One of the things I love about our annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts is that, as well as seeing various species of birds, we also come across spectacular scenery, horses, cats, dogs, even the occasional Llama. Saw these beautiful horses in SW Canmore two days ago, 15 December 2012, when a small group of seven of us went west into the Rocky Mountains to Canmore. We split into two groups and covered both sides of the Creek there (which I can never remember the name of) and then walked along the Bow River. This long walk took all morning, and then in the afternoon, we walked up and down some of the residential streets and alleys, searching for birds. Eight hours of walking in total, always much harder when there is snow on the ground. So, I was already in great pain, just in time for walking the streets and alleys in NE/SE Calgary the following day (yesterday), for the annual Calgary Christmas Bird Count, lol. After walking all morning yesterday, I had no choice but to sit and wait in the car for part of the time, while the three others in my group walked a few other streets and alleys. Could barely move this morning, lol! Thank goodness I didn't have another count today! In the evening, a birder friend very kindly drove me way back north in the city to a most enjoyable potluck supper. Thanks so much to Donna and Arthur Wieckowski, who very generously hosted this evening in their home! Tomorrow, it's back to getting up around 4:00 a.m. for another Count, in High River, maybe 45 minutes' drive south of Calgary. It will be a day of driving (or being driven), with stops along the way. Makes a most enjoyable day. The sun seems to have vanished today, so I'm really hoping it will come out again for tomorrow's trip.

At the rate I'm going, it'll be a miracle if I get any photos of Christmas and decorations taken, lol! Much as I love special little ornaments, I would so much rather be out with friends, doing something valuable and enjoyable : ) These Bird Counts have become a great Christmas tradition for me, for which I am very thankful. Apologies, everyone, for not getting much time on Flickr at the moment.