I met up with my youngest daughter, who has just moved back from Vancouver to take some training for a career change, at the Zoo the other day. We were really curious to check out the brand new Conservatory that was officially opened just a few days before. This is one of the gorgeous orchids that are growing from a tree in the huge entrance hall.
Today has been gloomy, with rain, sleet, and snow. And so, winter returns yet again! I do hope this is short-lived, but won't hold my breath : )
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo new Conservatory nature plant Tropical fauna flora flower flowers Orchid single flower flower head beautiful beauty in nature image photograph digital color image square square crop indoors Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix point-and-shoot P1300992 FZ28 annkelliott beautiful_expression Feels Good © Anne Elliott 2009 © All Rights Reserved
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I liked the pattern of black and white stripes around the eye on this Zebra, seen yesterday when I went to the Zoo with my youngest daughter. We wanted to check out the newly reconstructed Conservatory - my daughter misses Vancouver so much, and wanted to be back amongst lush greens instead of our winter colours here.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo animal Zebra face head stripes black and white eye pattern detail outdoors captive image photograph digital color image square square crop Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix point-and-shoot P1310187 FZ28 annkelliott © Anne Elliott 2009 © All Rights Reserved
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This was such a glorious Hibiscus flower, seen in the new Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo a few days ago. Hope it makes you feel a little warmer if you happen to see this image - gosh, it feels SO good to see some bright colour! Rachel - I'm waiting to see how your shots came out, LOL. Not the easiest flowers to reach, were they? : )
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo new Conservatory flora Tropical flower flowers orange petals details stamens close-up macro Hibiscus nature image photograph digital color image horizontal Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix point-and-shoot P1310086 FZ28 annkelliott Feels Good SuperShot beautiful_expression NaturesFinest © Anne Elliott 2009 © All Rights Reserved
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Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans, with an extra wish for safety to those who are serving their country overseas! Now, if only I could say that I took this close shot of a Bald Eagle in the wild! However, as you probably already guessed, it was at the Calgary Zoo. I think of photos like this one, though, when I'm watching an Eagle flying or perched in a tall tree the far side of the Bow River. So incredible.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo nature ornithology avian wildlife fauna bird birds Eagle Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus raptor feathers detail white beak bill winter seasons snow one bird head shot side view captive zoo image photograph digital color image horizontal outdoors Panasonic DMC-FZ18 FZ18 Lumix point-and-shoot P1460626 FZ18 annkelliott Feels Good birdshare Excellence AvianExcellence beautiful_expression © Anne Elliott 2009 © All Rights Reserved
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The three Red Pandas at the Calgary Zoo are constantly on the run, and getting a decent photo is usually just a matter of luck, LOL! Hard to believe this was taken outdoors. I know I've cut off the ear to get it into a square crop : ) Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, everyone!
"The Red Panda, also called the Firefox, Fire Cat, Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight). The Red Panda is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, Pakistan, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation... Red Pandas are classified as Vulnerable. .... In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds." From Wikipedia.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Calgary Zoo nature animal captive zoo Red Panda Ailurus fulgens Firefox Lesser Panda status Vulnerable outdoors fur texture detail teeth on black head shot portrait image photograph digital square square crop color image beauty beautiful beauty in nature adorable cute Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix point-and-shoot P1310192 FZ28 annkelliott beautiful_expression Feels Good Explore interestingness#238 explore2009November25 © Anne Elliott 2009 © All Rights Reserved AnimalPlanet
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