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Colours of fall

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:04:56 +0000

A touch of filter was added to this image in post-processing, as it wasn't quite sharp enough.

I finally got as far as the Calgary Zoo, on 12 September 2019. The last time I was there was on 26 June 2018 and the time before that had been 6 October 2015. I used to go several times a year, but the long gap from 2015 to 2018 was because of major road construction and a bridge replacement right by the Zoo. Anyway, it felt good to be back there a few weeks ago. .

My visit only covered a small area of the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. I did call in to see the Giant Pandas one last time before they leave the Zoo after their five-year visit. How lucky we have been to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. The Zoo had another Panda visit way back in 1988, but they only stayed for seven months. The Conservation Status of the Giant Panda is Vulnerable, with fewer than 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild.

A few hours well spent, happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be so long before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter, and the north entrance is out of my driving comfort zone. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest. It also feels good to have some colourful photos to post this morning, following our three-day snow storm. I reckoned there must have been about 10 inches of snow on top of my fence and, sure enough, 10.6 inches (27 cm) of snow was recorded. Further south, in Waterton, they received 37.4 inches (95 cm) of the white stuff. No more snow in the forecast for the next little while, and the sun is shining today. Our temperature is only -1C (windchill -4C), though. Unfortunately, my computer is just about out of room, so a massive back-up of photo files and a lot of deleting from my hard drive is what is urgently needed.

Garden flower

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:04:01 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

I finally got as far as the Calgary Zoo, on 12 September 2019. The last time I was there was on 26 June 2018 and the time before that had been 6 October 2015. I used to go several times a year, but the long gap from 2015 to 2018 was because of major road construction and a bridge replacement right by the Zoo. Anyway, it felt good to be back there a few weeks ago. .

My visit only covered a small area of the Zoo, as I usually spend a lot of time in the Conservatory, enjoying the plants and tropical butterflies. I did call in to see the Giant Pandas one last time before they leave the Zoo after their five-year visit. How lucky we have been to have these four amazing animals visit our Zoo. They were in an inside enclosure, full of plants - and Bamboo, of course. The Zoo had another Panda visit way back in 1988, but they only stayed for seven months. The Conservation Status of the Giant Panda is Vulnerable, with fewer than 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild.

A few hours well spent, happily clicking. Hopefully, it won't be so long before my next visit, though the west entrance does close each winter, and the north entrance is out of my driving comfort zone. It felt so good to once again be back in a place full of colour and interest. It also feels good to have some colourful photos to post this morning, following our three-day snow storm. I reckoned there must have been about 10 inches of snow on top of my fence and, sure enough, 10.6 inches (27 cm) of snow was recorded. Further south, in Waterton, they received 37.4 inches (95 cm) of the white stuff. No more snow in the forecast for the next little while, and the sun is shining today. Unfortunately, my computer is just about out of room, so a massive back-up of photo files and a lot of deleting from my hard drive is what is urgently needed.

Spathiphyllum wallisii

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:02:35 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Conservatory, Calgary Zoo

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 16:01:53 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

A summer memory

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 18:26:37 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Goodbye fall, hello winter!!! Just five days into fall, and snow arrives in the city today, 28 September 2019. So far, there is maybe an inch of snow on the top of my fence and enough to cover my car, but thankfully, it has only been a light snowfall. Snowflakes still falling as I type. A few flurries are forecast for this afternoon and light snow tonight. Our temperature is -3C (windchill -8C). The forecast in Alberta for today and the next two days is "Winter storm could bring 60+ cm of snow, blizzard-like conditions possible." Thanks, Weather Network. I think Calgary will be spared the worst of the storm. The ground is still warm, so hopefully the snow will melt quickly. Here, the last snowfall typically happens in April or May, so we have very roughly seven months of snow/winter to face. Apparently, there has been snow in eight of the last 20 Septembers in Calgary, and snow in 19 of the last 20 Octobers.

Needless to say, I needed COLOUR today, so I grabbed a few photos taken in a city garden on 3 September 2019. This is what I wrote when I posted several photos from that day:

"Yesterday afternoon, 3 September 2019, was spent surrounded by colourful garden flowers. Knowing that it is not unusual for us to get snow in September, I knew I just had to go and capture some cheery colour before fall arrived and it was too late. That included Sunflowers, which are always a favourite. Just one orange one among the many yellow, and I could only see it from the back. A little gang of American Goldfinches was making the most of the Sunflower seeds."

Shaggy Mane / Inky Cap

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 03:55:46 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Tonight, I thought I would add the seven photos I took at Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park, two days ago, on 25 September 2019. (For some strange reason, so many people misspell this location as Voitier's Flats.) Unlike so many other recent photo folders, this one had just a handful of quick images in it. I don't usually go for local walks any more, apart from the very occasional birding or botany walk with friends, but I felt I really should do one before the snow arrives tomorrow, for three days. For the next seven or so months, I know I will be at home and sedentary most of the time.

Not much to see, but somehow I knew I would find a Shaggy Mane/Inky Cap mushroom - and I did : ) They like to grow partly hidden in the grass, and it is usually impossible to get a clear photo of them - unless one pulled it out of the ground, I guess. There have been lots of these fungi this year, thanks to all the rain we have had. I posted two rather similar photos, one taken with my Canon SX60 and the other with my Nikon P900. Much as I like the Nikon for certain things, including scenic shots, it does tend to give a yellowish, unnatural tint to photos, which I don't like. I was curious to compare the two shots. Unfortunately, the snow will no doubt put an end to our mushroom season for 2019. It has been wonderful!

Backlit Sunflower

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 15:30:26 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Yesterday afternoon, 3 September 2019, was spent surrounded by colourful garden flowers. Knowing that it is not unusual for us to get snow in September, I knew I just had to go and capture some cheery colour before fall arrived and it was too late. That included Sunflowers, which are always a favourite. Just one orange one among the many yellow, and I could only see it from the back. A little gang of American Goldfinches was making the most of the Sunflower seeds.

Gaillardia

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 15:27:14 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

American Goldfinch collecting Thistle seeds

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:55:43 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

"Bear Warning - Votiers Flats and Shannon Terrace Day Use Areas
Effective Date: August 16, 2019 until further notice
Where: All trails and area between Votiers Flats and Shannon Terrace Day Use Areas in Fish Creek Provincial Park
Why: MULTIPLE bears feeding in the area."

www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/a...

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The 8 photos I have posted this morning, 17 August 2019, were taken on the second walk I went on four days ago. On 13 August 2019, I did something that I always try to avoid - go on two walks on the same day. This time, there were two birding outings that I really wanted to go on, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Both were in Fish Creek Park.

It had been quite a few years since I had walked west of Bow Bottom Trail and I had forgotten what the area looked like until this new walk. Quite a few birds were seen, likewise mosquitoes. I didn't take many photos, but it was nice to catch an American Goldfinch doing what American Goldfinches love to do - collect the seeds from the invasive Creeping (formerly Canada) Thistles. A baby House Wren was spotted near the top of a distant broken tree, peering out of a cavity. I couldn't even see it with the naked eye, so I was surprised to see the tiny beak in my photos. A couple of wildflowers caught my eye, and a friend pointed out a line of fungi on a distant, unapproachable tree trunk.

The 13 photos I posted yesterday morning were from the morning birding walk, at Mallard Point. The expert eyes were searching for Warblers that have started to arrive here. These tiny birds that are fast moving and always seem to be hiding, are not easy to see, and definitely not easy to photograph, as all bird photographers know. As usual, my eyes also wander to wildflowers and fungi. The Wandering Garter Snake that slithered across the narrow trail and disappeared into the long grass came as a surprise. Definitely not my favourite thing! Managed a quick shot in between people and have posted it just for the record. The Osprey, and the little Clay-coloured Sparrow with a beak full of insects, were enjoyed by all. Actually, the air was full of tiny flying insects, as you can tell by all the tiny specks in my Osprey shots.

We were very lucky with the weather for both walks, which is always so much appreciated. A Frost Warning was issued for last night, 16 August, and there is now a covering of snow in the mountains.

Wild Sunflower sp.

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:55:05 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

"Bear Warning - Votiers Flats and Shannon Terrace Day Use Areas closed
Effective Date: August 16, 2019 until further notice
Where: All trails and area between Votiers Flats and Shannon Terrace Day Use Areas in Fish Creek Provincial Park
Why: Multiple bears feeding in the area."

www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/kananaskis-country/a...

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The 8 photos I have posted this morning, 17 August 2019, were taken on the second walk I went on four days ago. On 13 August 2019, I did something that I always try to avoid - go on two walks on the same day. This time, there were two birding outings that I really wanted to go on, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Both were in Fish Creek Park.

It had been quite a few years since I had walked west of Bow Bottom Trail and I had forgotten what the area looked like until this new walk. Quite a few birds were seen, likewise mosquitoes. I didn't take many photos, but it was nice to catch an American Goldfinch doing what American Goldfinches love to do - collect the seeds from the invasive Creeping (formerly Canada) Thistles. A baby House Wren was spotted near the top of a distant broken tree, peering out of a cavity. I couldn't even see it with the naked eye, so I was surprised to see the tiny beak in my photos. A couple of wildflowers caught my eye, and a friend pointed out a line of fungi on a distant, unapproachable tree trunk.

The 13 photos I posted yesterday morning were from the morning birding walk, at Mallard Point. The expert eyes were searching for Warblers that have started to arrive here. These tiny birds that are fast moving and always seem to be hiding, are not easy to see, and definitely not easy to photograph, as all bird photographers know. As usual, my eyes also wander to wildflowers and fungi. The Wandering Garter Snake that slithered across the narrow trail and disappeared into the long grass came as a surprise. Definitely not my favourite thing! Managed a quick shot in between people and have posted it just for the record. The Osprey, and the little Clay-coloured Sparrow with a beak full of insects, were enjoyed by all. Actually, the air was full of tiny flying insects, as you can tell by all the tiny specks in my Osprey shots.

We were very lucky with the weather for both walks, which is always so much appreciated. A Frost Warning was issued for last night, 16 August!

American Goldfinch collecting Thistle seeds

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:54:14 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Campion

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:53:30 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Osprey

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:58:29 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Campion / Silene sp.

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:57:43 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

On 13 August 2019, I did something that I always try to avoid - go on two walks on the same day. This time, there were two birding outings that I really wanted to go on, one in the morning and the other in the evening. Both were in Fish Creek Park.

The 13 photos I posted this morning were from the morning birding walk, at Mallard Point. The expert eyes were searching for Warblers that have started to arrive here. These tiny birds that are fast moving and always seem to be hiding, are not easy to see, and definitely not easy to photograph, as all bird photographers know. As usual, my eyes also wander to wildflowers and fungi. The Wandering Garter Snake that slithered across the narrow trail and disappeared into the long grass came as a surprise. Definitely not my favourite thing! Managed a quick shot in between people and have posted it just for the record. The Osprey, and the little Clay-coloured Sparrow with a beak full of insects, were enjoyed by all.

We were very lucky with the weather, which is always so much appreciated. Today, 16th August, it has been pouring with rain - again! Yesterday was one of the few beautiful days we have had this summer and, as often happens, I had an appointment in the middle of the day.

Osprey

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 16:50:50 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

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nobody@ipernity.com (Howard Kilgour) — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 08:45:06 +0000

Howard Kilgour has posted:

Osprey with a fish

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 02:14:13 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This evening, I have posted a dozen photos taken yesterday evening, 30 July 2019, on a birding walk in Fish Creek Park. The Black-crowned Night-Heron was the highlight for us. A few other species were seen, but many were distant and either I didn't bother to try and get photos, or else I have posted them just for the record.

I rarely go on an evening walk, but yesterday evening was beautiful weather for walking, and, as always, it was nice to spend time with friends. Thanks, Anne B., for giving up your evening for us!

Today, we are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch. We have a hot day tomorrow, 29C (to feel like 31C). With my place feeling like an oven, I might just have to make use of my car's air-conditioning. A drive also might help take my mind off a very painful toothache, caused by two teeth I had filled about a month ago. I hadn't had toothache for many, many years - now I remember what it's like.

Osprey with a fish

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 02:11:59 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

American White Pelicans on the Bow River

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

Anne Elliott has posted:

Sainfoin / Onobrychis

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

Anne Elliott has posted:

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...