As I scroll ,daily, through the profoundly detailed images and exquisite moments photographed by my friends in Alberta Birds, I feel modesty take hold while I peruse my own captures of the week. However, for my own enjoyment, I’m going to contain some of my own favourite bird memories in this single post, so that I don’t lose sight of the wonderful visual memories of this past week. Since Venting! Again! neither sparrows nor flickers have settled in. Honestly, I have not seen a single appearance of either. What??
So…I’ve focused my attentions to my little place at the Bow River and also, a stop at the Frank’s Flats to see who has come to town after a horrendous amount of development along the Southwest Ring Road/Stoney Trail.
Monday April 30, 2018
The spectacular thing about Monday was watching the mating rituals of two lovely geese in a quiet wetlands spot down near the river. Dipping their heads and long necks into the water over and over again, the movements looked like a ballet, when finally Mr. mounted Mrs., her head fully submerging into the water and bearing his full weight on her back. Once finished, only moments later, they continued in a choreographed ritual of arching and extending necks, until finally they swam to the shore where they continued preening like a couple of lovesick mates.
Tuesday May 1, 2018
A year of watching Bald Eagles and their behaviours from a distance…learning all of the time.
Wednesday May 2, 2018
Song Sparrow doing the splits and filling the world with a lovely song.
Northern Flicker at Bow River’s edge.
Mourning Dove
Thursday May 3, 2018
I saw my grandson and my daughter. I am so blessed by them. Three nesting couples of Red Necked Grebes are back.
The Red Winged Blackbird males are very visible at both the river and the pond…it’s good to hear their songs again.
This year I’ve especially enjoyed the Song Sparrow’s melodic string of notes…overpowers everything for me.
Female Mallard in a Magpie nest…
Tree Swallows have been very entertaining. Love watching their antics as they weave in and out of the tall trees.
Heavenly observations at many different spots along the river.
Friday May 4, 2018
A late evening walk at the river after a day of exploring space with Grade six students. I live a beautiful life. Sometimes I forget that and think that it is an ordinary life. When I see the archive set down, I feel differently.
Saturday May 5, 2018
A bush that I photographed every day for almost a year…just checking in.
Savannah Sparrow…a different song…just so lovely!
Always looking at these guys…waiting for the females to return. They typically arrive two weeks after the males. This year is so much later than last, as I look at 2017 archives.
Not certain what these are…a type of Merganser yet to be identified.
And the Red Necked Grebes were out on a bit of a flotilla on yesterday! It’s been an awesome week with the birds!
Post Script: No sooner had I finished this post…closed it down…put the memory card back in the camera…got up to start tidying for the day and Max went crazy over the voice of the Northern Flicker! Sure enough, when I stepped up to the kitchen window…there he was! He’s been rat a tat tatting inside the vent ever since.
