Album Carburn Park from Anne Elliott

American White Pelicans on the Bow River

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 17:17:12 +0000

Sainfoin / Onobrychis

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 17:16:16 +0000

This morning, I have added 10 images taken at Carburn Park, on 2 July 2019. As keeps happening, I have fallen way behind with editing and posting my photos.

This was an evening walk with a group of friends. Though I rarely go on any evening walks, I knew this one would finally get me over to Carburn Park.

It's always a delight to see a gathering of American White Pelicans on the Bow River. They like to rest on the gravel bars and either sleep or preen. Such exotic looking birds and they almost look like they don't belong here.

Two other things I was happy to see were a scattering of beautiful, pink Sainfoin flowers. This is the only location where I have seen them.

The other thrill was when a huge American Beaver swam past us when we were walking along the trail at the edge of the river. We were able to see just how huge it really was when it climbed up on to the bank not many feet away from us, and began eating the tall grass.

Sainfoin has been grown in parts of Europe and Asia for hundreds of years. Various strains have been introduced to North America as a forage crop since about 1900. I think Carburn Park is the only location in the city where it grows. Belongs to the Pea family and blooms June-August. It is considered a weed, but, as usual, a very beautiful weed. I love the deep pink stripes on the petals.

"Like many plants with a long period of human use, it is known by many common names. In English, it is commonly called sainfoin from the French for "healthy hay". Sometimes it is called holy hay--a confusion of "saint" for "sain".

Healthy hay is a fitting moniker. It is nutritionally comparable to alfalfa and equally, if not more, palatable to livestock. In addition, research has shown that it inhibits nematode parasitism in ruminants due to its high tannin content. A good report on the use of sainfoin as a feed crop is available on Feedipedia: Onobrychis viciifolia, while images of the species growing as a field crop are available via the Alberta Native Plant Council. As a crop, the plant is considered a good environmental choice: it forms a deep tap root that helps soil stabilization, its roots house nitrogen-fixing bacteria that improve the soil, and its melliferous flowers attract bees and birds. A fine, clear honey has been produced in areas where the plant is cultivated. Lastly, it is more tolerant of drought and cold than other forage crops like alfalfa and clover.

Despite its many benefits, it has largely been replaced by alfalfa and clover in the past century. The main drawback is its poor regrowth after cutting and resultant lower production." From UBC Botany Photo of the Day website.

botanyphoto.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/2013/04/onobrychis-vic...

American White Pelicans on the Bow River

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 17:15:20 +0000

Album Carburn Park from Anne Elliott

American White Pelicans on the Bow River

Sainfoin / Onobrychis

American White Pelicans on the Bow River

Sainfoin / Onobrychis

Beaver / Castor canadensis

Wild Licorice?

Beaver across the river

Sainfoin / Onobrychis

Beaver swimming in the Bow River

Cicer Milkvetch?

Yellow Warbler / Setophaga petechia

Beaver, on the far side of the Bow River

Blossom, Carburn Park

Carburn Park

Yellow Warbler

Double-crested Cormorants

Yellow Warbler

Beaver, Carburn Park, on far side of the river

Carburn Park

Beaver, Carburn Park