These 2 beaver were grooming each other for as long as we watched them. They seemed oblivious to us. The one on the right was considerably bigger and appeared to be the mother.

Common Goldeneye Male

Two of these were trying to impress the ladies.

I suspect a lot of this is going on down in Blackmud

Down in Blackmud last week.

Taken at Blackmud creek north

This family is very elusive.She is very protective and stays away from all activity. I think she lost a few of the little ones in the past few weeks.

No need to go to Blackmud.

Blackmud comes to you.

I am alarmed when I first see this shock of red in my backyard, but then relieved to see the pileated woodpecker plying his trade oblivious to most everything around.

First time ever seeing one. It was about 4 times size of a mouse. Did not seem to terribly afraid or quick for that matter. Down in Blackmud Creek.

My morning walk in Blackmud yielded good results

This Spurge Hawkmoth caterpillar is in its final instar. Earlier stages, like the one uploaded yesterday, are coloured in shades of green and yellow to blend in with the yellow-green foliage of their host-plant but by the time this final instar is reached, the caterpillars have become highly toxic and it is to their advantage to be clad in red and black warning colours.

I noticed a couple on Sunday. This one did a quick fly by for me. They kind of do a couple of strokes and glide. It is a very distinctive flight pattern that is easily spotted from a distance.

Pileated Woodpecker

From my walk this morning down in Blackmud. I paid for it in blood to our local mosquitos.

This guy is the Boss

They are back in full force.

Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) was accidentally introduced into the eastern United States from its native Eurasia in the early 1800s. A century later, this toxic, noxious, invasive species has reached western North America and is now quite common where I live in central Alberta. Biocontrol efforts have included the introduction of flies, beetles, fungi and this moth species. It is doubtful that the Spurge Hawkmoth has had much effect on the spread of this stubborn weed but, happily for photographers, its colourful caterpillar is quite photogenic.

Another from yesterday’s find down in Blackmud. Never tire of seeing these!

Greeting from Blackmud Creek.

Our local celebrity is taking the view in.

Down in Blackmud this morning

I think she set up a nest in the Blackmud Creek. So much activity this time of year

Stumbled upon this beauty while walking down in Blackmud Creek. They are a pleasant surprise. Uncropped , just a little noise removal.

These guys just dropped into the local pond and methodically criss cross the surface scooping up all its delicious offerings. They almost seem robotic with the synchronized movements of the team.

I think they will make short work of our little pond much to the dismay of the local great blue heron and red winged blackbirds who are not impressed.

We were lucky enough to see this one at the end our walk today down in Blackmud Creek

The Mr and Mrs. Merganzer are taking in what little sun we have had in the past 2 weeks.

First one we have seen this year and he was not shy about posing in the beautiful evening light.

Seen in Blackmud Creek

All the best in 2018 to all my fellow Flickrites!

Just saw this one down in Blackmud. So flashy and the light is perfect. Unobstructed view made a good opportunity.

Mallards in Blackmud Creek

Went for a walk down in Blackmud Creek. Beautiful winter day with birds chirping. I am not really sure what it found to eat.

It never ceases to amaze me how these birds are always flapping at the same frequency

She keeps low when we pass. I think she thinks she is invisible. Pretty sure she is nesting. Heavy snow this morning in YEG.

Is spring really on its way?

The local couple. They are very elusive and cover a lot of the creek area. Fun to watch.

Great Horned Owl.

Down in Blackmud Creek this morning. A little obscured but I am happy with seeing him this morning.

Beautiful Saturday afternoon walk down to Tims for a coffee.

Took the 50mm prime and played around with a little HDR.

This clam was a little too slow to get away from this hungry raven down in Blackmud this morning

Female Merganzer of Blackmud Creek

I took this today in Blackmud.

I used the extender on the 100-400 which gave me 560mm.

Usually pretty soft but this one turned out not bad.

I used a bit of exposure comp as I was shooting into the sun, but I may have overdone it, because I cannot tone that backlight down.

The training continues down in Blackmud.

Sam had Max , Ben had Sam and Rosie has me to show her how to do it.

It was a great morning down at Blackmud Creek. So many birds are coming back. I tried to get the Goldeneye ducks but they were way too fast today. So I settled for this guy. Their were 2 of them.

We were walking the dogs down to Tim Hortons and had a distinct feeling we were being watched. Sam was on leash and Ben was ready to pounce. You do not want to fool with these guys, they draw your dog into the bush on the pretence of play and then finish them off in the forest along with the rest of the pack. Very smart animals.

Number 3 of the series. I don't know if I will see this again down in our little ravine

The birds are returning to the ravine. Lots of activity down there today

Went down to Blackmud this morning. Not a whole lot except for this little fellow . At first I thought this was a boreal chickadee, but it does indeed appear the be the eastern phoebe.

Great blue heron of Blackmud. This was a rather long shot from down in the ravine as he did a flyby. He is my favourite bird by far and I hope to get a little closer this summer. The 400mm was pushed to the limit.

First one I have seen down in Blackmud Creek. This one did not sit too still for me.

I had Blackmud Creek to myself this morning. I carried only the the long lens so this is the widest I could produce.