Licorice Allsorts (candy) eyes - a photo on Flickriver

This morning, my appointment to get two cortisone injections in my knees has just been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday. With a temperature of -9C (windchill -13C), I wish that meant I didn't need to go out in the cold and clear the snow off my car. However, I have a few errands that I really need to run.

On 17 October 2018, I managed to get over to Carburn Park for a walk. Though I have seen a number of Rusty Blackbirds, this species was still a bird I wanted to look out for. As it turned out, this was not one of my finds. However, I saw a few other things that were a delight to see, including meeting two Ferrets that were out for a walk (or rather, travelling in a stroller) with their 'people". Both are rescue animals, which was good to see.

"Ferret Rescue & Education Society (FRES) is a non-profit, charitable organization that was started by a group of devoted ferret owners in the Calgary area who recognized the need for a locally based rescue dedicated to ferrets. Our committed volunteers assist FRES in their goal to find permanent homes for all of the ferrets surrendered to us. They also provide shelter, basic needs, veterinary care, and if necessary, rehabilitation for all abused, unwanted, and abandoned ferrets regardless of their health status." From the FRES website.

www.ferrets.ca/

Another lovely encounter was with the resident Great Horned Owl. Two friends that I bumped into in the park described where they had just seen it. Two or three strangers also helped pinpoint the exact tree : ) Over the years, we have seen Great Horned Owls in this park - always a joy. On this particular day, this owl was rather agitated and moved two or three times. One of the park's Eastern Gray Squirrels was teasing the owl.

As if a couple of 'rescue' Ferrets and a Great Horned Owl weren't enough, we were also very lucky to see a Harlequin Duck (male) out on the Bow River. When we first saw it, it wasn't too far out on the water, but it gradually swam further and further away, diving constantly. My photos were not the greatest, but they serve as a record of seeing this very handsome duck.

The weather was gorgeous, and much-deserved after the dreadful winter weather we have been having (in fall)! A perfect day to be outdoors, so I just couldn't resist. Lovely to see you, Pam, though unfortunate that you were just leaving when I arrived. Great to see you, Bonnie, and spend time with you. Had been a long time, no see.

Taken on: October 17, 2018

Tags:

Calgary

Alberta

Carburn Park

nature

wildlife

ornithology

avian

bird

birds

bird of prey

owl

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

adult

front view

tree

branch

perched

outdoor

fall

autumn

17 October 2018

FZ200

FZ200#4

Panasonic

Lumix

annkelliott

Anne Elliott

Sets appears in: • Carburn Park • Owls 4 more » • Great Horned Owl • Birds of Alberta 11 « less

Groups appears in: • Panasonic FZ series • Bird Lovers more » • PHOTOGRAPHERS OF CANADA • Beauty of Nature • All things beautiful in Nature (no humans or man made objects) • BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL. • Birding In The Wild • Birdshare • Any kind of wildlife/nature « less

Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ200, f/4.0, 1/200 sec, 108mm, ISO 160 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Panasonic DMC-FZ200
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	108mm
ISO:	160
Exposure Bias:	+0.33 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Windows
Show full info

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