Chris Fisher

I understand that there were trumpeter swans in the open waters downstream of the Dickson Dam in Dec & Jan - so it is possible that these could have overwintered.

The breeding colours of a Clifornia Gull swimming in a calm wetland beside and ice floe.

And then one day they show up. California Gulls turned up in big numbers over the weekend #AB. Somehow, the combination of day length and temperatures triggered hundreds to decide to fly north on the exact same day. Always incredible. #birds

A male Belted Kingfisher perches on a thin branch on an dead black spruce.

A bit of a surprise to find a male Belted Kingfisher in the #Ab Rockies today. I guess, if there is open water and available fishes - then a kingfisher might just find it. No matter the air temperature. #birds

Had them nesting across the street in a very tall pine tree last spring/summer/fall and they were a treat to hear and watch!

A blue-backed male merlin - a small falcon is seen feeding on a small songbirds in a spruce tree. Below is the Birds of Alberta podcast logo.

Merlins are fantastic neighbourhood birds - they punctuate the scene when they appear and they create memories with every choppy wingbeat. Enjoy a listen to my latest podcast on Merlin! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

A Northern Pygmy Owl perches on a a bare branch and looks off to the lower right.

All teeny owls are really great to see and experience. In #AB we have quite a few. N Pygmy, N Saw-whet, Boreal and Screech Owls all micro-matches.
Pygmy's may be the most commonly seen (this is relative) as they ten to perch conspicuously at the top of trees! #birds

A Boreal Owl is perched on a small branch looking off to the lower left.

Boreal Owls are some of the most sought-after birds in North America. They are in incredible tiny owl that typically live in remote northern, dark woods. Seeing one in the daytime is an exceptional experience in the life of a birder. #birds #AB

A male Evening Grosbeak perches atop a bird feeder.

Evening Grosbeaks are exotic resident birds. They nest deep in forests are rarely seen during the summer. At this time of year, the temptation of feeders and ornamental trees draw them into cottage country and rural areas of #AB. #birds

Two young boys looking at books for sale at a local store.

A copy of Rocky Mountain Mammals Beginners guide, with my name on the cover.

My boys were somewhat impressed to see at least three books that I authored on a shelf - including one of them I had never known about!

A European Starling perched on a stump showing off its breeding plumage.

As we close out February, we are starting to see the first signs of spring - including the return of starlings. Have a listen to these impersonators to what they have to say and you'll get a hint of where they have been vacationing. #AB #birds

Four Trumpeter Swans standing on the ice while a single Tundra Swan swims before them.

Trumpeters & a single Tundra Swans enjoying a sunny winter day. #AB #birds

Ancient DNA reveals Ice Age mammals thrived after volcanic eruption A UC Santa Cruz lab specializing in ancient DNA reveals a story about large mammal's ability to survive a large-scale natural disaster.

Ancient DNA reveals Ice Age mammals thrived after volcanic eruption - Researchers at the U of Alberta contributed expertise in permafrost science, radiocarbon dating & tephrochronology. news.ucsc.edu/2026/02/volc... #AbSci #UAlberta #genomics #environment #science #SciChat

A Merlin is posed in a spruce tree with a orange flare in the foreground.

Merlin are birds that perfectly represent Energy - both kinetic & potential.
In flight they are meat-seeking missiles and when they perch they are composed, collected and contained. #birds

I loved my time in the company of Southern Giant Petrels. Here is one of my favourite images of a White Nelly from the Antarctic! #birds

Birdwatching may reshape the brain and build its buffer against ageing Expert birdwatchers have changes in their brain structure compared with novices, which probably help them better identify birds and may even protect against age-related cognitive decline

Birdwatching may reshape the brain and build its buffer against ageing www.newscientist.com/article/2516...

A Tundra Swan sits on the ice shelf along the edge of a flowing river.

A Trumpeter Swan swims in the open flowing waters of a winter river.

Swans have been hanging around Calgary all winter long feeding on aquatic vegetation in the ice-free shallows of the river.
They are providing a stand-out head's up majesty to the many who have enjoyed their presence. #Ab #birds

Trumpeter Swan standing in the background and a Tundra Swan sitting on the ice.

Overwintering swans on the ice alongside the open waters of a northern river. Most are Trumpeter Swans (background) with only a couple of Tundra (foreground) Swans hanging around. #AB #birds

An arctic nesting Horned Lark is photographed in the winter on the great plains.

An prairie nesting Horned Lark is photographed in the winter on the great plains.

Horned Larks are tripping the light fantastic over our snowy fields. Notes of spring are being sung. #Alberta #birds

There are also a few Cackling Geese among the hundreds of Canada Geese overwintering in #AB #YYC. This newly anointed species is smaller, steep forehead, stubby bill and golden chest without a white collar.

A small Canada Goose with an iced-up bill swims in flowing river waters.

This teeny lesser Canada Goose appeared to be a bit iced-up this morning from the -17C overnight temps and the open water. Thankfully with temps warming up above freezing this afternoon its bill should return to normal.
#AB #birds

A Muskrat is reflected in a calm pond in spring.

A Muskrat disperses along a road in summer.

A Muskrat prepares its lodge in the fall.

A Muskrat stands on shoreline ice feeding in the winter.

A Muskrat for every season! #Ab #Wildlife #mammals

Coyotes are super adaptable predators nicely suited to North America in the 21st Century. A look-alike and related canid the African Wolf (formerly Golden Jackal) is not quite a prevalent on the African savannah. In fairness - they are dealing with many more top level predators. #mammals

When it is this cold, overwintering Trumpeter Swans must take immaculate care of their feathers - especially now as new ones are moulting in. Damage from forming ice can be very severe. #AB #birds

YouTube video by Real Stories The Mysterious Phenomenon Called "Steve" Discovered by Amateur Photographers

Steve!

A Coyote stands among sow covered grasses looking off to the left.

Our #Calgary neighbourhood Coyotes have been quite a bit more noticeable today. It could be the relief from the cold, an urgency to fuel-up after not feeding for a while, an onset of courtship hormones. or more likely a combination of all three.

Oxpeckers are very unusual birds that are found in close - very close association with large African mammals. The birds specialize in feeding off the many ticks and other parasites that are found on the mammals.

Three Trumpeter Swans and many more Canada Geese rest on a frozen ice shelf on a northern river.

Today, I was delighted to see that all of the 10 Trumpeter Swans that I have been enjoying on the Bow River in #YYC for the past 2 mos, made it through our most recent cold snap with overnight temps nearing -30C. #birds

This young Zebra seems rather unimpressed with its first interactions with Yellow-billed Oxpeckers. #birds #TZ

taying in due to the cold #AB? Well, this a perfect time to have a listen to one of the iconic birds of the winter. Snowy owls! Have a listen. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

Indeed! Whydahs are a stop-and-look bird. Their extreme tail seems to compromise their flight strength but gives them a glamour that is tough to match! #TZ #birds
Steel-blue, Pin-tailed and Straw-tails Whydahs