Michael Kim took these photos of a Great Gray Owl and a Snowy Owl in early winter.
Great Gray Owl, Bow Valley Parkway, November 2017.
Great Gray Owl, Bow Valley Parkway, November 2017.
Great Gray Owl, Bow Valley Parkway, November 2017.
Snowy Owl, Airdrie, December 2017.
Snowy Owl, Airdrie, December 2017.
Northern Cardinal photographed in Cranbrook, BC, November 2017, by Tony LePrieur.
Below are White-tailed Ptarmigan photographed at the Highwood Pass, November 2017, by Tony LePrieur. Note the “snowshoes” in the second picture.
Tony LePrieur photographed this Raccoon in one of Calgary’s parks on December 10, 2017.
Unfortunately this animal had a bad infection in both eyes. It is obscured in this photo by the tree branch.
To see more of Tony’s photos, see his Flickr page.
Here are some winter birds photographed by Gavin McKinnon. You can find the first two in the city, but you have to go up in the mountains to find the third.
Black-capped Chickadee.
Downy Woodpecker.
White-tailed Ptarmigan.
Read Gavin’s blog Canadian Birder here.
Here are some White-tailed Jackrabbits photographed in Queen’s Park Cemetery by Tony LePrieur in November and December, 2017.
And here is a shot of one in its summer coat in August:
To see more of Tony’s photos see his Flickr page.
Yesterday, December 2, 2017, Tony LePrieur photographed some birds at Bebo Grove in Fish Creek Provincial Park, SW Calgary.
Northern Pygmy-Owl with Meadow Vole, Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Northern Pygmy-Owl, Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Pileated Woodpecker (male), Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
American Three-toed Woodpecker, Bebo Grove, December 2, 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
There is still time to register to take part in the Winter 2018 session of the Friends of Fish Creek birding course. Go out on field trips with experienced leaders once or twice a week for twelve weeks, and learn about the winter birds of Calgary. You will also see the early-arriving spring migrants.
White-winged Crossbill, Weaselhead Nature Area, February 7, 2016. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Field trips are held in several parts of Fish Creek Park, in Carburn Park, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, the Weaselhead Nature Area, Bowmont Park, Griffith Wood Park, and other locations.
It is still only $5 for children (accompanied by a registered adult) for the whole twelve-week course! See this page for details on how to register.
Follow the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society on Facebook.
Tony LePrieur photographed this American Dipper at Elbow Falls, west of Bragg Creek, in November 2017. This is a reliable place to see dippers.
Posted by Ethan Denton
Though it is not birded by many people, the Bow Valley – Banff, Canmore and area – can be an amazing place to bird. Whether it’s just for a few hours, or if you have a day or more, visiting the valley is an unforgettable experience. Recently, hotspots in Banff and especially Canmore have been heaving with birds, from late a Red-tailed Hawk and American Coots to a plethora of Rusty Blackbirds and Common Redpolls. Here are some of my photos – all taken within the last week. If you have time, visiting the area would be a great idea. Main hotspots are Policeman’s Creek (Canmore) and the Cave and Basin (Banff), but birds turn up anywhere, so check out some other locations on eBird or the local Facebook group, Bow Valley Birding.
Common Goldeneye, Policeman’s Creek, Canmore, November 5, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Clark’s Nutcracker, South Canmore, November 8, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Injured American Coot, Policeman’s Creek, Canmore, November 5, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
And they’re not all birds, either. This Long-tailed Weasel was seen on Policeman’s Creek, in addition to Muskrat, Voles, Mule Deer and Red Squirrels.
Long-tailed Weasel (winter coat), Policeman’s Creek, Canmore, November 5, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Finally, if you are looking for a way to spend a Saturday helping birds and bird research, the Banff/Canmore Christmas Bird Count is coming up, on Saturday December 16th. It’s always a great time, and usually you see some interesting birds. Afterwards, there’s a big potluck in the senior’s centre in Banff, where we talk about the day, tally up the results and enjoy fabulous food! Anybody interested can contact me at birdboy.ca@gmail.com, or head over to birdboy.ca for more information.
Black-capped Chickadee, South Canmore, November 10, 2017. Photo by Ethan Denton
Here are some of Tony LePrieur’s photos taken in some local parks this month.
Great Horned Owl, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
American Robin, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
American Coot, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
A close-up showing what the coot was feeding on, Carburn Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Trumpeter Swans, Fish Creek Provincial Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Great Horned Owl, Fish Creek Provincial Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
Black-backed Woodpecker, Fish Creek Provincial Park, November 2017. Photo by Tony LePrieur.
To see more of Tony’s photos, go to his Flickr page.