Happy Spring! Finally!

Today, I found a new arrival, a Merganser!

There were a few more Mallards also

 Stretching and preening after a long flight

Welcome back!

M&M Mallard Monday

Spring is getting closer, although we have 10 to 15 cm of snow forecast for later in the week. The Mallards are starting to appear on the river again, and Mallards are never wrong about spring!

 They were very busy preening and feeding.

The females were outnumbered by about 3:1. There was no squabbling going on yet!

 Just like a lady. Showing a bit of leg to get attention!

Just cruising in the current looking for food.

The Beginning of Spring-like Weather

At last we are getting a break in the weather with temperatures forecast to be above freezing into double digits for the next 2 weeks. Spring is here?

My faithful companion and I did a walk today, enjoying the sunshine.

 At first I thought it really was spring as the bushes were flowering. Wishful thinking?

 The Eagle was still on his perch watching the River for fish, or, maybe, just enjoying the sunshine. It still looks like he has attitude!

 There were still more ducks on the river today. They look very healthy in spite of the -30C weather that we have had.

I am looking forward to the heat and snow shrinkage. It will be lots easier to get out!

April 11 Spring Day

It's good to see the creeks and streams starting to open up. The birds are starting to settle down and pair up/

The geese are spreading out more and the large flocks are dissipating.

The Mallards are back in droves.

 It's still very hard to get a good picture of a Magpie. The black and white doesn't photograph well, or at least, I haven't learned how to deal with it.

 I do like the colours on the Common Goldeneyes.

 

Honkers and Quackers

Lots and lots of birds are showing up daily

 

Houston, we have lift off

 

The males are all decked out in their breeding plumage!

The fields are full of Canada Geese.

 

Another Mallard...ho hum!

 

 

I just missed this fly-by of some Tundra Swans. Maybe next time!

 

Odds and Sods

Just a few more from the swamp. She was pretty well camouflaged. However, she just had to keep quacking until I found her.

Much more dignified

There not as many pairs around. I suspect that they have started some serious nesting.

This Teal was all by himself, and seemed to be enjoying the sun. 

On high alert. He likely heard me when I walked into the brambles wearing shorts and sandals!

AS beaver are mainly nocturnal, it is difficult to get a shot of them out of the water. I did it Here

Speaking of camouflage, it took me a while to zero in on this Hairy Woodpecker. Did you know that between each rat a tat, he is opening his eyes and evaluating where to strike next? Amazing!

The Crazy Duck Day

I decided to take a short walk without the dogs today. The ducks were cooperating quite well.

 There were lots and lots of Mallards on the Athabasca

 Some of them were pretty loud!

 There were even a few Buffleheads.

Fishing with a Twist

 Today I decided to go fishing, for the first time in 10 years. It's hard to get away when you own 3 horses and want to ride daily. I waxed the canoe (2 coats) and power buffed it. I collected all my fishing stuff. I disappeared at 08:00.  What started out as a nice day turned into a windy one and too much to be fishing in a canoe. So, out came the camera and I slow paddled the shores to see what wild life could be found.

At the boat launch, I started out with this mother mallard. She was sleeping and wouldn't move.

 Next to her, almost unnoticeable was her family, sleeping beak to beak.

 Next came the Red-Necked Grebe. It's in Alberta, hence the name. That's my story and i'm sticking to it!

 Another look at the Grebe

 The next shots are of the Canada Geese. They were every where.

 This shot has a wee bird in the front. I'm not sure what it is.

 More Mallards and Young

 I found two Osprey nests, one up a dry creek and the other on a prominent point.

 Mamma was eating fish and baby was watching me.

 Two more shots of the red-Necked Grebe

 Next we have a couple of shots of a Golden Eye duck showing off.

 Another Osprey from a different nest.

 More Mallards lined up. The canoe lets you get real close.

 This is a Belted King Fisher. I was only able to get the one shot of him. Spooky!

All the shots were taken in Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park.