So this Saturday we went to a location called Mackenzie trails. It's a park made up of heavy old growth forest, meadow and wetlands. All of this is along the river. Much of the area has had gravel taken out of it. There are many great trails for walking and cycling. This also makes it easy to bird. On occasion we do go off the trails. There is also a pond of 5 acres.
So it makes it an excellent place to go birding. Yesterday the visibility was very poor because of the smoke. However we did see 23 species. We were surprised to see quite a few warblers here. We identified the yellow rumps but there were two other species and we couldn't get a good look at them to make an identification.
Hello Red,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a beautiful spot for birding, except for the smoke. I am sure my eyes would be burning and irritated. Pretty scenes and photos. Enjoy your day, have a happy new week!
Much of the yellow is maple which is not native species here.
DeleteThere is much autumn in those photos.
ReplyDeleteYes, couple of good winds an the leaves will be gone.
DeleteThat looks like a great area for a walk and a birding expedition. Twenty-three species sound good to me.
ReplyDeleteI have ridden my bike on this a good many times.
DeleteIt sure looks a lot like fall there, Red. I'm so glad you have birding friends, and 23 sounds like a lot to me.:-)
ReplyDeleteSoon there will be no leaves.
DeleteI admire your ability to publish on a regular basis. I’m now in my 9th year of blogging and starting to slow down a bit. What this means is I sometimes need to catch-up on blogs where I don’t want to miss anything. That’s true today for Hiawatha House. Last time I checked in here was on August 24 when I left a comment on your August 23 post entitled Bird Watching. So today I went back and looked at 3 posts in August and 7 in September. I enjoyed all despite the issues you may have had with accidentally clicking on the HTML button. Actually, all the posts look good to me. I’m enjoying your series, “The Education of a Prairie Boy.” Lots of neat info in there, especially for an old teacher like me. :-) It’s a whole new experience for me to imagine elementary school in a one-room school house with several grade levels in the room. I also enjoyed the birding outings. Especially your trip to Hazlett Lake. (Sept 12 post). I believe that may be the first time I’ve ever heard of someone having their own golf course on their home property. I had to open up Google Maps and take a look. Wow, who has enough time to take care of a golf course on their own property especially if not open to outsiders for play? Definitely looks like a good place for birding. Thanks for all the pics. Interesting about Red Deer … When looking at the city on Google Maps I’m impressed with the way highway 11A divides the developed part of the city from the more open spaces to the north. I like the way Red Deer has evolved with the neighborhoods laid out as they are. Nice work on all your posts and I hope you have a good week ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhen I came to Red Deer in 1969 the population was a bout 20000. Now it's 100000 so there's been much growth.
DeleteLooks like a beautiful place to go birding.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting place with the very large old trees.
DeleteI wonder if you're getting more birds because of the fires -- would any of them have left the Pacific Northwest and headed up your way? As others have said, those are definitely autumnal shots!
ReplyDeleteI don't think birds go very far off their migration route. It's imprinted in their brain. I don't think they think like we do.
DeleteYou have taken some beautiful pictures despite the smoke. I love seeing the leaves beginning to change. That does appear to be an excellent spot for birding!
ReplyDeleteMost of the yellow in the photos is maple which is not native to this area.
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to birdwatch. Looks like the autumn colours are showing real well.
ReplyDeleteIt's just a very pleasant place. There's lots of fishing in the river.
DeleteA wonderful area for a hike.
ReplyDeleteMultiple uses in that area.
DeleteOh, that looks like a lovely place to go for a walk. The birds are an added bonus.
ReplyDeleteIt's very nice for a late evening walk in the summer when white throated sparrows are singing.
DeleteA lot of good hiking here.
ReplyDeleteLots of good cycling too. Just don't try going through with your quad.
DeleteLovely fall shots!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteYou have changing leave also! Fall must be there!
ReplyDeleteWe are very much like Minnesota .We get less snow.
ReplyDeletehi dear Red
ReplyDeletehope and pray all is amazing in your lovely world
this park is beautiful indeed
you captured it well for us :) thank you
how great to witness more than 23 species of birds in one day ,lucky you guys :)
water flowing in park seems transforming
more blessings!
I really enjoy your birding trips!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to hike and bird. I hope the smoke is in at the toxic level
ReplyDeleteAll that exercise and being with friends is wonderful for the psyche. Smoke? This isn't smoke from our west coast, is it?
ReplyDeleteA beautiful area to go birding. Enjoyed the photos very much. Thanks Red!
ReplyDelete