Friday bird

For the second Friday evening in a row while walking the dog I saw an "unusual" bird at the same surface water pond on the edge of a canola field. Last week it was an Avocet, this week a Killdeer, the difference this week was that I immediately went back with my camera. Sturgeon County.

Virginia Rail

A Virginia Rail moving through the reed beds of the Big Lake Interpretive Trail.

Solitary and Spotted

Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers share a small Island in the Sturgeon River. Sturgeon County.

Spotted Sandpiper

Sturgeon River, Sturgeon County

A small flock of Yellow legs appear to have taken up residence on the Sturgeon River near Ray Gibbon Drive. St Albert.

Taking flight

A Yellow legs doesn't appreciate my attention. Sturgeon River, St Albert..

Yellow legs

A Yellow legs wades the shallows of the Sturgeon River. St Albert.

Sora Rail (Juvenile)

J Poole Wetland, St Albert, first time this year I have seen one close enough to photograph

Silohette

Two White Faced Ibis streak across the sky over Big Lake wetlands

White faced Ibis

Off in the distance, and steering well clear of me, a white faced Ibis flies over the Big Lake wetlands. For a closer look at these birds check out the "East central Alberta" folder in "Other Alberta Wild Places" (crop)

Wilson's Phalarope

These two birds flew in circles around me as I walked a trail through the wetlands at Big Lake, I think I disturbed their nest in the tallish grass next to the walking trail.

Wilson's Phalarope

A breeding pair in a pool near the Big Lake interpretive trail

Virginia Rail

J Poole Wetland

Virginia Rail (Juvenile)

This elusive Rail makes a first time appearance (for me) in the J Poole Wetland,

Round up

An older juvenile Sora Rail appears to lead the younger off back into the reeds

The Elusive Sora

Occasionally the Sora Rails will step out the reed banks and present for a good shot, this is a more normal and fleeting view of these elusive birds. J Poole wetland, St Albert.

Juvenile Sora Rail

J Poole wetland, St Albert

Snipe

A snipe at the base of the viewing platform at Big Lake

Juvenile Sora Rail

Seen these young ones for the first time this year though the Sora's have been here for many years.

Juvenile Sora Rail

Riel wetland

Soya on the kayak launch

The kayak launch on the Sturgeon River provides an unlikely hangout for this normally elusive Soya Rail