Thinking about Saskatchewan

I'm looking forward to my next birding trip where I'll be visiting Saskatchewan again with my friend Tom Hince.   Here are a few images from a trip we took last year to the western portion of the province, from Turtle Lake south to the Cypress Hills and Grasslands National Park. 

 Sunrise near Turtle Lake

American Avocet

Family of Richardson's Ground Squirrels

a Nuttall's Cottontail relaxing in Grasslands National Park

vista from Jone's Peak

 Pronghorns were commonly seen during the trip. 

I've never seen a Pronghorn  jump over a  fence.

Alkali flat south of the Cypress Hills

Marbled Godwit

Northern Harrier with vole nest

Yellow-headed Blackbird

outhouse, south of Cypress Hills

Prairie Rattlesnake

Ojibway Park feeders

male Red-bellied Woodpecker (if you look hard you can even see a hint of red on the belly!)

The nature centre where I work has been closed since the middle of April due to the current strike by city workers but the park and trails are still open. The feeders behind the nature centre are a favourite spot for birders and nature photographers.  The regular winter feeder visitors such as Black-capped Chickadees, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, American Goldfinches and Tufted Titmice have been joined by Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles, White-crowned Sparrows and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.  In addition to birds the feeders also attract Eastern Chipmunk, Woodchuck, Eastern Gray Squirrel (abundant) and the occasional White-tailed Deer.