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Each summer, up to 80% of the world's population of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) arrive in the upper Bay of Fundy from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. The extreme tides of the bay expose mudflats which extend for 3 or 4 Km and are the habitat of mud shrimp (Chorophium volutator). These shorebirds feed on mud shrimp at low tide and, in the 10 to 15 days spent here, they double their weight in fat reserves in order to complete a nonstop 72 hour flight to South America. At high tide, they roost at the water's edge. Other shorebird species are also found in these huge flocks.
For a fascinating account of the origin of mud shrimp in the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine, please see the following CBC Radio link:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/maritime-sea-life-li...
These photos were taken at the Nature Conservancy Canada Interpretive Centre, Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick.
SAD NEWS: the following is an email that I have just received early this afternoon, 11 August 2020, from David Mitchell, about the death of Gus Yaki, at the age of 87.
"Hi Everyone,
Gus Yaki has passed away. He died on Monday at the Rocky View Hospital. Where – I’m told – he had a beautiful view of the reservoir and was identifying birds up until the end! Gus has been ill with pancreatic cancer since January.
I am struggling to find all the right words I need to describe the man, most will have to come later. For now I’ll just remember him for starting and leading the Friends of Fish Creek Birding Program, railing against invasive species, picking up every scrap of garbage on the path, and the many “Gus-isms”. And then there’s the humor from the really, really corny jokes. The was so much more to Gus than I am able to mention here, I am sure that there will be much more said in the coming days.
For now, our thoughts are very much with Aileen and the Yaki Family.
David"
www.albertaprimetimes.com/lifestyle-news/his-life-has-bee...
calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/naturalist-84-leads-wal...
calgary.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=950800&jwsource=cl
calgary.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=950800&jwsource=cl
www.natureconservancy.ca/en/where-we-work/alberta/stories...
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Tuesday, 11 August 2020: our temperature just after noon is 15C (windchill 14C). Sunrise is at 6:18 am and sunset is at 9;03 pm. Sunny with clouds.
The day before yesterday, 9 August 2020, I needed to drive east of the city to look for a certain farm that I will be visiting soon. Having no idea how long the drive there would take, I wanted to find out, so that I allow plenty of time to get there for my actual visit. However, I kept stopping to take photos, so I still don't know how long it will take me.
My intention had been to leave the house early, but it was just after noon when I was finally on my way. The first part of my drive was on familiar roads, but the further north I went, I was on new territory. By the time I got back home, it was just before 6:00 pm, after driving 198 km.
Though I saw quite a few different kinds of birds, spending almost 20 minutes with an absolutely gorgeous young Swainson's Hawk, while sitting in my car across the road, was the highlight of my day. I almost missed it, as it was perched on a rock in front of what looked rather like a junk yard. Only a Swainson's Hawk would stay for this long, unlike a Red-tailed Hawk. It changed direction a few times, posing so nicely, and even lay down briefly. It was still there when I left, with a called-out Thank You for being such a delightful character.
There were various bird babies everywhere, on fence posts, barbed-wire, in the water. Eastern and Western Kingbirds were noisily demanding to be fed.
A few barns added a final touch to a very enjoyable few hours. Some old barns were familiar, but my day is always made when I discover new ones also.
Nature does not exist to dazzle us with it's beauty or to fascinate us in all of it's complexity. The earth itself has not been created to sustain us, heal us, delight us, or entertain us. Yet nature and the earth do all of these things. Is it too much to ask for us to show a little appreciation and effort at conservation?
Turkey vulture
Description in English: www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/fe...
Description en Français : www.natureconservancy.ca/fr/nos-actions/ressources/espece...
Wikipedia: fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urubu_à_tête_rouge
I had the chance to be in the Horicon Marsh at dawn today and was greeted by hundreds of these American White Pelicans flying overhead and fishing in the shallow waters...
Quite a sight, I'm sure you'll agree!!
A sliver of light illuminates the face of El Capitan during a fleeting break in the clouds during last weekend's winter storm. I had hiked down to Cathedral Beach to shoot El Cap and the surrounding landscape--finished photographing El Cap, then worked the stretch of river upstream from El Capitan, packed up, turned around and took about two steps when I looked up to see a little sliver of light quickly moving across the granite face. QUICKLY being the operative word.
Photographer freak-out moment! No, seriously--I yelled. Loudly. And then grabbed my camera and started shooting handheld (do not like) and was able to fire off three exposures before the light vanished (while the storm made for interesting conditions that morning, that was the only glimpse of the sun I saw at ALL). Thank goodness I happened to be standing in a place with an okay comp, because there was no time to set up or look for something better.
Freakout aside, there's something really pretty about looking up to see the light moving that way on a winter morning--everything had just a burst of warmth for a moment, and then it was gone.
a lovely little nature conservancy reserve in southern maine. only twenty minutes or so from home, and I don't get there nearly often enough.
sony nex-7, tamron 17-50 f2.8, canon mount, yongnuo smart adapter.
thank you for visiting!
Each summer, up to 80% of the world's population of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) arrive in the upper Bay of Fundy from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. The extreme tides of the bay expose mudflats which extend for 3 or 4 Km and are the habitat of mud shrimp (Chorophium volutator). These shorebirds feed on mud shrimp at low tide and, in the 10 to 15 days spent here, they double their weight in fat reserves in order to complete a nonstop 72 hour flight to South America. At high tide, they roost at the water's edge. Other shorebird species are also found in these huge flocks.
For a fascinating account of the origin of mud shrimp in the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of Maine, please see the following CBC Radio link:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/maritime-sea-life-li...
These photos were taken at the Nature Conservancy Canada Interpretive Centre, Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick.