Yesterday Was a Ducky Sort of Day!

It was a great day for pictures! Alas, the River is opening up and the birds are dispersing to their nesting areas. In the meantime, I had fun!

Here are a pair of Common Goldeneye

A Canada Goose making a big splash on arrival

Two male Greater Scaup

A Pair of Bufflehead

A Male Common Goldeneye

A male Hooded Merganser

Tundra Swans

The Tundra Swans are a lot bigger than the Canada Goose!

A pair of Mallards

Canada Goose Mating ritual

Three Canada Geese fighting for the right to mate

Breakup on the Athabasca

This is a view of the Athabasca two days ago. The warm weather had opened up some of the river and raised the level about one foot. 

Here is another view two days ago. Some of the ice and debris dammed this side of the river, forcing more water into the main channel, much to the enjoyment of the ducks.

Yesterday, the top view became this. The ice was starting to move from upstream and the river's two flows have equalized.

Before long, the ice was building.

Some of the ice blocks ere several feet thick. I hope the river doesn't do what it did last year and dam off the whole flow below Town. The result caused the river to overflow the banks and flooded several thousand acres, and lots of houses. It washed out sections of the flats road. People were out of their houses for several weeks. 

Finally, I think Spring is Here!

Today was the first day that I saw Sea Gulls, not many, but its a start. They seem to keep well separated from all the Geese and ducks on the River.I thought I heard some yesterday, but couldn't find them.

The American Wigeon is still in the shallows, and ice. They are a pretty duck and I don't get to  take photos of them very often> I am trying to get a side by side of both  male and female.

The weather is such and the traffic is way down and the Mule Deer are coming out.I am hoping to get some fawn shots this year.

This female Wigeon was cooperative to a point, but wouldn't sidle up to her mate. I will keep watching!

Summer Influx of Birds

There were a lot of new faces on the Athabasca River today! I am not sure who this guy is, but he was having a lot of fun in the current.

This one is a Hooded Merganser with his hood down That is a sign of a contented Merganser.

This Common Goldeneye just flipped and caught a minnow head down!

Here are two more Goldeneyes

A Drake Mallard up against an ice bank

A Hen Mallard at rest

Then we have an American Wigeon.

I was wondering what these Canada Geese were picking at. It turns out the ice is covered with very small flying insects.

First of the Year!

I watched this little fellow come across a snowy field. He ignored Daphnie and myself and came right up to us. I only had my cell phone with me so the picture quality is not great. Daphnie showed a lot of interest, but did not try to get closer. She was on the leash, but I like to think she remembered her bad experience from last year!

I only saw one skunk last year and I had to chase it through a field to get pictures

He was a friendly little guy

I guess I will have to remember my camera on the evening dog walks. The days are definitely getting longer!

New Arrivals

Finally we have a sunny day and a few degrees above freezing.

It was a good day to go for a walk on the Athabasca River shore. Prepare for a lot of birds!

This was our first sunny day for sometime, and most were enjoying the sun and resting.

There is always one goose that is on guard.

A few were wandering around looking for food There are still 2 to 3 feet of snow in the fields, so I think most of the food is coming from river vegetation.

It's good to see them back

April 3,2020 and cold

It was -20C again this morning. Where is this Global Warming we keep hearing about?

The geese keep coming and finding shelter in little bays on the Athabasca River

They seem to spend a lot of time sleeping

I see the odd one "ducking" but I don't know what they are finding to eat. The fields in the area are under 2 to 4 feet of snow

Any way, its good to see them back.

Snow Storm!

It was snowing pretty good this morning, but Daphnie still demanded her walk. More and more geese are coming in every day. They found a sheltered cove and were huddled down. Even Daphnie walking along the shore did not move them.

 We are expecting 12 to 20 cm of snow over the next few days. It's typical, it seems, for the end of March!

The river was rougher than normal, with the wind blowing down river

On a lighter note, the Blue Jays were sitting and waiting patiently for their peanuts.

 Of course, Big Brother was perched right over the geese, watching intently!

Have a good day. Stay isolated, Think WARM!