Calgary

part of Calgary skyline

We stayed f or a few nights in Calgary at the West Calgary Campground, where there was a pool and a good view of the western freeway. It was a reasonable place to camp and about twenty minutes or so from the city centre.

We had a little time in the first afternoon here for a walk around part of the city centre. We parked in China town and strolled from there. Also visited Inglewood Bird Sanctuary briefly, apparently a very good place for birding in Spring and Fall however it was very quiet due to the heat and the time of day and year.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Gorilla

The Calgary Zoo warranted an entire day. The kids had not visited a zoo for a few years and a visit was long overdue. Clagary Zoo was a great choice. The car park alone was huge and full however the crowds were for the most part forgotten once you got in as the zoo is huge and naturally the crowd spread out. A large Penguin exhibit had opened recently and it was here where the crowds congregated. We passed and passed on the Penguins for much of the day but as the day came to a close the crowd and queues waned and we walked straight in. Rockhopper, Gentoo, King and Humboldts were the four on display.

They had an impressive collection mostly arranged zoogeographically. A large African house featuring Hippos that allowed an impressive underwater view was kinda cool. Millie’s favourite was the giraffe. Megan loved seeing the gorillas; even if the information talk erred on the side of babyish. Tom too valued watching the Gorillas and I allowed myself the brief excitement considering seeing Mountain Gorillas in Uganda in 2014. These gorillas on display were Lowland Gorillas.

Great Grey Owl - Zoo View

The following day I awoke at  4-45 for a days birding with birdingpal Tim Allison. Tim too was a teacher and he took me on a long tour surrounding Calgary to the south and east searching for waders etc.  The morning we got great views of Sora, Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral Sandpipers plus Long billed Dowitchers etc. Black winged Stilts were also a FOY. Much of the wetlands visited throughout the day were very full after very generous June rains and therefore lacked edges appropriate for migrating waders. Got Avocets and  Phalaropes though. We took a long walk though some prairie country and saw Spragues Pipits, Horned Larks, Chestnut Collared Longspurs plus a few spp of Sparrow. Got excellent view of Ferruginous Hawk. In the afternoon the wind got up and up and up making birding difficult and frustrating. A good day and without wind it could have been a great day. Thanks Tim!!

Tim of the Prairie

In the evening we were visited by Nakusp mate, Rick; a recent returning Calgary resident.