For The Birds: May 19 – 27, 2018

I was down in southern Alberta for the long weekend and basically just sighted a lot of Mourning Doves and heard a lot of Mourning Doves.  For a good part of the weekend, it rained.  It was cozy inside with my auntie.  Walking the dog…early morning and in the quiet of evening, I loved the light and quiet of small town Magrath.

Back here at home, I’ve made visits to Frank’s Flats (the pond) and to the Bow River every day.  I guess I’ve got some questions about some of the birds I’ve spotted.

High School biology students have been down at the edge of the pond, collecting leeches again.  I’ve spoken to one of the Biology teachers…again mentioning that it isn’t the greatest of times for such activities, given that we have four Red Necked Grebe nests and a Black Crowned Heron nest, as well as countless other nests that are active.  She told me that this year they made certain that they told the kids to protect and watch for bird nests.  However, the way in which they were gallumphing about, the Red Winged Black birds were truly freaking.  Damage done.

I’ll post some of my photos…some not very focused, but, keep in mind that I am a bird enthusiast…not so much a photographer.

May 23rd Uploads

IMG_8312

Song Sparrow

IMG_8330

Mr.

IMG_8338

Male and Female Mallard…loved the colours here.

IMG_8348

IMG_8382

Watched this chump cool off in shallow water.  Robin

May 25th Uploads

IMG_8488

Female Red Winged Blackbird

IMG_8435

Male Red Winged Blackbird

IMG_8413

IMG_8406

Savannah Sparrow

May 26th Uploads

IMG_8619

IMG_8618

Yellow Warbler Bow River’s Edge

IMG_8612

Song Sparrow

IMG_8539

Bow River Rising…Many upset Canada Goose couples

IMG_8529

Is this a female Brown-headed Cowbird?

IMG_8524

Dunno?

May 27th Downloads

IMG_8653

IMG_8640

Mr. and Mrs. enjoying a Sunday morning over the river.

For the Birds! First Week of May 2018.

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.

IMG_7399IMG_7349

The Red Winged Blackbird males are very visible at both the river and the pond…it’s good to hear their songs again.

IMG_7385IMG_7342

This year I’ve especially enjoyed the Song Sparrow’s melodic string of notes…overpowers everything for me.

IMG_7283

IMG_7334

Female Mallard in a Magpie nest…

IMG_7309IMG_7304

Tree Swallows have been very entertaining.  Love watching their antics as they weave in and out of the tall trees.

IMG_7315

Heavenly observations at many different spots along the river.

IMG_7293IMG_7291IMG_7290

img_7322.jpg

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.

img_7422.jpgIMG_7440IMG_7445

Saturday May 5, 2018

IMG_7499

A bush that I photographed every day for almost a year…just checking in.

IMG_7501

Savannah Sparrow…a different song…just so lovely!

IMG_7486IMG_7490IMG_7495IMG_7491

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.

IMG_7471IMG_7502

Not certain what these are…a type of Merganser yet to be identified.

IMG_7509

And the Red Necked Grebes were out on a bit of a flotilla on yesterday!  It’s been an awesome week with the birds!

IMG_7479

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.

IMG_7567