Yes, an awful photo of this rare bird, but I'm adding it just to remind myself of when I saw it. Much better, older, photos in my Bobolink album : ) When I first saw this bird, it was way down the road and perched on a fence post. I zoomed in on my camera and was delighted to see that it was a Bobolink. Had to take three quick shots through the windshield, which often/usually tends not to work, from a long distance. The bird took off across the field and disappeared from view.
A short time afterwards, I suddenly heard it (or a different individual?) singing loudly right near where I was pulled over. Unfortunately, all the leaves are now out on the trees and I just could not find the bird. Instead, I did spot a Starling with an insect in its beak for its babies. I wonder if this Bobolink is the same individual that I saw on 26 May 2024.
Earlier in my drive the day before yesterday, I had heard a Bobolink at a different location, too. Just to be sure, I had it confirmed on Merlin song ID. No sign of the bird, though.
Yay, Flickr is accessible again after a short issue this afternoon.
Saturday, 15 June 2024. We are undergoing a forecast thunder storm, with rain and wind right now, as I type. Might end up turning off my computer, if it doesn't stop.
UPDATE on water restrictions in Calgary. 14 June 2024:
"Calgary Emergency Management Agency Chief Susan Henry said water restrictions will be needed for at least three to five more weeks." The break occurred on 5 June, as more pipe damage has been found, so we have already been going through it for 10 days. I would imagine that the heavy rain we are getting this afternoon could make a muddy mess of the whole repair area.
Tuesday, 11 June 2024: LIMIT YOUR WATER USAGE! The water main breakage issue started on 5 June 2024.
"As work to repair a break in a major feeder water main continued Tuesday, Calgarians can expect limitations on their water use to last through the weekend and into next week.
Nancy Mackay, Calgary's water services director, says the work is going to take longer than officials first expected.
"We do not have a date for the restoration of the service. Based on the information we have now, I expect to be able to share a closer date mid-next week," Mackay said on Tuesday." From the Weather Network.
Thursday, 13 June 2024:
"Work to fix a critical water main break that has triggered outdoor water restrictions has been stalled due to injuries on the work site on Wednesday night, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said during an 8:30 a.m. update on Thursday morning. The injured workers were taken to hospital and neither is in critical condition."
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Did a drive SW of Calgary on 13 June 2024. All familiar roads. Hadn't really planned exactly where to go. Not a whole lot to see, but was happy to see two Wilson's Snipe. I was surprised at how few Mountain Bluebirds I came across on this drive, but was thankful to see the few that I did see. The sun was so bright and all but one photo were blown out.
Driving along a main road, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to turn off on to one of the back roads. Almost immediately, I happened to glance down at the valley floor where a distant White-tailed deer caught my eye.
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