Lethbridge Ospreys

Lethbridge Ospreys

Mar 5, 2022 | Birds, Wild Predators

Honestly, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Ospreys?? In Lethbridge, Alberta?? Whaaaa…???

But there they were, a breeding pair of ospreys keeping a nest on a nest platform right in the middle of one of the windy, prairie cities of Alberta: Lethbridge. Holy schmoligans!!

Why Lethbridge, and how did I find them? Well, this was in the middle of some agriculture crop plots that are owned, operated, and managed by Ag Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station. I was there with several other hired research assistants with the University of Alberta to take multiple soil samples for a research project that the graduate student accompanying us was working on. None of us expected to see a pair of ospreys when we arrived there! 

They were rather distracting, have to say! But a pleasure to see. They were most likely there because of the ample hunting opportunities the pair had with the multitude of gophers, mice and other prey only they could spot from their lofty platform. 

Taken on July 14, 2015, with my Canon Rebel XS plus Canon EF 70-300mm ƒ4-5.6 IS USM telephoto lens. 

The Cutest Marsh Wren

The Cutest Marsh Wren

Mar 1, 2022 | Birds, Ponds & Wetlands

This little bird was singing his (or her?) heart out amongst the cattails, but for the life of me, I could not spot him from to the side of the pond! I was determined to find the owner of the pretty song of this little bird, so I walked back to the truck to grab my rubber boots. 

Carefully, I walked in amongst the reeds and cattails, careful not to make too much noise to startle any birds that called that riparian area home. Often I stopped to listen and watch for any movement, my camera at the ready to snap a quick picture.

And then I saw him, flitting about the cattails, singing away to his heart’s desire! I snapped as many pictures as I could, hoping at least one would turn out to be able to share. But I had to stay to watch him and saw him pecking at the cattails, either to eat the seeds or collect the fuzz for a nest nearby; I couldn’t tell. 

But goll darn it, that little marsh wren was sure cute.

Taken at the Mattheis Research Ranch (University of Alberta’s Rangeland Research Institute) near Brooks, AB, Canada on June 5, 2014, with my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR camera with a Canon EF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto lens.

Mosquito on White Flower

Mosquito on White Flower

Feb 26, 2022 | Insects, Plants, Mosses & Lichens, Wildflowers, Wildlife

This mosquito couldn’t hide from me! Caught out near The Narrows of Buffalo Lake (north of Stettler, AB, Canada), this mosquito was sitting quietly on the cold, quiet rain-filled day of June 11, 2020. 

She (that much I’m sure of), was sitting on one of the Lily Family’s Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum). These native forbs bloom from June to July, bearing little fragrance and turn into dark purple berries by August. Mosquitoes tend to be around during the same period, unfortunately!

Photos were taken with my Canon Rebel XS DSLR T6i camera with a Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro lens.

This Bee Loves Crocuses

This Bee Loves Crocuses

Apr 22, 2021 | Insects, Wildflowers

On one weekend (April 25, 2020) I wandered down to Red Rock Coulee Natural Area (which is south-west of Medicine Hat, Alberta) with a friend to take in the first prairie blooms of the season. Lo and behold the prairie crocuses were being visited by a lovely honey bee who was too busy collecting pollen to bother noticing me putting a camera in its face.

Taken with a Canon Rebel T6i, Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Bumbler on a Gaillardia

Bumbler on a Gaillardia

Apr 22, 2021 | Grasslands, Insects, Wildflowers

On a range health checking trip at the Cypress Hills in Alberta, Canada on August 6, 2014, I found this busy lovely bumblebee doing some nectar-collecting from a Gaillardia or Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristrada) and just had to talk a shot of it. Taken with my Canon Rebel XS DSLR, Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 macro lens.

White Spider

White Spider

Apr 22, 2021 | Arachnids, Gardens, Wildlife

A white goldenrod spider (Misumena vatia) on a leaf… in a garden somewhere close to home.

Taken on August 23, 2013, with my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR.