A Common Goldeneye male swims in a calm watercourse.
Aside from dodging the occasional ice chunk, life has starting looking up this male Common Goldeneye with the prospects of spring. #Ab #birds
Yes - small #'s overwinter in #YYC and even further north. These tend to be associated with open water sources such as springs just like in the bow valley.
When I encounter male robins in early March in place not seen since Dec - I just assume migrants. Altho yes, it is possible otherwise.
Three European Starlings are perched on a bare branch against a blue sky.
European Starlings trickle back in the spring for the first few weeks, followed by surge in numbers. Today was the first days of the surge as I saw 20+ on my morning walk #AB #birds
Iridescent green bird with red breast sitting on a mossy branch in a forest
Iridescent green bird with yellow beak clinging to a tree, head level with a hole. It's extremely long tail feathers can be seen cascading down
Iridescent green bird with extremely long tail feathers disappearing headfirst into a hole in a large mossy tree.
After our initial tour in Costa Rica we took a few extra days to go to Monteverde in hopes of seeing the Resplendant Quetzal and succeeded in getting some shots before it disappeared into a hole. *happy dance* 🪶
Two American Herring Gulls bicker over a dead fish in flowing waters.
It's not often that gulls take the centre stage of Alberta's birding theatre - but now is that time.
Today, American Herring Gulls were bickering with one another over a find. It was nice to see these early season door crashers again after a 3.5 month absence. #Ab #birds
Yes - there are small #'s that overwinter in #YYC and even further north. These groups tend to be associated with open water sources such as springs.
When I encounter male robins at these times of year in places that they have not been - I just assume migrants. Altho yes, it is possible otherwise.
Indeed
Snow Buntings flock together in the winter in amazing numbers. Groups tumble over croplands picking up waste grains as they go! #birds
A male American Robin perches on a snow covered fence.
Two things showed up last night #YYC - American Robins + snow. The first few robins that arrive tend to be the bright chested, black-headed males. Despite the white stuff, dried berries and crabapples should provide food until the temps turn. #birds
Black-and-white photograph of workers constructing the Alaska Highway through a forested area. Several men stand and move across a rough log bridge being built over a small stream. Trucks are parked on the muddy road nearby, including one in the foreground and others further up the road. The surrounding area is filled with tall trees and freshly cut logs, with cleared ground and debris showing the path of the new roadway.
Construction of the Alaska Highway involved 11,000 soldiers and 16,000 Canadian and American civilians.
The 2,451 kilometre highway, including 133 bridges, was built in just 233 days in 1942.
This is the story of that construction.
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At least 11 Seven-spotted Ladybeetles are sunning in leaf litter.
Lots of ladybug activity waking up from their winter diapause in leaf little and messy corners of our yards. Try to find the ones that are not Seven-spotted as those will be our native ones. #bugs
Three all-white Trumpeter Swans flying in a line.
Trumpeter Swans flying high against a nice spring blue sky. #birds #AB
A Common Raven pulls at a branch to collect nesting material.
A Common Raven holds branches it has collected as nesting material.
Looks like the neighbourhood Common Ravens have started their spring re-build. Nesting has started! #birds
Of the 300 eBird checklists I have done at this location - today's Wood Duck was only my 2nd record at this spot.
I'm quite a ways south of Carburn, but it is quite clear that swans and other ducks commute all along the Bow River in SE Calgary. Thinking this Wood Duck is most likely the same one that has overwintered. Good to record it making thru the worst of winter!
A California Gull is vocalizing from a rocky perch with the Birds of Alberta podcast logo.
California Gulls are treasures among the common gulls of #Alberta. They are showy, social and complex. And the way they live, fits perfectly within our Alberta culture.
Have a listen to our latest podcast. #birds podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
A male Wood Duck swims in a calm wintery river.
Quite a nice surprise to find a male Wood Duck out along my regular stretch of river #AB. While there have been a few known to overwinter in the province - hard to know if it was one of those, a duck that's been in hiding for months, or a new arrival.
A California Gull is vocalizing from a rocky perch with the Birds of Alberta podcast logo.
California Gulls are treasures among the common gulls of #Alberta. They are showy, social and complex. And the way they live, fits perfectly within our Alberta culture.
Have a listen to our latest podcast. #birds podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
With all this rain and warmth, I'm wondering if tonight might be the night... so it's good timing for my latest for National Geographic! 🧪 #herping
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/arti...
I don't believe the human mind is equipped to process 2.75 million Snow Geese. I've seen about 250k before and it nearly broke me. ebird.org/checklist/S2...
📷 Karl Bardon, eBird
World wildlife day is here, and so is a new Newfoundland nature reserve! Learn more: natureconservancy.ca/harrys-river...
I understand that there were trumpeter swans in the open waters downstream of the Dickson Dam in Dec & Jan - so it is possible that these could have overwintered.
The breeding colours of a Clifornia Gull swimming in a calm wetland beside and ice floe.
And then one day they show up. California Gulls turned up in big numbers over the weekend #AB. Somehow, the combination of day length and temperatures triggered hundreds to decide to fly north on the exact same day. Always incredible. #birds
A male Belted Kingfisher perches on a thin branch on an dead black spruce.
A bit of a surprise to find a male Belted Kingfisher in the #Ab Rockies today. I guess, if there is open water and available fishes - then a kingfisher might just find it. No matter the air temperature. #birds
Had them nesting across the street in a very tall pine tree last spring/summer/fall and they were a treat to hear and watch!
A blue-backed male merlin - a small falcon is seen feeding on a small songbirds in a spruce tree. Below is the Birds of Alberta podcast logo.
Merlins are fantastic neighbourhood birds - they punctuate the scene when they appear and they create memories with every choppy wingbeat. Enjoy a listen to my latest podcast on Merlin! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
A Northern Pygmy Owl perches on a a bare branch and looks off to the lower right.
All teeny owls are really great to see and experience. In #AB we have quite a few. N Pygmy, N Saw-whet, Boreal and Screech Owls all micro-matches.
Pygmy's may be the most commonly seen (this is relative) as they ten to perch conspicuously at the top of trees! #birds
A Boreal Owl is perched on a small branch looking off to the lower left.
Boreal Owls are some of the most sought-after birds in North America. They are in incredible tiny owl that typically live in remote northern, dark woods. Seeing one in the daytime is an exceptional experience in the life of a birder. #birds #AB
A male Evening Grosbeak perches atop a bird feeder.
Evening Grosbeaks are exotic resident birds. They nest deep in forests are rarely seen during the summer. At this time of year, the temptation of feeders and ornamental trees draw them into cottage country and rural areas of #AB. #birds
Two young boys looking at books for sale at a local store.
A copy of Rocky Mountain Mammals Beginners guide, with my name on the cover.
My boys were somewhat impressed to see at least three books that I authored on a shelf - including one of them I had never known about!
