Surprised to see This!

It was a great day, with the temperature shooting up to +7C! A walk was in order, about six miles down an access road. The trail was packed, but it was still a tough walk. 

I managed to find a rough-legged hawk that was over wintering. It must have been tough for him during the week that we had the -35 to-40 C weather!





He was not overly keen to move on, but was enjoying the sunshine, and looking for prey.



Hanging on to Summer!

All the snow has gone and the weather is back into the +20's (C). Is it too much to hope that we just experienced a very short winter?

The raptors are still hanging around. Hopefully the Rough-legged hawks will stay through to spring.

These two are the palest that I have seen. I am not sure if it a winter plumage, or a sign of young birds.

Once again I was caught napping and did not get the focus/shutter speed right.

Daphne is enjoying the minimal snow and mud. I do not have to leash her since she seldom leaves my side. If there is a rabbit, she will run about 50 ft and then come back.

She has a LOT of energy!

Saturday's Outing

I decided to go a different direction today, down Highway 32. I saw lots and lots of Rough-legged hawks. They look pretty mean surveying their domain.

I also came across several deer in the field. As you can see, our snow dump from last week is almost gone.

Mama was keeping a close watch over her kids.

One one of the local ponds I found three Tundra Swans. They were a little nervous, but did not take flight.

An all white bird is almost as hard to get detail as is an all black bird.

 There was not much open water left and another couple of days should show this all frozen.

Rough- Legged Hawk

With some help from my son, we identified the hawk from yesterday's post as a Rough-Legged Hawk. They do not nest in Alberta, but migrate through in October from the high Arctic.

With that tracked down, I went back today and got a few to co-operate with the camera.

 They depend on the Lemming population in the Arctic.

I saw several today hovering and then diving at the ground, but couldn't get pictures.

They are a very pretty bird, and quite tame compared to the Red Tailed Hawks.

I managed to take about 100 photos and I may go back tomorrow.