Back to posting another five images from my archives. As usual, I will add the description from under a previously posted photo taken on the same outing.
HAPPY SPRING, EVERYONE!
Sunday, 20 March 2022: our temperature was 0°C (windchill -7°C) at 1:00 pm. Sunrise was at 7:39 am, and sunset was at 7:49 pm. We had a tiny bit of snow last night/this morning.
"This plant was growing at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, north of Calgary, when we spent a wonderful day on 24 July 2011, botanizing the forest and open ground in the area."
Tags: Alberta Canada southern Alberta N of Calgary Medicine River Wildlife Centre nature flora flower flowers wildflower White Camas Anticlea elegans, formerly Zigadenus elegans macro close-up single flower bokeh outdoor summer 24 July 2011 Panasonic Lumix FZ40 annkelliott Anne Elliott
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I had put these five photos aside when I last deleted a few more photos from my computer. Gradually, I will add the description that I had written under a different posted photo taken on the same day.
"This photo was taken when I went to the Calgary Zoo, on 14 October 2014. Several of these small, colourful birds had made nests that were hanging from the leaves of an indoor tropical plant. They are such busy little birds, constantly collecting very narrow, long strands of leaf for their weaving. This bird is a little male, as usual, more colourful than the female.
"The Taveta weaver (Ploceus castaneiceps) is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in Kenya and Tanzania. The name of the bird comes from the unique markings/coloration of the bird, as well as how these birds weave intricate nests.
The male Taveta weaver is a vibrant golden yellow color; this color is duller on its back. The wings and tail are a greener color. The back of the head is red, and the bill, or beak, is black. The female is an olive color with paler streaks. In general, the Taveta weaver is a small bird, around the size of the finch and closely related to the sparrow.
These birds live in large groups, or colonies. Weavers often make a unique—often described as "weird"—noise to communicate. Male weavers build extravagant oval nests over water attached to stems of reeds or grasses. The Taveta weavers lay two or three glossy, dark, olive-green eggs. The female bird chooses who she will mate, depending on how impressed she is with a male's skill to construct a nest." From Wikipedia.
The forecast for today changed overnight. Just after noon, it says we are getting freezing fog (maybe that happened very early morning or in a different part of the city?). Temperature is -1°C (windchill -6°C), but this afternoon, it is supposed to soar to a balmy 8°C and mainly sunny. No sign of sun yet, though, just heavily overcast."
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Calgary Zoo TransAlta Rainforest nature ornithology avian bird birds captive zoo Taveta Golden Weaver Taveta Weaver Ploceus castaneiceps Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae Genus: Ploceus male yellow vibrant Status: Least Concern found in Kenya and Tanzania indoor 14 October 2014 Panasonic Lumix FZ200 annkelliott Anne Elliott
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These five photos are more or less the last images to post from my drive on 8 August 2022. Total drive was 462 km and took roughly 9 and a half hours.
On 8 August 2022, it was the first time I had been out anywhere since 28 July. I wasn't sure which direction I would end up travelling, but I knew that my outing was going to start with breakfast at the Saskatoon Farm. Because I can only eat (barely) on one side of my mouth, I reckoned that I would be able to manage an omelette and creamy hash-browns. It has now been three and a half weeks since I was able to eat a 'proper' meal - yikes! On 10 August, I had another dental appointment, to finish the work on this root canal. Then, yesterday, 11 August, I had to go back again, as the tooth was too high and I couldn't eat. My dentist had said to let him know if this was the case - it was a really complicated root canal. Also, I noticed this week that one of my top front teeth is chipped. This was repaired last (?) year, but the huge metal equipment that needed to be placed in my mouth a week ago must have caught the corner of the tooth. How I thank Pies Plus Cafe and Forage Foods specialty take-out store for their tubs of delicious soups that have kept me going!
Our heat wave continues! It got up to 32C when I was on my drive. This week and next week are going to be really hot, too. So many people were at the Saskatoon Farm, many no doubt for the U-Pick of Saskatoon berries. Far too many people for my liking, except in the indoor dining room, where there is plenty of room I quickly photographed several flowers in the garden and then left the Farm to continue my drive.
Headed south to Frank Lake, but didn't drive into the area. Instead, I drove west to an area that my daughter and I had driven through not long ago. Too late for the Canola fields, which was disappointing, and it was so hazy that the hills and mountains were almost invisible. I wonder if this was simply haze, or perhaps smoke from BC or the States?
On this drive westward, I took a short drive up a gravel back road and didn't notice a hawk on a fencepost until I was past it. It was leaning almost horizontally but gave a lovely view. Unfortunately, it took off immediately right out into a field of hay bales, landing at the base of a distant one. Only managed to get three awful, blurry, useless shots, but I am wondering if it might have been a Ferruginous Hawk.
My drive back north and homeward bound gave me a beautiful sighting of two handsome Mule Deer bucks in a field of Clover. They didn't seem bothered by my car and I was able to take a few photos. Then someone in a truck came noisily down the road at top speed and off went the deer over the hill. Further along this road, I came across a young White-tailed Deer buck which seemed to be on its own. Two or three Hawks were perched on poles and a young Western Meadowlark also added some enjoyment to the day.
The grasshopper I posted from this outing had landed on my windshield when I was parked. A few minutes earlier, one flew on to my clothing and I quickly tried to get it outside. Thinking I had been successful, especially seeing one on the window, I didn't give it another thought. That is, till I was driving, and the original insect leapt up from somewhere below the steering wheel and caught me off guard. Glad I was on a back road and not a busy highway : )
Tags: Alberta Canada SE of Calgary Saskatoon Farm farm nature botany flora plant Straw flower yellow macro close-up bokeh outdoor summer 8 August 2022 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2022 © All Rights Reserved
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13/14 June 2022: we are under an Emergency Alert - Rainfall Warning. Rain, rain and more rain.
"Severe storm risk ahead of major rainfall, flood potential for the Prairies. The Prairies are going to be stuck in a stormy pattern heading into this week, with Sunday featuring a risk for severe weather while western areas are bracing for potential flooding with extreme rainfall through Wednesday. Some areas in Alberta could see 75-100+ mm of rain by the time the storm departs. While the region sorely needs rain, this will likely be too much for the dry ground to absorb in a short period of time, so flooding is likely. Cooler temperatures will allow hefty snowfall totals to fall at higher elevations, with locations above 1200-1300 m at risk for seeing accumulating snow for the duration of the storm." From The Weather Network. 100 mm of rain = 3.9370079 inches.
My daughter and I were finally able to get together on 25 May. I think we have only managed to go for a drive once this year, back in March. This time, our drive was very similar to the long drive I had done on 22 May, though more in reverse order.
I was hoping that my daughter and I might see at least some of the birds that I was lucky enough to see three days earlier. We did see one of the Ferruginous Hawks, but were out of luck for the Great Horned Owl. This was a special Mother's Day/Birthday trip, so we called in at the Saskatoon Farm for a delicious breakfast first thing in the morning, before the main drive. As always, it felt so good to see some of the farm cats and dogs, each one so special. We also had a quick stop at Frank Lake straight after the Farm, before heading south.
Enough birds everywhere to keep us happy most of the day, though not the best conditions for photography. I was really hoping that the weather would improve as the day wore on. Nothing could spoil my favourite kind of day, though, with a whole day spent with my daughter and her 'eagle eyes'. A total of 309 km, roughly 9 hours.
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DONALD (DON) JAMES STILES
1931 - 2022
Rest in Peace, Don Stiles. I always greatly looked forward to Don's annual Bluebird outing, watching him expertly band Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows at their nesting boxes. I'm not sure exactly how many years Don was a devoted Bluebird monitor - more than 40 years, I'm sure. My sincere condolences to Andrew and the rest of the family. My thoughts are with you. The funeral service was beautiful, and we all learned so much more about Don.
I had put these four photos aside when I recently deleted a few more photos from my computer. Gradually, I will add the description that I had written under a different posted photo taken on the same day.
Recently, I haven't been posting as many photos as I usually do. With snow in the forecast, I have had to get out and stock up with food, especially, and see to other important errands. Clearing the snow off my car is going to be painful and almost impossible with my damaged shoulder rotator cuff, plus I now have two painful arms, ha, as I was finally able to go and get the most recent COVID-19 booster shot (Pfizer) yesterday. It has just started snowing, as I type.
"I'm not getting much variety in the bird species I am seeing, but I still enjoy photographing the ones I do see. I more or less repeated the drives I have been doing recently. Saw a Bobolink for the third time this spring, though still only from a distance. The Mountain Bluebirds are all so busy gathering insects for their babies. Such a special time of year."
Tags: Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides male thrush species side view perched fence post field bokeh outdoor spring 9 June 2022 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2022 © All Rights Reserved
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