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.

I Thought It Was a Fence Post

I Thought It Was a Fence Post

Apr 22, 2021 | Birds, Ponds & Wetlands, Wildlife

I couldn’t believe my eyes! I was more focused on all the other waterfowl that were in their full glory of the spring mating seasonal rush, focusing my camera on any movement and flash of colour that gave away an American Coot or a Ruddy Duck or even a Lesser Scaup, that I nearly missed this beautiful bird!

Standing so perfectly still and with such patience of any stealthy avian predator, this Black-Crowned Night Heron almost had me convinced that he was nothing more than a silly fence-post sticking out from the water; a weathered-greyish fence post that nearly struck the light well enough that it appeared to be just another dead, unimportant part of the scene. Just like the platform it leant on and the dead willow branches laying on the water surface.

That is until I noticed the beak and red eye.

Then I got excited and started snapping down on the shutter of the camera. The whole time that bird barely even moved a muscle. Of course, he knew I was there, me sitting in the truck parked on the side of the road, but if I didn’t look close enough, I would’ve just moved on and found other birds to capture in my lens.

Captured near Stettler, Alberta, Canada on May 27, 2018, with my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR, Canon EF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto lens attached.

Tree Top Thrush

Tree Top Thrush

Apr 21, 2021 | Birds, Trees

This, unfortunately, was the best shot I could take of this Hermit Thrush that was singing away on a late spring afternoon a couple years ago. Unfortunately, this was the best shot I could take of this Hermit Thrush…

These are quite shy birds. You hear them long, long, long before you ever get to see them. It took me a good 20 minutes to hunt this bird down with my camera, but I selfishly wanted to get a decent look at this cousin to the American Robin. Selfishly, because he stopped singing and flew away when I got too near…

Oh well. Live and learn.

Captured at J.J. Collett Natural Area (near Ponoka, Alberta, Canada) on April 30, 2017, using my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR with a Canon EF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens attached.

Photogenic Ruffed Grouse

Photogenic Ruffed Grouse

Apr 20, 2021 | Birds, Wildlife

Either I got lucky, or this Ruffed Grouse seemed fairly comfortable (somewhat) for me to get that close to getting a couple of pretty fantastic photos of this visitor.

But I will admit that I harkened back to my learned knowledge of “putting the sneak on” a game bird such as this. I moved very slowly, kept calm and as quiet as possible, and utilized the utmost disciplined patience that I could muster, just so I could at least get some really decent and memorable shots I can keep forever.

Fortunately, I had my telephoto lens (Canon EF 70-300 mm f/4 – 5.6 IS USM) hooked onto my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR.

This was shot near Barrhead, AB, Canada, on January 3, 2018.

The Juncos are Coming!

The Juncos are Coming!

Apr 19, 2021 | Birds, Wildlife

As the geese begin to head further and further north, so do the Dark-eyed Juncos, such as this lovely little bird I caught a couple of pictures of back on April 16, 2017.

They will be coming! Spring is nearly here!

Taken near Barrhead, AB with my old Canon Rebel XS DSLR with a Canon EF 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto lens.