In celebration of the Beaver Moon this week, here is an interesting area where we have studied ruffed grouse for 15 years. Currently a frozen over beaver pond with a large dam and house, this was a beaver pond 20 years ago, dried out to form a "moose meadow", and was recolonized by beavers about 3 years ago. The new dam is about 2m tall. #Alberta #wildlife #WildCanada

Last look at some ducks on Buck Lake before it freezes over completely. Most of what are left appear to be lesser scaups, like in this photo, as well as common goldeneye, bufflehead, hooded mergansers, and of course mallards.
#birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #Alberta #WildCanada

Quite a few Canada and snow geese still hanging out on the open water of Keho Lake and going back and forth to stubble fields. #Alberta #WildCanada #birds #birding #birdsofmastodon

One of our local red foxes has already started to expand their foraging range by taking advantage of the ice on the lake's edge. Taken along the shore of Buck Lake, Alberta.
#WildCanada #wildlife #Alberta #Canada

The local family of blue jays came by to visit today at Buck Lake. We are in an odd location in Alberta for jays as depending on where you are around the lake you get either blue jays or Canada jays (never both).
#birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #WildCanada #ornithology

I often think that red-breasted nuthatches look a bit annoyed (or at least sassy) because of the eye stripe. You can also clearly see the large hind claw that helps them to go down tree trunks head first.
#birds #birdsofmastodon #birding #WildCanada #ornithology

Tundra swans are still on Buck Lake in the Alberta foothills. This individual was foraging close to shore for at least half an hour.
#birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #ornithology #wildcanada #alberta

Spotted this unusual looking Canada goose among thousands of them feeding in stubble fields. My first time spotting an aberrant plumage Canada goose!
#birds #birding #birdsofmastodon #WildCanada #ornithology

Large numbers of Bufflehead have gathered on remaining open water in the foothills. Many (if not most) of the smaller ponds frozen over well over a week ago. They typically hang around until all the open water has disappeared and are among the first to return when spring melt starts.
#birding #WildCanada #waterfowl #ornithology #Alberta #birds