getting the few photos one ends up with. When you do eventually find one of these stunning birds, it is such a thrill. I'm always so thankful that I love to photograph other things, too, not just birds. If I come across an old barn that I have never seen before, that, too, feels so good.

Wanted to catch up on a few recent local shots, before starting on Day 9 of our Ontario and Quebec trip in May 2018. The first two shots I posted were taken at Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park, on 20 January 2019, when I joined friends for an afternoon birding walk. Not a lot of birds to be seen or heard, but it was still an enjoyable walk. As usual, some of us went for coffee afterwards, which makes for a great ending to the afternoon. The other six photos were taken on 21 January 2019, when I went for a drive east of the city, hoping that I might just be lucky enough to find a Snowy Owl. In the end, I managed to find three, though the third one took flight when I was way down the road. It may have spotted movement in the field. The owl in this photo and the other owl photo I posted tonight was the first owl I came across. The light was dismal when I first saw it and it was almost impossible to photograph. Later on, after driving a few more back roads, the sun had come out and this handsome male was dazzling white. There have been a lot of Snowy Owls this winter, but that does not mean that they are easy to find. A couple of days ago, I was back east of the city again and thinking to myself that most people probably have no idea what goes into getting the few photos one ends up with. When you do eventually find one of these stunning birds, it is such a thrill. I'm always so thankful that I love to photograph other things, too, not just birds. If I come across an old barn that I have never seen before, that, too, feels so good.

Thought I would add a few photos this morning that were taken yesterday, 25 May 2018. Exactly why did I position the Tree Swallow right in the centre of the shot, with no room to crop to a much better composition? No idea, other than that the little focus rectangle was in the centre of my viewfinder, lol! Annoyed with myself when I do this. Anyway, this male Tree Swallow was looking so beautiful in the sunshine yesterday, when I was out for the day with my daughter, to celebrate yet another birthday for me. I always look forward to a day like this - my favourite way to spend a day! I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. It was the first time she had been out in a car since her surgery in something like five weeks, so she wasn't too sure how well she would do. Apart from a meeting I went to the evening before, it was the first time I had been out anywhere since getting back from my Pt Pelee trip a week ago, so I wasn't too sure how well I would do, too. Fortunately, the severe pain I have had the last few weeks due to inflamed shoulder rotator cuffs (again) and painful kneecaps being pulled out of place, that flared up just in time for my two-weeks away, is gradually improving, and all went just fine yesterday. Just glad that we saw Mountain Bluebirds, too. Our day started with breakfast at the Saskatoon Farm followed by wandering the grounds, taking photos, which we both love to do. Then we called in at the garden nursery, "Spruce it up" I think it's called. From there, we drove westwards till we reached a favourite area, finding Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows, but no sign of any kind of owl. Not too surprising, as it was afternoon by then. Not even a Wilson's Snipe perched on a fence post. Up early this morning, as I made a last-minute decision to at least try a bit of the annual May Species Count walk in the city today. Very overcast and windy - where is the sun? Tomorrow's Count is driving (carpooling) out of the city in one of my favourite areas.