The day before yesterday, 16 July 2021, I headed out W and SW of the city. My plan was to then cut eastwards and call in at the Saskatoon Farm. On two previous occasions, I had had a similar plan and both times I had to give up. This time, I thought I had prepared a route carefully, yet I still got lost. As always, road names and numbers differ, depending on which map one looks at. In the end, I drove back north to Calgary and immediately drove back south on the highway to reach the Saskatoon Farm.
Despite the smoke from wildfires, which blocked out the mountains and almost caused the Foothills to completely disappear from sight, I had an amazing day. Much needed and greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
One of the highlights of the day was to see and photograph a pair of Common Loons. They were the far side of a huge lake and stayed there the whole time I was there. Luckily, I did manage to get a handful of shots that are reasonable. Loons are such magnificent birds, with their striking feather patterns. I believe the last Loon I saw in Alberta was on 12 June 2018, in Waterton Lakes National Park. The adult Common Loon can range from 66 to 91 cm (26 to 36 in) in length with a 127 to 147 cm (4 ft 2 in to 4 ft 10 in) wingspan.
Feeling so thrilled to have seen the Loons, I couldn't believe my luck when I came upon a cattle drive. Another highlight of my day.
Continuing my drive, I stopped to quickly check out another pond. Nothing on the water, but two beautiful Cedar Waxwings kept flying to a dead tree that was near where I was sitting in my car. I'm not sure, but I think one was an adult and the other possibly a juvenile.
Further on my drive, I realized I just couldn't find my way east to the highway, so I returned to the city and then headed for the Saskatoon Farm, where I was able to enjoy their famous Quiche and take a few colourful flower shots. Such a great day for me, and such a great contrast to the absolute nightmare and loss that so many people are suffering in various places around the world, from devastating wildfires to very destructive floods in Europe. I know when I am lucky.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird Loon Common Loon Gavia immer adult one of a pair feathers pattern swimming pond water side view outdoor summer 16 July 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2021 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
The day before yesterday, 16 July 2021, I headed out W and SW of the city. My plan was to then cut eastwards and call in at the Saskatoon Farm. On two previous occasions, I had had a similar plan and both times I had to give up. This time, I thought I had prepared a route carefully, yet I still got lost. As always, road names and numbers differ, depending on which map one looks at. In the end, I drove back north to Calgary and immediately drove back south on the highway to reach the Saskatoon Farm.
Despite the smoke from wildfires, which blocked out the mountains and almost caused the Foothills to completely disappear from sight, I had an amazing day. Much needed and greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
One of the highlights of the day was to see and photograph a pair of Common Loons. They were the far side of a huge lake and stayed there the whole time I was there. Luckily, I did manage to get a handful of shots that are reasonable. Loons are such magnificent birds, with their striking feather patterns. I believe the last Loon I saw in Alberta was on 12 June 2018, in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Feeling so thrilled to have seen the Loons, I couldn't believe my luck when I came upon a cattle drive. Another highlight of my day.
Continuing my drive, I stopped to quickly check out another pond. Nothing on the water, but two beautiful Cedar Waxwings kept flying to a dead tree that was near where I was sitting in my car. I'm not sure, but I think one was an adult and the other possibly a juvenile.
Further on my drive, I realized I just couldn't find my way east to the highway, so I returned to the city and then headed for the Saskatoon Farm, where I was able to enjoy their famous Quiche and take a few colourful flower shots. Such a great day for me, and such a great contrast to the absolute nightmare and loss that so many people are suffering in various places around the world, from devastating wildfires to very destructive floods in Europe. I know when I am lucky.
Tags: Alberta Canada W of Calgary building old wood wooden abandoned decay rural decay shed roof field plant flowers wildflower yellow outdoor summer 16 July 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2021 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
The day before yesterday, 16 July 2021, I headed out W and SW of the city. My plan was to then cut eastwards and call in at the Saskatoon Farm. On two previous occasions, I had had a similar plan and both times I had to give up. This time, I thought I had prepared a route carefully, yet I still got lost. As always, road names and numbers differ, depending on which map one looks at. In the end, I drove back north to Calgary and immediately drove back south on the highway to reach the Saskatoon Farm.
Despite the smoke from wildfires, which blocked out the mountains and almost caused the Foothills to completely disappear from sight, I had an amazing day. Much needed and greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
One of the highlights of the day was to see and photograph a pair of Common Loons. They were the far side of a huge lake and stayed there the whole time I was there. Luckily, I did manage to get a handful of shots that are reasonable. Loons are such magnificent birds, with their striking feather patterns. I believe the last Loon I saw in Alberta was on 12 June 2018, in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Feeling so thrilled to have seen the Loons, I couldn't believe my luck when I came upon a cattle drive. Another highlight of my day.
Continuing my drive, I stopped to quickly check out another pond. Nothing on the water, but two beautiful Cedar Waxwings kept flying to a dead tree that was near where I was sitting in my car. I'm not sure, but I think one was an adult and the other possibly a juvenile.
Further on my drive, I realized I just couldn't find my way east to the highway, so I returned to the city and then headed for the Saskatoon Farm, where I was able to enjoy their famous Quiche and take a few colourful flower shots. Such a great day for me, and such a great contrast to the absolute nightmare and loss that so many people are suffering in various places around the world, from devastating wildfires to very destructive floods in Europe. I know when I am lucky.
Tags: Alberta Canada SW of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum juvenile? back view perched tree branch bokeh outdoor summer 16 July 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2021 © All Rights Reserved
© All Rights Reserved
Today is the last day of this year's Calgary Stampede. It has gone by without my seeing any cowboy hats and boots anywhere - so quiet. I don't know how many people have been down to the grounds in the last 10 days, but I'm guessing that there were a lot of people who were not fully vaccinated (yet). No way would I want to take that kind of risk, especially with the Delta variant doing its damage. Also, the air quality level today is at 10, High Risk, thanks to all the wildfire smoke that is blowing in. Later: apparently, attendance was down 60%, so lots of people felt that it was too early, too risky, to hold the Stampede during a pandemic.
On my drive the other day, unfortunately, I didn't think about taking video until the last part of the herd came down the hill. I love to come across a cattle drive, though sadly it doesn't happen very often. Some drives use cowboys/girls on horseback and others, like this one, use ATVs (all-terrain vehicle, also known as “quad”). Cattle drives "move livestock from one pasture to another. This allows the cattle to graze in a new pasture, while the previous one is given an opportunity to regrow."
Though everywhere looks so green in this footage, this area is included in Foothills County, an area where I do much of my driving. The information below was issued on 15 July 2021 for Foothills County:
"Please be advised that Foothills County Council has declared a Municipal Agricultural Disaster for the entire County as of 2:30 pm MST July 15, 2021.
Drought conditions are impacting 50-90% of cereal and oilseed yields as well as 50-90% of hay, pasture and range yields in Foothills County depending on location due to lack of spring and in-season moisture combined with long duration periods of high temperatures and desiccating winds."
The day before yesterday, 16 July 2021, I headed out W and SW of the city. My plan was to then cut eastwards and call in at the Saskatoon Farm. On two previous occasions, I had had a similar plan and both times I had to give up. This time, I thought I had prepared a route carefully, yet I still got lost. As always, road names and numbers differ, depending on which map one looks at. In the end, I drove back north to Calgary and immediately drove back south on the highway to reach the Saskatoon Farm.
Despite the smoke from wildfires, which blocked out the mountains and almost caused the Foothills to completely disappear from sight, I had an amazing day. Much needed and greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
One of the highlights of the day was to see and photograph a pair of Common Loons. They were the far side of a huge lake and stayed there the whole time I was there. Luckily, I did manage to get a handful of shots that are reasonable. Loons are such magnificent birds, with their striking feather patterns. I believe the last Loon I saw in Alberta was on 12 June 2018, in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Feeling so thrilled to have seen the Loons, I couldn't believe my luck when I came upon a cattle drive. Another highlight of my day.
Continuing my drive, I stopped to quickly check out another pond. Nothing on the water, but two beautiful Cedar Waxwings kept flying to a dead tree that was near where I was sitting in my car. I'm not sure, but I think one was an adult and the other possibly a juvenile.
Further on my drive, I realized I just couldn't find my way east to the highway, so I returned to the city and then headed for the Saskatoon Farm, where I was able to enjoy their famous Quiche and take a few colourful flower shots. Such a great day for me, and such a great contrast to the absolute nightmare and loss that so many people are suffering in various places around the world, from devastating wildfires to very destructive floods in Europe. I know when I am lucky.
Tags: Alberta Canada SW of Calgary country road rural rural scene cows cattle calves cattle drive herd moving to a different pasture cowboys ATV all-terrain vehicle trees outdoor summer 16 July 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2021 © All Rights Reserved video MVI_0874
© All Rights Reserved
A few more photos taken on my drive three days ago.
On 16 July 2021, I headed out W and SW of the city. My plan was to then cut eastwards and call in at the Saskatoon Farm. On two previous occasions, I had had a similar plan and both times I had to give up. This time, I thought I had prepared a route carefully, yet I still got lost. As always, road names and numbers differ, depending on which map one looks at. In the end, I drove back north to Calgary and immediately drove back south on the highway to reach the Saskatoon Farm.
Despite the smoke from wildfires, which blocked out the mountains and almost caused the Foothills to completely disappear from sight, I had an amazing day. Much needed and greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
One of the highlights of the day was to see and photograph a pair of Common Loons. They were the far side of a huge lake and stayed there the whole time I was there. Luckily, I did manage to get a handful of shots that are reasonable. Loons are such magnificent birds, with their striking feather patterns. I believe the last Loon I saw in Alberta was on 12 June 2018, in Waterton Lakes National Park. The adult Common Loon can range from 66 to 91 cm (26 to 36 in) in length with a 127 to 147 cm (4 ft 2 in to 4 ft 10 in) wingspan.
Feeling so thrilled to have seen the Loons, I couldn't believe my luck when I came upon a cattle drive. Another highlight of my day.
Continuing my drive, I stopped to quickly check out another pond. Nothing on the water, but two beautiful Cedar Waxwings kept flying to a dead tree that was near where I was sitting in my car. I'm not sure, but I think one was an adult and the other possibly a juvenile.
Further on my drive, I realized I just couldn't find my way east to the highway, so I returned to the city and then headed for the Saskatoon Farm, where I was able to enjoy their famous Quiche and take a few colourful flower shots. Such a great day for me, and such a great contrast to the absolute nightmare and loss that so many people are suffering in various places around the world, from devastating wildfires to very destructive floods in Europe. I know when I am lucky.
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