"With the airing of its 139th episode on March 29, 2015, Heartland surpassed Street Legal as the longest-running one-hour scripted drama in Canadian television history." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartland_(Canadian_TV_series)

'Heartland' season 13 premiered on CBC on September 22, 2019. It comprised of a total of 10 episodes and came to an end on November 24, 2019. 'Heartland' season 14 is to be released sometime in September 2020. This very popular, family-oriented series can be seen on Netflix. I just love that it is filmed in Alberta, with various locations around Calgary. On our annual Sheep River/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count yesterday, we stopped briefly so that I could take a couple of photos looking down the hillside to the old barn that is used for the TV series. Unfortunately, our Count area does not include this ranch.

The six photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 27 December 2019, when seven of us (in the group I was in) took part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley area. Our time was spent travelling in two cars, driving the back roads SW of the city and calling in at various acreages/ farms. Thanks so much, Joe and Dave, for being the two drivers. This was so much appreciated!

We left the city around 7:30 am, and the car in which I was riding drove south to Okotoks to pick up a brand new participant, who I think had a most enjoyable day out with us. Happy to have you come along with us, Ralph, and it was great that you had a new experience at one of our stops - having a tiny Chickadee fly down to your hand. Not even just a regular Black-capped Chickadee, but a less common Mountain Chickadee.

Our drive then turned westward and we met up at Millarville with the other carload of birders. Unlike last year, when the Count day was a heavily overcast day, yesterday was sunny and beautiful. The snow was magnificent, with huge crystals that took one's breath away. I was unsuccessful at photographing them up close, unfortunately. Though the day started off at -19C, it did warm up as the day wore on.

It was good to have our long-time friend, Rod Handfield, meet us at his cabin and accompany us for part of the Count. Rod has allowed some of us to explore his forest for quite a few years. The mushrooms and other fungi that grow there are amazing, though depending on the year's weather. This fall, after so much rain, we were totally in awe at what we found.

At lunch time, we were welcomed into the home belonging to Jeanette, to eat our sandwiches and enjoy cheese and crackers and hot coffee. This stop allows us to warm up for a little while, which is much appreciated.

As usual, we met with nothing but pleasant landowners, so willing to allow us to wander their properties. Last year, one of them, Doug J, had the highlight of the day for us - a Steller's Jay! The status of the Steller's Jay in Alberta is "locally uncommon year-round". No luck yesterday, though. No Wild Turkeys yesterday, either, which was a little disappointing.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count 2019 nature scenery landscape view mountain hills foothills tree trees forest farm ranch buildings barn shed house red Heartland TV location Heartland TV series field snow fence outdoor winter 27 December 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 taken yesterday, 27 December 2019, when seven of us (in the group I was in) took part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley area. Our time was spent travelling in two cars, driving the back roads SW of the city and calling in at various acreages/ farms. Thanks so much, Joe and Dave, for being the two drivers. This was so much appreciated!

We left the city around 7:30 am, and the car in which I was riding drove south to Okotoks to pick up a brand new participant, who I think had a most enjoyable day out with us. Happy to have you come along with us, Ralph, and it was great that you had a new experience at one of our stops - having a tiny Chickadee fly down to your hand. Not even just a regular Black-capped Chickadee, but a less common Mountain Chickadee.

Our drive then turned westward and we met up at Millarville with the other carload of birders. Unlike last year, when the Count day was a heavily overcast day, yesterday was sunny and beautiful. The snow was magnificent, with huge crystals that took one's breath away. I was unsuccessful at photographing them up close, unfortunately. Though the day started off at -19C, it did warm up as the day wore on.

It was good to have our long-time friend, Rod Handfield, meet us at his cabin and accompany us for part of the Count. Rod has allowed some of us to explore his forest for quite a few years. The mushrooms and other fungi that grow there are amazing, though depending on the year's weather. This fall, after so much rain, we were totally in awe at what we found.

At lunch time, we were welcomed into the home belonging to Jeanette, to eat our sandwiches and enjoy cheese and crackers and hot coffee. This stop allows us to warm up for a little while, which is much appreciated.

As usual, we met with nothing but pleasant landowners, so willing to allow us to wander their properties. Last year, one of them, Doug J, had the highlight of the day for us - a Steller's Jay! The status of the Steller's Jay in Alberta is "locally uncommon year-round". No luck yesterday, though. No Wild Turkeys yesterday, either, which was a little disappointing.

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An added bonus - not just a Chickadee, but a Mountain Chickadee!

The six photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 27 December 2019, when seven of us (in the group I was in) took part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley area. Our time was spent travelling in two cars, driving the back roads SW of the city and calling in at various acreages/ farms. Thanks so much, Joe and Dave, for being the two drivers. This was so much appreciated!

We left the city around 7:30 am, and the car in which I was riding drove south to Okotoks to pick up a brand new participant, Ralph Brinkhurst, who I think had a most enjoyable day out with us. Happy to have you come along with us, Ralph, and it was great that you had a new experience at one of our stops - having a tiny Chickadee fly down to your hand. Not even just a regular Black-capped Chickadee, but a less common Mountain Chickadee.

Our drive then turned westward and we met up at Millarville with the other carload of birders. Unlike last year, when the Count day was a heavily overcast day, yesterday was sunny and beautiful. The snow was magnificent, with huge crystals that took one's breath away. I was unsuccessful at photographing them up close, unfortunately. Though the day started off at -19C, it did warm up as the day wore on.

It was good to have our long-time friend, Rod Handfield, meet us at his cabin and accompany us for part of the Count. Rod has allowed some of us to explore his forest for quite a few years. The mushrooms and other fungi that grow there are amazing, though depending on the year's weather. This fall, after so much rain, we were totally in awe at what we found.

At lunch time, we were welcomed into the home belonging to Jeanette, to eat our sandwiches and enjoy cheese and crackers and hot coffee. This stop allows us to warm up for a little while, which is much appreciated.

As usual, we met with nothing but pleasant landowners, so willing to allow us to wander their properties. Last year, one of them, Doug J, had the highlight of the day for us - a Steller's Jay! The status of the Steller's Jay in Alberta is "locally uncommon year-round". No luck yesterday, though. No Wild Turkeys yesterday, either, which was a little disappointing.

© All Rights Reserved

The six photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 27 December 2019, when seven of us (in the group I was in) took part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley area. Our time was spent travelling in two cars, driving the back roads SW of the city and calling in at various acreages/ farms. Thanks so much, Joe and Dave, for being the two drivers. This was so much appreciated!

We left the city around 7:30 am, and the car in which I was riding drove south to Okotoks to pick up a brand new participant, who I think had a most enjoyable day out with us. Happy to have you come along with us, Ralph, and it was great that you had a new experience at one of our stops - having a tiny Chickadee fly down to your hand. Not even just a regular Black-capped Chickadee, but a less common Mountain Chickadee.

Our drive then turned westward and we met up at Millarville with the other carload of birders. Unlike last year, when the Count day was a heavily overcast day, yesterday was sunny and beautiful. The snow was magnificent, with huge crystals that took one's breath away. I was unsuccessful at photographing them up close, unfortunately. Though the day started off at -19C, it did warm up as the day wore on.

It was good to have our long-time friend, Rod Handfield, meet us at his cabin and accompany us for part of the Count. Rod has allowed some of us to explore his forest for quite a few years. The mushrooms and other fungi that grow there are amazing, though depending on the year's weather. This fall, after so much rain, we were totally in awe at what we found.

At lunch time, we were welcomed into the home belonging to Jeanette, to eat our sandwiches and enjoy cheese and crackers and hot coffee. This stop allows us to warm up for a little while, which is much appreciated.

As usual, we met with nothing but pleasant landowners, so willing to allow us to wander their properties. Last year, one of them, Doug J, had the highlight of the day for us - a Steller's Jay! The status of the Steller's Jay in Alberta is "locally uncommon year-round". No luck yesterday, though. No Wild Turkeys yesterday, either, which was a little disappointing.

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The six photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 27 December 2019, when seven of us (in the group I was in) took part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley area. Our time was spent travelling in two cars, driving the back roads SW of the city and calling in at various acreages/ farms. Thanks so much, Joe and Dave, for being the two drivers. This was so much appreciated!

We left the city around 7:30 am, and the car in which I was riding drove south to Okotoks to pick up a brand new participant, who I think had a most enjoyable day out with us. Happy to have you come along with us, Ralph, and it was great that you had a new experience at one of our stops - having a tiny Chickadee fly down to your hand. Not even just a regular Black-capped Chickadee, but a less common Mountain Chickadee.

Our drive then turned westward and we met up at Millarville with the other carload of birders. Unlike last year, when the Count day was a heavily overcast day, yesterday was sunny and beautiful. The snow was magnificent, with huge crystals that took one's breath away. I was unsuccessful at photographing them up close, unfortunately. Though the day started off at -19C, it did warm up as the day wore on.

It was good to have our long-time friend, Rod Handfield, meet us at his cabin and accompany us for part of the Count. Rod has allowed some of us to explore his forest for quite a few years. The mushrooms and other fungi that grow there are amazing, though depending on the year's weather. This fall, after so much rain, we were totally in awe at what we found.

At lunch time, we were welcomed into the home belonging to Jeanette, to eat our sandwiches and enjoy cheese and crackers and hot coffee. This stop allows us to warm up for a little while, which is much appreciated.

As usual, we met with nothing but pleasant landowners, so willing to allow us to wander their properties. Last year, one of them, Doug J, had the highlight of the day for us - a Steller's Jay! The status of the Steller's Jay in Alberta is "locally uncommon year-round". No luck yesterday, though. No Wild Turkeys yesterday, either, which was a little disappointing.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count 2019 nature scenery landscape hill foothills mountain mountains ridge snow snow-covered trees forest field rural rural scene farm outdoor winter 27 December 2019 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2019 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved