Monday, 1 June 2020: our temperature just before noon is 15C (windchill 15C. Sunrise is at 5:26 am, and sunset is at 9:42 pm. Sunny with more and more cloud developing, but definitely a much nicer day than yesterday, when it was the annual May Species Count 2020.

After finally getting to sleep around 2:30 am yesterday, I was woken an hour later by a huge crash of thunder, along with some lightning and heavy rain. My alarm clocks had been set for 4:30 am, so I ended up with about an hour of sleep to last me the whole day for the Count. There were just four of us covering this particular area, SW of the city, travelling in three cars. It worked out well, as it was easy to socially distance, especially as we were driving most of the time. At lunch time, we all sat in our own cars.

When I first got up, I was really hoping that the rain would end, even if just for my drive on the highway to get to our meeting place. Thankfully, it did stop and even brightened just a little. I had planned to get there a few minutes early, so that I could check a favourite spot, knowing that the forecast was for more rain. I was thrilled to find five Wilson's Snipes perched on fence posts, waiting to be photographed : ) They are one of my absolute favourite birds to see and photograph.

Our total number of bird species seen is approximately 67 (waiting to be confirmed), though as usual, I did not see every species on the list. We had a great day, with such a mix of bird sizes and colours. The couple had brought along their spotting scope, too, which enabled us to see three very, very distant Bobolinks, down on the ground in a grassy field. A joy to see the straw-coloured patch on the back of the head.

Feeling so fortunate to be able to enjoy a day such as this, knowing what extreme and understandable pain and anger our neighbours south of the border are experiencing this week.

© All Rights Reserved

Monday, 1 June 2020: our temperature just before noon is 15C (windchill 15C). Sunrise is at 5:26 am, and sunset is at 9:42 pm. Sunny with more and more cloud developing, but definitely a much nicer day than yesterday, when it was the annual May Species Count 2020.

After finally getting to sleep around 2:30 am yesterday, I was woken an hour later by a huge crash of thunder, along with some lightning and heavy rain. My alarm clocks had been set for 4:30 am, so I ended up with about an hour of sleep to last me the whole day for the Count. There were just four of us covering this particular area, SW of the city, travelling in three cars. It worked out well, as it was easy to socially distance, especially as we were driving most of the time. At lunch time, we all sat in our own cars.

When I first got up, I was really hoping that the rain would end, even if just for my drive on the highway to get to our meeting place. Thankfully, it did stop and even brightened just a little. I had planned to get there a few minutes early, so that I could check a favourite spot, knowing that the forecast was for more rain. I was thrilled to find five Wilson's Snipes perched on fence posts, waiting to be photographed : ) They are one of my absolute favourite birds to see and photograph.

"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

Our total number of bird species seen is approximately 67 (waiting to be confirmed), though as usual, I did not see every species on the list. We had a great day, with such a mix of bird sizes and colours. The couple had brought along their spotting scope, too, which enabled us to see three very, very distant Bobolinks, down on the ground in a grassy field. A joy to see the straw-coloured patch on the back of the head.

Feeling so fortunate to be able to enjoy a day such as this, knowing what extreme and understandable pain and anger our neighbours south of the border are experiencing this week.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary May Species Count 2020 nature wildlife ornithology avian bird Snipe Wilson's Snipe Gallinago gallinago shorebird adult side view close-up perched fence post not seen field grass bokeh outdoor spring 31 May 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

Monday, 1 June 2020: our temperature just before noon is 15C (windchill 15C). Sunrise is at 5:26 am, and sunset is at 9:42 pm. Sunny with more and more cloud developing, but definitely a much nicer day than yesterday, when it was the annual May Species Count 2020.

After finally getting to sleep around 2:30 am yesterday, I was woken an hour later by a huge crash of thunder, along with some lightning and heavy rain. My alarm clocks had been set for 4:30 am, so I ended up with about an hour of sleep to last me the whole day for the Count. There were just four of us covering this particular area, SW of the city, travelling in three cars. It worked out well, as it was easy to socially distance, especially as we were driving most of the time. At lunch time, we all sat in our own cars.

When I first got up, I was really hoping that the rain would end, even if just for my drive on the highway to get to our meeting place. Thankfully, it did stop and even brightened just a little. I had planned to get there a few minutes early, so that I could check a favourite spot, knowing that the forecast was for more rain. I was thrilled to find five Wilson's Snipes perched on fence posts, waiting to be photographed : ) They are one of my absolute favourite birds to see and photograph.

Our total number of bird species seen is approximately 67 (waiting to be confirmed), though as usual, I did not see every species on the list. We had a great day, with such a mix of bird sizes and colours. The couple had brought along their spotting scope, too, which enabled us to see three very, very distant Bobolinks, down on the ground in a grassy field. A joy to see the straw-coloured patch on the back of the head.

Feeling so fortunate to be able to enjoy a day such as this, knowing what extreme and understandable pain and anger our neighbours south of the border are experiencing this week.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SW of Calgary May Species Count 2020 nature wildlife ornithology avian bird Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi side view perched branch bush shrub field hill dandelions bokeh outdoor spring 31 May 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

Monday, 1 June 2020: our temperature just before noon is 15C (windchill 15C. Sunrise is at 5:26 am, and sunset is at 9:42 pm. Sunny with more and more cloud developing, but definitely a much nicer day than yesterday, when it was the annual May Species Count 2020.

After finally getting to sleep around 2:30 am yesterday, I was woken an hour later by a huge crash of thunder, along with some lightning and heavy rain. My alarm clocks had been set for 4:30 am, so I ended up with about an hour of sleep to last me the whole day for the Count. There were just four of us covering this particular area, SW of the city, travelling in three cars. It worked out well, as it was easy to socially distance, especially as we were driving most of the time. At lunch time, we all sat in our own cars.

When I first got up, I was really hoping that the rain would end, even if just for my drive on the highway to get to our meeting place. Thankfully, it did stop and even brightened just a little. I had planned to get there a few minutes early, so that I could check a favourite spot, knowing that the forecast was for more rain. I was thrilled to find five Wilson's Snipes perched on fence posts, waiting to be photographed : ) They are one of my absolute favourite birds to see and photograph.

Our total number of bird species seen is approximately 67 (waiting to be confirmed), though as usual, I did not see every species on the list. We had a great day, with such a mix of bird sizes and colours. The couple had brought along their spotting scope, too, which enabled us to see three very, very distant Bobolinks, down on the ground in a grassy field. A joy to see the straw-coloured patch on the back of the head.

Feeling so fortunate to be able to enjoy a day such as this, knowing what extreme and understandable pain and anger our neighbours south of the border are experiencing this week.

© All Rights Reserved

Monday, 1 June 2020: our temperature just before noon is 15C (windchill 15C. Sunrise is at 5:26 am, and sunset is at 9:42 pm. Sunny with more and more cloud developing, but definitely a much nicer day than yesterday, when it was the annual May Species Count 2020.

After finally getting to sleep around 2:30 am yesterday, I was woken an hour later by a huge crash of thunder, along with some lightning and heavy rain. My alarm clocks had been set for 4:30 am, so I ended up with about an hour of sleep to last me the whole day for the Count. There were just four of us covering this particular area, SW of the city, travelling in three cars. It worked out well, as it was easy to socially distance, especially as we were driving most of the time. At lunch time, we all sat in our own cars.

When I first got up, I was really hoping that the rain would end, even if just for my drive on the highway to get to our meeting place. Thankfully, it did stop and even brightened just a little. I had planned to get there a few minutes early, so that I could check a favourite spot, knowing that the forecast was for more rain. I was thrilled to find five Wilson's Snipes perched on fence posts, waiting to be photographed : ) They are one of my absolute favourite birds to see and photograph.

Our total number of bird species seen is approximately 67 (waiting to be confirmed), though as usual, I did not see every species on the list. We had a great day, with such a mix of bird sizes and colours. The couple had brought along their spotting scope, too, which enabled us to see three very, very distant Bobolinks, down on the ground in a grassy field. A joy to see the straw-coloured patch on the back of the head.

Feeling so fortunate to be able to enjoy a day such as this, knowing what extreme and understandable pain and anger our neighbours south of the border are experiencing this week.

© All Rights Reserved