After a disappointing drive SW of the city on 2 May 2023, I made myself go for a drive SE of Calgary on 4 May. This time, I was a bit anxious about my car, after I was unable to start it again on 2nd May. I had pulled over and stopped to photograph a Mountain Bluebird. When I tried to turn the car back on, I couldn't. Eventually, after maybe 15 minutes or so of letting the car 'rest', I was so relieved that I could start it, but cut my drive short, heading straight for home with no stopping.

This drive, I saw more than on the previous trip. Plenty of Vesper Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, perched mainly on fence posts. Nice to come across a small family of Mule Deer. Usually, deer take off when they see a car coming, but these three weren't bothered by my presence.

Taking an unfamiliar back road, I found a Red-tailed Hawk on its nest. Saw just one Western Meadowlark out in a field and partly hidden amongst the tall grasses. A few different species of ducks and Red-winged Blackbirds and quite a gathering of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at a familiar slough. The latter seemed rather skittish at first, but then they settled down on the ground and on the barbed-wire fence, giving me the chance for photos. Their 'rusty gate' vocalizations were pretty much drowned out by the loud croaking of the Chorus Frogs (see video). Happy to come across a European Starling nearby, too.

Tonight, as I type, I can hear the rain, knowing that the forecast is a wet one for the next few days. Hope this spring rain will help all the firefighters deal with the 100+ wildfires that are burning in Alberta.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird European Starling Sturnus vulgaris perched fence post wings spread pattern side view field bokeh outdoor spring 4 May 2023 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2023 © All Rights Reserved 55 million Flickr views 55,000,000 Flickr views 55 million Thank You's

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After a disappointing drive SW of the city on 2 May 2023, I made myself go for a drive SE of Calgary on 4 May. This time, I was a bit anxious about my car, after I was unable to start it again on 2nd May. I had pulled over and stopped to photograph a Mountain Bluebird. When I tried to turn the car back on, I couldn't. Eventually, after maybe 15 minutes or so of letting the car 'rest', I was so relieved that I could start it, but cut my drive short, heading straight for home with no stopping.

This drive, I saw more than on the previous trip. Plenty of Vesper Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, perched mainly on fence posts. Nice to come across a small family of Mule Deer. Usually, deer take off when they see a car coming, but these three weren't bothered by my presence.

Taking an unfamiliar back road, I found a Red-tailed Hawk on its nest. Saw just one Western Meadowlark out in a field and partly hidden amongst the tall grasses. A few different species of ducks and Red-winged Blackbirds and quite a gathering of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at a familiar slough. The latter seemed rather skittish at first, but then they settled down on the ground and on the barbed-wire fence, giving me the chance for photos. Their 'rusty gate' vocalizations were pretty much drowned out by the loud croaking of the Chorus Frogs (see video). Happy to come across a European Starling nearby, too.

Tonight, as I type, I can hear the rain, knowing that the forecast is a wet one for the next few days. Hope this spring rain will help all the firefighters deal with the 100+ wildfires that are burning in Alberta.

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After a disappointing drive SW of the city on 2 May 2023, I made myself go for a drive SE of Calgary on 4 May. This time, I was a bit anxious about my car, after I was unable to start it again on 2nd May. I had pulled over and stopped to photograph a Mountain Bluebird. When I tried to turn the car back on, I couldn't. Eventually, after maybe 15 minutes or so of letting the car 'rest', I was so relieved that I could start it, but cut my drive short, heading straight for home with no stopping.

This drive, I saw more than on the previous trip. Plenty of Vesper Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, perched mainly on fence posts. Nice to come across a small family of Mule Deer. Usually, deer take off when they see a car coming, but these three weren't bothered by my presence.

Taking an unfamiliar back road, I found a Red-tailed Hawk on its nest. Saw just one Western Meadowlark out in a field and partly hidden amongst the tall grasses. A few different species of ducks and Red-winged Blackbirds and quite a gathering of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at a familiar slough. The latter seemed rather skittish at first, but then they settled down on the ground and on the barbed-wire fence, giving me the chance for photos. Their 'rusty gate' vocalizations were pretty much drowned out by the loud croaking of the Chorus Frogs (see video). Happy to come across a European Starling nearby, too.

Tonight, as I type, I can hear the rain, knowing that the forecast is a wet one for the next few days. Hope this spring rain will help all the firefighters deal with the 100+ wildfires that are burning in Alberta.

© All Rights Reserved

After a disappointing drive SW of the city on 2 May 2023, I made myself go for a drive SE of Calgary on 4 May. This time, I was a bit anxious about my car, after I was unable to start it again on 2nd May. I had pulled over and stopped to photograph a Mountain Bluebird. When I tried to turn the car back on, I couldn't. Eventually, after maybe 15 minutes or so of letting the car 'rest', I was so relieved that I could start it, but cut my drive short, heading straight for home with no stopping.

This drive, I saw more than on the previous trip. Plenty of Vesper Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, perched mainly on fence posts. Nice to come across a small family of Mule Deer. Usually, deer take off when they see a car coming, but these three weren't bothered by my presence.

Taking an unfamiliar back road, I found a Red-tailed Hawk on its nest. Saw just one Western Meadowlark out in a field and partly hidden amongst the tall grasses. A few different species of ducks and Red-winged Blackbirds and quite a gathering of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at a familiar slough. The latter seemed rather skittish at first, but then they settled down on the ground and on the barbed-wire fence, giving me the chance for photos. Their 'rusty gate' vocalizations were pretty much drowned out by the loud croaking of the Chorus Frogs (see video). Happy to come across a European Starling nearby, too.

Tonight, as I type, I can hear the rain, knowing that the forecast is a wet one for the next few days. Hope this spring rain will help all the firefighters deal with the 100+ wildfires that are burning in Alberta.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary video nature wildlife avian ornithology bird Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus males several group standing on dried grasses Chorus Frogs heard but not seen water slough outdoor spring 4 May 2023 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2023 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

Far away, zoomed in, and a touch of filter added in post-processing.

After a disappointing drive SW of the city on 2 May 2023, I made myself go for a drive SE of Calgary on 4 May. This time, I was a bit anxious about my car, after I was unable to start it again on 2nd May. I had pulled over and stopped to photograph a Mountain Bluebird. When I tried to turn the car back on, I couldn't. Eventually, after maybe 15 minutes or so of letting the car 'rest', I was so relieved that I could start it, but cut my drive short, heading straight for home with no stopping.

This drive, I saw more than on the previous trip. Plenty of Vesper Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, perched mainly on fence posts. Nice to come across a small family of Mule Deer. Usually, deer take off when they see a car coming, but these three weren't bothered by my presence.

Taking an unfamiliar back road, I found a Red-tailed Hawk on its nest. Saw just one Western Meadowlark out in a field and partly hidden amongst the tall grasses. A few different species of ducks and Red-winged Blackbirds and quite a gathering of Yellow-headed Blackbirds were at a familiar slough. The latter seemed rather skittish at first, but then they settled down on the ground and on the barbed-wire fence, giving me the chance for photos. Their 'rusty gate' vocalizations were pretty much drowned out by the loud croaking of the Chorus Frogs (see video). Happy to come across a European Starling nearby, too.

Tonight, as I type, I can hear the rain, knowing that the forecast is a wet one for the next few days. Hope this spring rain will help all the firefighters deal with the 100+ wildfires that are burning in Alberta.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary farm building structure barn old weathered decay rural decay rural rural scene trees field outdoor spring 4 May 2023 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2023 © All Rights Reserved

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