Boreal Chickadee

 

June 24th

          We left Waterton Lakes bright and early this morning after getting breakfast sandwiches to go at a local coffee shop.  Luckily for us, today was a travel day because shortly after we started driving, it started pouring.  As we climbed in elevation the rain turned to snow and it quickly became a winter wonderland.  We crossed the Highwood Pass (elevation 7239 ft.) which is the highest paved pass in Canada.  From there it was downhill, and we left the snow behind.

          We stopped at a pullout and saw an American Kestrel and several Mountain Bluebirds.  Next, we stopped at the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park visitor center to get maps and information.  At Kananaskis lake we saw Common Mergansers and a Common Loon.  Then we had lunch at the Kananaskis Village which hosted part of the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

          After lunch we went for a couple of short walks at Bow Valley Provincial Park.  There we got great looks at an Alder and an Olive-sided Flycatcher.  The highlight of the day was seeing both Mountain and Boreal Chickadees in the same location.

          We finally arrived at the Georgetown Inn in Canmore which is a gateway town for Banff National Park which we will explore tomorrow.  We had dinner at the Georgetown Pub which is an English style pub with excellent food.

(2 new FOY species, total for Alberta 30)

Mountain Chickadee

Boreal Chickadee

                                           Boreal Chickadee

                                           Cameron Falls (Waterton Lakes NP)

                                           Common Merganser

                                           Bighorn Sheep
                                           Alder Flycatcher
                                           Mountain Chickadee










Comments

  1. AnnJune 26, 2022 at 1:14 PM

    Your photos are like postcards, gorgeous scenery and great bird finds.

    ReplyDelete

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