Album Griffith Woods 1 from Anne Elliott

Yellow lady's-slipper

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:34:14 +0000

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos from that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so the next day was definitely a slow day at home.

Sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:32:32 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos form that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so the next day was definitely a slow day at home.

Heart-leaved Alexander(s) / Zizia aptera

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:30:58 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos form that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

So many spring flower species are yellow, with Heart-leaved Alexander being one of them. It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so the next day was definitely a slow day at home.

Northern Green Orchid / Platanthera hyperborea

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:28:33 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos form that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers. Another orchid species was this less spectacular Northern Green Orchid.

ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=302

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so yesterday was definitely a slow day at home.

Columbine

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:27:51 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Flodman's Thistle

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:27:07 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos form that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so the next day was definitely a slow day at home.

Purple Milk-vetch?

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:26:17 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos form that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so the next day was definitely a slow day at home.

Hedge Mustard

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 05:24:51 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Late tonight, I have just added 12 extra photos that were taken on the two walks (botany and birding) that I went on two days ago, 19 June 2018. Nothing very special; just wanted these quick shots to be added to my various albums. This means that I have finished with the photos form that day. Now I need to get on with my Waterton weekend images. This weekend I have a day trip, so I know for sure that I will be taking photos. I'm hoping that one of these days, I will be able to get back to my Pt Pelee/Tadoussac photos, starting on Day 2.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

It is always a treat to see Yellow lady's-slipper orchids. We also found quite a few of the white Sparrow's-eggs lady's-slippers.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so the next day was definitely a slow day at home.

Blue Flax / Linum lewisii

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:44:06 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

Quite a few plant species were seen at Griffith Woods, including both Yellow lady's-slippers and the white Sparrow's-egg lady's slippers. The flower in this photo is the delicate, native Blue Flax.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so yesterday was definitely a slow day at home.

Sparrow's-egg Orchid / Cypripedium passerinum

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:41:50 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Also known as Franklin's lady's-slipper.

Two days ago, on 19 June 2018, there were two walks I wanted to go on - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening at Lafarge Meadows in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day, as it is just too much walking for me.

Quite a few plant species were seen at Griffith Woods, including both Yellow lady's-slippers and the white Sparrow's-egg lady's slippers. The flower in this photo is the Sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper, also known as Franklin's lady's-slipper. We don't see these white orchids very often.

We were lucky enough to see two Black-crowned night-herons in Fish Creek Park, though they were far, far away. A Great Blue Heron stood at the river's edge, fishing, and the occasional American White Pelican flew high up. The group of 8 of us saw 39 bird species in total.

After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before I finally fell into bed the next morning. An hour later, I was awake, so yesterday was definitely a slow day at home.

Wild Rose with beetle

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:40:35 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Round-leaved Orchid / Platanthera orbiculata

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 16:39:09 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Horsetail strobilus

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 15:07:59 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

The strobilus contains spores on the fertile stems of a Horsetail. Horsetails always fascinate me and I love to take photos of them. This one is still closed, but they are photogenic at each stage. I will add a previously posted photo in a comment box below, showing an open one. The first of the two photos below shows the Strobilus of a Horsetail, a cone-like structure where the spores are released from. Other stems look like the second photo, which shows a typical sterile stem.

"Equisetum (/ˌɛkwɨˈsiːtəm/; horsetail, snake grass, puzzlegrass) is the only living genus in Equisetaceae, a family of vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds.

Equisetum is a "living fossil" as it is the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, which for over one hundred million years was much more diverse and dominated the understory of late Paleozoic forests. Some Equisetopsida were large trees reaching to 30 meters tall. The genus Calamites of the family Calamitaceae, for example, is abundant in coal deposits from the Carboniferous period." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum

There were two walks I wanted to go on yesterday, 20 June 2018 - an afternoon botany walk at Griffith Woods, especially as I have missed most of the walks this session; and a birding walk in the evening in Fish Creek Park. Usually, I don't do two walks on the same day.

Photographed the Great Blue Heron at the river's edge and the bright yellow Gaillardia flower at the Fish Creek Park location. This Horsetail photo was taken at Griffith Woods. After the evening walk, a few of us went to Tim Horton's for coffee and chat. Coffee doesn't usually keep me awake, but I guess I'm not normally drinking it at 10:00 pm! Despite feeling tired out from two walks, I was also 'wired' and it was 6:00 am before i finally fell into bed. An hour later, I was awake, so today is definitely a slow day at home, as it feels like my brain is barely functioning..

The beauty of winter

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:28:41 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Around 1:30 this morning, when I had just finished editing photos to post today, I checked on the temperature. It was -25C, with a windchill of -34C! Last night, the forecast for today said -4C for this afternoon, but right now, at 9:30 am, it it still -24C, windchill -33C.

I'm glad of a warm image to post in between two cold photos taken yesterday, 11 February 2018, when I joined several friends for a cold, afternoon walk at Griffith Woods. One reason I decided to go was so that I could take a few photos to check a camera that I had collected the day before, after being 'repaired'. Long story, which I will have to add later today, if I decide to finally go for a drive this afternoon. I haven't driven anywhere out of the city since 17 December, when my daughter and I went SE of the city for our "Christmas" together. All the settings on my returned camera had been changed and I didn't notice that it was no longer on a 4:3 ratio. Hence two wide images today.

Much later: as for my camera issue, mentioned above, I had bought a Panasonic FZ1000 over a year ago, so that I would have a back-up camera to my old FZ200, ready for my trip with friends to Trinidad & Tobago in March 2017. I didn't get the chance to try out the FZ1000 for many weeks, as I was so busy preparing for my trip. When I finally did take a few test photos, I discovered that on Playback, the camera would show a photo or two and then jump one. It kept doing this throughout the Playback. All the photos were there when I downloaded them to my computer, but I couldn't see every photo in Playback, unless I changed the direction and tried again, which was a perfect nuisance. As soon as I discovered this fault, I went back to the store and asked what would need to be done. I was told that the camera would have to be sent for repair, but I could not risk not getting the camera back in time for my trip. Anyway, finally in December, I took the camera back for the store to send it off for repair. The young guy didn't send a copy of the receipt, etc. with the camera and next thing I know is that I get a phone call saying that the repair estimate was $700+!! What! The camera was still under warranty, but the repair place didn't know this because the receipt wasn't sent. Two or three weeks later, I got a call to say that the camera was ready for pick-up. I was so glad to get it back, but that feeling was very short-lived when I discovered that Playback was still skipping images!! So what happens now? I guess they will want to send it off again. Various friends have the FZ1000 and love it - I really like the colour and image quality, but this whole fault and repair problem is giving me stress that I definitely don't need.

I ended up going for a drive SW of the city, to my 'usual' area, partly just to get a change of scenery. Almost no wildlife to be seen, other than a Raven, a Magpie, a Rough-legged Hawk perched at the top of a tall tree, and a couple of small, unidentified birds that flew across the road ahead of me. Still, I did take a handful of winter scenic shots and a couple of barns/sheds.

To drown my sorrows over not being able to find any owls of any kind, I decided to call in at a small cafe/restaurant in the area and brought home a bowl of delicious chili with garlic bread. Made an enjoyable ending to my afternoon drive.

Lacy curtain of ice

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:25:25 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Around 1:30 this morning, when I had just finished editing photos to post today, I checked on the temperature. It was -25C, with a windchill of -34C! Last night, the forecast for today said -4C for this afternoon, but right now, at 9:30 am, it it still -24C, windchill -33C.

I'm glad of a warm image to post in between two cold photos taken yesterday, 11 February 2018, when I joined several friends for a cold, afternoon walk at Griffith Woods. One reason I decided to go was so that I could take a few photos to check a camera that I had collected the day before, after being 'repaired'. Long story, which I will have to add later today, if I decide to finally go for a drive this afternoon. I haven't driven anywhere out of the city since 17 December, when my daughter and I went SE of the city for our "Christmas" together. All the settings on my returned camera had been changed and I didn't notice that it was no longer on a 4:3 ratio. Hence two wide images today. These lacy icicles were hanging from someone's wooden fence.

Much later: as for my camera issue, mentioned above, I had bought a Panasonic FZ1000 over a year ago, so that I would have a back-up camera to my old FZ200, ready for my trip with friends to Trinidad & Tobago in March 2017. I didn't get the chance to try out the FZ1000 for many weeks, as I was so busy preparing for my trip. When I finally did take a few test photos, I discovered that on Playback, the camera would show a photo or two and then jump one. It kept doing this throughout the Playback. All the photos were there when I downloaded them to my computer, but I couldn't see every photo in Playback, unless I changed the direction and tried again, which was a perfect nuisance. As soon as I discovered this fault, I went back to the store and asked what would need to be done. I was told that the camera would have to be sent for repair, but I could not risk not getting the camera back in time for my trip. Anyway, finally in December, I took the camera back for the store to send it off for repair. The young guy didn't send a copy of the receipt, etc. with the camera and next thing I know is that I get a phone call saying that the repair estimate was $700+!! What! The camera was still under warranty, but the repair place didn't know this because the receipt wasn't sent. Two or three weeks later, I got a call to say that the camera was ready for pick-up. I was so glad to get it back, but that feeling was very short-lived when I discovered that Playback was still skipping images!! So what happens now? I guess they will want to send it off again. Various friends have the FZ1000 and love it - I really like the colour and image quality, but this whole fault and repair problem is giving me stress that I definitely don't need.

I ended up going for a drive SW of the city this afternoon, to my 'usual' area, partly just to get a change of scenery. Almost no wildlife to be seen, other than a Raven, a Magpie, a Rough-legged Hawk perched at the top of a tall tree, and a couple of small, unidentified birds that flew across the road ahead of me. Still, I did take a handful of winter scenic shots and a couple of barns/sheds.

To drown my sorrows over not being able to find any owls of any kind, I decided to call in at a small cafe/restaurant in the area and brought home a bowl of delicious chili with garlic bread. Made an enjoyable ending to my afternoon drive.

Nuttall's Sunflower / Helianthus nuttallii

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 17 May 2016 15:56:46 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

A photo form my archives. I finally got out with friends for an almost three-hour botany walk in the afternoon of 11 August 2015, at Griffith Woods. There were certain "target" plants on the list, including three species of wild Gentian and one species of Orchid (Rattlesnake Plantain). We had success with all four, which made for a great outing. There was also a patch of these beautiful wild Sunflowers, which I always enjoy seeing year after year. They are sometimes called Common Tall Sunflower, as well as Nuttall's Sunflower.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus_nuttallii

sites.google.com/a/ualberta.ca/our-garden/our-plants/comm...

So many of the plants were finished already, after blooming two weeks early this year. Whenever I see Asters, I know that our flowering season is coming to an end, which is always depressing. The growing season in Alberta is so very short.

Boreal Chickadee

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:44:42 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

A rather pathetic photo, but I so rarely get photos of a Boreal Chickadee. These little guys tend to hang out with the Black-capped Chickadees and are just as fast and constantly on the move.

It was a cold morning when I met friends for a three hour walk at Griffith Woods on 26 November 2015. Temperature was -10 to -4°C. Eventually, the warmth of the sun could just be felt, which always makes such a welcome difference.

Not a huge variety of birds - we saw so many Bohemian Waxwings (a total of 600+) flying overhead and sometimes landing near the tops of very tall Spruce trees. Also saw this little Boreal Chickadee, near the top of a tall Spruce tree.

Canada Goose-110
Mallard-10
Bald Eagle-1 juv.
Merlin-1
Downy Woodpecker-1
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-2
Northern Shrike-1, chasing a Blue Jay
Blue Jay-4+
Black-billed Magpie-7
Common Raven-3+
Black-capped Chickadee-25
Boreal Chickadee-4+
Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
White-breasted Nuthatch-3
Golden-crowned Kinglet-1
Bohemian Waxwing-600+.
Pine Grosbeak-4
White-winged Crossbill-4+
Common Redpoll-2
House Sparrow-1

Diamond-studded

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 17:12:18 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Just a quick shot taken on 26 November 2015. It was a cold morning, when I met friends for a three hour walk at Griffith Woods. Temperature was -10 to -4°C. Eventually, the warmth of the sun could just be felt, which always makes such a welcome difference. This photo shows a Willow gall, covered in ice crystals. Horribly blown out, but there was still something that I liked about it.

“Pine-cone willow gall” is caused by a gall midge, Rhabdophaga strobiloides. This dipteran (related to flies and mosquitoes) deposits an egg in the developing terminal leaf buds of the willow in early spring. The larva releases a chemical which interferes with the typical leaf and branch development of the willow, instead causing the formation of this cone-like structure. The adult dipteran emerges the following spring, after having spent the winter in the gall. (Information taken from Botany Photo of the Day website, with thanks).

Not a huge variety of birds - but we saw so many Bohemian Waxwings flying overhead and sometimes landing near the tops of very tall Spruce trees.

Canada Goose-110
Mallard-10
Bald Eagle-1 juv.
Merlin-1
Downy Woodpecker-1
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-2
Northern Shrike-1, chasing a Blue Jay
Blue Jay-4+
Black-billed Magpie-7
Common Raven-3+
Black-capped Chickadee-25
Boreal Chickadee-4+
Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
White-breasted Nuthatch-3
Golden-crowned Kinglet-1
Bohemian Waxwing-600+.
Pine Grosbeak-4
White-winged Crossbill-4+
Common Redpoll-2
House Sparrow-1

On a totally different note, I had a wonderful surprise a few days ago. After receiving a notificiation e-mail telling me that someone had 'buzzed' me on the FriendsReunited website that I had joined quite a few years ago, I discovered two words, "Remember me?" To my amazement, it was from someone who had been in the class I taught for one year in England (my very first year of teaching, in a mixed class of Grade 5/6 (equivalent). He had been a delightful, quiet, shy boy and I remembered him as if it was yesterday : ) I am so impressed with what he has done with his life - I'm still in awe today! Most of his 36 years of working were spent teaching. When he sent me the message, he had just finished taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - the boat he was on came in third place out of twelve! Such a good, good feeling to hear that a student from so many years ago has used his life so well!

Soaking up the sun

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 17:37:12 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

It was cold yesterday morning, when I met friends for a three hour walk at Griffith Woods. Temperature was -10 to -4°C. Eventually, the warmth of the sun could just be felt, which always makes such a welcome difference. This little Red Squirrel looks like he's puffed out to try and keep warm, with his bushy tail draped over his back. Looks like he has been eating Spruce cone seeds.

Not a huge variety of birds - but we saw so many Bohemian Waxwings flying overhead and sometimes landing near the tops of very tall Spruce trees.

Canada Goose-110
Mallard-10
Bald Eagle-1 juv.
Merlin-1
Downy Woodpecker-1
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-2
Northern Shrike-1, chasing a Blue Jay
Blue Jay-4+
Black-billed Magpie-7
Common Raven-3+
Black-capped Chickadee-25
Boreal Chickadee-4+
Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
White-breasted Nuthatch-3
Golden-crowned Kinglet-1
Bohemian Waxwing-600+.
Pine Grosbeak-4
White-winged Crossbill-4+
Common Redpoll-2
House Sparrow-1

On a totally different note, I had a wonderful surprise yesterday. After receiving a notificiation e-mail telling me that someone had 'buzzed' me on the FriendsReunited website that I had joined quite a few years ago, I discovered two words, "Remember me?" To my amazement, it was from someone who had been in the class I taught for one year in England (my very first year of teaching, in a mixed class of Grade 5/6 (equivalent). He had been a delightful, quiet, shy boy and I remembered him as if it was yesterday : ) I am so impressed with what he has done with his life - I'm still in awe today! Most of his 36 years of working were spent teaching. When he sent me the message yesterday, he had just finished taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - the boat he was on came in third place out of twelve! Such a good, good feeling to hear that a student from so many years ago has used his life so well!

Four out of at least 600+

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 17:37:11 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

If only birds would all sit and face the same direction at the same time, lol. At least two of these Bohemian Waxwings gave me a nice pose for a split second. They are such beautiful, sleek birds.

It was cold yesterday morning, when I met friends for a three hour walk at Griffith Woods. Temperature was -10 to -4°C.
Eventually, the warmth of the sun could just be felt, which always makes such a welcome difference.

Not a huge variety of birds - we saw so many Bohemian Waxwings (a total of 600+) flying overhead and sometimes landing near the tops of very tall Spruce trees. This was the best I could do, 48x zoom then cropped.

10000birds.com/cedar-waxwing-vs-bohemian-waxwing.htm

Canada Goose-110
Mallard-10
Bald Eagle-1 juv.
Merlin-1
Downy Woodpecker-1
Hairy Woodpecker-1
Northern Flicker-2
Northern Shrike-1, chasing a Blue Jay
Blue Jay-4+
Black-billed Magpie-7
Common Raven-3+
Black-capped Chickadee-25
Boreal Chickadee-4+
Red-breasted Nuthatch-1
White-breasted Nuthatch-3
Golden-crowned Kinglet-1
Bohemian Waxwing-600+.
Pine Grosbeak-4
White-winged Crossbill-4+
Common Redpoll-2
House Sparrow-1

On a totally different note, I had a wonderful surprise yesterday. After receiving a notificiation e-mail telling me that someone had 'buzzed' me on the FriendsReunited website that I had joined quite a few years ago, I discovered two words, "Remember me?" To my amazement, it was from someone who had been in the class I taught for one year in England (my very first year of teaching, in a mixed class of Grade 5/6 (equivalent). He had been a delightful, quiet, shy boy and I remembered hm as if it was yesterday : ) I am so impressed with what he has done with his life - I'm still in awe today! Most of his 36 years of working were spent teaching. When he sent me the message yesterday, he had just finished taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - the boat he was on came in third place out of twelve! Such a good, good feeling to hear that a student from so many years ago has used his life so well!