For local birders - notice from Greg Wagner, 6 May 2020:
"Despite there being a dozen vehicles parked at the gate at 10:00 am, Frank Lake remains closed for the time being. The RCMP were on site reminding people that the closure was still in force. Some confusion may exist because of the opening of provincial parks, but the Ducks Unlimited lands are not a provincial park and restrictions on use are not mandated by edicts from the provincial government." "Walking into the blind area past the gates is entering a closed area at the lake."
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Tuesday, 6 May 2020: our temperature late morning is +10C (windchill +7C). Sunrise is at 5:59 am, and sunset is at 9:07 pm. Sun and cloud, with showers developing in the afternoon.
Most days, I am having to post photos from my archives, as I have been basically staying home, away from everyone and everything (apart from food shopping and maybe four or five short drives out of the city over the last few weeks). Yesterday, 5 May 2020, however, was different. It had been exactly a week since I had left the house, to drive SE of the city to pick up groceries from a Farm, plus driving a few backroads while I was down that way. My drive yesterday took me east of the city along just a few familiar roads.
Almost every bird seen was far, far away and, as usual, too difficult to tell what the dark silhouettes were, especially without binoculars. No use for taking photos, anyway. I did luck out on maybe half a dozen closer birds, which helped make the trip worthwhile. It felt good to be out in the countryside on a beautiful, sunny though rather windy, day. It felt even better to bump into three birder friends. When I slowed down to say hello, I think I spotted a pair of distant Western Grebes, but a few cars had already taken up the space to park, so I continued my drive. Knowing birders, the cars were probably going to be parked there for some time : )
Further on, I pulled over at a small wetland where there were a few Black-necked Stilts wading and feeding. Managed to get just a few seconds of video, showing their beautiful walk. Another Stilt was near the grassy edge of the road, disappearing down the far side of the low bank. Then suddenly its head would appear, giving me the chance to get a shot or two, then disappear again.
My final stop was at another wetland. A few cars were going by, but I noticed one in the far distance that was crawling along towards me and stopping. I knew it just had to be a birder - and, indeed, it was. My friend, Janet : ) It was great to actually talk to another human being! Unfortunately, after a lovely chat, Janet took off in one direction ... and I had to stay where I was. My car (with a new battery!) had died! After three or four attempts to start it, I gathered together all my belongings, looked on a map to see exactly where I was, took out my phone ready to called the AMA, and tried one more time to get my car to move. It was such a relief when everything came on perfectly. Just hope it starts all right when I next have to go out.
Tags: Alberta Canada E of Calgary nature wildlife ornithology avian bird shorebird Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus long-legged wader elegant side view close-up water wetland outdoor spring 5 May 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
For local birders - notice from Greg Wagner, 6 May 2020:
"Despite there being a dozen vehicles parked at the gate at 10:00 am, Frank Lake remains closed for the time being. The RCMP were on site reminding people that the closure was still in force. Some confusion may exist because of the opening of provincial parks, but the Ducks Unlimited lands are not a provincial park and restrictions on use are not mandated by edicts from the provincial government."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 6 May 2020: our temperature late morning is +10C (windchill +7C). Sunrise is at 5:59 am, and sunset is at 9:07 pm. Sun and cloud, with showers developing in the afternoon.
Most days, I am having to post photos from my archives, as I have been basically staying home, away from everyone and everything (apart from food shopping and maybe four or five short drives out of the city over the last few weeks). Yesterday, 5 May 2020, however, was different. It had been exactly a week since I had left the house, to drive SE of the city to pick up groceries from a Farm, plus driving a few backroads while I was down that way. My drive yesterday took me east of the city along just a few familiar roads.
Almost every bird seen was far, far away and, as usual, too difficult to tell what the dark silhouettes were, especially without binoculars. No use for taking photos, anyway. I did luck out on maybe half a dozen closer birds, which helped make the trip worthwhile. It felt good to be out in the countryside on a beautiful, sunny though rather windy, day. It felt even better to bump into three birder friends. When I slowed down to say hello, I think I spotted a pair of distant Western Grebes, but a few cars had already taken up the space to park, so I continued my drive. Knowing birders, the cars were probably going to be parked there for some time : )
Further on, I pulled over at a small wetland where there were a few Black-necked Stilts wading and feeding. Managed to get just a few seconds of video, showing their beautiful walk. Another Stilt was near the grassy edge of the road, disappearing down the far side of the low bank. Then suddenly its head would appear, giving me the chance to get a shot or two, then disappear again.
My final stop was at another wetland. A few cars were going by, but I noticed one in the far distance that was crawling along towards me and stopping. I knew it just had to be a birder - and, indeed, it was. My friend, Janet : ) It was great to actually talk to another human being! Unfortunately, after a lovely chat, Janet took off in one direction ... and I had to stay where I was. My car (with a new battery!) had died! After three or four attempts to start it, I gathered together all my belongings, looked on a map to see exactly where I was, took out my phone ready to called the AMA, and tried one more time to get my car to move. It was such a relief when everything came on perfectly. Just hope it starts all right when I next have to go out.
© All Rights Reserved
For local birders - notice from Greg Wagner, 6 May 2020:
"Despite there being a dozen vehicles parked at the gate at 10:00 am, Frank Lake remains closed for the time being. The RCMP were on site reminding people that the closure was still in force. Some confusion may exist because of the opening of provincial parks, but the Ducks Unlimited lands are not a provincial park and restrictions on use are not mandated by edicts from the provincial government."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 6 May 2020: our temperature late morning is +10C (windchill +7C). Sunrise is at 5:59 am, and sunset is at 9:07 pm. Sun and cloud, with showers developing in the afternoon.
Most days, I am having to post photos from my archives, as I have been basically staying home, away from everyone and everything (apart from food shopping and maybe four or five short drives out of the city over the last few weeks). Yesterday, 5 May 2020, however, was different. It had been exactly a week since I had left the house, to drive SE of the city to pick up groceries from a Farm, plus driving a few backroads while I was down that way. My drive yesterday took me east of the city along just a few familiar roads.
Almost every bird seen was far, far away and, as usual, too difficult to tell what the dark silhouettes were, especially without binoculars. No use for taking photos, anyway. I did luck out on maybe half a dozen closer birds, which helped make the trip worthwhile. It felt good to be out in the countryside on a beautiful, sunny though rather windy, day. It felt even better to bump into three birder friends. When I slowed down to say hello, I think I spotted a pair of distant Western Grebes, but a few cars had already taken up the space to park, so I continued my drive. Knowing birders, the cars were probably going to be parked there for some time : )
Further on, I pulled over at a small wetland where there were a few Black-necked Stilts wading and feeding. Managed to get just a few seconds of video, showing their beautiful walk. Another Stilt was near the grassy edge of the road, disappearing down the far side of the low bank. Then suddenly its head would appear, giving me the chance to get a shot or two, then disappear again.
My final stop was at another wetland. A few cars were going by, but I noticed one in the far distance that was crawling along towards me and stopping. I knew it just had to be a birder - and, indeed, it was. My friend, Janet : ) It was great to actually talk to another human being! Unfortunately, after a lovely chat, Janet took off in one direction ... and I had to stay where I was. My car (with a new battery!) had died! After three or four attempts to start it, I gathered together all my belongings, looked on a map to see exactly where I was, took out my phone ready to called the AMA, and tried one more time to get my car to move. It was such a relief when everything came on perfectly. Just hope it starts all right when I next have to go out.
© All Rights Reserved
For local birders - notice from Greg Wagner, 6 May 2020:
"Despite there being a dozen vehicles parked at the gate at 10:00 am, Frank Lake remains closed for the time being. The RCMP were on site reminding people that the closure was still in force. Some confusion may exist because of the opening of provincial parks, but the Ducks Unlimited lands are not a provincial park and restrictions on use are not mandated by edicts from the provincial government."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 6 May 2020: our temperature late morning is +10C (windchill +7C). Sunrise is at 5:59 am, and sunset is at 9:07 pm. Sun and cloud, with showers developing in the afternoon.
Most days, I am having to post photos from my archives, as I have been basically staying home, away from everyone and everything (apart from food shopping and maybe four or five short drives out of the city over the last few weeks). Yesterday, 5 May 2020, however, was different. It had been exactly a week since I had left the house, to drive SE of the city to pick up groceries from a Farm, plus driving a few backroads while I was down that way. My drive yesterday took me east of the city along just a few familiar roads.
Almost every bird seen was far, far away and, as usual, too difficult to tell what the dark silhouettes were, especially without binoculars. No use for taking photos, anyway. I did luck out on maybe half a dozen closer birds, which helped make the trip worthwhile. It felt good to be out in the countryside on a beautiful, sunny though rather windy, day. It felt even better to bump into three birder friends. When I slowed down to say hello, I think I spotted a pair of distant Western Grebes, but a few cars had already taken up the space to park, so I continued my drive. Knowing birders, the cars were probably going to be parked there for some time : )
Further on, I pulled over at a small wetland where there were a few Black-necked Stilts wading and feeding. Managed to get just a few seconds of video, showing their beautiful walk. Another Stilt was near the grassy edge of the road, disappearing down the far side of the low bank. Then suddenly its head would appear, giving me the chance to get a shot or two, then disappear again.
My final stop was at another wetland. A few cars were going by, but I noticed one in the far distance that was crawling along towards me and stopping. I knew it just had to be a birder - and, indeed, it was. My friend, Janet : ) It was great to actually talk to another human being! Unfortunately, after a lovely chat, Janet took off in one direction ... and I had to stay where I was. My car (with a new battery!) had died! After three or four attempts to start it, I gathered together all my belongings, looked on a map to see exactly where I was, took out my phone ready to called the AMA, and tried one more time to get my car to move. It was such a relief when everything came on perfectly. Just hope it starts all right when I next have to go out.
Tags: Alberta Canada E of Calgary nature wildlife ornithology avian bird Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis adult side view swimming water wetland outdoor spring 5 May 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott
© All Rights Reserved
For local birders - notice from Greg Wagner, 6 May 2020:
"Despite there being a dozen vehicles parked at the gate at 10:00 am, Frank Lake remains closed for the time being. The RCMP were on site reminding people that the closure was still in force. Some confusion may exist because of the opening of provincial parks, but the Ducks Unlimited lands are not a provincial park and restrictions on use are not mandated by edicts from the provincial government."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, 6 May 2020: our temperature late morning is +10C (windchill +7C). Sunrise is at 5:59 am, and sunset is at 9:07 pm. Sun and cloud, with showers developing in the afternoon.
Most days, I am having to post photos from my archives, as I have been basically staying home, away from everyone and everything (apart from food shopping and maybe four or five short drives out of the city over the last few weeks). Yesterday, 5 May 2020, however, was different. It had been exactly a week since I had left the house, to drive SE of the city to pick up groceries from a Farm, plus driving a few backroads while I was down that way. My drive yesterday took me east of the city along just a few familiar roads.
Almost every bird seen was far, far away and, as usual, too difficult to tell what the dark silhouettes were, especially without binoculars. No use for taking photos, anyway. I did luck out on maybe half a dozen closer birds, which helped make the trip worthwhile. It felt good to be out in the countryside on a beautiful, sunny though rather windy, day. It felt even better to bump into three birder friends. When I slowed down to say hello, I think I spotted a pair of distant Western Grebes, but a few cars had already taken up the space to park, so I continued my drive. Knowing birders, the cars were probably going to be parked there for some time : )
Further on, I pulled over at a small wetland where there were a few Black-necked Stilts wading and feeding. Managed to get just a few seconds of video, showing their beautiful walk. Another Stilt was near the grassy edge of the road, disappearing down the far side of the low bank. Then suddenly its head would appear, giving me the chance to get a shot or two, then disappear again.
My final stop was at another wetland. A few cars were going by, but I noticed one in the far distance that was crawling along towards me and stopping. I knew it just had to be a birder - and, indeed, it was. My friend, Janet : ) It was great to actually talk to another human being! Unfortunately, after a lovely chat, Janet took off in one direction ... and I had to stay where I was. My car (with a new battery!) had died! After three or four attempts to start it, I gathered together all my belongings, looked on a map to see exactly where I was, took out my phone ready to called the AMA, and tried one more time to get my car to move. It was such a relief when everything came on perfectly. Just hope it starts all right when I next have to go out.
© All Rights Reserved