Found deep within my archives, taken on 24 February 2008. That morning, we managed to find two of the Northern Pygmy-owls in Fish Creek Park. Both were extremely high up in trees in the same area. After lunch, I went back to have a quick look again and came across this little guy immediately. Couldn't believe my luck! Unfortunately, the light in amongst the trees was not good at all, especially for my little point-and-shoot camera. Not the best quality, but some sharpening and brightening did help. These tiny popcan-size owls were the highlight of many people's day! A few people do see them outside the city, but it has been such a long time since I saw one. Grabbed two or three of these old photos before sending the file to my external hard drive, where it will probably never see daylight again : )
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park Shannon Terrace nature ornithology avian bird birds Owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma bird of prey Panasonic DMC-FZ18 side view tiny fist-sized popcan-sized fierce Explore interestingness# explore2014January26 Anne Elliott annkelliott
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I was lucky enough to see this plant on an acreage near Millarville (south of Calgary) last year.
"Datura stramonium is also known by the common names jimson weed, ditch weed, stink weed, loco weed, Korean morning glory, Jamestown weed, thorn apple, angel's trumpet, devil's trumpet, devil's snare, devil's seed, mad hatter, crazy tea, malpitte,and "poor man's acid". It is a common weed in the Nightshade Family. It contains tropane alkaloids that are sometimes used as a hallucinogen. The active ingredients are atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine which are classified as deliriants, or anticholinergics. Due to the elevated risk of overdose in uninformed users, many hospitalizations, and some deaths, are reported from recreational use." From Wikipedia.
Tags: Alberta Canada south west of Calgary near Millarville acreage nature plant botany garden flora fruit seedpods spiny spikes green Datura Datura stramonium Jimson Weed Jamestown Weed Ditch Weed Angel's Trumpet Devil's Trumpet Nightshade family tropane alkaloids hallucinogen Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Lumix P1330704 FZ18 annkelliott SuperShot BlueRibbonWinner
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After a somewhat chilly two and a half hour walk in a local park this morning, I came home and knew I just had to go food shopping before the bitter weather rolls in for the next few days. The first snowflakes began to fall by the end of the walk and shortly afterwards, the heavy, blowing snow started. I glanced through a front window to see how much snow I was going to have to clear off my car and was delighted to see two of these Jack Rabbits hopping around outside my place. I dashed to get my camera and managed to get three or four quick shots. Not sure what the forecast now says for the weekend, but it was something like -27C (and around -40C with wind chill!). No nature walks for me - and my camera wouldn't like it, either : )
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada my garden nature fauna animal wild animal mammal Rabbit Jack Rabbit winter snow white Panasonic DMC-FZ18 FZ18 Lumix P1420142 FZ18 annkelliott Explore interestingness#44 explore2008December13 NaturesFinest ImpressedBeauty VosPlusBellesPhotos
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I love these Red Powder Puff flowers! The light coming in through the ceiling in the Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo just caught this bloom nicely.
"Native to Bolivia, Red Powder Puff is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It was formerly included in the legume or pea family, but has recently been shifted into the mimosa family. It typically grows 10-15’ tall in its native habitat and is a very popular flowering shrub in central and southern Florida, where it will survive year-round in the ground. Raspberry-like flower buds open to hemispherical red powder puff flower heads (to 3” across) consisting of masses of scarlet stamens. Variations in flower color exist, with some pink and white forms being available. Calliandra comes from the Greek words kallos meaning beauty and andros meaning stamen." From www.mobot.org/GARDENINGHELP/PLANTFINDER.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Calgary Zoo Conservatory nature Tropical flora plant flower flowers Red Powder Puff red Panasonic DMC-FZ18 FZ18 P1090265 FZ18 annkelliott Calliandra haematocephala Fabaceae PlatinumPhoto NaturesFinest Mimosa family MacroAward Stamens Explore interestingness#228 explore2008April4 flickr plant project
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One of the highlights of a walk this morning was this tiny Northern Pygmy-owl. It is the size of a popcan and is rare to uncommon year-round in Alberta. It was perched in a tree with a million small branches (of course!), so no uncluttered photos. Three of us witnessed something that I hadn't seen before - twice when a Chickadee was heard nearby, the owl compressed its round, fluffy body and it became long and slender and nowhere near as cute. Facial details also changed completely, as can be seen in my next photo. White eyebrows appeared and even small ear-tufts.
We were also very lucky to see an American Three-toed Woodpecker in the same park.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park Shannon Terrace nature bird owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma Bird of prey Panasonic DMC-FZ18 Panasonic FZ18 FZ18 P1060462 FZ18 annkelliott SuperShot Fauna & Flora of FCPP Talkaboutwildlife.ca interestingness#281 explore2008February14 i500 SpecAnimal SOE Shield of Excellence NaturesFinest Explore BlueRibbonWinner Ysplix i500Verified
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