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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A rare and beautiful visitor at the Taiganova bird banding station in Fort McMurray: Harris's Sparrow. The bird is handled by a professional bander under applicable provincial and federal permits. #birds #wildlife #naturephotography #photography

Harris's Sparrow, after being banded. Bird is handled by a professional bander under applicable provincial and federal permits.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

On the Birchwood Trails in Fort McMurray. Robins everywhere, one bold Canada Jay, but also some other birds passing through during the fall migration: Dark-eyed Juncos and a Northern Waterthrush. #birds #wildlife #naturephotography #photography

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

On my morning walk in Fort McMurray, came across a baby Snowshoe Hare and a tree full of birds: three Grackles, one Robin, and what looks like a Starling, all catching the sun's warming rays. #birds #wildlife #naturephotography #photography

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The fall migration is on at Parson's Creek in Fort McMurray, and there is quite a mix of critters. Large mixed flocks of geese heading south are flying high overhead, including Snow Geese. Sparrows everywhere, and Lapland Longspurs by the hundreds. #birds #wildlife #naturephotography #photography

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This beautiful fox sparrow was an early visitor to Fort McMurray, on its way south during fall migration. The sparrow was banded and released by trained professionals under appropriate provincial and federal permits at the Taiganova bird banding site. #birds #wildlife #naturephotography #photography

Fox sparrow. Bird handled by trained professionals under appropriate provincial and federal permits.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Final day of the NCC Bioblitz. I spent the morning on the Birchwood Trails in Fort McMurray, AB. It took some effort to find some very skittish birds, but patience always pays off. #NCCBioBlitz #birds #wildlife #naturephotography

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Day 4 of the NCC BioBlitz. I revisited a friend at the Parson's Creek wetland in Fort McMurray. This bold little Horned Grebe has grown incredibly fast, from the July 1 photo as a nestling to today's as an independent youngster. #NCCBioBlitz #birds #wildlife #naturephotography

The same Horned Grebe on July 1, about to take a swim.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Day Three of NCC BioBlitz. North Abasand, Fort McMurray, AB. Birds were very skittish, perhaps because of the presence of American Kestrels. One magpie and a western tanager did confront one of the kestrels. #NCCBioBlitz #birds #wildlife #naturephotography

Kestrel, Magpie, and Tanager. This standoff ended when the kestrel flew away.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Day three of NCC BioBlitz. Windy and cold morning by the Clearwater River, just one kestrel braving the wind and tracks of a beach-going bear and maybe a cub. #NCCBioBlitz #birds #wildlife #naturephotography

The Clearwater River in Fort McMurray AB

Bear tracks. One hind foot looks smaller. Maybe a cub.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Day two of the NCC BioBlitz. I spent the morning at Engstrom Lake, AB, and came back with over 800 photos. So many species of birds at one site, and lots of dragonflies. Some firsts for me: pelicans and an osprey. #birds #wildlife #naturephotography #NCCBioBlitz

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

First day of the annual Big Backyard BioBlitz. Nice black bear and a snowshoe hare that thinks it's a bloodhound following a scent. #NCCBioBlitz #wildlife #naturephotography

Black bear wandering on a trail; Fort McMurray AB

Snowshoe hare running back and forth with its nose to the ground

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Some of the birds observed over the past few weeks on the Parson's Creek ponds in Fort McMurray.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I’ve been following the progress of Horned Grebes on a pond nearby. Grebes nest close to the water line. After torrential rains, one nest was submerged with all eggs lost. Another, where the chicks hatched before the rise in water levels, is doing fine. Here is the mom with one of three chicks.

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

The winters up here are cold, but we are in the breeding range of many beautiful bird species such as the horned grebe that come up and visit in the summer .

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Jean-Pierre De Villiers @jp-devilliers.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

One of my main interests is nature photography (iNaturalist: YMMJPD). I came across this protective mom on a short walk by the Snye, an offshoot of the Clearwater River in Fort McMurray. We are in the breeding range of many species, so the summer is busy for birds and birders alike.

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