The six photos posted this morning were all taken the day before yesterday, on 7 November 2019. How lucky we were that this day trip was not held today or tomorrow, as we are under a Snowfall Warning. Yes, more snow yet again.
"Issued at 04:30 Saturday 09 November 2019
Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected.
A strong cold front will result in heavy snow over parts of southern Alberta this weekend. The most intense snow is expected tonight and through the overnight hours. General accumulations of 10 cm will occur by Sunday morning, however, some areas could see upwards of 20 cm. Temperatures are also expected to fall throughout today as the cold front passes." From the Weather Network.
Seven friends and I left the city about 9:00 am and started our day of birding barely north of Highway #1. This was a new road to me and it was quite a pleasant, scenic route. So many hay bales are still dotting the landscape in this area. A farm with a few Bison was an unexpected find.
After coming back to the main highway, we travelled west to the Sibbald Creek Trail, otherwise known as Highway 68. This is a 37.2 km road that goes from Highway 1 all the way to Highway 40, which is the road that goes through Kananaskis. I can't remember when I last saw Highway 68, but it must have been a few years ago. Not a road I would ever drive myself in winter! I have never driven along it in summer, either, but maybe that is a project I can work on for next year.
We made a few stops along Highway 68, including at the Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest. That is where we were lucky enough to see a lone Canada Jay. It really was a slow day bird-wise, so even a Magpie would have been welcome.
Another stop was at the Barrier Lake Visitor's Centre, where we ate our packed lunches. Not only were the washrooms very welcome, but so was the beautiful warmth from the fireplace - thank you, staff, for lighting a fire for us!
A final stopping place was the Seebe Dam. Fifteen minutes of standing in a strong, cold wind was more than enough for us, but at least we were lucky enough to spot a rare leucistic Trumpeter Swan! This bird was on its own, away from a group of 24 regular Trumpeters. We could see its yellow legs each time it dipped to feed. It also had some red on the upper part of its bill, as well as a pale tip to the bill. After a while, several of the regular Trumpeters swam over and joined the leucistic bird, which was good to see.
Thanks so much, Andrew, for taking us on this enjoyable trip! Many thanks, Tony, for picking me up and driving all day, Greatly appreciated, especially as I had not planned to go, as the meeting place was way out of my driving comfort zone.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary just N of Hwy 1 birding trip farm Bison domesticated farmed group herd building outdoor fall autumn 7 November 2019 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2019 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
Another photo taken through the windscreen.
The six photos posted this morning were all taken the day before yesterday, on 7 November 2019. How lucky we were that this day trip was not held today or tomorrow, as we are under a Snowfall Warning. Yes, more snow yet again.
"Issued at 04:30 Saturday 09 November 2019
Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected.
A strong cold front will result in heavy snow over parts of southern Alberta this weekend. The most intense snow is expected tonight and through the overnight hours. General accumulations of 10 cm will occur by Sunday morning, however, some areas could see upwards of 20 cm. Temperatures are also expected to fall throughout today as the cold front passes." From the Weather Network.
Seven friends and I left the city about 9:00 am and started our day of birding barely north of Highway #1. This was a new road to me and it was quite a pleasant, scenic route. A farm with a few Bison was an unexpected find.
After coming back to the main highway, we travelled west to the Sibbald Creek Trail, otherwise known as Highway 68. This is a 37.2 km road that goes from Highway 1 all the way to Highway 40, which is the road that goes through Kananaskis. I can't remember when I last saw Highway 68, but it must have been a few years ago. As you can see in this photo, the scenery is spectacular - as it is anywhere in Kananaskis. Not a road I would ever drive myself in winter! I have never driven along it in summer, either, but maybe that is a project I can work on for next year.
We made a few stops along Highway 68, including at the Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest. That is where we were lucky enough to see a lone Canada Jay. It really was a slow day bird-wise, so even a Magpie would have been welcome.
Another stop was at the Barrier Lake Visitor's Centre, where we ate our packed lunches. Not only were the washrooms very welcome, but so was the beautiful warmth from the fireplace - thank you, staff, for lighting a fire for us!
A final stopping place was the Seebe Dam. Fifteen minutes of standing in a strong, cold wind was more than enough for us, but at least we were lucky enough to spot a rare leucistic Trumpeter Swan! This bird was on its own, away from a group of 24 regular Trumpeters. We could see its yellow legs each time it dipped to feed. It also had some red on the upper part of its bill, as well as a pale tip to the bill. After a while, several of the regular Trumpeters swam over and joined the leucistic bird, which was good to see.
Thanks so much, Andrew, for taking us on this enjoyable trip! Many thanks, Tony, for picking me up and driving all day, Greatly appreciated, especially as I had not planned to go, as the meeting place was way out of my driving comfort zone.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary Sibbald Creek Trail Highway 68 landscape scenery hill mountain Mt. Baldy road highway road barriers vehicle car birders friends trees forest mountain slope mountainside snow snow-covered taken through windshield outdoor fall autumn 7 November 2019 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2019 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
The six photos posted this morning were all taken the day before yesterday, on 7 November 2019. How lucky we were that this day trip was not held today or tomorrow, as we are under a Snowfall Warning. Yes, more snow yet again.
"Issued at 04:30 Saturday 09 November 2019
Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected.
A strong cold front will result in heavy snow over parts of southern Alberta this weekend. The most intense snow is expected tonight and through the overnight hours. General accumulations of 10 cm will occur by Sunday morning, however, some areas could see upwards of 20 cm. Temperatures are also expected to fall throughout today as the cold front passes." From the Weather Network.
Seven friends and I left the city about 9:00 am and started our day of birding barely north of Highway #1. This was a new road to me and it was quite a pleasant, scenic route. So many hay bales are still dotting the landscape in this area. A farm with a few Bison was an unexpected find.
After coming back to the main highway, we travelled west to the Sibbald Creek Trail, otherwise known as Highway 68. This is a 37.2 km road that goes from Highway 1 all the way to Highway 40, which is the road that goes through Kananaskis. I can't remember when I last saw Highway 68, but it must have been a few years ago. Not a road I would ever drive myself in winter! I have never driven along it in summer, either, but maybe that is a project I can work on for next year.
We made a few stops along Highway 68, including at the Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest. That is where we were lucky enough to see a lone Canada Jay. It really was a slow day bird-wise, so even a Magpie would have been welcome.
Another stop was at the Barrier Lake Visitor's Centre, where we ate our packed lunches. Not only were the washrooms very welcome, but so was the beautiful warmth from the fireplace - thank you, staff, for lighting a fire for us!
A final stopping place was the Seebe Dam. Fifteen minutes of standing in a strong, cold wind was more than enough for us, but at least we were lucky enough to spot a rare leucistic Trumpeter Swan! This bird was on its own, away from a group of 24 regular Trumpeters. We could see its yellow legs each time it dipped to feed. It also had some red on the upper part of its bill, as well as a pale tip to the bill. After a while, several of the regular Trumpeters swam over and joined the leucistic bird, which was good to see.
Thanks so much, Andrew, for taking us on this enjoyable trip! Many thanks, Tony, for picking me up and driving all day, Greatly appreciated, especially as I had not planned to go, as the meeting place was way out of my driving comfort zone.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary just N of Hwy 1 birding trip landscape scenery hill field harvest hay bales scattered not yet collected snow-covered stubble snow outdoor fall autumn 7 November 2019 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2019 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
The six photos posted this morning were all taken the day before yesterday, on 7 November 2019. How lucky we were that this day trip was not held today or tomorrow, as we are under a Snowfall Warning. Yes, more snow yet again.
"Issued at 04:30 Saturday 09 November 2019
Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected.
A strong cold front will result in heavy snow over parts of southern Alberta this weekend. The most intense snow is expected tonight and through the overnight hours. General accumulations of 10 cm will occur by Sunday morning, however, some areas could see upwards of 20 cm. Temperatures are also expected to fall throughout today as the cold front passes." From the Weather Network.
Seven friends and I left the city about 9:00 am and started our day of birding barely north of Highway #1. This was a new road to me and it was quite a pleasant, scenic route. A farm with a few Bison was an unexpected find.
After coming back to the main highway, we travelled west to the Sibbald Creek Trail, otherwise known as Highway 68. This is a 37.2 km road that goes from Highway 1 all the way to Highway 40, which is the road that goes through Kananaskis. I can't remember when I last saw Highway 68, but it must have been a few years ago. Not a road I would ever drive myself in winter! I have never driven along it in summer, either, but maybe that is a project I can work on for next year.
We made a few stops along Highway 68, including at the Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest. That is where we were lucky enough to see a lone Canada Jay. It really was a slow day bird-wise, so even a Magpie would have been welcome.
Another stop was at the Barrier Lake Visitor's Centre, where we ate our packed lunches. Not only were the washrooms very welcome, but so was the beautiful warmth from the fireplace - thank you, staff, for lighting a fire for us!
A final stopping place was the Seebe Dam. Fifteen minutes of standing in a strong, cold wind was more than enough for us, but at least we were lucky enough to spot a rare leucistic Trumpeter Swan! This bird was on its own, away from a group of 24 regular Trumpeters. We could see its yellow legs each time it dipped to feed. It also had some red on the upper part of its bill, as well as a pale tip to the bill. After a while, several of the regular Trumpeters swam over and joined the leucistic bird, which was good to see.
Thanks so much, Andrew, for taking us on this enjoyable trip! Many thanks, Tony, for picking me up and driving all day, Greatly appreciated, especially as I had not planned to go, as the meeting place was way out of my driving comfort zone.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary Sibbald Creek Trail Highway 68 nature ornithology avian bird Canada Jay Perisoreus canadensis formerly Gray Jay National bird of Canada perched distant tree top front/side view snow covered sky outdoor fall autumn 7 November 2019 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott
© All Rights Reserved
A photo taken through the windscreen - I believe that is Mt. Baldy.
The six photos posted this morning were all taken the day before yesterday, on 7 November 2019. How lucky we were that this day trip was not held today or tomorrow, as we are under a Snowfall Warning. Yes, more snow yet again. Temperature today is -7C (windchill -14C).
"Issued at 04:30 Saturday 09 November 2019
Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 20 cm is expected.
A strong cold front will result in heavy snow over parts of southern Alberta this weekend. The most intense snow is expected tonight and through the overnight hours. General accumulations of 10 cm will occur by Sunday morning, however, some areas could see upwards of 20 cm. Temperatures are also expected to fall throughout today as the cold front passes." From the Weather Network.
Seven friends and I left the city about 9:00 am and started our day of birding barely north of Highway #1. This was a new road to me and it was quite a pleasant, scenic route. A farm with a few Bison was an unexpected find.
After coming back to the main highway, we travelled west to the Sibbald Creek Trail, otherwise known as Highway 68. This is a 37.2 km road that goes from Highway 1 all the way to Highway 40, which is the road that goes through Kananaskis. I can't remember when I last saw Highway 68, but it must have been a few years ago. As you can see in this photo, the scenery is spectacular - as it is anywhere in Kananaskis. You can just see the snow-covered road between the two barriers near the bottom of the photo. Not a road I would ever drive myself in winter! I have never driven along it in summer, either, but maybe that is a project I can work on for next year.
We made a few stops along Highway 68, including at the Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest. That is where we were lucky enough to see a lone Canada Jay. It really was a slow day bird-wise, so even a Magpie would have been welcome.
Another stop was at the Barrier Lake Visitor's Centre, where we ate our packed lunches. Not only were the washrooms very welcome, but so was the beautiful warmth from the fireplace - thank you, staff, for lighting a fire for us!
A final stopping place was the Seebe Dam. Fifteen minutes of standing in a strong, cold wind was more than enough for us, but at least we were lucky enough to spot a rare leucistic Trumpeter Swan! This bird was on its own, away from a group of 24 regular Trumpeters. We could see its yellow legs each time it dipped to feed. It also had some red on the upper part of its bill, as well as a pale tip to the bill. After a while, several of the regular Trumpeters swam over and joined the leucistic bird, which was good to see.
Thanks so much, Andrew, for taking us on this enjoyable trip! Many thanks, Tony, for picking me up and driving all day, Greatly appreciated, especially as I had not planned to go, as the meeting place was way out of my driving comfort zone.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary Sibbald Creek Trail Highway 68 landscape scenery hill mountain Mt. Baldy road highway trees forest mountain slope mountainside snow snow-covered taken through windshield outdoor fall autumn 7 November 2019 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2019 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved