I can never quite decide whether Marsh Wrens sound cheery or angry. Either way, they're not holding anything back! I wish I had a fraction of the energy of these little reed-dwellers.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
I love watching swallows forage over a lake. Managing a half decent photo of one doing so can be a challenge, but the attempt at least sharpens one's appreciation for the stunning aerial maneuvers these birds perform with apparent ease.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
Where Black-billed Magpies can be found, they are often so common that locals think them "trash" birds. To those who routinely cross paths with this species, however, know that fewer than one in four Canadians and one in twelve Americans share the privilege!
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
I was pretty excited when I looked out my window and spotted a storm wigeon in the pond behind my house. (Storm wigeons are American Wigeons sporting an unusual plumage: cream-coloured rather than grey cheeks.)
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
A conversation with my son earlier this evening:
"Daddy, is that bird evil?"
"What do you think?"
"Let me see.... Yeah, it gots red eyes."
(Evil) Horned Grebe
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
While curating photos for a book, I was struck by how few good local shots I could find of many female and immature birds. Though they may not be as flashy, let's not ignore them! This female Mountain Bluebird was more cooperative than her mate, so she got all the attention.
#birds #birdphotography
Do you suppose a cormorant takes any enjoyment from a scenic vista?
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds #chiefmountain
Yesterday, a friend spied this wee kinglet bearing its golden crown with aplomb. While the bird itself is not rare in this part of the world, a good photo op of one is by no means common.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
Sometimes I wonder if we'd better appreciate our common birds were they rarer.
Like, in the case of the Mallard, would we marvel at their iridescent green heads and purple specula? Admire those curly black uppertail coverts and finely vermiculated flanks?
I imagine we would.
#birds #albertabirds
It's almost like they're worried teachers might not like them. Can't imagine why.
"The Prime Minister’s announcement is a significant step forward for nature conservation and we look forward to acting together to protect the beauty and diversity of Canada’s birds and the places they need to thrive."
Let’s get to work! 💪
Many birders find shorebird identification daunting. The Black-necked Stilt, however, is tough to confound with any other species. I hesitate to call anything "unmistakable," because humans are remarkably good at making mistakes, but this bird comes very close.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
In my part of the world, early spring migration is dominated by waterfowl. The Mountain Bluebird is among the few songbirds that arrive in March. They offer a welcome diversion from playing duck, duck, goose (×10,000) at the local reservoirs.
#birds #birdphotography #bluebird #albertabirds
Indeed I do! It's already stuck to the back of the laptop on which I'm typing this message.
Yesterday, satellite images captured this ghostly apparition on southern Alberta's Tyrrell Lake. What could it be?
As I was there to check in on the spring waterfowl migration, I know that it was tens of thousands of Snow Geese!
Image from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem.
#birds #albertabirds
The Snow Goose legions—and their diminutive Ross's Goose attendants—have descended upon southern Alberta in earnest. Spring migration's first great spectacle is upon us!
#birds #albertabirds
Winter birding in the north can leave much to be desired at times, but special moments—like watching a Golden Eagle cruise over snow-dusted badlands—make up for the relative dearth of birdlife.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds #winterbirding
I had a zero species checklist just yesterday! I take inordinate pride in such abysmal lists.
You were forewarned!
The carefully choreographed courtship display of the Common Goldeneye seems to serve it well; beware, however, that humans attempting to recreate it risk serious injury and are less likely to attract a mate.
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
No kidding! I don't know what the last few months were, but they weren't winter. We had migrant waterfowl turning up by February 15—earlier than ever before, to my knowledge.
When I find these magnificent birds, my policy is that should they decide to fly, I don't chase them.
They're certainly back in southern Alberta!
Photographers often refer to "golden hour"—the part of the day near dawn and dusk when the light is great for taking pictures. Short-eared Owls, being crepuscular, are often active during the golden hours.
Warner County, Alberta
#birds #birdphotography #albertabirds
Whether or not the Black Swan is native to New Zealand is a matter of some debate. I'd expand on that, but I'm not allotted enough characters to do so.
Besides, the birds themselves have shown exceptionally little interest in the question.
#birds #birdphotography #newzealandbirds
My friend Rain Saulnier just published this short video on birders and photographers. I thought it worth sharing.
youtu.be/QM_s-ZerquA?...
#birding #birdphotography
New Zealand boasts some great cormorants, or “shags.” One of its great cormorants is the Great Cormorant, though this is not one. Rather, this is a Pied Cormorant (not to be confused with Little Pied Cormorant) overlooking a pond at Waikuku Beach (not to be confused with Waikiki Beach).
Clear?
This dapper Double-Banded Plover was watching over a newly-hatched chick on a beach by Kaikōura, on New Zealand's South Island. Following nesting season, many of these plovers traverse the Tasman Sea to spend the "winter" in Australia.
#birds #birdphotography #newzealandbirds #newzealandfinds
We get a lot more Tundra Swans than Trumpeter around Lethbridge, though both are possible. I know numbers of both have overwintered in the province this year.
I've not seen any migrant Snow Geese yet, but they're usually right alongside the Tundra Swans in the first waves of waterfowl. Looking forward to the big flocks!