I would imagine that a professional photographer would look at this image with disapproval : ) However, I happen to like sunstars, also called sunbursts, lol! Had a great day of birding on 9 November 2013, S of Calgary, in an area that I don't think I've ever been to before. The scene in my image is at Pine Coulee Reservoir, and as you can see, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. There was a lot of ice on the Reservoir, but there was also plenty of open water, being enjoyed by a lot of water birds, including Canada Geese, Swans and a good variety of ducks, etc.. After stopping at several places along the Reservoir, we continued to Clear Lake, where there were a lot of Snow Geese - this was the first time I'd seen them in great numbers. We also saw two Long-tailed Ducks today, and something like 17 or 18 Rough-legged Hawks, plus Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harriers, Prairie Falcon, etc..

The following report was written by Terry Korolyk, who was our trip leader. Hope he won't mind my using this, as it is so well documented - and accurate : ) Terry has done, and continues to do, phenomenal recording of bird sightings for many years, which has been extremely valuable to endless birders. His photostream on Flickr is: www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/. Thanks so much, Terry, for such a great day!

"Fifteen birders and the Trip Leader thoroughly enjoyed a day of birding today visiting Pine Coulee Reservoir and Clear Lake in the Stavely area. Highlight was 2 Winter-plumaged female LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Pine Coulee, one off the Dam there; the other seen from the road on the east side of the Reservoir approximately a kilometre south of Township Road 150.

Mind-boggling numbers of waterfowl, particularly Mallards, were at the Reservoir, but, also in large numbers were Canada Geese and Hutchinson's subspecies Cackling Geese. Small numbers of Swans, both Trumpeter and Tundra, were in the north end of the Reservoir. Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were also in good numbers with species there in smaller numbers in the north end being Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, and others. A juvenile Greater Scaup or Greater Scaup-Lesser Scaup hybrid was on the north side of the bridge which is part of the highway from Stavely that runs across the Reservoir at roughly its halfway point.

North of the Bridge to the Dam was concentrated mainly with dabblers such as American Coot, American Wigeon, and Gadwall. Others here included approximately 40 Eared Grebes. One Killdeer was at the north end; another just north of the Bridge.

Raptors were in good numbers and variety at the Reservoir including 2 Golden Eagles; 2 juvenile Bald Eagles; 4 Northern Harriers; a Merlin, and many Rough-legged Hawks. The drive to Clear Lake on Township Road 140 produced another juvenile Bald Eagle; 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and, more Rough-legged Hawks.

There was still much open water off the Campground at Clear Lake with Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and, Mallard there in large numbers, and, a generous sprinkling of all the other Duck species. On the ice edge north of the Campground, probably 2,000+ SNOW and ROSS'S GEESE rested. One blue SNOW GEESE was there and, there was a very generous assortment of ROSS'S GEESE in these birds; probably 200+ at least.

The north end of Clear Lake was frozen, so, we headed north to the Twin Valleys Dam Reservoir, and, drove up the east side of it. This produced more Rough-legged Hawks,and, a Prairie Falcon. Some herds of Mule Deer and flocks of Gray Partridge were seen on the trip home via Highways 804, 799, 552, and, Dunbow Road. Total Rough-legged Hawk numbers for the Trip was 17 with one of the parties seeing one while they were travelling to the starting point."

Tags:   Alberta Canada S of Calgary Pine Coulee Reservoir nature landscape scenery water lake reservoir seasons autumn fall like winter partially frozen ice sunstar sunburst rocks pebbles Explore interestingness#457 explore2013November16

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Had a great day of birding yesterday, S of Calgary, in an area that I don't think I've been to before. The scene in my image is at Pine Coulee Reservoir, and as you can see, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. There was a lot of ice on the Reservoir, but there was also plenty of open water, being enjoyed by a lot of water birds, including Canada Geese, Swans and a good variety of ducks, etc.. After stopping at several places along the Reservoir, we continued to Clear Lake, where there were a lot of Snow Geese - this was the first time I'd seen them in great numbers. We also saw two Long-tailed Ducks today, and something like 17 or 18 Rough-legged Hawks, plus Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harriers, Prairie Falcon, etc..

The following report was written by Terry Korolyk, who was our trip leader. Hope he won't mind my using this, as it is so well documented - and accurate : ) Terry has done, and continues to do, phenomenal recording of bird sightings for many years, which has been extremely valuable to endless birders. His photostream on Flickr is: www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/. Thanks so much, Terry, for such a great day!

"Fifteen birders and the Trip Leader thoroughly enjoyed a day of birding today visiting Pine Coulee Reservoir and Clear Lake in the Stavely area. Highlight was 2 Winter-plumaged female LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Pine Coulee, one off the Dam there; the other seen from the road on the east side of the Reservoir approximately a kilometre south of Township Road 150.

Mind-boggling numbers of waterfowl, particularly Mallards, were at the Reservoir, but, also in large numbers were Canada Geese and Hutchinson's subspecies Cackling Geese. Small numbers of Swans, both Trumpeter and Tundra, were in the north end of the Reservoir. Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were also in good numbers with species there in smaller numbers in the north end being Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, and others. A juvenile Greater Scaup or Greater Scaup-Lesser Scaup hybrid was on the north side of the bridge which is part of the highway from Stavely that runs across the Reservoir at roughly its halfway point.

North of the Bridge to the Dam was concentrated mainly with dabblers such as American Coot, American Wigeon, and Gadwall. Others here included approximately 40 Eared Grebes. One Killdeer was at the north end; another just north of the Bridge.

Raptors were in good numbers and variety at the Reservoir including 2 Golden Eagles; 2 juvenile Bald Eagles; 4 Northern Harriers; a Merlin, and many Rough-legged Hawks. The drive to Clear Lake on Township Road 140 produced another juvenile Bald Eagle; 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and, more Rough-legged Hawks.

There was still much open water off the Campground at Clear Lake with Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and, Mallard there in large numbers, and, a generous sprinkling of all the other Duck species. On the ice edge north of the Campground, probably 2,000+ SNOW and ROSS'S GEESE rested. One blue SNOW GEESE was there and, there was a very generous assortment of ROSS'S GEESE in these birds; probably 200+ at least.

The north end of Clear Lake was frozen, so, we headed north to the Twin Valleys Dam Reservoir, and, drove up the east side of it. This produced more Rough-legged Hawks,and, a Prairie Falcon. Some herds of Mule Deer and flocks of Gray Partridge were seen on the trip home via Highways 804, 799, 552, and, Dunbow Road. Total Rough-legged Hawk numbers for the Trip was 17 with one of the parties seeing one while they were travelling to the starting point."

Tags:   Alberta Canada South of Calgary SW of Stavely Pine Coulee Reservoir nature landscape scenery reservoir water lake hills seasons fall autumn like winter rocks stones pebbles

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Had a great day of birding on 9 November 2013, S of Calgary, in an area that I don't think I've ever been to before. The scene in this image is at Pine Coulee Reservoir, taken from the west side looking towards the east. To me, it is such a desolate landscape, but I love it, especially when there is a sprinkling of snow! One of my favourite Christmas Bird Counts isn't all that far away from here. Was glad I spotted the splashes of bright red. There are several campgrounds along the Reservoir, one of which is Pine Coulee Campground. To give an idea of how far away from Calgary this reservoir is, the Pine Coulee Campground is located 119km southwest of Calgary, 9km west of the Town of Stavely, and situated on the south west shore of Pine Coulee Reservoir. There was a lot of ice on the Reservoir, but there was also plenty of open water, being enjoyed by a lot of water birds, including Canada Geese, Swans and a good variety of ducks, etc.. After stopping at several places along the Reservoir, we continued to Clear Lake, where there were a lot of Snow Geese - this was the first time I'd seen them in great numbers. We also saw two Long-tailed Ducks today, and something like 17 or 18 Rough-legged Hawks, plus Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harriers, Prairie Falcon, etc.. (Position on my map is very approximate, added just to mark where Pine Coulee Reservoir is located.)

The following report was written by Terry Korolyk, who was our trip leader. Hope he won't mind my using this, as it is so well documented - and accurate : ) Terry has done, and continues to do, phenomenal recording of bird sightings for many years, which has been extremely valuable to endless birders. His photostream on Flickr is: www.flickr.com/photos/90177127@N07/. Thanks so much, Terry, for such a great day!

"Fifteen birders and the Trip Leader thoroughly enjoyed a day of birding today visiting Pine Coulee Reservoir and Clear Lake in the Stavely area. Highlight was 2 Winter-plumaged female LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Pine Coulee, one off the Dam there; the other seen from the road on the east side of the Reservoir approximately a kilometre south of Township Road 150.

Mind-boggling numbers of waterfowl, particularly Mallards, were at the Reservoir, but, also in large numbers were Canada Geese and Hutchinson's subspecies Cackling Geese. Small numbers of Swans, both Trumpeter and Tundra, were in the north end of the Reservoir. Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye were also in good numbers with species there in smaller numbers in the north end being Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail, and others. A juvenile Greater Scaup or Greater Scaup-Lesser Scaup hybrid was on the north side of the bridge which is part of the highway from Stavely that runs across the Reservoir at roughly its halfway point.

North of the Bridge to the Dam was concentrated mainly with dabblers such as American Coot, American Wigeon, and Gadwall. Others here included approximately 40 Eared Grebes. One Killdeer was at the north end; another just north of the Bridge.

Raptors were in good numbers and variety at the Reservoir including 2 Golden Eagles; 2 juvenile Bald Eagles; 4 Northern Harriers; a Merlin, and many Rough-legged Hawks. The drive to Clear Lake on Township Road 140 produced another juvenile Bald Eagle; 1 Red-tailed Hawk, and, more Rough-legged Hawks.

There was still much open water off the Campground at Clear Lake with Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and, Mallard there in large numbers, and, a generous sprinkling of all the other Duck species. On the ice edge north of the Campground, probably 2,000+ SNOW and ROSS'S GEESE rested. One blue SNOW GEESE was there and, there was a very generous assortment of ROSS'S GEESE in these birds; probably 200+ at least.

The north end of Clear Lake was frozen, so, we headed north to the Twin Valleys Dam Reservoir, and, drove up the east side of it. This produced more Rough-legged Hawks,and, a Prairie Falcon. Some herds of Mule Deer and flocks of Gray Partridge were seen on the trip home via Highways 804, 799, 552, and, Dunbow Road. Total Rough-legged Hawk numbers for the Trip was 17 with one of the parties seeing one while they were travelling to the starting point."

Tags:   Alberta Canada S of Calgary near Stavely Pine Coulee Reservoir nature landscape scenery view hills desolate water reservoir lake birds red buildings seasons fall autumn like winter

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Yesterday, 19 April 2015, I went with a group of friends on a birding trip to Pine Coulee Reservoir, which lies SW of Calgary. After a lovely late start, at 9:30 am - wish all our outings started so late! - we very slowly travelled many backroads south of Calgary, eventually arriving at the Pine Coulee Reservoir. I love the whole area down south with its rolling hills. The weather was beautiful, plenty of bird species were seen, and the company was great. As always, I did not see many of the birds, as they were far too far away and I don't have binoculars. Walkie Talkies would be so good to have on any trip where there is more than one car : ) Thanks, Terry, for another great trip! Thanks, Stephen and Dorothy, for driving Shirley and myself the whole day - greatly appreciated!

At one of the stops along the Reservoir, someone mentioned that Prairie Crocuses were in bloom on a slope down from the parking lot. I just had time to dash over and take a couple of very quick shots before we continued our drive.

"The prairie crocus (Anemone patens), is the first plant to bloom on the prairie each year. The true harbinger of spring, its mauve, petal-like sepals dot the still drab prairie landscape, often before the last snow of winter has melted. By blooming so early, the crocus assures itself of the complete attention of available pollinators - small bees and other insects. Its seeds can then ripen by early June and if moisture is available they will germinate right away. If the prairie is too dry the seeds will go dormant, then germinate the following spring.

Tufts of much-divided leaves emerge once flowering is finished and the risk of severe frost is over, but still well before most other prairie plants.

The saucer-shaped construction of many spring flowers like the crocus, is no accident. Neither is the fuzzy centre of the crocus (composed of numerous yellow stamens and a tuft of greyish pistils - that become plumed fruit), nor its highly reflective petals. It all adds up to solar heating . . . Crocus Style!

The sunlight that reaches the crocus' shiny petals is reflected into the flower centre. This energy is bounced around between the stamens and pistils warming these vital reproductive parts of the flower. On a sunny day the temperature inside a crocus flower can be as much as 10 C (18 F) warmer than the temperature of the surrounding air. Not only does the dish shaped flower concentrate the sun's warmth, it tracks the sun across the sky, maximizing the length of time each day that it can stay warmer than the surrounding air." From naturenorth.com.

www.naturenorth.com/spring/flora/crocus/Prairie_Crocus2.html

Tags:   Alberta Canada Pine Coulee Reservoir nature flora flower flowers plant wildflower Prairie Crocus Pulsatilla patens pale purple mauve Ranunculaceae native blooms in spring Pasque flower prairie anemone prairie smoke wind flower Buttercup family petal-like sepals

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This photo was taken on 9 November 2013, and shows a tiny part of the Pine Coulee Reservoir, Alberta. Yesterday, 19 April 2015, I went with a group of friends on a birding trip to the same area. I didn't get yesterday's photos downloaded to my computer till late in the evening and felt too tired to go though them to find a scenic shot to post today. There was no snow on the ground yesterday and the colours were very different.

After a lovely late start, at 9:30 am - wish all our outings started so late! - we very slowly travelled many backroads south of Calgary, eventually arriving at the Pine Coulee Reservoir. I love the whole area down south with its rolling hills. The weather was beautiful, plenty of bird species were seen (though many not seen myself), and the company was great. As always, I did not see many of the birds, as they were far too far away and I don't have binoculars. Walkie Talkies would be so good to have on any trip where there is more than one car : )

I will add the report compiled by leader, Terry Korolyk. The style in which it is written (i.e. not just a straight species list) may not mean much to most people, but I'm adding it for my own record. Many thanks for another great trip, Terry!

"Eleven participants showed up for today's Field Trip to Pine Coulee Reservoir. We got off to a good start when a COOPER'S HAWK flew over us at the Glennfield Parking Lot in Fish Creek Provincial Park. From there, we headed for Sheriff King slough in the southwest corner of Highways 2A and 22X. One of the resident Ospreys was at the nest platform and an Eared Grebe was a waterfowl highlight here.

We then made our way through the hills southward turning westward on Highway 549 then driving to Highway 22 where we travelled southward to Chain Lakes Provincial Park. We then drove eastward on the highway to Nanton, but, turned off in a few kilometres on the Flying E Ranch Road and drove to Pine Coulee. We birded Pine Coulee, then drove Range Road 283 to Nanton, then back to Calgary on Highway 2. Due to a good numbers of birds on the route, we were unable to bird Clear Lake as time didn't permit.

The weather was lovely and the large Raptors were loving riding the warm thermals. We counted a total of 30 Rough-legged Hawks for the day with a highlight being just south of Black Diamond when kettles of 5 or so Hawks at once were seen on 3 different occasions. Adult light-phase Red-tails were also there in large numbers, and many of them were on nests. Unusual Buteos seen included an adult light-phase Red-tail with a throat heavily streaked like the belly, and Harlanishlike dark morph with the upper part of the head frosty white. Six American Kestrels were seen and also, a small hawk that may have been a Sharp-shinned Hawk was seen.

Highlight of the Trip was a 1st. year BEWICK'S SWAN with 4 adult Tundra Swans resting at a small slough on Twp. Rd. 150 just east of the north end of the Reservoir. Unfortunately, the light was so glary when we there, I had to look at photographs when I got home to be able to see the bird well enough. Other Swans seen were 9 Trumpeters at Pine Coulee and 21 Swans(sp) at Silver Lake north Nanton.

GREATER SCAUP can still be seen in this area at this time of year, as today there were 220-230 of them, mainly north of the Bridge west of Stavely and at the north end of the Reservoir. Eleven Horned Grebes were off the Dam at the Reservoir as was a Common Loon. One Red-necked Grebe was at the Chain Lakes Dam. Eight Barrow's Goldeneye were seen and 6 Hooded Mergansers for the day.

Tree Swallows totalled 20-25 for the day, and Red-winged Blackbirds were fairly widespread in low numbers except for a flock of 20 birds resting in a roadside willow tree. Three Great Blue Herons were found. Excellent numbers of all the basic waterfowl species were seen, and, also seen were a male Cinnamon Teal and a few Blue-winged Teal.

Terry Korolyk"

Tags:   Alberta Canada S of Calgary near Stavely Pine Coulee Reservoir nature landscape scenery view hills desolate water reservoir lake seasons fall autumn like winter

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