Best viewed large. This close up video of a magnificent great grey owl shows the owl as it looks around for prey. It may also be looking for potential threats or another perch. Notice the pupils changing size very quickly as it looks around.
Tags: Strix nebulosa great gray grey owl rural Alberta amazing wildlife raptor bird predator nature beauty beautiful eyes yellow perched post feathers detail portrait Canada fauna wild Ornithology birdwatching behaviour behavior close-up
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A shaky, hand-held video of a male mountain bluebird that is bringing food to it's brood. I've been told by a bluebird expert that the wing flashes are used to signal something to its mate. Whether that is every time it raises a wing or not, I don't know, but this one seems to have lots to say.
Although this link is for a different bluebird species, there are similarities: HP@#LocalAccount01
Tags: mountain bluebird happiness blue feathers Sialia currucoides perched prey bug caterpillar male green birdbox grub insect larvae behaviour behavior grey summer wild Alberta wildlife nature wing flash waves
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When I was out photographing east of Edmonton a couple weeks ago, I stopped at a roadside pond to check on opportunities. A number of muskrats were swimming and occasionally munching on vegetable matter. I also found a dead pectoral sandpiper floating on the edge of the pond. Later in the afternoon, I returned to the same pond. I noticed a muskrat munching away and sitting in one spot for a while. I have been thinking of trying out the video on my camera, so started recording. After a short while, I realized the critter was munching away on the deceased sandpiper! That surprised me.
Like me, you may think muskrats are vegetarian, but you would be wrong. They will also eat fish, amphibians, and shellfish when little else is available. I guess a little protein in the spring, in the form of a dead sandpiper, was too tempting. The muskrat is watchful of a nearby rival, and runs away when the rival approaches. Missed catching the chase on the video.
If you need music accompaniment, I suggest Muskrat Love, by The Captain and Tennille: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBYV_7a0FQs.
Tags: muskrat eating shorebird video Ondatra zibethicus protien scavanger spring wild animal nature Alberta
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