I always love to see Poppy buds with the gorgeous, crumpled petals just starting to emerge. This orange Oriental Poppy was growing at the Reader Rock Garden a few days ago. Don't you just love it when a photo turns out with a black or very dark background? Must check and see if I used flash for this one - no, I didn't, so it was just one of those lucky shots : ).

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada southern Alberta Reader Rock Garden nature flora garden flower flowers Poppy Oriental Poppy bud opening orange petals green on black crumpled macro close-up image photo digital color image beautiful beauty in nature vivid colorful light square square crop Panasonic DMC-FZ35 DMC-FZ35 FZ35 Lumix point-and-shoot P1070037 FZ35 annkelliott beautiful_expression NaturesFinest

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A rather attractive Tulip seen growing at the Reader Rock Garden mid-May.

Tags:   MasterPhoto

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The only Narcissus in bloom when I last visited the Reader Rock Garden, down near the Stampede Grounds.

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Does anyone recognize this dead receptacle (?) cluster? I can never remember what plant is what, when I see them at this stage in winter months. I always think they are so attractive. Seen at Reader Rock Garden.

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This beautiful Iris was growing at the Reader Rock Garden back in July.

"William Reader, Superintendent of the City of Calgary’s Parks Department from 1913-1943, was a garden innovator. He was responsible for all of Calgary’s parks and cemeteries, the municipal nursery, the first municipal nursery and the first municipal golf course.

His personal passion, however, was creating the “rockery” on the steep north slope of Cemetery Hill (just south of the Calgary Stampede Grounds), now known as the Reader Rock Garden.

Mr. Reader was also one of the Society’s founders and ensured the Society and the City worked closely together. For example, in 1914, over 10,000 trees were planted through the efforts of the Society and the City planted another 10,000.

The Reader Rock Garden was built from 1922-1929. Over the years, the garden had almost disappeared behind overgrown shrubs and weeds when funding became available to restore it.

Since 2004, the City of Calgary City of Calgary Website has restored and replanted the garden, returning it to it's original beauty. A replica of the Reader home has been built and now houses a lovely restaurant.

A visit to the renewed garden, and lunch or dinner in the Reader house should be on your must do list this summer." From www.calhort.org/gardening/reader.aspx

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