annkelliott's photostream  

Mountain Sheep at Lake Minnewanka, near Banff, taken on May 20th.

"The bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a species of sheep in North America named for its large horns. These horns can weigh up to 30 pounds (14 kg), while the sheep themselves weigh up to 300 pounds (140 kg). Recent genetic testing indicates that there are three distinct subspecies of Ovis canadensis, one of which is endangered: Ovis canadensis sierrae. Sheep originally crossed to North America over the Bering land bridge from Siberia: the population in North America peaked in the millions, and the bighorn sheep entered into the mythology of Native Americans. However, by 1900 the population had crashed to several thousand. Conservation efforts (in part by the Boy Scouts) have restored the population. ..... The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is the provincial mammal of Alberta and the state animal of Colorado and as such is incorporated into the symbol for the Colorado Division of Wildlife." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bighorn_sheep

YouTube link for the latest video of the three beautiful, endangered Amur Tiger cubs at the Calgary Zoo. How they have grown. May 30th 2012.

youtu.be/c4fSvtRHLBM

Taken at Votier's Flats in Fish Creek Park, when we were on the annual, provincial May Species Count on May 26th. Not as sharp as it should have been, but I rarely see a Western Tanager, so wanted to add the image to my Birds of Alberta set.

Taken at Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park, when we were taking part in the annual, provincial May Species Count on May 26th. The males, especially (as is always the case!) are quite handsome dabbling ducks.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-winged_Teal

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-winged_Teal/id

A Great Gray Owl, seen NW of Calgary, on May 25th. Love it when these huge owls land on a variety of perches - some photogenic, others not. Finally got home about 10:30 p.m. last night, after spending time photographing various owls. Usually, I have my photos ready to post on Flickr the next morning, but I ran out of time last night and I was SOOOO tired : ) This was almost a black silhouette in my original photo, but some brightening brought out - an owl with feathers : )

In the link to Wikipedia below, there is an interesting diagram showing just how much of this bulk is skeleton and how much is thick plumage.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/id

Macro shot of a beautiful, wild Purple/Blue Clematis flower. I always think of the purple parts as being the petals, but in fact the white, central parts are the petals and the purple parts are the sepals. Photographed during a three-hour walk on the upper plateau at Edworthy Park, on May 23rd. This spring, I have taken practically no wildflower photos, which is so unusual for me. Birds and animals have taken up so much of my time, that flowers seem to have been dropped lower on my priority list - not complaining, though! We have such a very short growing season here in Alberta - all the wildflowers are gone before you know it, and you are left taking macros of seeds and seedpods instead, ha. There is only a certain window of opportunity for many of the birds, too.