May 7
This week, I traveled down to Crimson Lake near Rocky Mountain House. I was excited to see Surf Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks on the lake. The Surf Scoters can be seen occasionally around Edmonton but are hard to find. The Long-tailed Duck is considered rare and we are lucky to see them once a year.
I spotted them from the east side of the lake but they were very far away. I moved over to the west side and was searching for a good place to see them through my scope. I asked a man working in his yard if there was a place I could access the lake and he kindly offered to allow me to use his dock.
We engaged in conversation as I scoped the lake and I learned that he was a dancer and had managed the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show and led the Young Canadians School of Performing Arts for 30 years. His name is Rod Gordon. For those of you not familiar with the Stampede Grandstand show, features young perfomers in song and dance routines. It is an unique opportunity for young people in Canada to get this type of training and experience. I have seen it many times.
So inspired by our meeting, I have worked with an image I took this week of Lesser Yellowlegs. Long-legged wading birds always look very graceful as they walk through the water searching for food. The Lesser Yellowlegs are in abundance right now and every once in a while they will chase each other. I am not sure if it is a territorial dispute or mating dance. Regardless, I am always amazed at how high the birds can jump. Then I remember, they can actually fly so they can jump as high as they want..
Stay well !
