Most readers know that I am a fanatic about ice skating. Many of my posts are on skating. Most readers know that I am a fanatic about cycling. I cycle a minimum of 1000 km (625 miles) a summer.
One other thing I'm a fanatic about is bird watching. I don't get nearly enough time as I would like to watch birds.
Sunday I was to meet a group and spend a couple of hours bird watching. I managed to mangle the time and location so as a result I did not meet up with the group. However, that was not a problem. I spent time on my own. So there I was with binoculars and camera looking for birds.
Sunday here was very windy. Birds stay close to cover when it's windy. As a result I saw only two birds... a couple of female common mergansers. I didn't even see a crow and we are in the middle of crow migration. They will probably leave this area in about ten days.
However, all was not lost. Fall colors were in abundance. So I got some photos to show a great area for birding.
The Red Deer River Naturalists have just finished a birding guide for Central Alberta called Central Alberta Birding Trails. We hope to set up a website so that people can download the map we produced.
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| Usually you find many species and numbers of birds on this section of river |
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| The fine trail I had to follow |
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| The other side of the river always looks more inviting |
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| Young poplar |
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| A clump of trees at the edge of the parking lot |
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| Escarpment view |
looks like a nice area. i hope you can return on a more bird-hospitable day!
ReplyDeleteI get lots of good chances to bird.
DeleteIt looks like you had a beautiful day to just explore, regardless of the birds.
ReplyDeleteI could walk this area everyday. We call it the perimeter trail as it follows the river bank.
DeleteGracious! It's fall already. I agree with Linda. You had a beautiful day to enjoy. Soon, you can ice skate too.
ReplyDeleteFall comes right on time. This is a super area for walking cycling and skiing.
DeleteI skate in an arena with artificial ice.
Looks like some nice views happening there. Hopefully the birds will soon come out to see them too.
ReplyDeleteOrdinarily there would be many birds. There's lots of brushy areas which have lots of sparrows. The river usually has all kinds of waterfowl at this time.
DeleteYou were probably better off on your own. I don't like walking in large groups.
ReplyDeleteI like being on my own but a group has more eyes and see more birds.
DeleteWow, 1000 km cycling, that is a lot, more than I do I think. Never measurered it.
ReplyDeleteGet yourself a handy dandy electronic speedometer. It helps you to set goals.
DeletePerhaps you could add walking too, along with the others. Do you usually stay in one spot and wait or do you walk about looking for birds. Sure was a nice day for Bird watching and you've got some real nice photos there. Yep, the other side of the lake always looks nicer. ha,ha
ReplyDeleteI walk,but I know the smart thing to do is sit in one spot.
DeleteA very beautiful place to play, I hope it is close.
ReplyDeleteIt's 6 or 7 miles so very close.
DeleteI like your new word. And you do nothing without enthusiasm, Red, including writing some good posts on your blog, like this one! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I started this blog I had no idea where it would take me. It's been a fun ride.
DeleteThat is a great new word!! It is good to see that you still enjoy life to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteI don't see wasting my time as an option. I don't watch TV. There's too much fun stuff to do.
DeleteFall is definitely here. Love the colors in your pictures.
ReplyDeleteWe have mostly yellow but some years we have lots of it like this year.
DeleteYou live in a very beautiful place. Enjoyed your pics Red!
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasant place. There's lots of stuff to do.
DeleteStunning! This is such a great time of year to be out and about enjoying nature. I've become a fanatic about cycling now, so I understand your love for it. Best way to spend time, cover a lot of ground, see a lot of interesting things and stay in shape. Perhaps I'll catch the skating bug, too?
ReplyDeleteGreat new word, by the way :)
Now get a speedometer and then set goals for yourself. It seems to get you out on a more regular basis.
DeleteLooks like a great birding area. Amazing what you can see when you sit and watch.
ReplyDeleteThings are changing color here too!
Cheri
That is an interesting word! I wonder how long until it appears someplace else! It looks like Fall up there...I know you have had snow once...I wonder if your third snow will stay? You should keep track! :)
ReplyDeleteA terrific birding area I think. Thank you for sharing your photos of what appears to be a great walk for you!
ReplyDeletehello Red, we heard flocks of crows go over Edmonton last weekend already, they were so loud I could hear them from the basement. Great flocks of sandhill cranes, snow geese and whitefronted geese were observed heading south right after the early snow fall we had. does that mean we are in for an early winter? also the finches usually arrive at my feeder in Nov and they are here already.
ReplyDeleteWonderful looking country there. Your right about the wind keeping the birds down but there's always tomorrow...:)
ReplyDeleteYou poor thing! At least you were out and about, in the sun, and nature! We have 3 crows that stay with us over the winter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! I could certainly spend the day there.The rivers here look different somehow, very enclosed with trees. That one is so open and I love the rocks.
ReplyDeleteoh I love fall. Beautiful pictures you have shown.
ReplyDeleteSee I learned from you where the birds hang out.