Wednesday, 13 April 2022: our temperature is -9°C (windchill -17°C) just after 12:00 noon. Sunrise was at 6:45 am, and sunset is at 8:28 pm. Snowing. This plunge from warm weather back to winter isn't exactly welcome, but we do need the moisture.

Back to grabbing a few more photos from my archives. If I wrote a description under a previously posted image taken on the same trip/outing, I will add it under today's photos.

"This was one of the places we went to on 25 June 2005. First, we spent the morning being shown around the absolutely amazing homestead gardens belonging to Jim Coutts, south of Calgary, near Nanton. This included a display area of various native grasses that were being grown.

From there, Jim took us to William's Coulee, for a botany hike. We parked down at the road and then hiked up to the top of this coulee. Couldn't believe that at the end of the hike, Jim led us down the rather challenging rock-covered slope to the road."

I most definitely could not manage this 17 years later! The coulee has an elevation of 1182 metres.

Tags:   Alberta Canada S of Calgary William's Coulee valley coulee cliffs rocky slope plateau road highway hike outdoor 25 June 2005 Olympus C750UZ annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2005 © All Rights Reserved

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Yesterday's drive, 15 August 2022, took me way SE of Calgary. I had one main destination in mind (an old ghost town that I had visited before) and one special hope along the way (a Common Nighthawk??). Will have to add descriptions, etc. another time, as our heat wave continues and I have no choice but to again spend a few hours in my car's air-conditioning tomorrow. Need to get a few things ready tonight.

It was a long day of driving - 462 km in total. Hot, up to 32C, but I was able to get a nice breeze by opening both front side windows. Most of my driving was on main roads, because I had to get back home before the light started fading, One of my absolute favourite gravel roads was involved, though, but there was little bird activity. I only found one Western Meadowlark in the whole day, so I knew that the month spent mainly at home with a really bad tooth infection/root canal meant that I was now too late for most things. Spotting two Common Nighthawks really helped, though. Also, a few hawks and lots of Horned Larks.

The old ghost town was so enjoyable. Despite its very small size, it is an interesting place with a sprinkling of old structures and a beautiful old church. It is all well-cared for. Unfortunately, I was just too late to see the garden flowers at their best. The local people who take care of things do a really good job.

One thing that there was no shortage of was grasshoppers! I had read about how many there were at the moment. They were bouncing off my windshield along a couple of the back roads. My poor white car is now filthy brown with road dust at the back end, and the front end is one mass of insect splats!

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary Retlaw ghost town

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Adding another five photos taken on 16 June 2022.

Video from The Weather Network - dive-bombing Red-winged Blackbirds in Toronto:
cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/7fZGcqdx

The day before yesterday, 16 June 2022, I made the most of a break in our ongoing rainy weather and covered the same area as I've been doing the last few outings - SW of Calgary. After the torrential rain, one of my favourite small wetlands now has water in it. Too late for the birds to start nesting there, apart from the few that are already there. I had almost given up on seeing a Wilson's Snipe, but when I drove slowly past the area on my way home, I was happy to find one on a fence post. Not that I don't have enough photos of these Snipe already from over the years, but I just love to see and photograph them.

The Bobolink(s) also were in the area yesterday and, once again, I bought take-out from Ranchers Corner and enjoyed my meal, sitting in my car, listening to the glorious song of the Bobolink.

Will there ever be a day with no wind? Such windy days the last little while. More rain, too, on 7 of the next 8 days. Yesterday evening, I had almost finished typing a long email to a friend when, suddenly, the power went out on my street (and area?). Took them maybe an hour and a quarter to fix it, but my email was no longer there when the power did finally come back on. Saw lightning in the distance.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus male back/side view down on the ground field outdoor spring 16 June 2022 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2022 © All Rights Reserved

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Back to photos from my archives. I am adding the description that I wrote under a previously posted photo from the same outing.

"Couldn't believe how beautiful these horses were. We came across several of these gorgeous animals in a field next to a path we were walking on for our Christmas Bird Count in Canmore, near Banff, in the Rocky Mountains. They seemed really friendly. Not sure if I'll lighten this photo a tiny bit. I did try it, but somehow the colour of the horse seemed too light. I love their light mane with the black stripe that goes all the way along it, and the little bit of snow below his/her nose.

"The Fjord Horse or Norwegian Fjord Horse (known in Norway as a Fjording or Fjordhest) is a relatively small but very strong horse breed from the mountainous regions of Western Norway. It is an agile breed of light draft horse build. All Fjords are dun in color, with five variations in shade recognized by their breed registries. One of the world's oldest and purest breeds, it has been used for hundreds of years as a farm horse in Norway, and in modern times is popular for its generally good temperament. It is used both as a harness horse and under saddle.

It is believed that the original Fjord Horse migrated to Norway and was domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Herds of wild Fjord Horses existed in Norway after the last ice age. Archaeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate that the Fjord Horse has been selectively bred for at least 2,000 years. The Fjord horse also has a long recorded history of pure breeding without crossbreeding from other sources. Archeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate the Fjord horse has been selectively bred for 2,000 years. The Fjord horse and its ancestors have been used for hundreds of years as farm animals in western Norway. Even as late as World War II, they were useful for work in mountainous terrain." From Wikipedia.

Tags:   Alberta Canada southern Alberta Rocky Mountains Canmore near Banff Christmas Bird Count nature outdoors animal domesticated mammal horse Norwegian Fjord Horse Fjording Fjordhest one winter snow fence front view 19 December 2009 Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2009 © All Rights Reserved

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Once again, I am back to posting a few old photos from my archives. If I wrote a description under another photo taken on the same outing, I will add it here.

"Some years, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton is held late in December. Other years, it ends up being held early January, sometimes delayed because of really bad weather. The Count for 2016 was held on 30 December.

We drove through such beautiful scenery when we were covering the SW quadrant of the Christmas Bird Count circle that centered on the town of Nanton. A landscape over which the occasional Golden Eagle soars and in which, some years, numerous Sharp-tailed Grouse wander on the ground or perch in trees.

Actually, there are not many chances to take photos of birds on many of these Counts, but those of you who know me well know that I love taking scenic shots, old barns, and anything else beautiful and/or interesting. Including farm cats!

Last year, the highlight for me was seeing Pine Grosbeaks nice and close. This Count, I think the highlights were the stunning winter scenery, and a Great Horned Owl.

I absolutely love this area SW of Nanton! Some of these backroads are extremely steep and almost look vertical when seen from a distance. Some years, the whole area is white, covered in deep snow, so that you can't tell where the roadside ends and the ditch begins. This Count, it wasn't too bad, thank goodness, though I might have felt differently if I had been one of the two drivers for our group!

After driving (being driven, for me, which is always pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 3:30 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads (though I've never driven them myself), but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards. This is one of my favourite Bird Counts, and perhaps the most favourite.

Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony and Andrew, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your wonderfully warm welcome! It was another well-organized Count, Mike, as usual - thank you!"

Tags:   Alberta Canada S of Calgary Nanton Nanton area Audubon Christmas Bird Count 2016 SW quadrant of Count circle animal domesticated farm cat farm cat barn cat ginger portrait outdoor winter 30 December 2016 FZ1000 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2016 © All Rights Reserved

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