https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/257548 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/257548 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:42:02 +0000 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:42:02 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45746798 tag:ipernity.com,2017-10-29,doc-45746798 Sun, 29 Oct 2017 12:53:03 +0000 2017-10-27T14:21:02-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45746798"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/67/98/45746798.bc8d756c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken two days ago, on 27 October 2017. It was a day filled with interest and enjoyment, and the morning was so different from the afternoon. It felt a day well spent. The morning was spent on a bio-blitz at the KOAC Art Centre in Springbank, west of Calgary, and straight from there I drove east of the city to see and photograph an old barn that I had wanted to see for a number of years. A friend posted a photo of an old barn the other day and it turned out to be the very barn that I hadn't yet found. Without being asked, he told me exactly where it was. I had been looking for it just a few days before and must have missed it by just one road. I would love to have photographed it looking head on, but, as always, I stayed on the road to get my photos.<br /> <br /> Early morning, I set out to drive west of the city, to meet a small group of friends at a very special place. It was just starting to get light when I left home and the pink sunrise colours over the distant peaks was beautiful. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop anywhere to take a photo, until I actually arrived. <br /> <br /> We had been invited to visit and do a preliminary bio-blitz at an art centre in Springbank, belonging to two amazing, vibrant, creative people who were a joy to meet. There are so many things I could write, but will instead take the words from various articles about this lively, hardworking couple. <br /> <br /> A friend who usually comes out with us on our May Species Counts knows Katie and Harry and had told our main Naturalist, Gus Yaki, that they were interested in learning more about what plant species were growing on their 20 acres of land. I feel very fortunate to have been invited. Of course, it was not the best time of year to do this, though our Naturalist (unlike me) knows all the plants and trees without their flowers.<br /> <br /> I will gradually add some information about this generous pair, as I find again the various websites that I was looking at late last night. I say "generous" because Katie and Harry have donated their home, Gallery, collections, and land, while continuing to live there at present. A tremendous gift!<br /> <br /> "Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe have dedicated their lives to art. Their work has helped shape the local, national and international art scenes. And now they are taking the step of not just being figurative institutions on the scene, but turning their home into a literal institution for art creation.<br /> <br /> Ohe, still a part-time instructor at ACAD (Alberta College of Art + Design), has been teaching art since 1959 and has been with ACAD since 1970. As a teacher, she has promoted the creativity of a diverse range of students. While teaching at the Calgary Allied Arts Centre, she also worked and lived out of the Hart family’s carriage house — that’s the Hart family of wrestling fame. Ohe taught art to the “Hitman” himself, Bret Hart, the eighth child of wrestling patriarch Stu Hart. <br /> <br /> Harry didn’t seek the limelight,” says Deborah Herringer Kiss, director of the Herringer Kiss Gallery of Contemporary Art, who has known the couple for more than 15 years. “He didn’t care about having big shows or trying to get into museums. He didn’t care about any of that. He made it work by quietly, constantly creating art.” <br /> <br /> A couple years shy of 90, Kiyooka is still a prolific painter. Inside his and Ohe’s home, his paintings hang alongside the “greats.” Other paintings line the walls of his studio, and he still works on several huge canvases. More paintings are stored behind couches and under beds, and there’s a dedicated storage room packed with filing cabinets, filled with his paintings." From an article in AvenueCalgary, from February 17, 2016 (see link below).<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.avenuecalgary.com/City-Life/Calgary-Contemporary-Art-Katie-Ohe-Harry-Kiyooka-KOAC-Kiyooka-Ohe-Arts-Centre/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.avenuecalgary.com/City-Life/Calgary-Contemporary-Art-...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.koartscentre.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.koartscentre.org/</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/work+progress/8484134/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/work+progress/8484134...</a><br /> <br /> One of Katie's kinetic sculptures (Chrome Plated Steel) in motion:<br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp05CHJGV6I" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp05CHJGV6I</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-art-centre-springbank-1.3525680" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-art-centre-springb...</a></div> Finally, the search is over <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45746798"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/67/98/45746798.bc8d756c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken two days ago, on 27 October 2017. It was a day filled with interest and enjoyment, and the morning was so different from the afternoon. It felt a day well spent. The morning was spent on a bio-blitz at the KOAC Art Centre in Springbank, west of Calgary, and straight from there I drove east of the city to see and photograph an old barn that I had wanted to see for a number of years. A friend posted a photo of an old barn the other day and it turned out to be the very barn that I hadn't yet found. Without being asked, he told me exactly where it was. I had been looking for it just a few days before and must have missed it by just one road. I would love to have photographed it looking head on, but, as always, I stayed on the road to get my photos.<br /> <br /> Early morning, I set out to drive west of the city, to meet a small group of friends at a very special place. It was just starting to get light when I left home and the pink sunrise colours over the distant peaks was beautiful. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop anywhere to take a photo, until I actually arrived. <br /> <br /> We had been invited to visit and do a preliminary bio-blitz at an art centre in Springbank, belonging to two amazing, vibrant, creative people who were a joy to meet. There are so many things I could write, but will instead take the words from various articles about this lively, hardworking couple. <br /> <br /> A friend who usually comes out with us on our May Species Counts knows Katie and Harry and had told our main Naturalist, Gus Yaki, that they were interested in learning more about what plant species were growing on their 20 acres of land. I feel very fortunate to have been invited. Of course, it was not the best time of year to do this, though our Naturalist (unlike me) knows all the plants and trees without their flowers.<br /> <br /> I will gradually add some information about this generous pair, as I find again the various websites that I was looking at late last night. I say "generous" because Katie and Harry have donated their home, Gallery, collections, and land, while continuing to live there at present. A tremendous gift!<br /> <br /> "Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe have dedicated their lives to art. Their work has helped shape the local, national and international art scenes. And now they are taking the step of not just being figurative institutions on the scene, but turning their home into a literal institution for art creation.<br /> <br /> Ohe, still a part-time instructor at ACAD (Alberta College of Art + Design), has been teaching art since 1959 and has been with ACAD since 1970. As a teacher, she has promoted the creativity of a diverse range of students. While teaching at the Calgary Allied Arts Centre, she also worked and lived out of the Hart family’s carriage house — that’s the Hart family of wrestling fame. Ohe taught art to the “Hitman” himself, Bret Hart, the eighth child of wrestling patriarch Stu Hart. <br /> <br /> Harry didn’t seek the limelight,” says Deborah Herringer Kiss, director of the Herringer Kiss Gallery of Contemporary Art, who has known the couple for more than 15 years. “He didn’t care about having big shows or trying to get into museums. He didn’t care about any of that. He made it work by quietly, constantly creating art.” <br /> <br /> A couple years shy of 90, Kiyooka is still a prolific painter. Inside his and Ohe’s home, his paintings hang alongside the “greats.” Other paintings line the walls of his studio, and he still works on several huge canvases. More paintings are stored behind couches and under beds, and there’s a dedicated storage room packed with filing cabinets, filled with his paintings." From an article in AvenueCalgary, from February 17, 2016 (see link below).<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.avenuecalgary.com/City-Life/Calgary-Contemporary-Art-Katie-Ohe-Harry-Kiyooka-KOAC-Kiyooka-Ohe-Arts-Centre/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.avenuecalgary.com/City-Life/Calgary-Contemporary-Art-...</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.koartscentre.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.koartscentre.org/</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/work+progress/8484134/story.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/work+progress/8484134...</a><br /> <br /> One of Katie's kinetic sculptures (Chrome Plated Steel) in motion:<br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp05CHJGV6I" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp05CHJGV6I</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-art-centre-springbank-1.3525680" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-art-centre-springb...</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45653636 tag:ipernity.com,2017-10-11,doc-45653636 Wed, 11 Oct 2017 16:10:00 +0000 2017-10-10T09:43:16-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45653636"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/36/36/45653636.901ed2ce.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Another dreary, overcast day today, with a temperature of 1C (windchill -4C) this morning. Yesterday, 10 October 2017, was much the same, if not worse, but I decided to join friends for a three-hour walk - that included a fair bit of standing - at the east end of Fish Creek Provincial Park. I was hoping that there might still be some fall colour to be seen. Strong winds and snow had removed a lot of the leaves from the trees, but there were still enough to give a golden glow to photos. There is a 70% chance for mixed precipitation this afternoon, so yesterday may have been the last of any good colour.<br /> <br /> We had a few good sightings yesterday, including a Great Blue Heron that seemed to have a problem with swallowing a very tiny fish it had caught. It would catch the fish, and then drop it back in the water, and repeated this several times. I don't think it ever did catch and actually eat it. Another fun thing to see was a male Downy Woodpecker that suddenly flew down to someone's hand. Chickadees and Nuthatches were also very aware that we were standing there. They are so busy searching for and collecting food to store away for the long, harsh winter months.<br /> <br /> Great Horned Owls nest each year at the east end of the park and have done so for years. I don't know how on earth someone spotted the one we saw yesterday. It was perched far away in a wooded area and was almost impossible to see. If I moved two or three inches to the left or right, the owl was hidden from view. Even though I have seen endless owls over the years, it is always a good feeling to see one again. I guess I missed the owls in this area back in March or April of this year - too busy with preparations for my trip to Trinidad & Tobago, but also, last winter was so brutal.</div> Friendly visitor <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45653636"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/36/36/45653636.901ed2ce.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Another dreary, overcast day today, with a temperature of 1C (windchill -4C) this morning. Yesterday, 10 October 2017, was much the same, if not worse, but I decided to join friends for a three-hour walk - that included a fair bit of standing - at the east end of Fish Creek Provincial Park. I was hoping that there might still be some fall colour to be seen. Strong winds and snow had removed a lot of the leaves from the trees, but there were still enough to give a golden glow to photos. There is a 70% chance for mixed precipitation this afternoon, so yesterday may have been the last of any good colour.<br /> <br /> We had a few good sightings yesterday, including a Great Blue Heron that seemed to have a problem with swallowing a very tiny fish it had caught. It would catch the fish, and then drop it back in the water, and repeated this several times. I don't think it ever did catch and actually eat it. Another fun thing to see was a male Downy Woodpecker that suddenly flew down to someone's hand. Chickadees and Nuthatches were also very aware that we were standing there. They are so busy searching for and collecting food to store away for the long, harsh winter months.<br /> <br /> Great Horned Owls nest each year at the east end of the park and have done so for years. I don't know how on earth someone spotted the one we saw yesterday. It was perched far away in a wooded area and was almost impossible to see. If I moved two or three inches to the left or right, the owl was hidden from view. Even though I have seen endless owls over the years, it is always a good feeling to see one again. I guess I missed the owls in this area back in March or April of this year - too busy with preparations for my trip to Trinidad & Tobago, but also, last winter was so brutal.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45538342 tag:ipernity.com,2017-09-20,doc-45538342 Wed, 20 Sep 2017 15:59:47 +0000 2017-09-17T15:17:13-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45538342"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/83/42/45538342.89d273c9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Update on the Waterton wildfire, from CBC News - includes a poor quality helicopter video showing the townsite and the Prince of Wales hotel. Just amazing work done by all the firefighters! Thank you so much for everything you've done! Apparently, a few Elk and Bears have been seen in the town, which is great news. Plants will recover - some plants grow after there has been a fire, and some actually require a fire in order to grow and bloom. The status of the fire is now "held", which means that it is no longer growing but it is still burning in spots. Crandell Campground was significantly affected, which presumably means the same for the nearby Canyon Church Camp. Also, the Bison Paddock was damaged.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-waterton-lakes-national-park-fire-wildfire-evacuees-1.4296878" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-waterton-lakes-nat...</a><br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Three days ago, on 17 September 2017, after noticing snowflake icons in the weather forecast for Calgary this week, I decided I would do a drive east and north-east of Calgary. In 2016, I had done a similar drive with my daughter, but this time I did not go as far as Drumheller. Actually, I still drove quite a bit further than I had intended - 346 km, 215 miles. If I had had enough self-discipline, I would have left home much earlier, as it was 11:20 am when I finally got into my car.<br /> <br /> My intention was to drive a few back roads, searching for old barns. Most of my drive was on highways, simply for the purpose of saving time, so it wasn't till I was more or less at the furthest point that I actually saw a barn. <br /> <br /> I couldn't see a sign pointing to this old grain elevator, so it took me a while to find the hilly, gravel road leading to it. By this time, unfortunately, there was a haze over the landscape and the light was far from good. Having driven so far, I was determined to take photos. Though this photo was OK in the original shot, I added a touch of filter in post-processing, to bring out more detail. As with any beautiful old elevator or barn, it will be a sad day when this one finally collapses. It certainly does not look in good condition, with its outer layer (fire retardant?) peeling badly.<br /> <br /> "The Elevator is marked P&H. This company, Parrish & Heimbecker, was one of the smaller players in the Canadian grain industry with a fewer number of elevators seen when compared to the big boys like UGG (United Grain Growers), Pioneer and the Alberta Wheat Pool (“The Pool”). Interestingly, each elevator company used specific colours on their structures making identifying them a fairly easy task. P&H mostly used either silver like what’s seen here, or a light yellow-ish colour – most other companies stuck to one colour.<br /> <br /> The elevator here was built just after the rail line was opened (early 1920s) and the large annex attached was added some twenty years later. An annex like this was a quick and easy way to increase capacity and a large elevator allowed for more efficient loading of rail cars. While solid looking, the building is succumbing to the elements. The siding in particular is starting to peeling away.<br /> <br /> There used to be a second elevator here, an AWP, Alberta Wheat Pool built late 1920s, that was torn down in the 1980s." From the link below that leads to an excellent site by Chris and Connie "bigdoer".<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bigdoer.com/461/exploring-history/sharples-alberta-ghost-town/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.bigdoer.com/461/exploring-history/sharples-alberta-gh...</a><br /> <br /> While I was standing there, taking photos of the grain elevator and the old barn that isn't seen in this photo, a farmer came down to the gravel road on his tractor (?) and stopped to have a pleasant chat. I guess I could have asked for permission to walk closer to the barn, but it is not on his property. Anyway, I never go close to barns or go inside, as I never ask for permission. That doesn't stop a lot of photographers, but I can't do it. This barn is next to the road, fortunately.<br /> <br /> I told this pleasant man that I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, and he said that we WERE in the middle of nowhere, ha. I was planning to go back the same way I had come, but he told me that there was an old house the other way, that people photograph. That changed my mind, though I knew I would continue to feel in the middle of nowhere. Definitely worth it, as I also came across a site of old, abandoned miners' cabins before reaching the old house. When coal was no longer mined, the area was left and the railway lines were torn up at a later date.<br /> <br /> One other abandoned house I passed was one that my daughter and I had found last year. It was built among the rolling hills, far, far away from any road, and is a very impressive sight. This year, they were doing road work repair by a bridge just a matter of feet away from the only possible place to pull over and stop. Thankfully, I was still able to stop and take photos. <br /> <br /> Altogether, a good few hours out. Though I didn't see a lot, the things I did see were most welcome and appreciated. I was glad to get in one more long drive before 'the white stuff' arrives and keeps me close to home.</div> An old grain elevator with character <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45538342"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/83/42/45538342.89d273c9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Update on the Waterton wildfire, from CBC News - includes a poor quality helicopter video showing the townsite and the Prince of Wales hotel. Just amazing work done by all the firefighters! Thank you so much for everything you've done! Apparently, a few Elk and Bears have been seen in the town, which is great news. Plants will recover - some plants grow after there has been a fire, and some actually require a fire in order to grow and bloom. The status of the fire is now "held", which means that it is no longer growing but it is still burning in spots. Crandell Campground was significantly affected, which presumably means the same for the nearby Canyon Church Camp. Also, the Bison Paddock was damaged.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-waterton-lakes-national-park-fire-wildfire-evacuees-1.4296878" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-waterton-lakes-nat...</a><br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> Three days ago, on 17 September 2017, after noticing snowflake icons in the weather forecast for Calgary this week, I decided I would do a drive east and north-east of Calgary. In 2016, I had done a similar drive with my daughter, but this time I did not go as far as Drumheller. Actually, I still drove quite a bit further than I had intended - 346 km, 215 miles. If I had had enough self-discipline, I would have left home much earlier, as it was 11:20 am when I finally got into my car.<br /> <br /> My intention was to drive a few back roads, searching for old barns. Most of my drive was on highways, simply for the purpose of saving time, so it wasn't till I was more or less at the furthest point that I actually saw a barn. <br /> <br /> I couldn't see a sign pointing to this old grain elevator, so it took me a while to find the hilly, gravel road leading to it. By this time, unfortunately, there was a haze over the landscape and the light was far from good. Having driven so far, I was determined to take photos. Though this photo was OK in the original shot, I added a touch of filter in post-processing, to bring out more detail. As with any beautiful old elevator or barn, it will be a sad day when this one finally collapses. It certainly does not look in good condition, with its outer layer (fire retardant?) peeling badly.<br /> <br /> "The Elevator is marked P&H. This company, Parrish & Heimbecker, was one of the smaller players in the Canadian grain industry with a fewer number of elevators seen when compared to the big boys like UGG (United Grain Growers), Pioneer and the Alberta Wheat Pool (“The Pool”). Interestingly, each elevator company used specific colours on their structures making identifying them a fairly easy task. P&H mostly used either silver like what’s seen here, or a light yellow-ish colour – most other companies stuck to one colour.<br /> <br /> The elevator here was built just after the rail line was opened (early 1920s) and the large annex attached was added some twenty years later. An annex like this was a quick and easy way to increase capacity and a large elevator allowed for more efficient loading of rail cars. While solid looking, the building is succumbing to the elements. The siding in particular is starting to peeling away.<br /> <br /> There used to be a second elevator here, an AWP, Alberta Wheat Pool built late 1920s, that was torn down in the 1980s." From the link below that leads to an excellent site by Chris and Connie "bigdoer".<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bigdoer.com/461/exploring-history/sharples-alberta-ghost-town/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.bigdoer.com/461/exploring-history/sharples-alberta-gh...</a><br /> <br /> While I was standing there, taking photos of the grain elevator and the old barn that isn't seen in this photo, a farmer came down to the gravel road on his tractor (?) and stopped to have a pleasant chat. I guess I could have asked for permission to walk closer to the barn, but it is not on his property. Anyway, I never go close to barns or go inside, as I never ask for permission. That doesn't stop a lot of photographers, but I can't do it. This barn is next to the road, fortunately.<br /> <br /> I told this pleasant man that I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, and he said that we WERE in the middle of nowhere, ha. I was planning to go back the same way I had come, but he told me that there was an old house the other way, that people photograph. That changed my mind, though I knew I would continue to feel in the middle of nowhere. Definitely worth it, as I also came across a site of old, abandoned miners' cabins before reaching the old house. When coal was no longer mined, the area was left and the railway lines were torn up at a later date.<br /> <br /> One other abandoned house I passed was one that my daughter and I had found last year. It was built among the rolling hills, far, far away from any road, and is a very impressive sight. This year, they were doing road work repair by a bridge just a matter of feet away from the only possible place to pull over and stop. Thankfully, I was still able to stop and take photos. <br /> <br /> Altogether, a good few hours out. Though I didn't see a lot, the things I did see were most welcome and appreciated. I was glad to get in one more long drive before 'the white stuff' arrives and keeps me close to home.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45123200 tag:ipernity.com,2017-07-13,doc-45123200 Thu, 13 Jul 2017 15:40:13 +0000 2017-07-08T14:21:15-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45123200"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/32/00/45123200.e7ff2531.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This little Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel was seen on our second day in Waterton, when we stopped at Cameron Falls on the edge of town. The cooling mist that came from the waterfalls felt so good! As usual, this little animal was doing what these cute animals tend to do - approach people, look cute, and beg for food! I saw a number of empty sunflower seed shells scattered on the ground. Of course, WILDLIFE SHOULD NEVER BE FED!! However, I hope the children feeding this little animal will develop a love for wildlife and grow up to help protect any kind of creature.<br /> <br /> Late afternoon on 9 July 2017, I arrived back home from a wonderful three-day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. I had just been on a one-day bus trip to this beautiful park on 24 June 2017, so felt very lucky to be returning for a longer stay so soon. I travelled there and back with friend, Darlene, who had very kindly offered to take me, and we had a fun time, seeing so many interesting things. Thank you SO much, Darlene - I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciated being able to go on this trip with you! <br /> <br /> It was wonderful to again be surrounded by such magnificent scenery, go on a few walks/hikes with plenty of time to look for, and photograph, wildflowers, insects, and a few birds and animals. Lots of good company with around 20 (?) people, some of whom I already knew and lots of new faces, too. The trip was organized by Nature Calgary. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted each day, but for the two nights, we stayed at the very basic but adequate Canyon Church Camp, off the Red Rock Parkway. Dorm-style cabins (about which I will say nothing, lol!), but they do have showers and even flush toilets at the camp. We were fed SO well - lots of variety and good food. We were given two breakfasts and two suppers, plus a packed lunch for the two days. Our huge thanks go out to Jean Kennedy, the camp cook, who cooked and prepared these great meals for us! Jean was there in 2015 and 2016, when I attended this weekend, and it was really good news when I was told that she would be there again this time. The food was so much enjoyed and greatly appreciated!<br /> <br /> On the second day, Darlene decided to go on a long day hike to Bertha Lake with a few of the group, which I knew would be far too much for me. Car space was very limited for other locations, so I was beginning to think I would have to stay at the camp all day - with no walks around the camp grounds, seeing as a few if us had seen a Black Bear in the camp the previous evening! As it turned out, I was able to get a ride with Caroline, for which I was extremely grateful, and we went with another couple in a separate vehicle, to Cameron Lake. There, we went on the forest trail along the edge of the lake, as far as one is able to go. This trail is a favourite of mine, especially as it is level, not uphill. A few birds and lots of wildflowers to see and photograph, including a Stellar's Jay that was seen in the parking lot when we first arrived. I think I have only ever seen a Stellar's Jay twice before. A neat bird to see along the forest trail was a Fox Sparrow. More Bear Grass along this trail, so of course I couldn't resist taking a few more photos.<br /> <br /> After this hike, we stopped at a small picnic area along the main parkway, where we managed to find a table in the shade. There, we saw something that I had never seen before - on the distant mountain slope, there were thousands of Bear Grass, giving an interesting texture. I will post a photo of this sometime. <br /> <br /> After our lunch, we went into town and visited the Cameron Falls, where this photo was taken. From there, we drove to Red Rock Canyon. It was packed with people and there were so many of them sitting or climbing on the beautiful red rocks along the creek. Made taking a few decent scenic shots impossible, unless one zoomed in on a particular spot. It was SO hot, and once we had taken a few photos, we left and made our way back to the camp by late afternoon. <br /> <br /> After supper, Andrew, organizer of our weekend, took everyone to the Maskinonge area, where we were lucky to see a group of several Swans, two extremely distant Sandhill Cranes, and a couple of very distant Loons. There was also a small group of deer down at the water's edge on the far side of the lake. All ridiculously distant photos, but I may add some of them later just for the record.<br /> <br /> From Maskinonge Lake, we all drove a short distance to the Bison Paddock, where we saw a group of about six Bison, including two little ones, and nearby a massive male standing alone. The rest of our group were ahead of Darlene and I and they reached the main road quickly. By the time Darlene and I reached the intersection, there was no car in sight. Should we turn left or right? I remembered in a previous year going all the way up the Chief Mountain Parkway to watch the sun set over the mountains, so this is where we drove, as far as the border crossing into the US. Not a single other car to be seen! We found out later that the rest of the group had gone elsewhere, so all Darlene's driving was in vain - and I felt really bad!<br /> <br /> Three days of 32C temperatures, and then I arrived home to find that my thermostat read 29C inside my home. I am not good at dealing with the heat and then to walk and hike in such temperatures was exhausting. Back in Calgary, we had already been having a heatwave, but we have had rain and it temporarily cooled down the last couple of days, thank goodness. Today, 13 July, we are back to high temperatures again.<br /> <br /> Our huge thanks to Andrew for organizing this trip so brilliantly! He has been organizing these annual weekends for a number of years now. A great time was had by all.</div> Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45123200"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/32/00/45123200.e7ff2531.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This little Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel was seen on our second day in Waterton, when we stopped at Cameron Falls on the edge of town. The cooling mist that came from the waterfalls felt so good! As usual, this little animal was doing what these cute animals tend to do - approach people, look cute, and beg for food! I saw a number of empty sunflower seed shells scattered on the ground. Of course, WILDLIFE SHOULD NEVER BE FED!! However, I hope the children feeding this little animal will develop a love for wildlife and grow up to help protect any kind of creature.<br /> <br /> Late afternoon on 9 July 2017, I arrived back home from a wonderful three-day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park. I had just been on a one-day bus trip to this beautiful park on 24 June 2017, so felt very lucky to be returning for a longer stay so soon. I travelled there and back with friend, Darlene, who had very kindly offered to take me, and we had a fun time, seeing so many interesting things. Thank you SO much, Darlene - I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciated being able to go on this trip with you! <br /> <br /> It was wonderful to again be surrounded by such magnificent scenery, go on a few walks/hikes with plenty of time to look for, and photograph, wildflowers, insects, and a few birds and animals. Lots of good company with around 20 (?) people, some of whom I already knew and lots of new faces, too. The trip was organized by Nature Calgary. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted each day, but for the two nights, we stayed at the very basic but adequate Canyon Church Camp, off the Red Rock Parkway. Dorm-style cabins (about which I will say nothing, lol!), but they do have showers and even flush toilets at the camp. We were fed SO well - lots of variety and good food. We were given two breakfasts and two suppers, plus a packed lunch for the two days. Our huge thanks go out to Jean Kennedy, the camp cook, who cooked and prepared these great meals for us! Jean was there in 2015 and 2016, when I attended this weekend, and it was really good news when I was told that she would be there again this time. The food was so much enjoyed and greatly appreciated!<br /> <br /> On the second day, Darlene decided to go on a long day hike to Bertha Lake with a few of the group, which I knew would be far too much for me. Car space was very limited for other locations, so I was beginning to think I would have to stay at the camp all day - with no walks around the camp grounds, seeing as a few if us had seen a Black Bear in the camp the previous evening! As it turned out, I was able to get a ride with Caroline, for which I was extremely grateful, and we went with another couple in a separate vehicle, to Cameron Lake. There, we went on the forest trail along the edge of the lake, as far as one is able to go. This trail is a favourite of mine, especially as it is level, not uphill. A few birds and lots of wildflowers to see and photograph, including a Stellar's Jay that was seen in the parking lot when we first arrived. I think I have only ever seen a Stellar's Jay twice before. A neat bird to see along the forest trail was a Fox Sparrow. More Bear Grass along this trail, so of course I couldn't resist taking a few more photos.<br /> <br /> After this hike, we stopped at a small picnic area along the main parkway, where we managed to find a table in the shade. There, we saw something that I had never seen before - on the distant mountain slope, there were thousands of Bear Grass, giving an interesting texture. I will post a photo of this sometime. <br /> <br /> After our lunch, we went into town and visited the Cameron Falls, where this photo was taken. From there, we drove to Red Rock Canyon. It was packed with people and there were so many of them sitting or climbing on the beautiful red rocks along the creek. Made taking a few decent scenic shots impossible, unless one zoomed in on a particular spot. It was SO hot, and once we had taken a few photos, we left and made our way back to the camp by late afternoon. <br /> <br /> After supper, Andrew, organizer of our weekend, took everyone to the Maskinonge area, where we were lucky to see a group of several Swans, two extremely distant Sandhill Cranes, and a couple of very distant Loons. There was also a small group of deer down at the water's edge on the far side of the lake. All ridiculously distant photos, but I may add some of them later just for the record.<br /> <br /> From Maskinonge Lake, we all drove a short distance to the Bison Paddock, where we saw a group of about six Bison, including two little ones, and nearby a massive male standing alone. The rest of our group were ahead of Darlene and I and they reached the main road quickly. By the time Darlene and I reached the intersection, there was no car in sight. Should we turn left or right? I remembered in a previous year going all the way up the Chief Mountain Parkway to watch the sun set over the mountains, so this is where we drove, as far as the border crossing into the US. Not a single other car to be seen! We found out later that the rest of the group had gone elsewhere, so all Darlene's driving was in vain - and I felt really bad!<br /> <br /> Three days of 32C temperatures, and then I arrived home to find that my thermostat read 29C inside my home. I am not good at dealing with the heat and then to walk and hike in such temperatures was exhausting. Back in Calgary, we had already been having a heatwave, but we have had rain and it temporarily cooled down the last couple of days, thank goodness. Today, 13 July, we are back to high temperatures again.<br /> <br /> Our huge thanks to Andrew for organizing this trip so brilliantly! He has been organizing these annual weekends for a number of years now. A great time was had by all.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45064374 tag:ipernity.com,2017-07-03,doc-45064374 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 14:56:05 +0000 2017-07-01T17:41:26-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45064374"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/43/74/45064374.48cddbb1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="182" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Just in case ipernity does not continue, I and all my photos can be found at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott</a>.<br /> <br /> "In the 1970s, canola was created through traditional plant cross-breeding by removing two things found in the rapeseed plant: glucosinolates and erucic acid. Erucic acid was removed because it was believed to be inedible or toxic in high doses. The newly developed plant was renamed "canola" – a combination of "Canadian" and "Oil" (or ola) to make this difference apparent." From the link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-canola-and-rapeseed-206047" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-canola-and...</a><br /> <br /> I absolutely love the time of year when the fields turn bright yellow with the Canola flowers. The day before yesterday was the first day I had been out when I saw any fields with the crop fully in bloom. I have to admit that I don't like the smell of Canola, but the colour is so spectacular and pretty. <br /> <br /> These two old, wooden barns were part of a CPR Demonstration Farm. I have added a previously posted photo in a comment box below, showing the whole farm.<br /> <br /> "The home, the barn, everything seen in this yard once served a rather unique and special purpose. Operating as a fully functioning “demonstration farm”, near Vulcan Alberta, and tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was a show piece of sorts a century ago, promoting the region’s agricultural potential. Prospective settlers would be told where to acquire land and of course similar farm buildings, what crops to grow and how to do it efficiently, what equipment to purchase, what techniques to use and so on.<br /> <br /> The CPR had a vested interest, of course, in the success of this endeavour. They’d profit both on the sale of these kit farms and then again, many-fold, on the resultant business brought to the railway through the moving of inbound materials needed by all those new settlers; and outbound agricultural products the area would produce. And the transporting of people in and out, all the stuff needed for new towns that would spring up, and any industry established there, they too all moved by railway. It was win-win for the CPR!" From bigdoer website. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bigdoer.com/27596/exploring-history/cpr-demonstration-farm/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.bigdoer.com/27596/exploring-history/cpr-demonstration...</a><br /> <br /> The day before yesterday, 1 July 2017, was a great day, spent with friend, Pam. I picked her up just after 8:00 am and did a long drive in Southern Alberta. We saw our target bird - a Common Nighthawk, and all sorts of other things including plants and old barns. It took a round trip of 414 km to get the Nighthawks, but it was so worth it! Much further than I normally drive and I am still tired as can be today. Towards the end of our day, the rain arrived, accompanied by lightning streaks. This couldn't have been timed more perfectly, to wash off a lot of the dust that covered my car after 12 hours of driving hot, dusty roads! So welcome! We have another hot day today and the forecast is for very hot days for at least the next week. So far, the forecast is 33C for Friday, 35C for Saturday and 31C for Sunday.<br /> <br /> it was such a thrill to see a Common Nighthawk / Chordeiles minor (a rather strange looking bird), as I had always wanted to see one actually lying on a fence post or wooden railing. People get such amazing photos of them like that, and that is what I was determined to find this summer. Last year, I had driven to this area in Southern Alberta, hoping to find one, but had been out of luck. Though I ended up with the one in the photo I posted yesterday, lying on a hard, metal railing that lacked character, I'm still happy as can be. Not only did friend Pam and I see this one, but there were three other Nighthawks there, too. Two of the others were also on a metal rail, but the fourth was on a fence post - not the best angle, but it was still nice to see a fence post perch. How close we came to missing them. I said I wanted to just check the first part of a small side road first, before continuing on the road we were on - and there they were! I had seen a nighthawk on maybe five different occasions over the years, but most were in flight and one was perched very high up in a tree. For Pam, this was the first time she had ever seen one, and she was so happy to see this lifer.<br /> <br /> "On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id</a><br /> <br /> I was so tired after driving such a long distance and it was a hot day - the temperature got up to 30C. I so rarely do such a long drive, and I've barely driven all winter and spring. It felt so good to actually get out on a long drive like this, and we saw all sorts of interesting things that we just had to stop and photograph - of course! <br /> <br /> Every single time I go out with my camera for a drive, I never forget to be SO thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom and safety to go where I want, and to see such beauty. Thank you, Alberta and Albertans - and Happy 150th Birthday, Canada! Such a young country.</div> I LOVE Canola <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45064374"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/43/74/45064374.48cddbb1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="182" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Just in case ipernity does not continue, I and all my photos can be found at <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott</a>.<br /> <br /> "In the 1970s, canola was created through traditional plant cross-breeding by removing two things found in the rapeseed plant: glucosinolates and erucic acid. Erucic acid was removed because it was believed to be inedible or toxic in high doses. The newly developed plant was renamed "canola" – a combination of "Canadian" and "Oil" (or ola) to make this difference apparent." From the link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-canola-and-rapeseed-206047" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-canola-and...</a><br /> <br /> I absolutely love the time of year when the fields turn bright yellow with the Canola flowers. The day before yesterday was the first day I had been out when I saw any fields with the crop fully in bloom. I have to admit that I don't like the smell of Canola, but the colour is so spectacular and pretty. <br /> <br /> These two old, wooden barns were part of a CPR Demonstration Farm. I have added a previously posted photo in a comment box below, showing the whole farm.<br /> <br /> "The home, the barn, everything seen in this yard once served a rather unique and special purpose. Operating as a fully functioning “demonstration farm”, near Vulcan Alberta, and tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was a show piece of sorts a century ago, promoting the region’s agricultural potential. Prospective settlers would be told where to acquire land and of course similar farm buildings, what crops to grow and how to do it efficiently, what equipment to purchase, what techniques to use and so on.<br /> <br /> The CPR had a vested interest, of course, in the success of this endeavour. They’d profit both on the sale of these kit farms and then again, many-fold, on the resultant business brought to the railway through the moving of inbound materials needed by all those new settlers; and outbound agricultural products the area would produce. And the transporting of people in and out, all the stuff needed for new towns that would spring up, and any industry established there, they too all moved by railway. It was win-win for the CPR!" From bigdoer website. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.bigdoer.com/27596/exploring-history/cpr-demonstration-farm/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.bigdoer.com/27596/exploring-history/cpr-demonstration...</a><br /> <br /> The day before yesterday, 1 July 2017, was a great day, spent with friend, Pam. I picked her up just after 8:00 am and did a long drive in Southern Alberta. We saw our target bird - a Common Nighthawk, and all sorts of other things including plants and old barns. It took a round trip of 414 km to get the Nighthawks, but it was so worth it! Much further than I normally drive and I am still tired as can be today. Towards the end of our day, the rain arrived, accompanied by lightning streaks. This couldn't have been timed more perfectly, to wash off a lot of the dust that covered my car after 12 hours of driving hot, dusty roads! So welcome! We have another hot day today and the forecast is for very hot days for at least the next week. So far, the forecast is 33C for Friday, 35C for Saturday and 31C for Sunday.<br /> <br /> it was such a thrill to see a Common Nighthawk / Chordeiles minor (a rather strange looking bird), as I had always wanted to see one actually lying on a fence post or wooden railing. People get such amazing photos of them like that, and that is what I was determined to find this summer. Last year, I had driven to this area in Southern Alberta, hoping to find one, but had been out of luck. Though I ended up with the one in the photo I posted yesterday, lying on a hard, metal railing that lacked character, I'm still happy as can be. Not only did friend Pam and I see this one, but there were three other Nighthawks there, too. Two of the others were also on a metal rail, but the fourth was on a fence post - not the best angle, but it was still nice to see a fence post perch. How close we came to missing them. I said I wanted to just check the first part of a small side road first, before continuing on the road we were on - and there they were! I had seen a nighthawk on maybe five different occasions over the years, but most were in flight and one was perched very high up in a tree. For Pam, this was the first time she had ever seen one, and she was so happy to see this lifer.<br /> <br /> "On warm summer evenings, Common Nighthawks roam the skies over treetops, grasslands, and cities. Their sharp, electric peent call is often the first clue they’re overhead. In the dim half-light, these long-winged birds fly in graceful loops, flashing white patches out past the bend of each wing as they chase insects. These fairly common but declining birds make no nest. Their young are so well camouflaged that they’re hard to find, and even the adults seem to vanish as soon as they land." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/id</a><br /> <br /> I was so tired after driving such a long distance and it was a hot day - the temperature got up to 30C. I so rarely do such a long drive, and I've barely driven all winter and spring. It felt so good to actually get out on a long drive like this, and we saw all sorts of interesting things that we just had to stop and photograph - of course! <br /> <br /> Every single time I go out with my camera for a drive, I never forget to be SO thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom and safety to go where I want, and to see such beauty. Thank you, Alberta and Albertans - and Happy 150th Birthday, Canada! Such a young country.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44862060 tag:ipernity.com,2017-05-26,doc-44862060 Fri, 26 May 2017 16:18:37 +0000 2017-04-23T16:12:50-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44862060"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/20/60/44862060.24b3a1ff.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This morning, 26 May 2017, I posted 9 odds and ends of recently taken photos, which I should have uploaded last night. Now I have just uploaded the three photos meant for today, hoping that they will show up as my main images - two owl photos and a Sharp-tailed Grouse photo. I think I have just a few more recent photos that I want for my albums and then, hopefully, I will be able to get back to a few more of my Trinidad shots.<br /> <br /> I keep forgetting to post a few photos from 23 April 2017, when I drove to a local park to take a quick look at the owlets in this Great Horned Owl family. This year, I have hardly seen any of the owl families here in the city - just too busy with other things. I was happy that the owlets were still in the nest a month ago, but haven't been to see these particular owlets since they branched (and fledged?). A few days ago, on 23 May 2017, I did see two owlets sitting on a very high branch with Mom just a few feet away. These owls were a different family, but living in the same park. <br /> <br /> Our weather seems to have settled down for today, thank goodness. We had a storm two days ago, on 24 May, which brought strong winds and heavy rain, even snow in some places. Seems to have been a fair amount of damage done.</div> Mom and her babies <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44862060"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/20/60/44862060.24b3a1ff.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This morning, 26 May 2017, I posted 9 odds and ends of recently taken photos, which I should have uploaded last night. Now I have just uploaded the three photos meant for today, hoping that they will show up as my main images - two owl photos and a Sharp-tailed Grouse photo. I think I have just a few more recent photos that I want for my albums and then, hopefully, I will be able to get back to a few more of my Trinidad shots.<br /> <br /> I keep forgetting to post a few photos from 23 April 2017, when I drove to a local park to take a quick look at the owlets in this Great Horned Owl family. This year, I have hardly seen any of the owl families here in the city - just too busy with other things. I was happy that the owlets were still in the nest a month ago, but haven't been to see these particular owlets since they branched (and fledged?). A few days ago, on 23 May 2017, I did see two owlets sitting on a very high branch with Mom just a few feet away. These owls were a different family, but living in the same park. <br /> <br /> Our weather seems to have settled down for today, thank goodness. We had a storm two days ago, on 24 May, which brought strong winds and heavy rain, even snow in some places. Seems to have been a fair amount of damage done.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42138634 tag:ipernity.com,2016-06-07,doc-42138634 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 16:18:00 +0000 2016-05-30T20:54:42-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42138634"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/86/34/42138634.03343d28.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We are having continued hot weather, which always knocks me out! Today, it is supposed to get up to 28C (to feel like 30C). My place is feeling like an oven (no air-conditioning) after the last few hot days, and this is expected to continue for a few more days. A Heat Warning is still in effect and there is also a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.<br /> <br /> No matter how many times I see one of these owls and no matter how many hundreds/thousands of photos I've taken of them, each owl is as exciting as the very first. I don't remember seeing a Great Gray Owl SW of the city since our May Species Count in 2014.<br /> <br /> Before early 2016, the most 'recent' Great Grays that I had seen and photographed was one that was a rare visitor to the city - found in Fish Creek Park for a while and my last photos of it were taken on 18 February 2014. There was also a Great Gray at Griffith Woods, Calgary, and some of my photos were taken on 10 February 2014. Saw another owl on our May Species Count SW of the city on 25 May 2014. Many of my 'best' sightings and photos of Great Grays were taken NW of Calgary, the last dates being 28 March 2013 and 5 May 2013. So, after 25 May 2014 .... nothing until early 2016, NW of the city. Until 8 days ago!!<br /> <br /> I decided that for once, I would go out in an evening to look for one of these magnificent birds of prey. Unfortunately, heavy black clouds were already starting to build, with patches of blue sky still showing. Once I hit the main highway, the rain started and continued till I got back home. I was determined to go and check out the various places where I had seen these owls just a few years ago. The two separate owls I found were not far from previous sightings - one along the main road and the other was flying over a distant field. Both were focused on hunting. The first owl flew from post to post, searching for prey. Not a place I particularly wanted to stop, as a number of cars did drive by - had my blinkers turned on. Almost the whole time, I was sitting in my car, with rain pouring in through the open passenger window - but, hey, it's for an OWL! I did get out for maybe three or so minutes, as I know from too much experience that many shots taken from inside my car don't come out. Must have looked rather silly, standing in the rain, to people going by, lol. <br /> <br /> Feeling so happy, I decided to drive again along a different area, just to check one last time before going home. That's when I noticed a large bird way off in the distance, flying over a field. I was amazed when it eventually flew to a tree within camera reach and then even more surprised when it flew to a fairly close fence post, which is when I took this shot. Fully zoomed, Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm. The owls looked rather wet and a little wind-blown in most of my photos, but, needless to say, I went home feeling thrilled to bits. I don't remember ever seeing an owl shake the rain off its feathers just like a dog shakes off water.<br /> <br /> "Although the Great Gray Owl is the tallest American owl with the largest wingspan, it is just a ball of feathers. It preys on small mammals and has relatively small feet. Both the Great Horned and Snowy owls weigh half again as much, and have larger feet and talons. The oldest recorded Great Gray Owl was at least 18 years, 9 months old and lived in Alberta." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/lifehistory" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/lifehistory</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl</a></div> Made my day : ) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42138634"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/86/34/42138634.03343d28.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We are having continued hot weather, which always knocks me out! Today, it is supposed to get up to 28C (to feel like 30C). My place is feeling like an oven (no air-conditioning) after the last few hot days, and this is expected to continue for a few more days. A Heat Warning is still in effect and there is also a Severe Thunderstorm Watch.<br /> <br /> No matter how many times I see one of these owls and no matter how many hundreds/thousands of photos I've taken of them, each owl is as exciting as the very first. I don't remember seeing a Great Gray Owl SW of the city since our May Species Count in 2014.<br /> <br /> Before early 2016, the most 'recent' Great Grays that I had seen and photographed was one that was a rare visitor to the city - found in Fish Creek Park for a while and my last photos of it were taken on 18 February 2014. There was also a Great Gray at Griffith Woods, Calgary, and some of my photos were taken on 10 February 2014. Saw another owl on our May Species Count SW of the city on 25 May 2014. Many of my 'best' sightings and photos of Great Grays were taken NW of Calgary, the last dates being 28 March 2013 and 5 May 2013. So, after 25 May 2014 .... nothing until early 2016, NW of the city. Until 8 days ago!!<br /> <br /> I decided that for once, I would go out in an evening to look for one of these magnificent birds of prey. Unfortunately, heavy black clouds were already starting to build, with patches of blue sky still showing. Once I hit the main highway, the rain started and continued till I got back home. I was determined to go and check out the various places where I had seen these owls just a few years ago. The two separate owls I found were not far from previous sightings - one along the main road and the other was flying over a distant field. Both were focused on hunting. The first owl flew from post to post, searching for prey. Not a place I particularly wanted to stop, as a number of cars did drive by - had my blinkers turned on. Almost the whole time, I was sitting in my car, with rain pouring in through the open passenger window - but, hey, it's for an OWL! I did get out for maybe three or so minutes, as I know from too much experience that many shots taken from inside my car don't come out. Must have looked rather silly, standing in the rain, to people going by, lol. <br /> <br /> Feeling so happy, I decided to drive again along a different area, just to check one last time before going home. That's when I noticed a large bird way off in the distance, flying over a field. I was amazed when it eventually flew to a tree within camera reach and then even more surprised when it flew to a fairly close fence post, which is when I took this shot. Fully zoomed, Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm. The owls looked rather wet and a little wind-blown in most of my photos, but, needless to say, I went home feeling thrilled to bits. I don't remember ever seeing an owl shake the rain off its feathers just like a dog shakes off water.<br /> <br /> "Although the Great Gray Owl is the tallest American owl with the largest wingspan, it is just a ball of feathers. It preys on small mammals and has relatively small feet. Both the Great Horned and Snowy owls weigh half again as much, and have larger feet and talons. The oldest recorded Great Gray Owl was at least 18 years, 9 months old and lived in Alberta." From AllABoutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/lifehistory" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/lifehistory</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45384670 tag:ipernity.com,2017-08-25,doc-45384670 Fri, 25 Aug 2017 14:05:33 +0000 2010-05-14T18:19:19-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45384670"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/46/70/45384670.2a9fddc7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A few years ago, I used to take a lot of water droplet photos, some of which are in an album here and on Flickr. In more recent years, I guess I have just moved on to photographing other things. This particular photo has been floating around my hard drive since 14 May 2010. Happened to notice it last night and decided to post it this morning, just for something different and something that was a complete change of colour.<br /> <br /> I can't remember where I took it. The original photo is on one of my external hard drives and I didn't feel like trying to find out where it was taken, That day, several of us had been NW of Calgary and NW of Cochrane, to visit Keith and Sandy Logan's acreage. Not sure if I saw these flowers in their garden, or maybe I had flowers at home and took the photo later that evening. Actually, just realized that flowers would not likely be in bloom here mid-May, so maybe this photo was taken at home after all.</div> Hanging on <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45384670"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/46/70/45384670.2a9fddc7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">A few years ago, I used to take a lot of water droplet photos, some of which are in an album here and on Flickr. In more recent years, I guess I have just moved on to photographing other things. This particular photo has been floating around my hard drive since 14 May 2010. Happened to notice it last night and decided to post it this morning, just for something different and something that was a complete change of colour.<br /> <br /> I can't remember where I took it. The original photo is on one of my external hard drives and I didn't feel like trying to find out where it was taken, That day, several of us had been NW of Calgary and NW of Cochrane, to visit Keith and Sandy Logan's acreage. Not sure if I saw these flowers in their garden, or maybe I had flowers at home and took the photo later that evening. Actually, just realized that flowers would not likely be in bloom here mid-May, so maybe this photo was taken at home after all.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45349968 tag:ipernity.com,2017-08-17,doc-45349968 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:19:03 +0000 2017-08-16T10:17:34-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45349968"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/99/68/45349968.73dc6c2d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 16 August 2017, I had a most enjoyable day out with friends Dorothy and Stephen, and Janet. All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday. We basically covered a similar area that we had been to, back on 20 February 2017. Everywhere looked different because of the landscape colouring at different times of the year. You could tell that this whole area would be spectacular at any time of the year. Also, on 3 August 2015, three of us had been on a botany trip with a group to the Timber Ridge Conservation Site, which is also in the Porcupine Hills.<br /> <br /> What I love about a drive like this is that you just never know what you might find. I love photographing anything that catches my eye, so I never return home disappointed. The wildflowers are now pretty much finished, though we did see several patches of beautiful Fireweed. Most of the birds we saw were Hawks, and there were a lot of them, but none that we were able to phtotgraph. We also enjoyed watching three gorgeous Kestrels flying from tree to tree. The males, especially, are such beautifully-coloured birds.<br /> <br /> Time to make some breakfast (oops, brunch!) before I add a few more lines.</div> Little country school with company <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45349968"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/99/68/45349968.73dc6c2d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Yesterday, 16 August 2017, I had a most enjoyable day out with friends Dorothy and Stephen, and Janet. All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday. We basically covered a similar area that we had been to, back on 20 February 2017. Everywhere looked different because of the landscape colouring at different times of the year. You could tell that this whole area would be spectacular at any time of the year. Also, on 3 August 2015, three of us had been on a botany trip with a group to the Timber Ridge Conservation Site, which is also in the Porcupine Hills.<br /> <br /> What I love about a drive like this is that you just never know what you might find. I love photographing anything that catches my eye, so I never return home disappointed. The wildflowers are now pretty much finished, though we did see several patches of beautiful Fireweed. Most of the birds we saw were Hawks, and there were a lot of them, but none that we were able to phtotgraph. We also enjoyed watching three gorgeous Kestrels flying from tree to tree. The males, especially, are such beautifully-coloured birds.<br /> <br /> Time to make some breakfast (oops, brunch!) before I add a few more lines.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44372342 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-25,doc-44372342 Sat, 25 Feb 2017 17:39:32 +0000 2017-02-20T10:46:30-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44372342"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/23/42/44372342.fc9bc2bf.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="175" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Friends, Dorothy and Stephen, made a decision to drive down south on 20 February 2017 and asked if I would like to go with them. As always, my answer was a delighted "Yes, please!" Our mutual friend, Janet, also came along. The weather forecast looked good, especially compared to the forecast snow for the next few days - actually, it has snowed in Calgary the last two days so, if it also snowed south of us, then this whole area will be looking very different now. After meeting at their house, the four of us left at 8:30 am and drove to Nanton. If one travels on Highway 2, Nanton is a 46-minute drive from the southern edge of Calgary, about 72 kms. <br /> <br /> From Nanton, we basically drove in a huge circle between Highway 2 and Highway 22, covering such beautiful scenery. Some of these roads were new roads for us, certainly for me. Each year, I take part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton, and my small group covers the area to the SW of Nanton, but much closer to the town than the area we explored five days ago.<br /> <br /> This farm was somewhere between Nanton and the Porcupine Hills. As you can see, there was very little or no snow to be seen - the lack of moisture must be a concern to some of the local farmers. Most of the fields were completely bare. <br /> <br /> My friends' target bird was the Golden Eagle, but all of us were happy as can be to see anything else that we might come across. As it turned out, not only did we not see a single Golden Eagle, there were not many birds of any kind to see all day. A flock of 50+ Starlings, and 25 Common Ravens, various Magpies, a few Pigeons, Canada Geese and a couple of heard Red-breasted Nuthatches were all that we saw. For animals, we saw one Coyote, five Mule Deer and a couple of White-tailed Deer.<br /> <br /> However, perhaps our biggest excitement came when we found ourselves in the middle of a cattle drive. We could see the huge herd in the distance, with one lone cowboy on his horse at the rear, coming towards us. The whole procession was following another farmer, driving very slowly with a huge hay bale in the back of his truck. After taking a quick few distant shots, we climbed back into our vehicle and waited, and waited, and waited till the very last cow had walked past us. The cowboy said he appreciated the fact that we had stopped, not wanting to spook any of the animals. As soon as they were past us, we climbed out of the car to take a quick photo or two. I think I've only ever seen a cattle drive maybe twice before. So good to see a genuine cowboy at work, doing what he does so well.<br /> <br /> Another interesting stop was when we were driving along part of the Sky View Road. We came across a logging sight, with a couple of large piles of cut logs waiting to be trucked out of the area. Fortunately, it was Family Day, so there were no huge logging trucks on the rough, gravel road leading up the hillside. We were hoping to reach the Lookout in case there were amazing views from up there, but we decided that it might be risky to drive the last part of the road that would have led to the Lookout. We had climbed high enough to already find a lot more snow and the rough, narrow road was not in the best condition. This was where we saw the two White-tailed Deer. We had seen beautiful views already, lower down the road, so we were happy.<br /> <br /> "Between the Rockies' vigorous upthrusts and the recumbent lines of the grassland plains, the Porcupine Hills provide a softly rounded interface, gentle contours that stir the heart, They are always so beautiful, from the wildflowers of spring to the hazy shimmer of summer and the sharp gold of fall aspens, and even in the austerity of a landscape under the sharp shadows of snow. The hills bring magic to all the seasons." <br /> <br /> These are the first few lines from the book, "Exploring the Routes Less Travelled - Country Roads of Alberta", by Liz Bryan. This is a book that my daughter gave me a year or two ago and I had forgotten just which journeys it covered. Once I was back home, while I was Googling the area that I had just spent the day exploring with my friends, I came across this book online. The short chapter on this area made interesting reading.<br /> <br /> Thanks so much, Dorothy and Stephen, for such a great day, exploring a new area. It was so much fun to see some new things and, of course, the scenery was spectacular. How lucky we are to live within reach of such beauty! Having been out so few times in many weeks, and having taken barely any photos at all, this kind of day was exactly what I needed.</div> Skull on a fence post <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44372342"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/23/42/44372342.fc9bc2bf.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="175" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Friends, Dorothy and Stephen, made a decision to drive down south on 20 February 2017 and asked if I would like to go with them. As always, my answer was a delighted "Yes, please!" Our mutual friend, Janet, also came along. The weather forecast looked good, especially compared to the forecast snow for the next few days - actually, it has snowed in Calgary the last two days so, if it also snowed south of us, then this whole area will be looking very different now. After meeting at their house, the four of us left at 8:30 am and drove to Nanton. If one travels on Highway 2, Nanton is a 46-minute drive from the southern edge of Calgary, about 72 kms. <br /> <br /> From Nanton, we basically drove in a huge circle between Highway 2 and Highway 22, covering such beautiful scenery. Some of these roads were new roads for us, certainly for me. Each year, I take part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton, and my small group covers the area to the SW of Nanton, but much closer to the town than the area we explored five days ago.<br /> <br /> This farm was somewhere between Nanton and the Porcupine Hills. As you can see, there was very little or no snow to be seen - the lack of moisture must be a concern to some of the local farmers. Most of the fields were completely bare. <br /> <br /> My friends' target bird was the Golden Eagle, but all of us were happy as can be to see anything else that we might come across. As it turned out, not only did we not see a single Golden Eagle, there were not many birds of any kind to see all day. A flock of 50+ Starlings, and 25 Common Ravens, various Magpies, a few Pigeons, Canada Geese and a couple of heard Red-breasted Nuthatches were all that we saw. For animals, we saw one Coyote, five Mule Deer and a couple of White-tailed Deer.<br /> <br /> However, perhaps our biggest excitement came when we found ourselves in the middle of a cattle drive. We could see the huge herd in the distance, with one lone cowboy on his horse at the rear, coming towards us. The whole procession was following another farmer, driving very slowly with a huge hay bale in the back of his truck. After taking a quick few distant shots, we climbed back into our vehicle and waited, and waited, and waited till the very last cow had walked past us. The cowboy said he appreciated the fact that we had stopped, not wanting to spook any of the animals. As soon as they were past us, we climbed out of the car to take a quick photo or two. I think I've only ever seen a cattle drive maybe twice before. So good to see a genuine cowboy at work, doing what he does so well.<br /> <br /> Another interesting stop was when we were driving along part of the Sky View Road. We came across a logging sight, with a couple of large piles of cut logs waiting to be trucked out of the area. Fortunately, it was Family Day, so there were no huge logging trucks on the rough, gravel road leading up the hillside. We were hoping to reach the Lookout in case there were amazing views from up there, but we decided that it might be risky to drive the last part of the road that would have led to the Lookout. We had climbed high enough to already find a lot more snow and the rough, narrow road was not in the best condition. This was where we saw the two White-tailed Deer. We had seen beautiful views already, lower down the road, so we were happy.<br /> <br /> "Between the Rockies' vigorous upthrusts and the recumbent lines of the grassland plains, the Porcupine Hills provide a softly rounded interface, gentle contours that stir the heart, They are always so beautiful, from the wildflowers of spring to the hazy shimmer of summer and the sharp gold of fall aspens, and even in the austerity of a landscape under the sharp shadows of snow. The hills bring magic to all the seasons." <br /> <br /> These are the first few lines from the book, "Exploring the Routes Less Travelled - Country Roads of Alberta", by Liz Bryan. This is a book that my daughter gave me a year or two ago and I had forgotten just which journeys it covered. Once I was back home, while I was Googling the area that I had just spent the day exploring with my friends, I came across this book online. The short chapter on this area made interesting reading.<br /> <br /> Thanks so much, Dorothy and Stephen, for such a great day, exploring a new area. It was so much fun to see some new things and, of course, the scenery was spectacular. How lucky we are to live within reach of such beauty! Having been out so few times in many weeks, and having taken barely any photos at all, this kind of day was exactly what I needed.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44301242 tag:ipernity.com,2017-02-06,doc-44301242 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 16:21:18 +0000 2016-11-22T12:13:59-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44301242"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/12/42/44301242.1d7ed24c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We have been plunged back into severe winter weather again. The temperature this morning is -22C (windchill -28C) and tomorrow will be a few degrees colder, at -28C (windchill -35C!!!). <br /> <br /> <a href="http://globalnews.ca/video/3229197/snow-route-parking-ban-for-calgary-in-effect-monday" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">globalnews.ca/video/3229197/snow-route-parking-ban-for-ca...</a><br /> <br /> There is a Snowfall Warning Alert in effect continuing today, Monday, 6 February 2017. It snowed overnight, but it's falling more lightly at the moment.<br /> <br /> "Issued at 10:33 Sunday 05 February 2017.<br /> A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm continues." Isn't that what we all just longed to hear, lol?! <br /> <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> On 22 November 2016, I was finally able to remove the White-tailed Ptarmigan from the top of my mental Wish List! Over the last few years, I have been with a friend maybe four or five times to look for these in the mountains, without any luck. I had told friends that this year, if I didn't see one of these grouse, I would build a snowbird and photograph it. <br /> <br /> It was just so exciting to see 15 of these beautiful birds that day with friends, Dorothy and Stephen. We would definitely never have found them without help from several other friends. As you can imagine, spotting a white bird against a snowy background from a great distance is pretty well impossible, especially if they are in the shade - this photo was taken at Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm with my point-and-shoot. I am so happy to have seen these birds and get any kind of photos. As photographers know, shooting white on white is never easy.<br /> <br /> These birds tend to walk around in just a small area for a while, feeding on the Willow buds, and then the group lies down, some of them burrowing till just the head and neck are visible, or some will burrow till they disappear completely under the snow. Every now and then, you can hear the little sounds they make. After resting, they repeat the feeding process and then rest again. As you can imagine, a turn of the head so that a bird is looking away from you, all that remains is something that looks like one of the many lumps of snow everywhere. <br /> <br /> This photo was taken on the first recent trip to look for them. I was so very fortunate to go out with different friends on two more days, on 23 and 29 November 2016, and lucky enough to see these birds both times. I didn't have to trudge through very deep snow on this and the second trip, but was up to my knees in the white stuff for part of the third visit.<br /> <br /> "The smallest grouse in North America, the White-tailed Ptarmigan inhabits alpine regions from Alaska to New Mexico. It has numerous adaptations to its severe habitat, including feathered toes, highly cryptic plumage, and an energy-conserving daily regime." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/id</a><br /> <br /> "The white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the snow quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse family. It is a permanent resident of high altitudes on or above the tree line and is native to Alaska and the mountainous parts of Canada and the western United States. It has also been introduced into the Sierra Nevada in California, the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon and the Uinta Mountains in Utah. Its plumage is cryptic and varies at different times of the year. In the summer it is speckled in gray, brown and white whereas in winter it is wholly white. At all times of year the wings, belly and tail are white. The white-tailed ptarmigan has a diet of buds, leaves, flowers and seeds. The nest is a simple depression in the ground in which up to eight eggs are laid. After hatching, the chicks soon leave the nest. At first they eat insects but later move on to an adult diet, their mother using vocalisations to help them find suitable plant food. The population seems to be stable and the IUCN lists this species as being of "Least Concern". From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_ptarmigan" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_ptarmigan</a></div> It&#039;s those white birds again <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/44301242"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/12/42/44301242.1d7ed24c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">We have been plunged back into severe winter weather again. The temperature this morning is -22C (windchill -28C) and tomorrow will be a few degrees colder, at -28C (windchill -35C!!!). <br /> <br /> <a href="http://globalnews.ca/video/3229197/snow-route-parking-ban-for-calgary-in-effect-monday" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">globalnews.ca/video/3229197/snow-route-parking-ban-for-ca...</a><br /> <br /> There is a Snowfall Warning Alert in effect continuing today, Monday, 6 February 2017. It snowed overnight, but it's falling more lightly at the moment.<br /> <br /> "Issued at 10:33 Sunday 05 February 2017.<br /> A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm continues." Isn't that what we all just longed to hear, lol?! <br /> <br /> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> On 22 November 2016, I was finally able to remove the White-tailed Ptarmigan from the top of my mental Wish List! Over the last few years, I have been with a friend maybe four or five times to look for these in the mountains, without any luck. I had told friends that this year, if I didn't see one of these grouse, I would build a snowbird and photograph it. <br /> <br /> It was just so exciting to see 15 of these beautiful birds that day with friends, Dorothy and Stephen. We would definitely never have found them without help from several other friends. As you can imagine, spotting a white bird against a snowy background from a great distance is pretty well impossible, especially if they are in the shade - this photo was taken at Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm with my point-and-shoot. I am so happy to have seen these birds and get any kind of photos. As photographers know, shooting white on white is never easy.<br /> <br /> These birds tend to walk around in just a small area for a while, feeding on the Willow buds, and then the group lies down, some of them burrowing till just the head and neck are visible, or some will burrow till they disappear completely under the snow. Every now and then, you can hear the little sounds they make. After resting, they repeat the feeding process and then rest again. As you can imagine, a turn of the head so that a bird is looking away from you, all that remains is something that looks like one of the many lumps of snow everywhere. <br /> <br /> This photo was taken on the first recent trip to look for them. I was so very fortunate to go out with different friends on two more days, on 23 and 29 November 2016, and lucky enough to see these birds both times. I didn't have to trudge through very deep snow on this and the second trip, but was up to my knees in the white stuff for part of the third visit.<br /> <br /> "The smallest grouse in North America, the White-tailed Ptarmigan inhabits alpine regions from Alaska to New Mexico. It has numerous adaptations to its severe habitat, including feathered toes, highly cryptic plumage, and an energy-conserving daily regime." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-tailed_Ptarmigan/id</a><br /> <br /> "The white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura), also known as the snow quail, is the smallest bird in the grouse family. It is a permanent resident of high altitudes on or above the tree line and is native to Alaska and the mountainous parts of Canada and the western United States. It has also been introduced into the Sierra Nevada in California, the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon and the Uinta Mountains in Utah. Its plumage is cryptic and varies at different times of the year. In the summer it is speckled in gray, brown and white whereas in winter it is wholly white. At all times of year the wings, belly and tail are white. The white-tailed ptarmigan has a diet of buds, leaves, flowers and seeds. The nest is a simple depression in the ground in which up to eight eggs are laid. After hatching, the chicks soon leave the nest. At first they eat insects but later move on to an adult diet, their mother using vocalisations to help them find suitable plant food. The population seems to be stable and the IUCN lists this species as being of "Least Concern". From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_ptarmigan" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_ptarmigan</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43969022 tag:ipernity.com,2016-12-08,doc-43969022 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 18:03:05 +0000 2016-06-15T18:06:13-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43969022"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/90/22/43969022.41971f00.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Today, our temperature is -23°C, with a windchill of -27°C! We are in a deep-freeze, that now looks like it will be here for another few days. <br /> <br /> Today, I am again posting just one photo - I have been spending far too many hours researching other websites and posting a few photos to one of them. With the IPERNITY website shutting down at the end of January 2017, people are looking at alternative websites for posting their images. A lot of Flickr people moved over to ipernity, especially in May 2013, many of them deleting all their photos and leaving Flickr completely. I have exactly the same photostream on ipernity as on Flickr (i.e. 12,660 photos) and I do like the ipernity layout and use. Basically, I only use it as another place to store my photos and descriptions, as I just don't have time to comment, etc. Of course, I have my photos backed up on external hard drives, so it is really all the descriptions that I want to back up at yet another place. Far, far too time-consuming to post more than a handful of my photos elsewhere, and I have to admit I am getting REALLY fed up of having to spend so much precious time. <br /> <br /> Quite a few people are suggesting the 23hq website, so I thought I would take a look at it yesterday afternoon. Just in case anyone from ipernity (or Flickr) is wondering what 23hq layout looks like, I added a link to my newly created photostream there yesterday. However, last night, I decided to make all those photos private - thanks Pam J! Only about 80 photos (so far?), but at least I have those descriptions backed up. <br /> <br /> Of all the websites I have checked out over the last few years, I still reckon Flickr is the best - despite its glitches and the fact that there have been two sudden, overnight major loss of views in Stats (for me, at least, plus some others) since May 2016, which I don't understand. Too obvious to be a coincidence, and I'm not impressed! Of course, the future of Flickr is uncertain, but hopefully that will all be sorted out with a happy ending! <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott</a><br /> <br /> Another website I tried ages ago (only 8 of my photos there) is 500px:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://500px.com/annkelliott" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">500px.com/annkelliott</a><br /> <br /> I like Smugmug and have quite a few of my photos on there:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://annkelliott.smugmug.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">annkelliott.smugmug.com/</a><br /> <br /> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> In Bluebirds, the blue colour is produced by the structure of the feather - there is no blue pigment. "Tiny air pockets in the barbs of feathers can scatter incoming light, resulting in a specific, non-iridescent color. Blue colors in feathers are almost always produced in this manner. Examples include the blue feathers of Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, Blue Jay's and Steller's Jays."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.jstor.org/discover/pgs/index?id=10.2307/4077277&img=dtc.51.tif.gif&uid=3739392&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=56109306583&orig=/discover/10.2307/4077277?uid=3739392&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=56109306583" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.jstor.org/discover/pgs/index?id=10.2307/4077277&i...</a><br /> <br /> On 15 June 2016, I drove SW of the city to check on a few Mountain Bluebirds. I remember that one adult male was a different kind of blue, and I think this bird is the one in this photo. One pair seems to have disappeared. Another nesting box still has babies in it and I was so happy to see that they had not left home yet. One of the babies had its head and part of its body peering out of the hole and I was expecting it to fly at any moment. That didn't happen, though I suspect it will happen either today or tomorrow, which means I will miss them fledging. While I was there, I could see and hear Dad calling. He wasn't feeding them, and I think he was trying to encourage them to leave the nest.<br /> <br /> At the third box I stopped at, I had never seen either the female or the male with food in their beaks, so I was beginning to think that maybe they had no babies. Then yesterday, the female was around the nest box and seemed to become excited. She flew up to the high electricity wire and the male flew in to join her, bringing some tasty insect which he fed to her. I like to think that maybe there were eggs in her nest and that one had just hatched. Who knows?<br /> <br /> It was a great day for finding rare Bobolinks, too! I saw maybe five of these beautiful birds. They were on the far side of the road, unfortunately, and I wasn't able to get any decent shots. Each time a car or truck went by, the birds took off for a few seconds, but then returned. I drove down the road and turned around, hoping to get a better view, but they had disappeared and never returned. A couple of years ago, on 27 June 2014, I had been lucky enough to spot one just a bit further along the same road.<br /> <br /> No owls to be seen on this trip, but I did see a couple of my 'usual' Wilson's Snipes. They almost always give plenty of photo opportunities, for which I am always so thankful. I was already out of the car and when one flew to a fence post just down the road, I slowly walked till I was close enough. These birds can spook very easily, so it was a weird feeling to have nothing between it and me. <br /> <br /> Oh, and near the start of my drive, I saw a Skunk run across the road ahead of me! I pulled over and got out, hoping to see where it went down the embankment. Unfortunately, it had disappeared into the long grasses. If I remember correctly, this was only the third Skunk I had ever seen in the wild.</div> Joy for a deep-freeze day <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43969022"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/90/22/43969022.41971f00.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Today, our temperature is -23°C, with a windchill of -27°C! We are in a deep-freeze, that now looks like it will be here for another few days. <br /> <br /> Today, I am again posting just one photo - I have been spending far too many hours researching other websites and posting a few photos to one of them. With the IPERNITY website shutting down at the end of January 2017, people are looking at alternative websites for posting their images. A lot of Flickr people moved over to ipernity, especially in May 2013, many of them deleting all their photos and leaving Flickr completely. I have exactly the same photostream on ipernity as on Flickr (i.e. 12,660 photos) and I do like the ipernity layout and use. Basically, I only use it as another place to store my photos and descriptions, as I just don't have time to comment, etc. Of course, I have my photos backed up on external hard drives, so it is really all the descriptions that I want to back up at yet another place. Far, far too time-consuming to post more than a handful of my photos elsewhere, and I have to admit I am getting REALLY fed up of having to spend so much precious time. <br /> <br /> Quite a few people are suggesting the 23hq website, so I thought I would take a look at it yesterday afternoon. Just in case anyone from ipernity (or Flickr) is wondering what 23hq layout looks like, I added a link to my newly created photostream there yesterday. However, last night, I decided to make all those photos private - thanks Pam J! Only about 80 photos (so far?), but at least I have those descriptions backed up. <br /> <br /> Of all the websites I have checked out over the last few years, I still reckon Flickr is the best - despite its glitches and the fact that there have been two sudden, overnight major loss of views in Stats (for me, at least, plus some others) since May 2016, which I don't understand. Too obvious to be a coincidence, and I'm not impressed! Of course, the future of Flickr is uncertain, but hopefully that will all be sorted out with a happy ending! <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott</a><br /> <br /> Another website I tried ages ago (only 8 of my photos there) is 500px:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://500px.com/annkelliott" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">500px.com/annkelliott</a><br /> <br /> I like Smugmug and have quite a few of my photos on there:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://annkelliott.smugmug.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">annkelliott.smugmug.com/</a><br /> <br /> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> In Bluebirds, the blue colour is produced by the structure of the feather - there is no blue pigment. "Tiny air pockets in the barbs of feathers can scatter incoming light, resulting in a specific, non-iridescent color. Blue colors in feathers are almost always produced in this manner. Examples include the blue feathers of Bluebirds, Indigo Buntings, Blue Jay's and Steller's Jays."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Bluebird/id</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.jstor.org/discover/pgs/index?id=10.2307/4077277&img=dtc.51.tif.gif&uid=3739392&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=56109306583&orig=/discover/10.2307/4077277?uid=3739392&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=56109306583" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.jstor.org/discover/pgs/index?id=10.2307/4077277&i...</a><br /> <br /> On 15 June 2016, I drove SW of the city to check on a few Mountain Bluebirds. I remember that one adult male was a different kind of blue, and I think this bird is the one in this photo. One pair seems to have disappeared. Another nesting box still has babies in it and I was so happy to see that they had not left home yet. One of the babies had its head and part of its body peering out of the hole and I was expecting it to fly at any moment. That didn't happen, though I suspect it will happen either today or tomorrow, which means I will miss them fledging. While I was there, I could see and hear Dad calling. He wasn't feeding them, and I think he was trying to encourage them to leave the nest.<br /> <br /> At the third box I stopped at, I had never seen either the female or the male with food in their beaks, so I was beginning to think that maybe they had no babies. Then yesterday, the female was around the nest box and seemed to become excited. She flew up to the high electricity wire and the male flew in to join her, bringing some tasty insect which he fed to her. I like to think that maybe there were eggs in her nest and that one had just hatched. Who knows?<br /> <br /> It was a great day for finding rare Bobolinks, too! I saw maybe five of these beautiful birds. They were on the far side of the road, unfortunately, and I wasn't able to get any decent shots. Each time a car or truck went by, the birds took off for a few seconds, but then returned. I drove down the road and turned around, hoping to get a better view, but they had disappeared and never returned. A couple of years ago, on 27 June 2014, I had been lucky enough to spot one just a bit further along the same road.<br /> <br /> No owls to be seen on this trip, but I did see a couple of my 'usual' Wilson's Snipes. They almost always give plenty of photo opportunities, for which I am always so thankful. I was already out of the car and when one flew to a fence post just down the road, I slowly walked till I was close enough. These birds can spook very easily, so it was a weird feeling to have nothing between it and me. <br /> <br /> Oh, and near the start of my drive, I saw a Skunk run across the road ahead of me! I pulled over and got out, hoping to see where it went down the embankment. Unfortunately, it had disappeared into the long grasses. If I remember correctly, this was only the third Skunk I had ever seen in the wild.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43789086 tag:ipernity.com,2016-11-16,doc-43789086 Wed, 16 Nov 2016 17:00:03 +0000 2016-05-11T17:23:41-07:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43789086"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/90/86/43789086.b3708b20.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo might do funny things to your eyes - sorry : ) I guess the fast movement of all those thousands of tiny bee wings made things slightly blurry.<br /> <br /> When I called in at Fish Creek Park for half an hour on 11 May 2016, a lady who was down there spotted this enormous bee colony. Later, I read on friend Larry's website that a bee keeper had since been called in to remove this huge mass and that the bee keeper had estimated the number of bees to be 15,000-20,000!<br /> <br /> There was no activity from the Great Horned Owl family during the very brief time I was there, and the owls were so well hidden by all the leaves and branches that there was no chance to get photos. The only other thing I did see there was the work of local Beavers. Took me by surprise when I saw how they had changed the creek and flooded part of the ground.</div> Bees, bees, and more bees <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43789086"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/90/86/43789086.b3708b20.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo might do funny things to your eyes - sorry : ) I guess the fast movement of all those thousands of tiny bee wings made things slightly blurry.<br /> <br /> When I called in at Fish Creek Park for half an hour on 11 May 2016, a lady who was down there spotted this enormous bee colony. Later, I read on friend Larry's website that a bee keeper had since been called in to remove this huge mass and that the bee keeper had estimated the number of bees to be 15,000-20,000!<br /> <br /> There was no activity from the Great Horned Owl family during the very brief time I was there, and the owls were so well hidden by all the leaves and branches that there was no chance to get photos. The only other thing I did see there was the work of local Beavers. Took me by surprise when I saw how they had changed the creek and flooded part of the ground.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43541900 tag:ipernity.com,2016-10-26,doc-43541900 Wed, 26 Oct 2016 10:59:42 +0000 2016-09-09T14:45:46-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43541900"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/00/43541900.6059fb8f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/29945656884/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/29945656884/in/dateposted-public</a><br /> <br /> Maybe this owl does not look amused because it suffers from Irritable Owl Syndrome, ha, ha. So many owl species tend to have an "angry" expression. An up close and personal shot of a little Burrowing Owl, who resides at the Alberta Bird of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta, a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures, and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, educating the public. <br /> <br /> ""As a result of its ENDANGERED Species status in 1995, it has the focus of a variety of conservation efforts. Operation Burrowing Owl and other projects involving habitat preservation with landowners have been created. Populations are monitored by Fish and Wildlife departments. They have been reintroduced into the British Columbia interior, where it was extirpated. Outlook would improve if larger areas of habitat were preserved and harmful pesticides were banned in all areas of their range. Numbers could increase if an increased tolerance to burrowing mammals develops (i.e. badgers) – provides homes for the Burrowing Owl. Outlook: perilous." From burrowingowl.com.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://burrowingowl.com/visit/index.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">burrowingowl.com/visit/index.php</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrowing_Owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrowing_Owl</a><br /> <br /> I have only ever once seen a Burrowing Owl - two, possibly three of them - in the wild, and I was so very lucky to get that chance. To say that it was a thrill is an understatement! These endangered owls are tiny and so difficult to see, especially when they are down in the grasses. I may add a previously posted photo of a wild one in a comment box below.<br /> <br /> It had been a few years since my last visit to the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre - I had only been maybe three or four times - and I had been longing to go back. Much too far and all new driving territory for me to even think about driving there myself. However, on 9 September 2016, that is exactly what I did. A friend had said she would come along, too, but she emailed me at 1:00 am that morning to say that she assumed our trip had been cancelled, as she hadn't heard back about the time to meet. In fact, I had sent two emails giving the time, so I don't know what happened there. Very unfortunate, as it would have been great to have had company on such a long drive, and I know she would have had fun with her camera.<br /> <br /> I knew it would be a long day and further than I would normally drive - and in a brand new car that I had/have yet to learn to drive! It didn't look or feel quite as new after travelling 481 km! Only got lost twice, one minor and the other major. Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere way down south and I ended up in the city of Lethbridge, that I had very carefully planned to avoid. After driving for three and three-quarter hours, I finally arrived at my destination, to my huge relief.<br /> <br /> Despite getting there later than I had hoped, I still had more than enough time to wander round the grounds and photograph the various raptors. Some were tethered out in a grassy area and others, including this Burrowing Owl, were in outdoor cages. It looks like this one had an injury to its beak? Wonderful to get such a close look at the various majestic birds. <br /> <br /> I took a slightly different way home via #845 (?), making absolutely sure that I didn't accidentally find myself in Lethbridge again and it wasn't too long before I found myself in the area that I had driven weeks ago, when I went SW of Vulcan to look for Common Nighthawks (without any luck). <br /> <br /> Just so happy that I finally made myself do this drive. When I Googled the Centre's website, I had discovered that they were closing two days later for the winter. So, it was either a case of going the next day or not at all till next May onward. <br /> <br /> The day after this adventure, 10 September 2016, I took my daughter on a long drive in Kananaskis. This was yet another place that I had longed to be able to drive for many years - and finally I did it! I had been lots of times with various friends, but this was the very first time I had ever driven myself. We had planned to do this a few weeks earlier, but then my car had major repairs that needed to be done. Instead, I knew I just couldn't put any more money into my 17-year-old car, and I ended up replacing it. So glad we went on this particular day, as it snowed the following day.</div> Sweet little thing <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43541900"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/19/00/43541900.6059fb8f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/29945656884/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/29945656884/in/dateposted-public</a><br /> <br /> Maybe this owl does not look amused because it suffers from Irritable Owl Syndrome, ha, ha. So many owl species tend to have an "angry" expression. An up close and personal shot of a little Burrowing Owl, who resides at the Alberta Bird of Prey Centre in Coaldale, southern Alberta, a wonderful place that rehabilitates and releases (whenever possible) various birds of prey - hawks, owls, Bald Eagles, Turkey Vultures, and Golden Eagles. Some of these birds act as Wildlife Ambassadors, too, educating the public. <br /> <br /> ""As a result of its ENDANGERED Species status in 1995, it has the focus of a variety of conservation efforts. Operation Burrowing Owl and other projects involving habitat preservation with landowners have been created. Populations are monitored by Fish and Wildlife departments. They have been reintroduced into the British Columbia interior, where it was extirpated. Outlook would improve if larger areas of habitat were preserved and harmful pesticides were banned in all areas of their range. Numbers could increase if an increased tolerance to burrowing mammals develops (i.e. badgers) – provides homes for the Burrowing Owl. Outlook: perilous." From burrowingowl.com.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://burrowingowl.com/visit/index.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">burrowingowl.com/visit/index.php</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrowing_Owl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrowing_Owl</a><br /> <br /> I have only ever once seen a Burrowing Owl - two, possibly three of them - in the wild, and I was so very lucky to get that chance. To say that it was a thrill is an understatement! These endangered owls are tiny and so difficult to see, especially when they are down in the grasses. I may add a previously posted photo of a wild one in a comment box below.<br /> <br /> It had been a few years since my last visit to the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre - I had only been maybe three or four times - and I had been longing to go back. Much too far and all new driving territory for me to even think about driving there myself. However, on 9 September 2016, that is exactly what I did. A friend had said she would come along, too, but she emailed me at 1:00 am that morning to say that she assumed our trip had been cancelled, as she hadn't heard back about the time to meet. In fact, I had sent two emails giving the time, so I don't know what happened there. Very unfortunate, as it would have been great to have had company on such a long drive, and I know she would have had fun with her camera.<br /> <br /> I knew it would be a long day and further than I would normally drive - and in a brand new car that I had/have yet to learn to drive! It didn't look or feel quite as new after travelling 481 km! Only got lost twice, one minor and the other major. Must have taken a wrong turn somewhere way down south and I ended up in the city of Lethbridge, that I had very carefully planned to avoid. After driving for three and three-quarter hours, I finally arrived at my destination, to my huge relief.<br /> <br /> Despite getting there later than I had hoped, I still had more than enough time to wander round the grounds and photograph the various raptors. Some were tethered out in a grassy area and others, including this Burrowing Owl, were in outdoor cages. It looks like this one had an injury to its beak? Wonderful to get such a close look at the various majestic birds. <br /> <br /> I took a slightly different way home via #845 (?), making absolutely sure that I didn't accidentally find myself in Lethbridge again and it wasn't too long before I found myself in the area that I had driven weeks ago, when I went SW of Vulcan to look for Common Nighthawks (without any luck). <br /> <br /> Just so happy that I finally made myself do this drive. When I Googled the Centre's website, I had discovered that they were closing two days later for the winter. So, it was either a case of going the next day or not at all till next May onward. <br /> <br /> The day after this adventure, 10 September 2016, I took my daughter on a long drive in Kananaskis. This was yet another place that I had longed to be able to drive for many years - and finally I did it! I had been lots of times with various friends, but this was the very first time I had ever driven myself. We had planned to do this a few weeks earlier, but then my car had major repairs that needed to be done. Instead, I knew I just couldn't put any more money into my 17-year-old car, and I ended up replacing it. So glad we went on this particular day, as it snowed the following day.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43382930 tag:ipernity.com,2016-10-14,doc-43382930 Fri, 14 Oct 2016 15:04:43 +0000 2016-09-10T12:26:13-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43382930"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/29/30/43382930.fa3fb317.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on Saturday, 10 September 2016. This was the second day in a row that I did a long drive that I had never done myself, and had longed for years to be brave enough to do. On the Friday, I drove way down south as far as the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale (drove 496 km that day). Then, on the Saturday, my daughter came with me to Kananaskis and I drove the Highway 40 loop, going south via Turner Valley and then coming home via 1X and Highway 1A. I had been to Coaldale maybe five times before with various friends, and I had been to Kananaskis quite a few times over the years with different friends. What a way to introduce a new car to life with Anne Elliott, lol! By the end of this second day, it was so dirty from all the dust gathered, especially along the rough, gravel Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail (only drove part way along this mountainous road). My car was also covered in splattered insects which were unlucky enough to fly into my car. Got my very first (tiny) paint chip from all the flying gravel along this road, on the passenger door.<br /> <br /> If I had been able to do these drives a bit earlier in the summer, I would have done so and not on consecutive days. However, I would never have taken my 17-year-old car, for a start. Then, when I checked the Birds of Prey Centre's website, I discovered that Saturday was the last day it would be open before closing till next May. As far as the Kananaskis trip was concerned, there has already been snow in some areas of the mountains, and I definitely did not want to risk doing my very first drive there in snow. So, two wonderful days, for which I am truly thankful!<br /> <br /> A few weeks before, I had been with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. The trip with my daughter followed a good part of the trip I was on with Pam, which was very helpful. <br /> <br /> Our first stop was at Highwood House, a very convenient place to stop for things like coffee, snacks, washroom, gas station. All the Hummingbird feeders had been taken down. now that the Hummingbirds have left.<br /> <br /> From there, we drove north to Rock Glacier to see the little Pikas (also called Rock Rabbits). I'm pretty sure we saw just two individuals and managed to get some rather distant shots. As usual, they were darting all over the massive scree (talus?) slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months - they don't hibernate. There was very light rain while we were there, but that cleared up for the rest of our journey.<br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these absolutely cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> Further along, we called in at Boulton Bridge, as I wanted to do a quick check to see if there were many mushrooms around. I had been there with friends, Dorothy and Stephen, and we found lots of interesting mushrooms to photograph. Saturday was very different and it was obvious that the peak of the season is now over.<br /> <br /> Trying to find Buller Pond, where I had stopped with Pam the other week, we ended up at an area called Peninsular, part of Lower Kananaskis Lake. I don't remember ever having been to this area before. <br /> <br /> A short drive along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail, followed by continuing along Highway 40 past Barrier Lake, brought us to Highway 1. We crossed over and found 1X, which then took us to Highway 1A leading to Cochrane. From there on, I was on very familiar driving ground.<br /> <br /> Many thanks, Rachel, for coming out with me. We had a great day in such magnificent scenery with enough wildlife to keep us happy (Pikas, Bighorn Sheep and a tiny Chipmunk who was happily munching on a bright red berry).</div> It&#039;s that little guy (gal) again <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43382930"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/29/30/43382930.fa3fb317.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on Saturday, 10 September 2016. This was the second day in a row that I did a long drive that I had never done myself, and had longed for years to be brave enough to do. On the Friday, I drove way down south as far as the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale (drove 496 km that day). Then, on the Saturday, my daughter came with me to Kananaskis and I drove the Highway 40 loop, going south via Turner Valley and then coming home via 1X and Highway 1A. I had been to Coaldale maybe five times before with various friends, and I had been to Kananaskis quite a few times over the years with different friends. What a way to introduce a new car to life with Anne Elliott, lol! By the end of this second day, it was so dirty from all the dust gathered, especially along the rough, gravel Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail (only drove part way along this mountainous road). My car was also covered in splattered insects which were unlucky enough to fly into my car. Got my very first (tiny) paint chip from all the flying gravel along this road, on the passenger door.<br /> <br /> If I had been able to do these drives a bit earlier in the summer, I would have done so and not on consecutive days. However, I would never have taken my 17-year-old car, for a start. Then, when I checked the Birds of Prey Centre's website, I discovered that Saturday was the last day it would be open before closing till next May. As far as the Kananaskis trip was concerned, there has already been snow in some areas of the mountains, and I definitely did not want to risk doing my very first drive there in snow. So, two wonderful days, for which I am truly thankful!<br /> <br /> A few weeks before, I had been with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. The trip with my daughter followed a good part of the trip I was on with Pam, which was very helpful. <br /> <br /> Our first stop was at Highwood House, a very convenient place to stop for things like coffee, snacks, washroom, gas station. All the Hummingbird feeders had been taken down. now that the Hummingbirds have left.<br /> <br /> From there, we drove north to Rock Glacier to see the little Pikas (also called Rock Rabbits). I'm pretty sure we saw just two individuals and managed to get some rather distant shots. As usual, they were darting all over the massive scree (talus?) slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months - they don't hibernate. There was very light rain while we were there, but that cleared up for the rest of our journey.<br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these absolutely cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> Further along, we called in at Boulton Bridge, as I wanted to do a quick check to see if there were many mushrooms around. I had been there with friends, Dorothy and Stephen, and we found lots of interesting mushrooms to photograph. Saturday was very different and it was obvious that the peak of the season is now over.<br /> <br /> Trying to find Buller Pond, where I had stopped with Pam the other week, we ended up at an area called Peninsular, part of Lower Kananaskis Lake. I don't remember ever having been to this area before. <br /> <br /> A short drive along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail, followed by continuing along Highway 40 past Barrier Lake, brought us to Highway 1. We crossed over and found 1X, which then took us to Highway 1A leading to Cochrane. From there on, I was on very familiar driving ground.<br /> <br /> Many thanks, Rachel, for coming out with me. We had a great day in such magnificent scenery with enough wildlife to keep us happy (Pikas, Bighorn Sheep and a tiny Chipmunk who was happily munching on a bright red berry).</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43333712 tag:ipernity.com,2016-10-03,doc-43333712 Mon, 03 Oct 2016 12:17:26 +0000 2016-09-10T12:26:52-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43333712"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/12/43333712.153dd9a0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on Saturday, 10 September 2016. This was the second day in a row that I did a long drive that I had never done myself, and had longed for years to be brave enough to do. On the Friday, I drove way down south as far as the Coaldale Bird of Prey Centre (drove 496 km that day). Then, on the Saturday, my daughter came with me to Kananaskis and I drove the Highway 40 loop, going south via Turner Valley and then coming home via 1X and Highway 1A. I had been to Coaldale maybe five times before with various friends, and I had been to Kananaskis quite a few times over the years with different friends. What a way to introduce a new car to life with Anne Elliott, lol! By the end of this second day, it was so dirty from all the dust gathered, especially along the rough, gravel Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail (only drove part way along this mountainous road).. Also covered in splattered insects which were unlucky enough to fly into my car. Got my very first (tiny) paint chip from all the flying gravel along this road, on the passenger door.<br /> <br /> If I had been able to do these drives a bit earlier in the summer, I would have done so and not on consecutive days. However, I would never have taken my 17-year-old car, for a start. Then, when I checked the Bird of Prey Centre's website, I discovered that Saturday was the last day it would be open before closing till next May. As far as the Kananaskis trip was concerned, there has already been snow in some areas of the mountains, and I definitely did not want to risk doing my very first drive there in snow. So, two wonderful days, for which I am truly thankful!<br /> <br /> A few weeks ago, I had been with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. The trip with my daughter followed a good part of the trip I was on with Pam, which was very helpful. <br /> <br /> Our first stop was at Highwood House, a very convenient place to stop for things like coffee, snacks, washroom, gas station. All the Hummingbird feeders have been taken down now that the Hummingbirds have left.<br /> <br /> From there, we drove north to Rock Glacier to see the little Pikas (also called Rock Rabbits). I'm pretty sure we saw just two individuals and managed to get some rather distant shots, except for just this one, rather blown-out, close shot. The colour of these tiny animals can vary and this one looked rather pale. As usual, they were darting all over the massive scree (talus?) slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months - they don't hibernate. There was very light rain while we were there, but that cleared up for the rest of our journey.<br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these absolutely cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> Further along, we called in at Boulton Bridge, as I wanted to do a quick check to see if there were many mushrooms around. A few weeks ago, I had been there with friends, Dorothy and Stephen, and we found lots of interesting mushrooms to photograph. Saturday was very different and it was obvious that the peak of the season is now over.<br /> <br /> Trying to find Buller Pond, where I had stopped with Pam the other week, we ended up at an area called Peninsular, part of Lower Kananaskis Lake. I don't remember ever having been to this area before. <br /> <br /> A short drive along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail, followed by continuing along Highway 40 past Barrier Lake, brought us to Highway 1. We crossed over and found 1X, which then took us to Highway 1A leading to Cochrane. From there on, I was on very familiar driving ground.<br /> <br /> Many thanks, Rachel, for coming out with me. We had a great day in such magnificent scenery with enough wildlife to keep us happy (Pikas, Bighorn Sheep and a tiny Chipmunk who was munching on a bright red berry).</div> Light-coloured Pika <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43333712"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/37/12/43333712.153dd9a0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on Saturday, 10 September 2016. This was the second day in a row that I did a long drive that I had never done myself, and had longed for years to be brave enough to do. On the Friday, I drove way down south as far as the Coaldale Bird of Prey Centre (drove 496 km that day). Then, on the Saturday, my daughter came with me to Kananaskis and I drove the Highway 40 loop, going south via Turner Valley and then coming home via 1X and Highway 1A. I had been to Coaldale maybe five times before with various friends, and I had been to Kananaskis quite a few times over the years with different friends. What a way to introduce a new car to life with Anne Elliott, lol! By the end of this second day, it was so dirty from all the dust gathered, especially along the rough, gravel Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail (only drove part way along this mountainous road).. Also covered in splattered insects which were unlucky enough to fly into my car. Got my very first (tiny) paint chip from all the flying gravel along this road, on the passenger door.<br /> <br /> If I had been able to do these drives a bit earlier in the summer, I would have done so and not on consecutive days. However, I would never have taken my 17-year-old car, for a start. Then, when I checked the Bird of Prey Centre's website, I discovered that Saturday was the last day it would be open before closing till next May. As far as the Kananaskis trip was concerned, there has already been snow in some areas of the mountains, and I definitely did not want to risk doing my very first drive there in snow. So, two wonderful days, for which I am truly thankful!<br /> <br /> A few weeks ago, I had been with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. The trip with my daughter followed a good part of the trip I was on with Pam, which was very helpful. <br /> <br /> Our first stop was at Highwood House, a very convenient place to stop for things like coffee, snacks, washroom, gas station. All the Hummingbird feeders have been taken down now that the Hummingbirds have left.<br /> <br /> From there, we drove north to Rock Glacier to see the little Pikas (also called Rock Rabbits). I'm pretty sure we saw just two individuals and managed to get some rather distant shots, except for just this one, rather blown-out, close shot. The colour of these tiny animals can vary and this one looked rather pale. As usual, they were darting all over the massive scree (talus?) slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months - they don't hibernate. There was very light rain while we were there, but that cleared up for the rest of our journey.<br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these absolutely cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> Further along, we called in at Boulton Bridge, as I wanted to do a quick check to see if there were many mushrooms around. A few weeks ago, I had been there with friends, Dorothy and Stephen, and we found lots of interesting mushrooms to photograph. Saturday was very different and it was obvious that the peak of the season is now over.<br /> <br /> Trying to find Buller Pond, where I had stopped with Pam the other week, we ended up at an area called Peninsular, part of Lower Kananaskis Lake. I don't remember ever having been to this area before. <br /> <br /> A short drive along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail, followed by continuing along Highway 40 past Barrier Lake, brought us to Highway 1. We crossed over and found 1X, which then took us to Highway 1A leading to Cochrane. From there on, I was on very familiar driving ground.<br /> <br /> Many thanks, Rachel, for coming out with me. We had a great day in such magnificent scenery with enough wildlife to keep us happy (Pikas, Bighorn Sheep and a tiny Chipmunk who was munching on a bright red berry).</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43279740 tag:ipernity.com,2016-09-24,doc-43279740 Sat, 24 Sep 2016 16:23:34 +0000 2016-09-21T13:43:16-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43279740"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/97/40/43279740.36acf508.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three days ago, on 21 September 2016, I left home in sunshine, but by the time I reached my destination south of the city, at the Saskatoon Farm, it was overcast and dreary. <br /> <br /> This interesting place is maybe a 20-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside green houses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things, and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They also have a restaurant that offers great food - I had a delicious meal of quiche and sweet potato fries. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.saskatoonfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.saskatoonfarm.com/</a><br /> <br /> I'm always happy to see Sunflowers, at any stage of their life, and on this visit, I saw lots of them. Mainly yellow ones, but with a few orange ones mixed in with them. Beautiful to see, on the very last day of summer. Could this Sunflower be Velvet Queen Sunflower or Crimson Queen Sunflower? Thanks, Art (Leapfrog)!</div> The colours of fall <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43279740"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/97/40/43279740.36acf508.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Three days ago, on 21 September 2016, I left home in sunshine, but by the time I reached my destination south of the city, at the Saskatoon Farm, it was overcast and dreary. <br /> <br /> This interesting place is maybe a 20-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside green houses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things, and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They also have a restaurant that offers great food - I had a delicious meal of quiche and sweet potato fries. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.saskatoonfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.saskatoonfarm.com/</a><br /> <br /> I'm always happy to see Sunflowers, at any stage of their life, and on this visit, I saw lots of them. Mainly yellow ones, but with a few orange ones mixed in with them. Beautiful to see, on the very last day of summer. Could this Sunflower be Velvet Queen Sunflower or Crimson Queen Sunflower? Thanks, Art (Leapfrog)!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43116408 tag:ipernity.com,2016-09-11,doc-43116408 Sun, 11 Sep 2016 15:51:26 +0000 2016-09-10T12:00:56-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43116408"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/64/08/43116408.ff9bee3a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">September 11th, a day never to be forgotten. My thoughts are with the thousands of people who died that day and others who suffered terrible injuries, their families and friends, and all the emergency responders (Firefighters, EMS, Police, and others) who worked tirelessly. A day that can never be erased from our memory. Hard to believe that 15 years have already passed!<br /> <br /> All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 10 September 2016. This was the second day in a row that I did a long drive that I had never done myself, and had longed for years to be brave enough to do. The day before yesterday, I drove way down south as far as the Coaldale Bird of Prey Centre (drove 496 km that day). Then, yesterday, my daughter came with me to Kananaskis and I drove the HIghway 40 loop, going south via Turner Valley and then coming home via 1X and Highway 1A. I had been to Coaldale maybe five times before with various friends, and I had been to Kananaskis quite a few times over the years with various friends. What a way to introduce a new car to life with Anne Elliott, lol! By the end of yesterday, it was so dirty from all the dust gathered, especially along the rough, gravel Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail (only drove part way along this mountainous road).. Also covered in splattered insects which were unlucky enough to fly into my car. This morning, it has been raining, thank goodness, so hopefully my vehicle will look a bit cleaner.<br /> <br /> If I had been able to do these drives a bit earlier in the summer, I would have done so and not on consecutive days. However, I would never have taken my 17-year-old car, for a start. Then, when I checked the Bird of Prey Centre's website the other day, I discovered that yesterday was the last day it would be open before closing till next May. As far as the Kananaskis trip was concerned, there has already been snow in some areas of the mountains, and I definitely did not want to risk doing my very first drive there in snow. So, two wonderful days, for which I am truly thankful!<br /> <br /> About three weeks ago, I went with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. Yesterday's trip with my daughter followed a good part of the trip I was on with Pam, which was great. <br /> <br /> Our first stop yesterday was at Highwood House, a very convenient place to stop for things like coffee, washrooms, gas station. All the Hummingbird feeders have been taken down now that the Hummingbirds have left.<br /> <br /> From here, we drove north to Rock Glacier to see the little Pikas (also called Rock Rabbits). I'm pretty sure we saw just two individuals and managed to get some rather distant shots. As usual, they were darting all over the massive scree (talus?) slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months. There was very light rain while we were there, but that cleared up for the rest of our journey.<br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these absolutely cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> Further along, we called in at Boulton Bridge, as I wanted to do a quick check to see if there were many mushrooms around. Recently, I had been there with friends, Dorothy and Stephen, and we found lots of interesting mushrooms to photograph. Yesterday was very different and it was obvious that the peak of the season is already over.<br /> <br /> Trying to find Buller Pond, where I had stopped with Pam the other week, we ended up at an area called Peninsular, part of Lower Kananaskis Lake. I love the mountain folds seen across the lake.<br /> <br /> A short drive along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail, followed by continuing along Highway 40 past Barrier Lake, brought us to Highway 1. We crossed over and found 1X, which then took us to Highway 1A leading to Cochrane. From there on, I was on very familiar driving ground.<br /> <br /> Many thanks, Rachel, for coming out with me yesterday. We had a great day in such magnificent scenery with enough wildlife to keep us happy (Pikas, Bighorn Sheep and a tiny Chipmunk who was munching on a bright red berry.</div> A brief moment of rest <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43116408"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/64/08/43116408.ff9bee3a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">September 11th, a day never to be forgotten. My thoughts are with the thousands of people who died that day and others who suffered terrible injuries, their families and friends, and all the emergency responders (Firefighters, EMS, Police, and others) who worked tirelessly. A day that can never be erased from our memory. Hard to believe that 15 years have already passed!<br /> <br /> All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 10 September 2016. This was the second day in a row that I did a long drive that I had never done myself, and had longed for years to be brave enough to do. The day before yesterday, I drove way down south as far as the Coaldale Bird of Prey Centre (drove 496 km that day). Then, yesterday, my daughter came with me to Kananaskis and I drove the HIghway 40 loop, going south via Turner Valley and then coming home via 1X and Highway 1A. I had been to Coaldale maybe five times before with various friends, and I had been to Kananaskis quite a few times over the years with various friends. What a way to introduce a new car to life with Anne Elliott, lol! By the end of yesterday, it was so dirty from all the dust gathered, especially along the rough, gravel Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail (only drove part way along this mountainous road).. Also covered in splattered insects which were unlucky enough to fly into my car. This morning, it has been raining, thank goodness, so hopefully my vehicle will look a bit cleaner.<br /> <br /> If I had been able to do these drives a bit earlier in the summer, I would have done so and not on consecutive days. However, I would never have taken my 17-year-old car, for a start. Then, when I checked the Bird of Prey Centre's website the other day, I discovered that yesterday was the last day it would be open before closing till next May. As far as the Kananaskis trip was concerned, there has already been snow in some areas of the mountains, and I definitely did not want to risk doing my very first drive there in snow. So, two wonderful days, for which I am truly thankful!<br /> <br /> About three weeks ago, I went with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. Yesterday's trip with my daughter followed a good part of the trip I was on with Pam, which was great. <br /> <br /> Our first stop yesterday was at Highwood House, a very convenient place to stop for things like coffee, washrooms, gas station. All the Hummingbird feeders have been taken down now that the Hummingbirds have left.<br /> <br /> From here, we drove north to Rock Glacier to see the little Pikas (also called Rock Rabbits). I'm pretty sure we saw just two individuals and managed to get some rather distant shots. As usual, they were darting all over the massive scree (talus?) slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months. There was very light rain while we were there, but that cleared up for the rest of our journey.<br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these absolutely cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> Further along, we called in at Boulton Bridge, as I wanted to do a quick check to see if there were many mushrooms around. Recently, I had been there with friends, Dorothy and Stephen, and we found lots of interesting mushrooms to photograph. Yesterday was very different and it was obvious that the peak of the season is already over.<br /> <br /> Trying to find Buller Pond, where I had stopped with Pam the other week, we ended up at an area called Peninsular, part of Lower Kananaskis Lake. I love the mountain folds seen across the lake.<br /> <br /> A short drive along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien trail, followed by continuing along Highway 40 past Barrier Lake, brought us to Highway 1. We crossed over and found 1X, which then took us to Highway 1A leading to Cochrane. From there on, I was on very familiar driving ground.<br /> <br /> Many thanks, Rachel, for coming out with me yesterday. We had a great day in such magnificent scenery with enough wildlife to keep us happy (Pikas, Bighorn Sheep and a tiny Chipmunk who was munching on a bright red berry.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42846412 tag:ipernity.com,2016-08-23,doc-42846412 Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:42:36 +0000 2016-08-20T15:54:35-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42846412"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/64/12/42846412.167fa05f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 20 August 2016, I was lucky enough to have the chance to try and photograph one of these absolutely adorable little creatures : ) After a while, I was beginning to despair of ever getting any decent shots at all. These tiny Pikas, also known as Rock Rabbits, hardly ever remain still and they are extremely fast! Imagine a mountain hillside covered in sharp, jagged rocks of all sizes and then try to picture how difficult it is to find in the viewfinder the single rock on which one of these Pikas might happen to sit for a second or two, lol! The fact that they are the same colour as the rocks does not help one bit! As time passed, I managed to take a few photos, though not as good as the ones I took two years ago. They are about 15 to 23 centimetres (5.9 to 9.1 in) in body length, so really are pretty small, especially when off in the distance. <br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> On this day, I went with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. <br /> <br /> We met up in the city at 7:00 am and drove southwards through Millarville and took the back way from Turner Valley to Highway 40. This is exactly the route that I had planned to go when I was all set to take my daughter on 4 August. Then my car's muffler and catalytic converter died and I haven't been able to go on any long drives at all. Nothing further than maybe five or ten minutes from home, with a vehicle that sounds dreadful with its loud, broken muffler noise and the loudest rattle that sounds as if the bottom of my car is about to fall off.<br /> <br /> Before we left the town of Turner Valley (on Highway 22), we called in for a few minutes at friend Jackie's garden to see if there were any interesting birds at all her feeders. We only saw Pine Siskins, but no doubt all sorts of other species would arrive for her during the day. The first thing we saw after Jackie's was a Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence, with a beautiful view of the distant mountains.<br /> <br /> Our first stop along Highway 40, which is the highway that goes right through Kananaskis, giving spectacular scenic views every inch of the way, was at Highwood House. This small store/gas station, at such a convenient location, is known for its Hummingbird feeders. We were lucky enough to see either one or maybe two of these teeny birds, and I did manage to get one partly blurry shot, just for the record. <br /> <br /> Continuing on our way north, we eventually came to Rock Glacier where we happily watched one or two little Pikas darting all over the massive scree slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months. <br /> <br /> Our next destination, after bumping into friend Kerri who was photographing the PIkas, was Buller's Pond, near Spray Lakes along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien road. I don't remember ever stopping there before and we were so glad we called in. Just before we got there, we took a drive up the mountainside road to Mt. Shark and gazed at the mountain scene before our eyes when we reached the highest parking lot. I have been up there maybe two or three times before, but in winter time. <br /> <br /> Soon, we arrived at Buller Pond, which is a lovely pond/lake, where we saw masses of small, green, jelly-like 'blobs' floating near the edge of the water. I finally found out what I think is the correct ID for them - Ophrydium versatile.<br /> <br /> ""These blobs are made by a colonial microscopic single-celled protozoan called Ophrydium versatile. They can be found all over the world in fresh water. The individual cells line up side by side in the “blob” and attach themselves to a jelly-like substance they secrete. They are symbiotic with microscopic Chlorella algae which live inside the Ophrydium cells and give the blob its green color. " Fro the link below;<br /> <br /> <a href="http://askanaturalist.com/what-are-these-green-jelly-blobs/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">askanaturalist.com/what-are-these-green-jelly-blobs/</a><br /> <br /> It was here that, while walking through the trees near the edge of the pond, I suddenly gasped and couldn't believe my eyes. There was a beautiful Spruce Grouse perched on a tree stump, with a second one lying at the base of the stump. Such a beautiful sight! I quietly called Pam to come and see what I had just found and we spent some time watching them. These two birds, with their gorgeous feathers, showed no sign of moving, allowing us plenty of time to take photos. Eventually, I saw yet another one of them moving around on the ground nearby, and then a fourth one. So, it seems that it was a mother and her three young ones. What an absolute treat to come across these spectacular birds and to be given time to really enjoy them. The next photo shows what I first saw, but I took a number of closer shots as well.<br /> <br /> Once back on Highway 40, we started driving south on Highway 40, heading for home. We just couldn't resist calling in again at Rock Glacier, where I was able to get closer and somewhat better photos of one of the Pikas. Then, fifteen minutes later, we saw several cars pulled over at the sides of the highway. Could it finally be a bear? Unfortunately, no, it wasn't, but instead we saw a group of five Bighorn Sheep, four at the edge of the road and a fifth standing in the road as if to let us know that she owned the road and had right of way. However, she didn't move. Can't remember if it was this female or one of the others that started walking along the edge in the direction of our vehicle. She walked with determination and I was taken off guard when she came level with my window and I got a quick shot. Her focus, however, was on a photographer who was out of his car and had walked towards her, then crouched down to photograph her as she got closer and closer to him. She stopped just a matter of maybe six feet from him - we drove off now that the road was clear, so I've no idea if anything happened between the Sheep and the photographer, but he was doing everything that a photographer (or anyone) should not be doing. <br /> <br /> Thank you so much, Pam, for enabling me to get out to the mountains! It was such a fun, enjoyable day, in beautiful weather, spectacular scenery, and much-enjoyed company!</div> The cutest little furball <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42846412"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/64/12/42846412.167fa05f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 20 August 2016, I was lucky enough to have the chance to try and photograph one of these absolutely adorable little creatures : ) After a while, I was beginning to despair of ever getting any decent shots at all. These tiny Pikas, also known as Rock Rabbits, hardly ever remain still and they are extremely fast! Imagine a mountain hillside covered in sharp, jagged rocks of all sizes and then try to picture how difficult it is to find in the viewfinder the single rock on which one of these Pikas might happen to sit for a second or two, lol! The fact that they are the same colour as the rocks does not help one bit! As time passed, I managed to take a few photos, though not as good as the ones I took two years ago. They are about 15 to 23 centimetres (5.9 to 9.1 in) in body length, so really are pretty small, especially when off in the distance. <br /> <br /> A couple of short YouTube videos in case anyone wants to hear and see these cute creatures:<br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/US_Hy_eGPtg</a><br /> <br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/OQ2IgcjVIfc</a><br /> <br /> On this day, I went with friend, Pam, for a long day out in Kananaskis (the mountain area of the Rocky Mountains that is closest to Calgary). What a great day we had, seeing so many different things in such beautiful scenery. <br /> <br /> We met up in the city at 7:00 am and drove southwards through Millarville and took the back way from Turner Valley to Highway 40. This is exactly the route that I had planned to go when I was all set to take my daughter on 4 August. Then my car's muffler and catalytic converter died and I haven't been able to go on any long drives at all. Nothing further than maybe five or ten minutes from home, with a vehicle that sounds dreadful with its loud, broken muffler noise and the loudest rattle that sounds as if the bottom of my car is about to fall off.<br /> <br /> Before we left the town of Turner Valley (on Highway 22), we called in for a few minutes at friend Jackie's garden to see if there were any interesting birds at all her feeders. We only saw Pine Siskins, but no doubt all sorts of other species would arrive for her during the day. The first thing we saw after Jackie's was a Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence, with a beautiful view of the distant mountains.<br /> <br /> Our first stop along Highway 40, which is the highway that goes right through Kananaskis, giving spectacular scenic views every inch of the way, was at Highwood House. This small store/gas station, at such a convenient location, is known for its Hummingbird feeders. We were lucky enough to see either one or maybe two of these teeny birds, and I did manage to get one partly blurry shot, just for the record. <br /> <br /> Continuing on our way north, we eventually came to Rock Glacier where we happily watched one or two little Pikas darting all over the massive scree slope, busily collecting plants to store and dry in their "caves", ready for the winter months. <br /> <br /> Our next destination, after bumping into friend Kerri who was photographing the PIkas, was Buller's Pond, near Spray Lakes along the Spray Lakes/Smith-Dorrien road. I don't remember ever stopping there before and we were so glad we called in. Just before we got there, we took a drive up the mountainside road to Mt. Shark and gazed at the mountain scene before our eyes when we reached the highest parking lot. I have been up there maybe two or three times before, but in winter time. <br /> <br /> Soon, we arrived at Buller Pond, which is a lovely pond/lake, where we saw masses of small, green, jelly-like 'blobs' floating near the edge of the water. I finally found out what I think is the correct ID for them - Ophrydium versatile.<br /> <br /> ""These blobs are made by a colonial microscopic single-celled protozoan called Ophrydium versatile. They can be found all over the world in fresh water. The individual cells line up side by side in the “blob” and attach themselves to a jelly-like substance they secrete. They are symbiotic with microscopic Chlorella algae which live inside the Ophrydium cells and give the blob its green color. " Fro the link below;<br /> <br /> <a href="http://askanaturalist.com/what-are-these-green-jelly-blobs/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">askanaturalist.com/what-are-these-green-jelly-blobs/</a><br /> <br /> It was here that, while walking through the trees near the edge of the pond, I suddenly gasped and couldn't believe my eyes. There was a beautiful Spruce Grouse perched on a tree stump, with a second one lying at the base of the stump. Such a beautiful sight! I quietly called Pam to come and see what I had just found and we spent some time watching them. These two birds, with their gorgeous feathers, showed no sign of moving, allowing us plenty of time to take photos. Eventually, I saw yet another one of them moving around on the ground nearby, and then a fourth one. So, it seems that it was a mother and her three young ones. What an absolute treat to come across these spectacular birds and to be given time to really enjoy them. The next photo shows what I first saw, but I took a number of closer shots as well.<br /> <br /> Once back on Highway 40, we started driving south on Highway 40, heading for home. We just couldn't resist calling in again at Rock Glacier, where I was able to get closer and somewhat better photos of one of the Pikas. Then, fifteen minutes later, we saw several cars pulled over at the sides of the highway. Could it finally be a bear? Unfortunately, no, it wasn't, but instead we saw a group of five Bighorn Sheep, four at the edge of the road and a fifth standing in the road as if to let us know that she owned the road and had right of way. However, she didn't move. Can't remember if it was this female or one of the others that started walking along the edge in the direction of our vehicle. She walked with determination and I was taken off guard when she came level with my window and I got a quick shot. Her focus, however, was on a photographer who was out of his car and had walked towards her, then crouched down to photograph her as she got closer and closer to him. She stopped just a matter of maybe six feet from him - we drove off now that the road was clear, so I've no idea if anything happened between the Sheep and the photographer, but he was doing everything that a photographer (or anyone) should not be doing. <br /> <br /> Thank you so much, Pam, for enabling me to get out to the mountains! It was such a fun, enjoyable day, in beautiful weather, spectacular scenery, and much-enjoyed company!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42698094 tag:ipernity.com,2016-08-05,doc-42698094 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:14:31 +0000 2016-06-27T17:29:11-06:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42698094"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/80/94/42698094.e5f91202.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 27 June 2016, I made my usual drive SW of the city, mainly to check on the last pair of Mountain Bluebirds that I have been watching. The previous pair had already disappeared from their nest box after their babies had all fledged. I missed this, as I hadn't been able to fit in a drive over there. This time, I was hoping to see the final pair one more time, but when I arrived, there was no sign of either adult, so I guess they, too, have left. Always makes me sad when I know my days of photographing them has come to an end, at least for this year. Their small neighbours, a pair of Savannah Sparrows, were still hanging around, and there were endless Red-winged Blackbirds everywhere I went.<br /> <br /> There was no sign of any Bobolinks, either, and I was beginning to wonder if this was going to be one of those 'dreaded' trips where there was nothing to photograph. Thankfully, this Wilson's Snipe came out of hiding just when I was driving along the usual road. I'm always happy to see a Snipe on a fence post, and they almost always oblige with a nice pose. It always puzzles me, though, if I can get a photo this sharp of a Snipe at Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm, then why do I take so many blurry photos of other things?<br /> <br /> "These plump, long-billed birds are among the most widespread shorebirds in North America. They can be tough to see thanks to their cryptic brown and buff coloration and secretive nature. But in summer they often stand on fence posts or take to the sky with a fast, zigzagging flight and an unusual “winnowing” sound made with the tail." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/id</a><br /> <br /> "Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) is a small, stocky shorebird. This species was considered to be a subspecies of the Common Snipe (G. gallinago) until 2003 when it was given its own species status. Wilson's Snipe differs from the latter species in having a narrower white trailing edge to the wings, and eight pairs of tail feathers instead of the typical seven of the Common Snipe. Its common name commemorates the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_snipe" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_snipe</a><br /> <br /> According to Fisher and Acorn's book, "Birds of Alberta", "the common Snipe is both secretive and well camouflaged, so few people notice it until it flushes suddenly from a nearby grassy tussock. As soon as the Snipe takes to the air, it performs a series of quick zigzags - an evasive maneuver designed to confuse predators. Because of this habit, Snipes were among the most difficult birds to shoot (in the days when shorebirds were hunted for sport), and skilled sportsmen were known as "snipers" - a term later adopted by the military."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://youtu.be/Z16CUdX2g5Q" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/Z16CUdX2g5Q</a></div> A favourite bird to photograph <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/293827">Anne Elliott</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42698094"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/80/94/42698094.e5f91202.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 27 June 2016, I made my usual drive SW of the city, mainly to check on the last pair of Mountain Bluebirds that I have been watching. The previous pair had already disappeared from their nest box after their babies had all fledged. I missed this, as I hadn't been able to fit in a drive over there. This time, I was hoping to see the final pair one more time, but when I arrived, there was no sign of either adult, so I guess they, too, have left. Always makes me sad when I know my days of photographing them has come to an end, at least for this year. Their small neighbours, a pair of Savannah Sparrows, were still hanging around, and there were endless Red-winged Blackbirds everywhere I went.<br /> <br /> There was no sign of any Bobolinks, either, and I was beginning to wonder if this was going to be one of those 'dreaded' trips where there was nothing to photograph. Thankfully, this Wilson's Snipe came out of hiding just when I was driving along the usual road. I'm always happy to see a Snipe on a fence post, and they almost always oblige with a nice pose. It always puzzles me, though, if I can get a photo this sharp of a Snipe at Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm, then why do I take so many blurry photos of other things?<br /> <br /> "These plump, long-billed birds are among the most widespread shorebirds in North America. They can be tough to see thanks to their cryptic brown and buff coloration and secretive nature. But in summer they often stand on fence posts or take to the sky with a fast, zigzagging flight and an unusual “winnowing” sound made with the tail." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/wilsons_snipe/id</a><br /> <br /> "Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) is a small, stocky shorebird. This species was considered to be a subspecies of the Common Snipe (G. gallinago) until 2003 when it was given its own species status. Wilson's Snipe differs from the latter species in having a narrower white trailing edge to the wings, and eight pairs of tail feathers instead of the typical seven of the Common Snipe. Its common name commemorates the American ornithologist Alexander Wilson." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_snipe" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson's_snipe</a><br /> <br /> According to Fisher and Acorn's book, "Birds of Alberta", "the common Snipe is both secretive and well camouflaged, so few people notice it until it flushes suddenly from a nearby grassy tussock. As soon as the Snipe takes to the air, it performs a series of quick zigzags - an evasive maneuver designed to confuse predators. Because of this habit, Snipes were among the most difficult birds to shoot (in the days when shorebirds were hunted for sport), and skilled sportsmen were known as "snipers" - a term later adopted by the military."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://youtu.be/Z16CUdX2g5Q" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/Z16CUdX2g5Q</a></div> Anne Elliott