Love seeing and photographing Wilson Snipes, especially when they are perched on a fence post rather than on the ground. This Snipe was not one of my usual ones, which made a nice change. It was seen yesterday, 16 July 2014, when I took a drive along some of the backroads SW of the city.

Temperatures got up to around 32C or 33C yesterday afternoon. My desk thermometer said it was 32C in my computer room, so I knew I just had to get out for a while, to enjoy the air-conditioning in my car. The backroads SW of the city come in handy when I don't have a lot of time, and I can usually find something of interest to photograph. This gorgeous Snipe was sitting on a fence post along one of the backroads, right before I was about to turn on to Highway 22X. They are fairly small birds and I only noticed it at the last minute. Fortunately, there were no other cars behind me, so I was able to reverse till the Snipe was level with my car. I had to shoot from the driver's side - could have got an even closer shot if I had been sitting on the passenger seat : )

"These plump, long-billed birds are among the most widespread shorebirds in North America. They can be tough to see thanks to their cryptic brown and buff coloration and secretive nature. But in summer they often stand on fence posts or take to the sky with a fast, zigzagging flight and an unusual “winnowing” sound made with the tail." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/id

"Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) is a small, stocky shorebird. This species was considered to be a subspecies of the Common Snipe (G. gallinago) until 2003 when it was given its own species status. Wilson's Snipe differs from the latter species in having a narrower white trailing edge to the wings, and eight pairs of tail feathers instead of the typical seven of the Common Snipe. Its common name commemorates the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_snipe

According to Fisher and Acorn's book, "Birds of Alberta", "the common Snipe is both secretive and well camouflaged, so few people notice it until it flushes suddenly from a nearby grassy tussock. As soon as the Snipe takes to the air, it performs a series of quick zigzags - an evasive maneuver designed to confuse predators. Because of this habit, Snipes were among the most difficult birds to shoot (in the days when shorebirds were hunted for sport), and skilled sportsmen were known as "snipers" - a term later adopted by the military."

youtu.be/Z16CUdX2g5Q

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH from Weather Network, for afternoon of 17 July 2014:

"Severe thunderstorm conditions possible - afternoon to evening. Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain. There is also a risk of a tornado. A warm and humid airmass in Southern and east-central Alberta has the potential to produce severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop early this afternoon in the Red Deer, Airdrie, and Drumheller regions and then spread eastward into the Hanna, Brooks and Medicine Hat regions. As the severe thunderstorms develop, there is an increased risk for tornadoes to develop in the Drumheller and Hanna regions this afternoon."

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature ornithology avian bird birds Snipe Wilson's Snipe Gallinago gallinago shorebird adult side/back view perched fence post bokeh feathers pattern Explore explore2014July18 annkelliott Anne Elliott Panasonic DMC-FZ200 FZ200 Lumix point-and-shoot interestingness#64 Wildscreen Exchange Arkive

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We saw this handsome Wilson's Snipe south of Calgary yesterday (was it really only yesterday?!) Six of us went to the area south of 22X to do our annual May Species Count. A long day, from 7:30 a.m. till around 4:00 p.m., but most enjoyable. I would say the highlight was the unexpected sighting of the Great Gray Owl that I posted yesterday!

"For a short while this species was lumped with other similar birds, collectively called Common Snipe. DNA evidence showed that the populations did not interbreed, so its original name was restored. The breeding range of the Wilson's Snipe includes most of mainland Canada and the adjoining USA." From talkaboutwildlife website.

talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=129

Tags:   Alberta Canada south of Calgary south of 22X nature ornithology avian bird birds fauna wildlife Gallinago gallinago perched perching fence post free wild Snipe Wilson's Snipe side view outdoors no people image photograph digital vertical grass Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix P1090983 FZ28 annkelliott Birdshare

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I was so happy when we came across this Wilson's Snipe a few days ago, at a location where I had taken many photos of it/them the last few years. When I drove past there last week, there was no sign of a Snipe, which was disappointing, as I love to photograph them.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/lifehistory

Sunday, 25 May 2014, was the annual May Species Count, and it went really well. There were seven people in my group and we travelled in two vehicles, covering a large area SW of Calgary and W of Priddis. The Count lasted from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the weather was mostly clear but clouded up by noon, with a short shower while we were having lunch at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park. Heavy clouds for the rest of the day, calm, 9-18°C, with 88km travelled by car. 69 bird species were found, plus 15 White-tailed Deer and two Moose. Most species were seen from far away, but I did manage to get just a few photos of several of the species. A good day : ) Thanks for driving Rob and myself, Phil! Much appreciated!

Each year on this Count, a highlight is calling in to see the much sought-after Evening Grosbeaks at Barb Castell's acreage. They didn't let us down, and even gave us some chances to get a few photos. Feeder photos are not my favourite, but we were also able to catch them in the trees, too. After the Count ended, it was pointed out that we could return to the city by one of two different routes. If we had chosen the other route, we would have missed the other highlight of the day - a Great Gray Owl! It didn't stay around for more than a few minutes, as it was busy hunting, but we did manage to get a handful of shots. We also saw a Ring-necked Pheasant in a field, just within camera range.

I will add the list (compiled by the Count leader, Gus Yaki), of the 69 bird species seen, for my own memory. It probably won't be of much interest to most of you : ) I should add that I didn't see every single one of these species.

Canada Goose-60 ad/30 juv.
Gadwall-3
Mallard-19
Blue-winged Teal-16
Cinnamon Teal-2
Northern Shoveler-10
Green-winged Teal-6
Redhead-2
Ring-necked Duck-9
Lesser Scaup-19
Bufflehead-10
Barrow's Goldeneye-2
Ruddy Duck-10
Ring-necked Pheasant-1 heard.
Common Loon-1
Pied-billed Grebe-1
Great Blue Heron-1
Swainson's Hawk-1
Red-tailed Hawk-7
Sora-5
American Coot-6
Killdeer-3
Spotted Sandpiper-3
Wilson's Snipe-10
Wilson's Phalarope-5
Black Tern-22
Mourning Dove-1
Great Gray Owl-2
Red-naped Sapsucker-1
Downy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-1
Western Wood-Pewee-2
Least Flycatcher-7
Eastern Phoebe-1
Eastern Kingbird-4
Warbling Vireo-1
Blue Jay-7
Black-billed Magpie-8
American Crow-7
Common Raven-6
Tree Swallow-213
Barn Swallow-4
Black-capped Chickadee-12
Mountain Chickadee-5
Boreal Chickadee-2
White-breasted Nuthatch-1
House Wren-7
Ruby-crowned Kinglet-5
Mountain Bluebird-24
American Robin-12
Gray Catbird-2
European Starling-7
Tennessee Warbler-6
Yellow Warbler-3
Northern Waterthrush-1
Chipping Sparrow-9
Clay-colored Sparrow-26
Savannah Sparrow-3
Song Sparrow-2
Dark-eyed Junco-3
Red-winged Blackbird-164
Brewer's Blackbird-11
Common Grackle-8
Brown-headed Cowbird-9
Baltimore Oriole-1
Purple Finch-2
American Goldfinch-1
Evening Grosbeak-15
House Sparrow-4

Red Squirrel-4
Richardson's Ground Squirrel-1
Columbian Ground Squirrel-1
Meadow Vole-1
White-tailed Deer-15
Moose-2

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary May Species Count 2014 nature ornithology avian bird birds Snipe Wilson's Snipe Gallinago gallinago shorebird adult side view perched fence post bokeh wetland Explore interestingness#377 explore2014May29 annkelliott Anne Elliott Panasonic DMC-FZ200 FZ200 Lumix point-and-shoot

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I love WIlson's Snipes ..... especially when they are perched on a close fence post : ) No cropping needed, and it was standing on both legs instead of the often-seen one leg. Taken when I went for a drive just SW of the city yesterday evening, straight after my usual volunteer shift. After so much rain, and the Flood of the Century this past week, it just feels so good to see the sunshine. My heart goes out to all those in the city and the rest of the province, who are now starting on the monumental task of cleaning all the mud out of their basements or, worst of all, having to face the fact that their homes are too badly damaged to live in. I checked to see when I took my first photo of a Wilson's Snipe - 4 July 2005, at the wetland by Spruce Meadows, S of the city. (I overslept yet again today, so am posting my "daily three" very late, around 11:00 a.m.).

According to Fisher and Acorn's book, "Birds of Alberta", "the common Snipe is both secretive and well camouflaged, so few people notice it until it flushes suddenly from a nearby grassy tussock. As soon as the Snipe takes to the air, it performs a series of quick zigzags - an evasive maneuver designed to confuse predators. Because of this habit, Snipes were among the most difficult birds to shoot (in the days when shorebirds were hunted for sport), and skilled sportsmen were known as "snipers" - a term later adopted by the military."

Not sure what is going on with Flickr today - in IE I keep getting the "broken link" message.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature ornithology avian bird birds Snipe Wilson's Snipe Gallinago gallinago shorebird adult side view perched fence post bokeh #GreatNature

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Another photo from my archives, taken SW of Calgary on 10 June 2011. These birds often seem to put on an excellent one-legged balancing act.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_Snipe

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wilsons_Snipe/id

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature ornithology avian bird birds Snipe Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Scolopacidae shorebird very long bill perched fence post bokeh beauty in nature standing on one leg Panasonic DMC-FZ40 DMC-FZ40 FZ40 Lumix point-and-shoot P1070888 FZ40 annkelliott Anne Elliott beautiful_expression GlobalBirdTrekkers

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