Taken in really bad light, but I wanted to add this owl photo to my albums. I had never seen a Great Horned Owl in this particular spot before.
Yesterday afternoon, 21 October 2018, I decided to drive to Fish Creek Park as it was nice and sunny. I knew frieds would be doing a bird walk there, but, thanks to having bursitis (inflammation) in both hips (and both shoulders), I didn't want to do a long walk. I had done this walk with other friends on 16 October and paid a price for going so far. I did want to get a bit of fresh air yesterday and also wanted to use my P900 a bit more. However, I found nothing to photograph! Every plant was dead - and not photogenically dead - and I basically saw no birds. That is, until I bumped into my friends and they told me about this owl. One friend very kindly said she would take me back to where it had been seen. Definitely not easy to see and I doubt I would have spotted it myself.
After we had seen the owl, we joined three other friends at the local coffee shop before heading home.
Tags: Great Horned Owl
© All Rights Reserved
Four days ago, on 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see.
"Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website.
www.ferrets.ca/
Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. Yesterday, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl.
As if a couple of Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. Not the greatest photos, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck.
The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Has been a long time, no see.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Carburn Park nature wildlife ornithology avian bird birds bird of prey owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus adult front/side view tree branch perched sky blue outdoor fall autumn 17 October 2018 Nikon P900 Nikon P900 annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2018 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
To all my American friends - today is THE day. Make sure you get out and VOTE! Good luck. The world will be watching.
The temperature this morning, 6 November 2018, is -10C (windchill -14C) and it is snowing again. "SNOW and ICE create messy, SLICK driving conditions in Calgary." Thanks Weather Network, just what I wanted to read : ) So glad I don't have to go out today, though I will have to tomorrow, to get a cortizone injection in both of my knees (unfortunately, two in shoulders and two in hips, for very painful bursitis (inflammation), at a later date). Never had one of these shots before and I am really hoping that they will work. I'm a mess, ha.
On 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see.
"Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website.
www.ferrets.ca/
Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl.
As if a couple of 'rescue' Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck.
The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Had been a long time, no see.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Carburn Park nature wildlife ornithology avian bird birds bird of prey owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus adult side view tree branch perched outdoor fall autumn 17 October 2018 FZ200 FZ200#4 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2018 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
This morning, my appointment to get two cortisone injections in my knees has just been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday. With a temperature of -9C (windchill -13C), I wish that meant I didn't need to go out in the cold and clear the snow off my car. However, I have a few errands that I really need to run.
On 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see.
"Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website.
www.ferrets.ca/
Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl.
As if a couple of 'rescue' Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck.
The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Had been a long time, no see.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Carburn Park nature wildlife ornithology avian bird birds bird of prey owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus adult front view tree branch perched outdoor fall autumn 17 October 2018 FZ200 FZ200#4 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2018 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
Adding a few photos from yesterday's Christmas Bird Count for High River. I might have to be without my computer for however (?) long, as it keeps stopping and I have to unplug it every time. No idea why this is happening. The computer freezes; the top light on top of the tower stays on, but the tiny light on the front of the tower goes off and won't come back again and I can't use the computer. Today, I will have to call in at the store and speak to the technician and see what he says. Hoping so much that I won't be without my computer for long as I really, really need to have access to it, especially for the next two weeks ... sigh.
A very poor photo, taken at Focal Length (35mm format) - 2000 mm, but at least we actually saw this very distant owl and at least I did get a photo for the record.
© All Rights Reserved