https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/24452 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/101/C3/7B/293827.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/293827/keyword/24452 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:10:31 +0000 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:10:31 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/51201490 tag:ipernity.com,2019-10-08,doc-51201490 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 17:01:32 +0000 2019-10-07T15:43:26-07:00 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/293827/51201490"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/14/90/51201490.b74179a5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Well, hello again, winter!! Our temperature today is -4C (windchill -11C). Yesterday, it looked like late fall. Today, we are having another snow storm, giving us our second world of white already this fall. Because of the forecast for today, I knew I had better get down to the Saskatoon Farm yesterday. I had wanted to buy a few of their vegetables, but they hold their special event at a weekend and I had no intention of facing masses of cars and people. Instead, I did a long drive into Kananaskis two days ago, which turned out to be a really good decision. <br /> <br /> Yesterday, 7 October 2019, was overcast and not good for photos, which didn't really matter, as I barely used my camera at the farm. Basically, apart from sunflowers hanging their heads, everything had already died and much had been removed. There was no colour left, and the wonderful days of visits to the farm to happily snap endless photos full of colour are now over till next spring and summer. Can't wait!<br /> <br /> After enjoying lunch there, and buying two kinds of frozen, home-made soup, I drove along one nearby road just to see if there was anything of interest. I came across an old wooden shed (outhouse?). A touch of filter in post-processing brought out the wood details.<br /> <br /> For me, the next few days will be days to hibernate, hoping that the ground (and my car) will become bare again. The forecast reckons Calgary will be getting about 10 cm of snow today. Looks like we should have sunshine on the coming days. This year has been an absolutely crazy year as far as the weather is concerned!</div> The sunflower droop <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/293827/51201490"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/14/90/51201490.b74179a5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Well, hello again, winter!! Our temperature today is -4C (windchill -11C). Yesterday, it looked like late fall. Today, we are having another snow storm, giving us our second world of white already this fall. Because of the forecast for today, I knew I had better get down to the Saskatoon Farm yesterday. I had wanted to buy a few of their vegetables, but they hold their special event at a weekend and I had no intention of facing masses of cars and people. Instead, I did a long drive into Kananaskis two days ago, which turned out to be a really good decision. <br /> <br /> Yesterday, 7 October 2019, was overcast and not good for photos, which didn't really matter, as I barely used my camera at the farm. Basically, apart from sunflowers hanging their heads, everything had already died and much had been removed. There was no colour left, and the wonderful days of visits to the farm to happily snap endless photos full of colour are now over till next spring and summer. Can't wait!<br /> <br /> After enjoying lunch there, and buying two kinds of frozen, home-made soup, I drove along one nearby road just to see if there was anything of interest. I came across an old wooden shed (outhouse?). A touch of filter in post-processing brought out the wood details.<br /> <br /> For me, the next few days will be days to hibernate, hoping that the ground (and my car) will become bare again. The forecast reckons Calgary will be getting about 10 cm of snow today. Looks like we should have sunshine on the coming days. This year has been an absolutely crazy year as far as the weather is concerned!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45795178 tag:ipernity.com,2017-11-05,doc-45795178 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 16:05:04 +0000 2017-09-27T18:08:47-07:00 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/293827/45795178"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/51/78/45795178.7b0da63e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Thank you, William Shakespeare ....<br /> <br /> This is one of the gorgeous Roses that were in bloom on 27 September 2017, in friend Gayle's garden. The photo was taken at the end of a day of exploring the Springbank to Allen Bill Pond area. Gayle is busy getting petition forms out to people, in connection with the proposed dam that will be built in one these two areas. She asked me if I would like to go with her to take a closer look at these totally different areas. The Springbank area would suffer greatly if a dam was built and another major flood occurs. A lot of farmland that has been in families for generations in some cases. The second photo I posted today shows farmland in this area. The second area that is being considered for a dam is not far from Bragg Creek, and would involve a lot of forested land. We drove as far as Allen Bill Pond on Highway 66/Elbow Falls Trail before turning round to go back to Bragg Creek. Allen Bill Pond used to be a very popular fishing spot, but it was totally destroyed by the dreadful flood of 2013, when it was filled with gravel deposited by the river. <br /> <br /> I hadn't followed any of this dam business, though it has apparently been going on for quite a long time - maybe two or three years? I'm also not someone who deals with petitions, but it was really interesting to see the enormous stretch of land that could end up being affected by the construction of a dam. It looks like the Springbank area is going to go ahead.<br /> <br /> "The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir, or Springbank Project, is a dry reservoir that will store water temporarily during a flood. It will work in tandem with the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. Together, the combined storage capacity would accommodate water volumes equal to the 2013 flood."<br /> <br /> Springbank Off-stream Reservoir conceptual animation (August 2017)<br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-LocationMap-2016.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-Locati...</a><br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the trip, Gayle! I didn't know most of the Springbank area before, but I was quite familiar with the Bragg Creek area. Going for lunch was a good idea and nice to stop and have coffee before heading for home. It was such glorious weather, too, and the fall colours just amazing. With rain and snow in the forecast for the next four days, this was the last decent day. Loved your Roses, Gayle, and what a delight to see the clusters of mushrooms growing at the base of one of your trees! Many thanks for the tomatoes, carrots and apples from your garden, too - a real treat.</div> "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" <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/293827/45795178"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/51/78/45795178.7b0da63e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="183" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Thank you, William Shakespeare ....<br /> <br /> This is one of the gorgeous Roses that were in bloom on 27 September 2017, in friend Gayle's garden. The photo was taken at the end of a day of exploring the Springbank to Allen Bill Pond area. Gayle is busy getting petition forms out to people, in connection with the proposed dam that will be built in one these two areas. She asked me if I would like to go with her to take a closer look at these totally different areas. The Springbank area would suffer greatly if a dam was built and another major flood occurs. A lot of farmland that has been in families for generations in some cases. The second photo I posted today shows farmland in this area. The second area that is being considered for a dam is not far from Bragg Creek, and would involve a lot of forested land. We drove as far as Allen Bill Pond on Highway 66/Elbow Falls Trail before turning round to go back to Bragg Creek. Allen Bill Pond used to be a very popular fishing spot, but it was totally destroyed by the dreadful flood of 2013, when it was filled with gravel deposited by the river. <br /> <br /> I hadn't followed any of this dam business, though it has apparently been going on for quite a long time - maybe two or three years? I'm also not someone who deals with petitions, but it was really interesting to see the enormous stretch of land that could end up being affected by the construction of a dam. It looks like the Springbank area is going to go ahead.<br /> <br /> "The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir, or Springbank Project, is a dry reservoir that will store water temporarily during a flood. It will work in tandem with the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. Together, the combined storage capacity would accommodate water volumes equal to the 2013 flood."<br /> <br /> Springbank Off-stream Reservoir conceptual animation (August 2017)<br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-LocationMap-2016.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-Locati...</a><br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the trip, Gayle! I didn't know most of the Springbank area before, but I was quite familiar with the Bragg Creek area. Going for lunch was a good idea and nice to stop and have coffee before heading for home. It was such glorious weather, too, and the fall colours just amazing. With rain and snow in the forecast for the next four days, this was the last decent day. Loved your Roses, Gayle, and what a delight to see the clusters of mushrooms growing at the base of one of your trees! Many thanks for the tomatoes, carrots and apples from your garden, too - a real treat.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45662538 tag:ipernity.com,2017-10-12,doc-45662538 Thu, 12 Oct 2017 17:02:21 +0000 2017-09-05T17:07:19-06:00 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/293827/45662538"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/38/45662538.9abe6ab9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to old, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a tall, metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Cosmos beauty <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/293827/45662538"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/38/45662538.9abe6ab9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to old, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a tall, metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45649394 tag:ipernity.com,2017-10-10,doc-45649394 Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:02:26 +0000 2017-09-05T17:15:01-06:00 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/293827/45649394"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/94/45649394.b230a225.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Hibiscus or Mallow sp., or something else? I am posting this photo just for ID help, as it gives a different view from the photo of a similar flower that I posted yesterday. My knowledge of garden plants is so limited. <br /> <br /> My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to older, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Same kind of flower as yesterday&#039;s <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/293827/45649394"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/94/45649394.b230a225.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Hibiscus or Mallow sp., or something else? I am posting this photo just for ID help, as it gives a different view from the photo of a similar flower that I posted yesterday. My knowledge of garden plants is so limited. <br /> <br /> My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to older, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45643888 tag:ipernity.com,2017-10-09,doc-45643888 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 17:48:52 +0000 2017-09-05T17:08:12-06:00 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/293827/45643888"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/38/88/45643888.84698ba0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I can't think what this white flower could be - my knowledge of garden plants is so limited. If anyone can tell what it is from this angle, I would really appreciate help with the ID - thanks!<br /> <br /> My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to older, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Purity <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/293827/45643888"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/38/88/45643888.84698ba0.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I can't think what this white flower could be - my knowledge of garden plants is so limited. If anyone can tell what it is from this angle, I would really appreciate help with the ID - thanks!<br /> <br /> My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to older, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45591858 tag:ipernity.com,2017-09-28,doc-45591858 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:21:33 +0000 2017-09-27T18:09:22-06:00 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/293827/45591858"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/18/58/45591858.a95799d5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is one of the gorgeous Roses that were in bloom yesterday, 27 September 2017, in friend Gayle's garden. The photo was taken at the end of a day of exploring the Springbank to Allen Bill Pond area. Gayle is busy getting petition forms out to people, in connection with the proposed dam that will be built in one these two areas. She asked me if I would like to go with her to take a closer look at these totally different areas. The Springbank area would suffer greatly if a dam was built and another major flood occurs. A lot of farmland that has been in families for generations in some cases. The second photo I posted today shows farmland in this area. The second area that is being considered for a dam is not far from Bragg Creek, and would involve a lot of forested land. We drove as far as Allen Bill Pond on Highway 66/Elbow Falls Trail before turning round to go back to Bragg Creek. Allen Bill Pond used to be a very popular fishing spot, but it was totally destroyed by the dreadful flood of 2013, when it was filled with gravel deposited by the river. <br /> <br /> I hadn't followed any of this dam business, though it has apparently been going on for quite a long time - maybe two or three years? I'm also not someone who deals with petitions, but it was really interesting to see the enormous stretch of land that could end up being affected by the construction of a dam.<br /> <br /> "The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir, or Springbank Project, is a dry reservoir that will store water temporarily during a flood. It will work in tandem with the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. Together, the combined storage capacity would accommodate water volumes equal to the 2013 flood."<br /> <br /> Springbank Off-stream Reservoir conceptual animation (August 2017)<br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-LocationMap-2016.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-Locati...</a><br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the trip, Gayle! I didn't know most of the Springbank area before, but I was quite familiar with the Bragg Creek area. Going for lunch was a good idea and nice to stop and have coffee before heading for home. It was such glorious weather, too, and the fall colours just amazing. With rain and snow in the forecast for four days, tomorrow is the last decent day. Loved your Roses, Gayle, and what a delight to see the clusters of mushrooms growing at the base of one of your trees! Many thanks for the tomatoes, carrots and apples from your garden, too - a real treat.</div> Last days before the snow <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/293827/45591858"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/18/58/45591858.a95799d5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This is one of the gorgeous Roses that were in bloom yesterday, 27 September 2017, in friend Gayle's garden. The photo was taken at the end of a day of exploring the Springbank to Allen Bill Pond area. Gayle is busy getting petition forms out to people, in connection with the proposed dam that will be built in one these two areas. She asked me if I would like to go with her to take a closer look at these totally different areas. The Springbank area would suffer greatly if a dam was built and another major flood occurs. A lot of farmland that has been in families for generations in some cases. The second photo I posted today shows farmland in this area. The second area that is being considered for a dam is not far from Bragg Creek, and would involve a lot of forested land. We drove as far as Allen Bill Pond on Highway 66/Elbow Falls Trail before turning round to go back to Bragg Creek. Allen Bill Pond used to be a very popular fishing spot, but it was totally destroyed by the dreadful flood of 2013, when it was filled with gravel deposited by the river. <br /> <br /> I hadn't followed any of this dam business, though it has apparently been going on for quite a long time - maybe two or three years? I'm also not someone who deals with petitions, but it was really interesting to see the enormous stretch of land that could end up being affected by the construction of a dam.<br /> <br /> "The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir, or Springbank Project, is a dry reservoir that will store water temporarily during a flood. It will work in tandem with the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. Together, the combined storage capacity would accommodate water volumes equal to the 2013 flood."<br /> <br /> Springbank Off-stream Reservoir conceptual animation (August 2017)<br /> <a href="https://youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">youtu.be/lNP5dKTiJ0Y</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-LocationMap-2016.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.transportation.alberta.ca/documents/Springbank-Locati...</a><br /> <br /> Thanks so much for the trip, Gayle! I didn't know most of the Springbank area before, but I was quite familiar with the Bragg Creek area. Going for lunch was a good idea and nice to stop and have coffee before heading for home. It was such glorious weather, too, and the fall colours just amazing. With rain and snow in the forecast for four days, tomorrow is the last decent day. Loved your Roses, Gayle, and what a delight to see the clusters of mushrooms growing at the base of one of your trees! Many thanks for the tomatoes, carrots and apples from your garden, too - a real treat.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/45547078 tag:ipernity.com,2017-09-21,doc-45547078 Thu, 21 Sep 2017 15:11:28 +0000 2017-09-05T17:03:40-06:00 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/293827/45547078"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/70/78/45547078.647adde7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">UPDATE on Canyon Church Camp in Waterton Lakes National Park, on 21 September 2017, for anyone who has stayed there with Nature Calgary. I'm so glad that the Lodge was saved!<br /> <br /> "We finally have an update! A Parks Canada worker has been able to go through the camp and take note of what buildings are left standing. These buildings include the lodge, 3 cabins, the boys bathrooms, and the custodian building. We are excited to have so much untouched, but sad to know we lost so much. We are told a few board members will be escorted into camp next week to do a full evaluation. We are going to need all of your support as we gather our resources and make a plan to move forward. We are blessed to have all of you." From Canyon Church Camp Facebook page.<br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> This morning, 21 September 2017, it's raining and the temperature is 2°C (windchill -3°C). Snow is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Needed something sunny and bright to look at today. Tomorrow is the start of Fall and hopefully, we will have some warmer and sunnier days before real winter weather arrives and stays for the next six or seven months.<br /> <br /> My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to older, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</div> Back view of an orange Sunflower <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/293827/45547078"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/70/78/45547078.647adde7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">UPDATE on Canyon Church Camp in Waterton Lakes National Park, on 21 September 2017, for anyone who has stayed there with Nature Calgary. I'm so glad that the Lodge was saved!<br /> <br /> "We finally have an update! A Parks Canada worker has been able to go through the camp and take note of what buildings are left standing. These buildings include the lodge, 3 cabins, the boys bathrooms, and the custodian building. We are excited to have so much untouched, but sad to know we lost so much. We are told a few board members will be escorted into camp next week to do a full evaluation. We are going to need all of your support as we gather our resources and make a plan to move forward. We are blessed to have all of you." From Canyon Church Camp Facebook page.<br /> <br /> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> This morning, 21 September 2017, it's raining and the temperature is 2°C (windchill -3°C). Snow is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Needed something sunny and bright to look at today. Tomorrow is the start of Fall and hopefully, we will have some warmer and sunnier days before real winter weather arrives and stays for the next six or seven months.<br /> <br /> My daughter and I had a such a great day on 5 September 2017. She had a free day, so we decided to drive north-east of the city and visit the Pioneer Acres Museum. The day started off with seeing three perched Swainson's Hawks, which were a bonus. We had passed the colourful old truck and tractor displayed on tall posts, to indicate Pioneer Acres, on various occasions and this time, we actually went to the museum. What an amazing collection of old farming equipment, some standing outdoors and many others in large sheds. Have to say that I am always attracted to older, rusty things, and there was no shortage of these, either. <br /> <br /> "Pioneer Acres is operated by a team of volunteer members who, in many cases, have extended their golden years of retirement, performing the duties necessary to meet the club's objectives. These include work to collect, restore, maintain and demonstrate the artifacts which were used by the pioneers of early Alberta.<br /> <br /> The end result is that present and future generations have the opportunity to glimpse into our pioneering past through the artifacts on display and demonstrated. Younger members of the club also learn the care, maintenance and operation of these living artifacts." From link below.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.pioneeracres.ab.ca/member.aspx</a><br /> <br /> While we were walking round the grounds, visiting each massive shed in turn, my daughter spotted a Plains Garter Snake, and waved me over to see it. She also saw several birds running round behind one of the sheds, and when I went to check, I found there were four Gray Partridge running off in the distance. A distant Jackrabbit completed our wildlife sightings, first noticed when it was standing tall and upright on its back legs in 'freeze mode'. My mind wandered to Alice in Wonderland : )<br /> <br /> Though we did not do a tour of the inside of the "Long" House, we found it an impressive building, complete with a few Sunflowers, Hollyhock and other flowers in the garden, and a metal windmill.<br /> <br /> "The "Long" House was built in 1914 by John Thomas on a farm just northwest of Irricana, Alberta. It has been lived in by three generations of the Long Family since 1914. The house was donated to Pioneer Acres, moved to our location, and restored to 1929 status." From the Pioneer Acres website. <br /> <br /> There is also an old schoolhouse on the Museum site. "The Crown School, built in 1905, was located west of Three Hills on Highway 583. It closed in 1953 and was bought by the district of Allingham for use as a community league. In 1996, the building was relocated to Pioneer Aces of Alberta Museum." From the Alberta Teachers' Association website.<br /> <br /> After spending a long time walking round the grounds, we decided to drive through Irricana itself in order to get back to the highway. I had seen photos on the Internet of three murals there - sunflowers, crayons, and a view of the old grain elevators that had once stood nearby - and I wanted to go and see them. All near each other, as this town only has a few streets. I had never been to Irricana before and I was impressed with what a delightful place it is, full of brightly coloured murals, and well kept. One of the outer roads had many flower beds along the edge, watered with well water, looking most attractive.<br /> <br /> I had asked my daughter if she was interested in calling in at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens in NW Calgary, if there was time after our drive east. I had planned the drive ahead of time, partly because I had also seen a photo somewhere on the Internet of a rather nice old barn that I really wanted to see. We were not disappointed, though it was a shame to see that the cupola had fallen from the roof since that photo was taken. I had never driven through the town of Airdrie before, but did the "drive" on Google Earth the night before and it looked straightforward enough. <br /> <br /> Returning to the city via Cochrane, my daughter told me how to get to Silver Springs. I had never driven there before, but I had been there with a friend last year, I think on 1 October, and thoroughly enjoyed these meticulously kept gardens. We were just too hot and tired to see every inch of the garden, but finished off with photographing sunflowers and enjoying the American Goldfinches that were feeding on them, before we continued on our way.<br /> <br /> A great day, despite the heat and smoke from the B.C. and Alberta wildfires (distant low visibility, too). Thanks so much, Rachel - hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. We drove 256 km (used about half a tank of gas, or less). I was absolutely tired out from the heat and driving unfamiliar roads.</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/293827/44889392 tag:ipernity.com,2017-05-31,doc-44889392 Wed, 31 May 2017 16:47:13 +0000 2017-05-30T16:29:45-06:00 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/293827/44889392"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/92/44889392.ee298b45.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Most unusual for me, I was so desperately tired two evenings ago, that I couldn't even stay awake to find and edit three photos to post to Flickr yesterday morning! It was a long day of birding on 28 May 2017, for the May Species Count, and it completely knocked me out for the following day. Tiredness seems to be my constant companion, but not so tired that I can't fight it. So, no photos from me yesterday! <br /> <br /> I always love to see the hairy bud of a Poppy revealing the beauty within. This one was blooming in a greenhouse at the Saskatoon Farm.<br /> <br /> Yesterday, 30 May 2017, I was out for the day south of the city with my Daughter (a belated day out for my birthday and Mother's Day), to Nanton and a few roads nearby, then making our way north to Frank Lake and finally ending up at the Saskatoon Farm, where we were just in time to have a meal. A hot day, but nice and sunny. <br /> <br /> It takes about 45 minutes to drive south to the town of Nanton. Though I had been quite a few times over the years when carpooling with various friends, I had never driven quite that far south and through the town. My daughter wanted to walk round two or three of the antique shops there and we both wanted to take a few photos of the grain elevators. <br /> <br /> Once that was all done, we drove westwards from the town. Though the scenery is beautiful, we did not enjoy being on a main road with no shoulder to pull over to. We did stop once in a small pull-off, to get a few scenic shots. This was where we saw the metal cut-out of a cowboy riding his horse, with a bird perched on top of his hat (third photo I posted today). I can't decide if the distant bird is a Common Grackle or a Brewer's Blackbird, or something else?<br /> <br /> We decided to turn around and cross over to the other side of the main highway (#2) and drive north to Frank Lake, hoping to find a few things to photograph along the backroads. A handful of barns and a very few distant birds were enough to make the drive worthwhile. <br /> <br /> Frank Lake was deserted when we arrived there, though a couple of other people turned up shortly. Not many bird species, either. The water was quite choppy thanks to the wind, and there was just one Coot, a pair of Ruddy Ducks, a Barn Swallow and one Eared Grebe. I managed to get just the one shot (posted this morning) of the latter. Saw two American Avocets, a Killdeer and a pair of Phalaropes. Franklin's Gulls were their usual noisy selves. Not a single White-faced Ibis to be seen, and only one or two Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. When we had been on the road south of the lake, we had seen a Black-crowned Night-Heron perched on a distant fence, being harassed by several smaller birds - Brown-headed Cowbirds? I was so happy to see the Heron, as I so rarely see them. We had also seen a shorebird in a field of stubble and I need to check if this was a Long-billed Curlew.<br /> <br /> On our way home, we called in at the Saskatoon Farm and were just in time to order a meal before they closed. A quick wander round gave me the chance to grab a shot or two of a very loud Rooster and the male Wild Turkey. My favourite kind of day, so thank you, Rachel, as always!!</div> Springtime colour <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/293827/44889392"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/92/44889392.ee298b45.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Most unusual for me, I was so desperately tired two evenings ago, that I couldn't even stay awake to find and edit three photos to post to Flickr yesterday morning! It was a long day of birding on 28 May 2017, for the May Species Count, and it completely knocked me out for the following day. Tiredness seems to be my constant companion, but not so tired that I can't fight it. So, no photos from me yesterday! <br /> <br /> I always love to see the hairy bud of a Poppy revealing the beauty within. This one was blooming in a greenhouse at the Saskatoon Farm.<br /> <br /> Yesterday, 30 May 2017, I was out for the day south of the city with my Daughter (a belated day out for my birthday and Mother's Day), to Nanton and a few roads nearby, then making our way north to Frank Lake and finally ending up at the Saskatoon Farm, where we were just in time to have a meal. A hot day, but nice and sunny. <br /> <br /> It takes about 45 minutes to drive south to the town of Nanton. Though I had been quite a few times over the years when carpooling with various friends, I had never driven quite that far south and through the town. My daughter wanted to walk round two or three of the antique shops there and we both wanted to take a few photos of the grain elevators. <br /> <br /> Once that was all done, we drove westwards from the town. Though the scenery is beautiful, we did not enjoy being on a main road with no shoulder to pull over to. We did stop once in a small pull-off, to get a few scenic shots. This was where we saw the metal cut-out of a cowboy riding his horse, with a bird perched on top of his hat (third photo I posted today). I can't decide if the distant bird is a Common Grackle or a Brewer's Blackbird, or something else?<br /> <br /> We decided to turn around and cross over to the other side of the main highway (#2) and drive north to Frank Lake, hoping to find a few things to photograph along the backroads. A handful of barns and a very few distant birds were enough to make the drive worthwhile. <br /> <br /> Frank Lake was deserted when we arrived there, though a couple of other people turned up shortly. Not many bird species, either. The water was quite choppy thanks to the wind, and there was just one Coot, a pair of Ruddy Ducks, a Barn Swallow and one Eared Grebe. I managed to get just the one shot (posted this morning) of the latter. Saw two American Avocets, a Killdeer and a pair of Phalaropes. Franklin's Gulls were their usual noisy selves. Not a single White-faced Ibis to be seen, and only one or two Red-winged and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. When we had been on the road south of the lake, we had seen a Black-crowned Night-Heron perched on a distant fence, being harassed by several smaller birds - Brown-headed Cowbirds? I was so happy to see the Heron, as I so rarely see them. We had also seen a shorebird in a field of stubble and I need to check if this was a Long-billed Curlew.<br /> <br /> On our way home, we called in at the Saskatoon Farm and were just in time to order a meal before they closed. A quick wander round gave me the chance to grab a shot or two of a very loud Rooster and the male Wild Turkey. My favourite kind of day, so thank you, Rachel, as always!!</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/43541548 tag:ipernity.com,2016-10-24,doc-43541548 Mon, 24 Oct 2016 17:02:14 +0000 2016-10-01T14:02:15-06:00 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/293827/43541548"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/15/48/43541548.77b76063.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I think something must be up with Flickr today - note to self.<br /> <br /> With most of our autumn colour gone, it feels good to be able to look back to photos from 1 October 2016. Today, 24 October 2016, it is heavily overcast, gloomy as can be, with a temperature of 1°C. Fortunately, the last two days (a weekend) were beautiful, sunny days, as I spent Saturday birding with a group of friends east of the city, and yesterday, Sunday, I was with friends birding west of the city. Two very enjoyable days that were not great for photos, but the company was excellent. Many thanks, Andrew and Howard, for leading these days!<br /> <br /> On 1 October 2016, I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stopped and stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. <br /> <br /> Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! We all knew that snow wasn't far away and about a week after this visit, Calgary had its first snowfall of the season, for the whole of the Thanksgiving weekend. At least I now have some bright, colourful photos that I will be able to post in between all the coming white, snowy images that will be taken during the seven, long months of winter.<br /> <br /> "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the …<br /> <br /> What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists.<br /> <br /> On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many.<br /> <br /> For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. <br /> <br /> The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/</a></div> Aging beauties <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/293827/43541548"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/15/48/43541548.77b76063.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I think something must be up with Flickr today - note to self.<br /> <br /> With most of our autumn colour gone, it feels good to be able to look back to photos from 1 October 2016. Today, 24 October 2016, it is heavily overcast, gloomy as can be, with a temperature of 1°C. Fortunately, the last two days (a weekend) were beautiful, sunny days, as I spent Saturday birding with a group of friends east of the city, and yesterday, Sunday, I was with friends birding west of the city. Two very enjoyable days that were not great for photos, but the company was excellent. Many thanks, Andrew and Howard, for leading these days!<br /> <br /> On 1 October 2016, I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stopped and stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. <br /> <br /> Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! We all knew that snow wasn't far away and about a week after this visit, Calgary had its first snowfall of the season, for the whole of the Thanksgiving weekend. At least I now have some bright, colourful photos that I will be able to post in between all the coming white, snowy images that will be taken during the seven, long months of winter.<br /> <br /> "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the …<br /> <br /> What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists.<br /> <br /> On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many.<br /> <br /> For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. <br /> <br /> The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42710676 tag:ipernity.com,2016-08-08,doc-42710676 Mon, 08 Aug 2016 14:35:16 +0000 2016-08-06T09:19:16-06:00 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/293827/42710676"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/76/42710676.87f344f9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Flickr views stats are still all messed up, like yesterday. As I type this, it shows 33 views just below the photo, but about 130 on the "Show more stats' graph. A petty thing when compared to the "big picture" of the world situation, but most annoying all the same. <br /> <br /> All three photos posted this morning were taken two days ago, on 6 August 2016. Unlike the other two, this image was taken in the small garden at Rod Handfield's acreage - the other two were growing wild in the forest. As you can see from the tiny raindrops, it had been raining and the forecast was for more rain in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon.<br /> <br /> I found the whole day physically and mentally exhausting, and I'm still feeling the effects two days later. It was a great day, too, thanks to friend, Sandy! She very kindly picked me up around 8:15 am and we drove SW of the city and SW of Millarville to Rod Handfield's acreage. For a number of years, this has been one of my favourite places to explore, as Rod's forest tends to be full of all sorts of beautiful finds. It is one of the two best places that I know for mushrooms, the other being Brown-Lowery Provincial Park. This year has turned out to be great for fungi, thanks to all the endless, torrential rain we have been getting the last few weeks, apart from the scattering of sunny days. This year has so far had such weird weather - a very mild, dry winter, a spring that was as dry and hot as a summer, and now a wet, thundery summer. We were expecting this year to not be good for mushrooms.<br /> <br /> We met a group of other interested people, most of whom we didn't know, and we searched the land for fungi. Right at the start, I was telling Sandy that on the last visit there, maybe four years ago, we had seen a beautiful Amanita muscaria mushroom growing just a few feet from the start of the walk. Sure enough, there were several growing in exactly the same spot, which was so exciting. Later in the walk, we saw two other patches of absolute beauties of this poisonous species. The rain was spitting during our walk, and the forest was so dark, but amazingly, some of my photos came out well enough. Thanks so much, Karel, for organizing and leading this trip and for sharing your knowledge with us!<br /> <br /> Sandy and I left the group around lunchtime, to go looking at vehicles at one of the dealerships. In the last year and a half, I have had to put far too much money into repairs for my poor old 17+ year old car and finally, I knew that I had no choice but to replace it. The muffler and a few other things died several days ago and instead of spending a fortune on repair, I decided I would rather put that money towards a new vehicle. I had been thinking about replacing it the last few years, but now, enough is enough! Just hoping that my car lasts long enough for the drive to the dealership. The noise it makes is just awful, from the faulty muffler and from a dreadful rattling noise, so it will be a most embarrassing ride, lol. I'm down to deciding between two models and it is not an easy choice. However, after doing hours of research again yesterday, into the early hours of this morning, I'm not so sure I am going to be able to get the car that I think would suit me better. It has proven to be such a popular car and very few are available. The only ones that the dealership has are not safe colours to drive and also don't have the particular features that I want. So, now, I am more confused than ever and have no idea what I am going to do. I might even have to get my old car repaired (almost $5,000) after all and then waiting months to get hold of the car I want/need.</div> Splash of colour on a rainy 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/293827/42710676"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/76/42710676.87f344f9.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Flickr views stats are still all messed up, like yesterday. As I type this, it shows 33 views just below the photo, but about 130 on the "Show more stats' graph. A petty thing when compared to the "big picture" of the world situation, but most annoying all the same. <br /> <br /> All three photos posted this morning were taken two days ago, on 6 August 2016. Unlike the other two, this image was taken in the small garden at Rod Handfield's acreage - the other two were growing wild in the forest. As you can see from the tiny raindrops, it had been raining and the forecast was for more rain in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon.<br /> <br /> I found the whole day physically and mentally exhausting, and I'm still feeling the effects two days later. It was a great day, too, thanks to friend, Sandy! She very kindly picked me up around 8:15 am and we drove SW of the city and SW of Millarville to Rod Handfield's acreage. For a number of years, this has been one of my favourite places to explore, as Rod's forest tends to be full of all sorts of beautiful finds. It is one of the two best places that I know for mushrooms, the other being Brown-Lowery Provincial Park. This year has turned out to be great for fungi, thanks to all the endless, torrential rain we have been getting the last few weeks, apart from the scattering of sunny days. This year has so far had such weird weather - a very mild, dry winter, a spring that was as dry and hot as a summer, and now a wet, thundery summer. We were expecting this year to not be good for mushrooms.<br /> <br /> We met a group of other interested people, most of whom we didn't know, and we searched the land for fungi. Right at the start, I was telling Sandy that on the last visit there, maybe four years ago, we had seen a beautiful Amanita muscaria mushroom growing just a few feet from the start of the walk. Sure enough, there were several growing in exactly the same spot, which was so exciting. Later in the walk, we saw two other patches of absolute beauties of this poisonous species. The rain was spitting during our walk, and the forest was so dark, but amazingly, some of my photos came out well enough. Thanks so much, Karel, for organizing and leading this trip and for sharing your knowledge with us!<br /> <br /> Sandy and I left the group around lunchtime, to go looking at vehicles at one of the dealerships. In the last year and a half, I have had to put far too much money into repairs for my poor old 17+ year old car and finally, I knew that I had no choice but to replace it. The muffler and a few other things died several days ago and instead of spending a fortune on repair, I decided I would rather put that money towards a new vehicle. I had been thinking about replacing it the last few years, but now, enough is enough! Just hoping that my car lasts long enough for the drive to the dealership. The noise it makes is just awful, from the faulty muffler and from a dreadful rattling noise, so it will be a most embarrassing ride, lol. I'm down to deciding between two models and it is not an easy choice. However, after doing hours of research again yesterday, into the early hours of this morning, I'm not so sure I am going to be able to get the car that I think would suit me better. It has proven to be such a popular car and very few are available. The only ones that the dealership has are not safe colours to drive and also don't have the particular features that I want. So, now, I am more confused than ever and have no idea what I am going to do. I might even have to get my old car repaired (almost $5,000) after all and then waiting months to get hold of the car I want/need.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42314068 tag:ipernity.com,2016-06-26,doc-42314068 Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:12:56 +0000 2016-06-25T10:14:36-06:00 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/293827/42314068"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/40/68/42314068.099b135c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 25 June 2016, when I drove SW of the city to possibly meet friends. No one was sure how bad the weather was going to be, as the forecast was for rain and thunderstorms. It had rained overnight, so everywhere was soaking wet. Normally, on a day like that, I stay home, but I'm really glad I did go, especially as I was able to find a Bobolink again. Or, perhaps I should say it found me. Three times now, when I have been photographing a particular pair of Mountain Bluebirds, I have heard a certain call, turned around, and there was a Bobolink sitting on a fence post across the road. It just kept up this call until I stopped what I was doing, crossed the road, and started taking photos of him, as if to say: "Hey, take my photo, too!"<br /> <br /> I didn't think any friends were going to turn up, as I hadn't seen anything that looked like a small convoy of cars. Then suddenly, one single car came around a distant corner and stopped. Three people got out - Andrew, Tony and Howard. Three people who are excellent birders and who didn't let the weather keep them from doing what they love. <br /> <br /> I followed them slowly as far as Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, where the day's walk was supposed to take part, stopping to look at various birds along the way, Once there, we parted ways, as I didn't want hours of walking in mud and dripping trees. Instead, I wandered for a few minutes near the parking lot, where I took my next two photos and then I returned to the Bluebirds, where the Bobolink reappeared and repeated his behavior, giving me another chance for photos. <br /> <br /> And now I have to dash, as I overslept almost an hour, and I have to pick up a friend and then do a long drive NW of the city, where we will be meeting others for a walk, followed by a BBQ. Ths annual event is always very enjoyable - just hope the forecast rain and thunderstorms stay away! Will have to finish off my tags this evening. Gotta run!<br /> <br /> "Perched on a grass stem or displaying in flight over a field, breeding male Bobolinks are striking. No other North American bird has a white back and black underparts (some have described this look as wearing a tuxedo backwards). Added to this are the male’s rich, straw-colored patch on the head and his bubbling, virtuosic song. As summer ends he molts into a buff and brown female-like plumage. Though they’re still fairly common in grasslands, Bobolink numbers are declining." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/id</a><br /> <br /> "The Bobolink inhabits Canada's grassland and agricultural areas from the interior of British Columbia to the east coast. Relative to 1970 levels, this species has shown a large decrease across most of its range, with the exception of the Prairie Potholes Bird Conservation Region where populations have changed little. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada assessed the Bobolink as Threatened in 2010 (COSEWIC 2010d). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ec.gc.ca/soc-sbc/oiseau-bird-eng.aspx?sY=2014&sL=e&sM=c&sB=BOBO" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ec.gc.ca/soc-sbc/oiseau-bird-eng.aspx?sY=2014&sL=...</a></div> Wild Rose in the rain <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/293827/42314068"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/40/68/42314068.099b135c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 25 June 2016, when I drove SW of the city to possibly meet friends. No one was sure how bad the weather was going to be, as the forecast was for rain and thunderstorms. It had rained overnight, so everywhere was soaking wet. Normally, on a day like that, I stay home, but I'm really glad I did go, especially as I was able to find a Bobolink again. Or, perhaps I should say it found me. Three times now, when I have been photographing a particular pair of Mountain Bluebirds, I have heard a certain call, turned around, and there was a Bobolink sitting on a fence post across the road. It just kept up this call until I stopped what I was doing, crossed the road, and started taking photos of him, as if to say: "Hey, take my photo, too!"<br /> <br /> I didn't think any friends were going to turn up, as I hadn't seen anything that looked like a small convoy of cars. Then suddenly, one single car came around a distant corner and stopped. Three people got out - Andrew, Tony and Howard. Three people who are excellent birders and who didn't let the weather keep them from doing what they love. <br /> <br /> I followed them slowly as far as Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, where the day's walk was supposed to take part, stopping to look at various birds along the way, Once there, we parted ways, as I didn't want hours of walking in mud and dripping trees. Instead, I wandered for a few minutes near the parking lot, where I took my next two photos and then I returned to the Bluebirds, where the Bobolink reappeared and repeated his behavior, giving me another chance for photos. <br /> <br /> And now I have to dash, as I overslept almost an hour, and I have to pick up a friend and then do a long drive NW of the city, where we will be meeting others for a walk, followed by a BBQ. Ths annual event is always very enjoyable - just hope the forecast rain and thunderstorms stay away! Will have to finish off my tags this evening. Gotta run!<br /> <br /> "Perched on a grass stem or displaying in flight over a field, breeding male Bobolinks are striking. No other North American bird has a white back and black underparts (some have described this look as wearing a tuxedo backwards). Added to this are the male’s rich, straw-colored patch on the head and his bubbling, virtuosic song. As summer ends he molts into a buff and brown female-like plumage. Though they’re still fairly common in grasslands, Bobolink numbers are declining." From AllAboutBirds.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/id" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/id</a><br /> <br /> "The Bobolink inhabits Canada's grassland and agricultural areas from the interior of British Columbia to the east coast. Relative to 1970 levels, this species has shown a large decrease across most of its range, with the exception of the Prairie Potholes Bird Conservation Region where populations have changed little. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada assessed the Bobolink as Threatened in 2010 (COSEWIC 2010d). This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ec.gc.ca/soc-sbc/oiseau-bird-eng.aspx?sY=2014&sL=e&sM=c&sB=BOBO" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.ec.gc.ca/soc-sbc/oiseau-bird-eng.aspx?sY=2014&sL=...</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/42283680 tag:ipernity.com,2016-06-19,doc-42283680 Sun, 19 Jun 2016 16:02:13 +0000 2016-04-27T16:58:09-06:00 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/293827/42283680"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/36/80/42283680.c2f4406f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!<br /> <br /> On 27 April 2016, I had a volunteer shift and afterwards, as the sun was peeping through the clouds, I decided to call in at the Reader Rock Garden. There was a reasonable number of plants in bloom, including a scattering of these Tulips with red-edged petals. I wasn't sure if I was going to be too early or too late for Tulips, especially as this year has so far been most unusual, weatherwise. There was also a bush of gorgeous pink Hellebore flowers, hanging their heads as they tend to do. There was enough colour and variety of plants to make this visit worthwhile.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip</a><br /> <br /> The temperature this morning, 19 June 2016, is 11C and forecast to get up to 19C this afternoon, with a risk of a thunderstorm. It rained last night and every little drop counts when everywhere is this dry.</div> Red-edged petals <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/293827/42283680"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/36/80/42283680.c2f4406f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!<br /> <br /> On 27 April 2016, I had a volunteer shift and afterwards, as the sun was peeping through the clouds, I decided to call in at the Reader Rock Garden. There was a reasonable number of plants in bloom, including a scattering of these Tulips with red-edged petals. I wasn't sure if I was going to be too early or too late for Tulips, especially as this year has so far been most unusual, weatherwise. There was also a bush of gorgeous pink Hellebore flowers, hanging their heads as they tend to do. There was enough colour and variety of plants to make this visit worthwhile.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip</a><br /> <br /> The temperature this morning, 19 June 2016, is 11C and forecast to get up to 19C this afternoon, with a risk of a thunderstorm. It rained last night and every little drop counts when everywhere is this dry.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41715136 tag:ipernity.com,2016-04-27,doc-41715136 Wed, 27 Apr 2016 14:58:15 +0000 2014-06-25T17:13:42-06:00 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/293827/41715136"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/51/36/41715136.4f123e1d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this beautiful Iris at the Reader Rock Garden late afternoon on 25 June 2014. Drove there on my way home from a volunteer shift, as I wasn't all that far away. The sky had darkened and I was expecting it to rain by the time I got there, but the sun came out (along with the wind). <br /> <br /> "Iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name for all Iris species, as well as some belonging to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_</a>(plant)</div> Delicate Iris <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/293827/41715136"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/51/36/41715136.4f123e1d.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Photographed this beautiful Iris at the Reader Rock Garden late afternoon on 25 June 2014. Drove there on my way home from a volunteer shift, as I wasn't all that far away. The sky had darkened and I was expecting it to rain by the time I got there, but the sun came out (along with the wind). <br /> <br /> "Iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. As well as being the scientific name, iris is also very widely used as a common name for all Iris species, as well as some belonging to other closely related genera. A common name for some species is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_</a>(plant)</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41590758 tag:ipernity.com,2016-04-13,doc-41590758 Wed, 13 Apr 2016 15:10:14 +0000 2013-09-14T10:17:26-06:00 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/293827/41590758"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/07/58/41590758.baa7d222.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on 14 September 2013, when I spent the day at Heritage Park with the photography group that my daughter was running at that time. We spent a few hours wandering through the streets lined with old stores and houses, farm equipment, animals, barns, and so on. Our favourites have always been the Bakery and the Candy Store : ) <br /> <br /> Around noon, we went to the old Wainwright Hotel and enjoyed chatting over lunch - a nice treat. Weather was great and so was the company.</div> Bright and cheery <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/293827/41590758"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/07/58/41590758.baa7d222.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This photo was taken on 14 September 2013, when I spent the day at Heritage Park with the photography group that my daughter was running at that time. We spent a few hours wandering through the streets lined with old stores and houses, farm equipment, animals, barns, and so on. Our favourites have always been the Bakery and the Candy Store : ) <br /> <br /> Around noon, we went to the old Wainwright Hotel and enjoyed chatting over lunch - a nice treat. Weather was great and so was the company.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41482818 tag:ipernity.com,2016-03-29,doc-41482818 Tue, 29 Mar 2016 16:44:57 +0000 2015-09-19T14:26:57-06:00 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/293827/41482818"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/28/18/41482818.725e9498.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 19 September 2015, I went to an Open House at the home of our main leader for both birding and botany. This was to mark the end of the botany season, which is always sad. We went on one last walk, around the neighbourhood, stopping to look at various plants in people's gardens, and then went back for tea and coffee and yummy snacks. <br /> <br /> This dying flower, along with many others, was in our leader's garden. I think the flower centre still looks beautiful and the dry petals almost look slightly coppery.<br /> <br /> Today, 29 March 2016, the sun is shining with a few clouds in the sky and a temperature of 6C so far. This coming week, temperatures are forecast for between 11C and 19C! Crazy when you think that winter only ended just over a week ago. Makes me wonder what kind of heat we might have to deal with this summer.</div> Beauty lasts <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/293827/41482818"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/28/18/41482818.725e9498.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">On 19 September 2015, I went to an Open House at the home of our main leader for both birding and botany. This was to mark the end of the botany season, which is always sad. We went on one last walk, around the neighbourhood, stopping to look at various plants in people's gardens, and then went back for tea and coffee and yummy snacks. <br /> <br /> This dying flower, along with many others, was in our leader's garden. I think the flower centre still looks beautiful and the dry petals almost look slightly coppery.<br /> <br /> Today, 29 March 2016, the sun is shining with a few clouds in the sky and a temperature of 6C so far. This coming week, temperatures are forecast for between 11C and 19C! Crazy when you think that winter only ended just over a week ago. Makes me wonder what kind of heat we might have to deal with this summer.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41432578 tag:ipernity.com,2016-03-21,doc-41432578 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 18:09:20 +0000 2015-06-24T17:27:18-06:00 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/293827/41432578"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/78/41432578.356520ae.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Posting late today (around 12:15 noon), as after a grand total of only eight hours sleep over the previous three nights, I had no choice but to turn off all alarm clocks and sleep till I woke today! It's only 1C and overcast, to reach 4C this afternoon, so no tempting sunshine, which is good, as I have some really important things to see to today - things that do not include photography : )<br /> <br /> I took this photo of a beautiful Iris flower at the Reader Rock Garden on 24 June 2015, when I called in after a volunteer shift. I always like seeing Irises - such graceful flowers.<br /> <br /> "Iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_</a>(plant)</div> Floral beauty <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/293827/41432578"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/25/78/41432578.356520ae.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Posting late today (around 12:15 noon), as after a grand total of only eight hours sleep over the previous three nights, I had no choice but to turn off all alarm clocks and sleep till I woke today! It's only 1C and overcast, to reach 4C this afternoon, so no tempting sunshine, which is good, as I have some really important things to see to today - things that do not include photography : )<br /> <br /> I took this photo of a beautiful Iris flower at the Reader Rock Garden on 24 June 2015, when I called in after a volunteer shift. I always like seeing Irises - such graceful flowers.<br /> <br /> "Iris is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is also the name for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Iris." From Wikipedia.<br /> <br /> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_</a>(plant)</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41369674 tag:ipernity.com,2016-03-15,doc-41369674 Tue, 15 Mar 2016 12:27:56 +0000 2014-06-25T16:57:12-06:00 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/293827/41369674"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/96/74/41369674.ced579b3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It just feels very strange to see blue petals instead of bright orange or red bursting from this Poppy bud : ) This is a beautiful Himalayan Blue Poppy, seen at the Reader Rock Garden on 25 June 2014. It is always a joy to see these beautiful, large Poppies, though they seem to grow in the shade, and I never find them easy to photograph. At least this bud was out in the sunshine. Apparently, they are not easy to grow, either.<br /> <br /> "Blue Himalayan Poppies are one of the most impressive plants for the shade garden. Plants form a rosette of hairy leaves, bearing large satiny flowers in an amazing shade of true blue. These are not always easy to please, demanding an evenly moist, rich soil and cool woodland conditions. Plants are not long lived, typically flowering in the second or third year, setting seed, then dying out. Gardeners in hot summer climates seldom succeed with these plants, yet they are surprisingly tolerant of cold winter conditions."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.perennials.com/plants/meconopsis-betonicifolia.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.perennials.com/plants/meconopsis-betonicifolia.html</a></div> Himalayan Blue Poppy <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/293827/41369674"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/96/74/41369674.ced579b3.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">It just feels very strange to see blue petals instead of bright orange or red bursting from this Poppy bud : ) This is a beautiful Himalayan Blue Poppy, seen at the Reader Rock Garden on 25 June 2014. It is always a joy to see these beautiful, large Poppies, though they seem to grow in the shade, and I never find them easy to photograph. At least this bud was out in the sunshine. Apparently, they are not easy to grow, either.<br /> <br /> "Blue Himalayan Poppies are one of the most impressive plants for the shade garden. Plants form a rosette of hairy leaves, bearing large satiny flowers in an amazing shade of true blue. These are not always easy to please, demanding an evenly moist, rich soil and cool woodland conditions. Plants are not long lived, typically flowering in the second or third year, setting seed, then dying out. Gardeners in hot summer climates seldom succeed with these plants, yet they are surprisingly tolerant of cold winter conditions."<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.perennials.com/plants/meconopsis-betonicifolia.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.perennials.com/plants/meconopsis-betonicifolia.html</a></div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41255420 tag:ipernity.com,2016-02-28,doc-41255420 Sun, 28 Feb 2016 12:40:52 +0000 2015-06-24T16:49:53-07:00 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/293827/41255420"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/54/20/41255420.77f03351.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I often tend to post a photo of a vibrant flower when our weather is overcast and grim. Today's (28 February 2016) forecast is for a mix of sun and clouds, but yesterday afternoon, we had some snow. I'd almost forgotten what snow looks like, this winter has been so mild! Not good for farmers, of course, with so little moisture during the winter months. Also not good as far as forest and bush fires are concerned, with everywhere being so very dry.<br /> <br /> This macro photo was taken on 24 June 2015, when I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after a volunteer shift. I always love to see Poppies, at any stage - bud, flower and seedpod.</div> Poppy art <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/293827/41255420"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/54/20/41255420.77f03351.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">I often tend to post a photo of a vibrant flower when our weather is overcast and grim. Today's (28 February 2016) forecast is for a mix of sun and clouds, but yesterday afternoon, we had some snow. I'd almost forgotten what snow looks like, this winter has been so mild! Not good for farmers, of course, with so little moisture during the winter months. Also not good as far as forest and bush fires are concerned, with everywhere being so very dry.<br /> <br /> This macro photo was taken on 24 June 2015, when I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after a volunteer shift. I always love to see Poppies, at any stage - bud, flower and seedpod.</div> Anne Elliott https://www.ipernity.com/doc/293827/41130630 tag:ipernity.com,2016-02-13,doc-41130630 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 19:02:43 +0000 2015-06-24T16:26:37-07:00 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/293827/41130630"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/30/41130630.bf43c00a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This flower was seen at the Reader Rock Garden on 24 June 2015. I've just been searching Google, but have had no luck in finding an ID for this plant. Any help would be much appreciated - thanks!<br /> <br /> After two days of fog, we finally have sunshine this afternoon, 13 February 2016. Temperature is +7C and it looks a lovely day to be out. However, I have so many things to see to at home, so I mustn't go off for a drive anywhere.<br /> <br /> ID: Dianthus species.</div> Dianthus sp. <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/293827/41130630"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/06/30/41130630.bf43c00a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="240" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">This flower was seen at the Reader Rock Garden on 24 June 2015. I've just been searching Google, but have had no luck in finding an ID for this plant. Any help would be much appreciated - thanks!<br /> <br /> After two days of fog, we finally have sunshine this afternoon, 13 February 2016. Temperature is +7C and it looks a lovely day to be out. However, I have so many things to see to at home, so I mustn't go off for a drive anywhere.<br /> <br /> ID: Dianthus species.</div> Anne Elliott