Foothills and mountains
Desolate
A winter day in southern Alberta
Remembering the snow
Mountain view on an owl-less day
Rolling hills and distant peaks
Soothing simplicity
Dandelions - of course : )
Wildflowers galore at the Bison Paddock
Antelope Hill Provincial Park
Fading into the distance
Magic hour
Freedom
Running free
Reflecting the sun at 'golden hour'
Following the fenceline
Sunrise colour over the mountain peaks
Nanton Christmas Bird Count
Afternoon light on the foothills
The beautiful mountains of Alberta
Winter in the Nanton, Alberta, area
Winter textures
One of my favourite views
Heading for the mountains on a hazy morning
Fragile and leaning
Old, see-through barn
The fun times are over
A scene in the Whaleback area
Rolling hills from the Whaleback
Yesterday's Chinook Arch
Tundra Swans in flight
On the way to Chain Lakes
Gravel and dust - a favourite road
Old silo, south of the city
Golden Eagle along the fenceline
A road less travelled
Winter colours
The whites and blues of winter
Before the land turned white
How I love Alberta!
Our foothills in Impressive Art
Limber Pine on Timber Ridge
A view from Timber Ridge Conservation Area
Exploring Timber Ridge, Porcupine Hills
At the start of our climb
Impressive view at the Whaleback
Changes by new owners in "The Famous Five" field
Red barn in a beautiful setting
Roller coaster roads in winter
Rolling hills close to home
Where have all the birds gone?
Rolling hills in winter
I love our blues and whites of winter
The Bison Paddock, Waterton Lakes National Park, A…
A youngster having fun
Bison Paddock, Waterton Lakes National Park
A closer look
Winter sunrise.jpg
When winter is beautiful
Harsh reality
Winter simplicity
Road conditions
The road to William's Coulee
Backroads only for the brave
A distant Golden Eagle
The beautiful Whaleback
Balsamroot on the Whaleback
Old limbs and youthful beauty
A view from Leighton Art Centre
A hillside display of Balsamroot
Driving the Wildcat Hills
Winter colours
Freedom to roam
Layer upon layer
Rolling hills that go on forever
Stubble stripes
What a place to call home
Lovely while it lasted
Harvest is done
Small Whaleback wildflower meadows
Heavenly rays
Nodwell Sanctuary
The beauty of winter
Rolling in the Porcupine Hills
Land of rolling hills and outcrops
Erik Butters' Ranch
South of Calgary 2
A hillside display of Balsamroot
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In the bleak midwinter
Some years, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton is held late in December. Other years, it ends up being held early January, sometimes delayed because of really bad weather. The Count that took place two days ago, on 3 January 2016, was part of the 2015 Bird Count.
As you can see, the weather was bright and sunny for us this day. What you can't see was that it was very cold for the first part of the day, then warming up to a more pleasant cold later on! I think it was -21C when we started. On the January 2014 trip for the 2013 Count, on the hour-long drive south of Calgary, we hit -34C (-29.2F)!!!!! Again, this year, there was no or very little wind, which makes all the difference. Also, the only walking we had to do was when we called in at various farms.
We drove through such beautiful scenery when we were covering the SW quadrant of the Christmas Bird Count circle that centered on the town of Nanton, Alberta. A landscape over which the occasional Golden Eagle soars (we saw 5!) and in which some years - but definitely not yesterday! - numerous Sharp-tailed Grouse wander on the ground or perch in trees. I absolutely love this area SW of Nanton! Some of these backroads are extremely steep and almost look vertical when seen from a distance. Some years, the whole area is white, covered in deep snow, so that you can't tell where the roadside ends and the ditch begins. This Count, it wasn't too bad, thank goodness, though I might have felt differently if I had been one of the two drivers for our group!
Around lunch time, we returned to the Truch family's place as we were very nearby, and ate our lunch in the warmth of their cosy home.
After driving (being driven, for me, which is always pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 3:30 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards. This is one of my favourite Bird Counts, and perhaps the most favourite.
Just before leaving for Calgary at the end of the day, we were shown the family's Llamas, two Donkeys, Peacocks, and several tiny white Quail. I should have taken photos of these animals when it was daylight - but maybe I can do it next year.
Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony and Andrew, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! It was another well-organized Count, Mike, as usual - thanks. Can't wait for next Christmas!
As you can see, the weather was bright and sunny for us this day. What you can't see was that it was very cold for the first part of the day, then warming up to a more pleasant cold later on! I think it was -21C when we started. On the January 2014 trip for the 2013 Count, on the hour-long drive south of Calgary, we hit -34C (-29.2F)!!!!! Again, this year, there was no or very little wind, which makes all the difference. Also, the only walking we had to do was when we called in at various farms.
We drove through such beautiful scenery when we were covering the SW quadrant of the Christmas Bird Count circle that centered on the town of Nanton, Alberta. A landscape over which the occasional Golden Eagle soars (we saw 5!) and in which some years - but definitely not yesterday! - numerous Sharp-tailed Grouse wander on the ground or perch in trees. I absolutely love this area SW of Nanton! Some of these backroads are extremely steep and almost look vertical when seen from a distance. Some years, the whole area is white, covered in deep snow, so that you can't tell where the roadside ends and the ditch begins. This Count, it wasn't too bad, thank goodness, though I might have felt differently if I had been one of the two drivers for our group!
Around lunch time, we returned to the Truch family's place as we were very nearby, and ate our lunch in the warmth of their cosy home.
After driving (being driven, for me, which is always pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 3:30 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards. This is one of my favourite Bird Counts, and perhaps the most favourite.
Just before leaving for Calgary at the end of the day, we were shown the family's Llamas, two Donkeys, Peacocks, and several tiny white Quail. I should have taken photos of these animals when it was daylight - but maybe I can do it next year.
Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony and Andrew, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! It was another well-organized Count, Mike, as usual - thanks. Can't wait for next Christmas!
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