Added yesterday: off to the mountains for a few hours. The temperature for today is supposed to get up to 30C, but tomorrow 35C and the following day 37C! With no air-conditioning, this is not going to feel good. Will add descriptions, etc. later today.
Finally adding a brief description on 9 August 2018. The area we visited on 7 August was an 80-acre site near Bottrel, NW of Calgary. The site consisted of mostly open, low, hilly, ungrazed land, with a few Aspens and Spruce, and willows around three ponds (two of which were dry). On 25 May 2018, four people had visited this site for the first time - I had been unable to go, as I was spending the day with my daughter.
I believe this recent visit was the result of the owners winning a free bioblitz at a Silent Auction, in connection with the Ghost Valley Community. A great idea and always a win-win situation, with the land owners learning a lot about what is found on their land, and the leader and participants enjoying a visit to a different location.
Did you know that photographing mushrooms can be dangerous? I believe I knew this already and I was reminded of this on this bioblitz. Towards the end of our hike, I stopped to photograph a not particularly photogenic mushroom that was growing on a very slight incline. I took one step back to focus better and lost my balance - not sure if my foot went down into a shallow hole or if I was tripped up by one of the many very small, short tree stumps. Whatever the cause, I did a most inelegant, slow-motion fall backwards, hitting my head hard on the ground, surrounded by my friends. Because I was wearing a backpack, I think this resulted in some whiplash, with my head falling back. It was not pleasant to drive yesterday, especially each time I had to start off when traffic lights turned green. The muscles all around my neck and my shoulders are painful, but hopefully it will clear up before too long.
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Added yesterday: off to the mountains for a few hours. The temperature for today is supposed to get up to 30C, but tomorrow 35C and the following day 37C! With no air-conditioning, this is not going to feel good. Will add descriptions, etc. later today.
Finally adding a brief description on 9 August 2018. The area we visited on 7 August was an 80-acre site near Bottrel, NW of Calgary. The site consisted of mostly open, low, hilly, ungrazed land, with a few Aspens and Spruce, and willows around three ponds (two of which were dry). On 25 May 2018, four people had visited this site for the first time - I had been unable to go, as I was spending the day with my daughter. I am not sure if these are Aspen trees - the lower part of the trunk is so dark.
I believe this recent visit was the result of the owners winning a free bioblitz at a Silent Auction, in connection with the Ghost Valley Community. A great idea and always a win-win situation, with the land owners learning a lot about what is found on their land, and the leader and participants enjoying a visit to a different location.
Did you know that photographing mushrooms can be dangerous? I believe I knew this already and I was reminded of this on this bioblitz. Towards the end of our hike, I stopped to photograph a not particularly photogenic mushroom that was growing on a very slight incline. I took one step back to focus better and lost my balance - not sure if my foot went down into a shallow hole or if I was tripped up by one of the many very small, short tree stumps. Whatever the cause, I did a most inelegant, slow-motion fall backwards, hitting my head hard on the ground, surrounded by my friends. Because I was wearing a backpack, I think this resulted in some whiplash, with my head falling back. It was not pleasant to drive yesterday, especially each time I had to start off when traffic lights turned green. The muscles all around my neck and my shoulders are painful, but hopefully it will clear up before too long.
© All Rights Reserved
Added yesterday: off to the mountains for a few hours. The temperature for today is supposed to get up to 30C, but tomorrow 35C and the following day 37C! With no air-conditioning, this is not going to feel good. Will add descriptions, etc. later today.
Finally adding a brief description on 9 August 2018. The area we visited on 7 August was an 80-acre site near Bottrel, NW of Calgary. The site consisted of mostly open, low, hilly, ungrazed land, with a few Aspens and Spruce, and willows around three ponds (two of which were dry). On 25 May 2018, four people had visited this site for the first time - I had been unable to go, as I was spending the day with my daughter.
I believe this recent visit was the result of the owners winning a free bioblitz at a Silent Auction, in connection with the Ghost Valley Community. A great idea and always a win-win situation, with the land owners learning a lot about what is found on their land, and the leader and participants enjoying a visit to a different location.
One male adult Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and two juveniles were spotted in a distant tree. It had been a long time since I had last seen one of these woodpeckers.
"A widespread, medium-sized woodpecker, the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) gains its unusual name from its yellowish to creamy-white belly and its habit of drilling holes in the bark of trees, to feed on their sap." From Arkive.
www.arkive.org/yellow-bellied-sapsucker/sphyrapicus-varius/
Did you know that photographing mushrooms can be dangerous? I believe I knew this already and I was reminded of this on this bioblitz. Towards the end of our hike, I stopped to photograph a not particularly photogenic mushroom that was growing on a very slight incline. I took one step back to focus better and lost my balance - not sure if my foot went down into a shallow hole or if I was tripped up by one of the many very small, short tree stumps. Whatever the cause, I did a most inelegant, slow-motion fall backwards, hitting my head hard on the ground, surrounded by my friends. Because I was wearing a backpack, I think this resulted in some whiplash, with my head falling back. It was not pleasant to drive yesterday, especially each time I had to start off when traffic lights turned green. The muscles all around my neck and my shoulders are painful, but hopefully it will clear up before too long.
© All Rights Reserved
This morning, 11 August 2018, it is such a smoky day from the wildfires in British Columbia, and our temperature is only 19C so far, just before noon. Yesterday, it got up to 36.4C, which made it the hottest day EVER recorded in Calgary! The previous record was 36.1C in 1919. On top of the heat, the smoke from wildfires is making the heat even more unbearable, as well as producing poor visibility - and High Risk for the air quality today. Functioning in the heat, without air-conditioning, is not my strong point : )
Back to the bio-blitz on Lisa Harbinson' property for my photos today. I really need to get the rest of my remotely suitable shots taken that day edited and posted, so that I can send her the link to my album. That means I might just edit a few more photos and add them later today. It's too smoky to venture outside, so this will have to be another day at home.
There are 500 species of Allium in the world, only four of them here in Alberta. The species name "cernuum" refers to the crook in the flower stem. Apparently, it is one of the better-tasting wild onions.
The area we visited on 7 August was an 80-acre site (with 30 of that being hayfield) near Bottrel, NW of Calgary. The site consisted of mostly open, low, hilly, ungrazed land, with a few Aspens and Spruce, and willows around three ponds (two of which were dry). On 25 May 2018, four people had visited this site for the first time - I had been unable to go, as I was spending the day with my daughter.
I believe the original visit was the result of the owners winning a free bio-blitz at a Silent Auction, in connection with the Ghost Valley Community. A great idea and always a win-win situation, with the land owners learning a lot about what is found on their land, and the leader and participants enjoying a much-appreciated visit to a different location.
We were very lucky to see an adult male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with two juveniles. I rarely see one of these birds, but love to see the neat rows of small holes that they make on a tree trunk.
Did you know that photographing mushrooms can be dangerous? I believe I knew this already and I was reminded of this on this bio-blitz. Towards the end of our hike, I stopped to photograph a not particularly photogenic mushroom that was growing on a very slight incline. I took one step back to focus better and lost my balance - not sure if my foot went down into a shallow hole or if I was tripped up by one of the many very small, short tree stumps. Whatever the cause, I did a most inelegant, slow-motion fall backwards, hitting my head hard on the ground, surrounded by my friends. Because I was wearing a backpack, I think this resulted in some whiplash, with my head falling back. It was not pleasant to drive anywhere the next day, especially each time I had to start off when traffic lights turned green. The muscles all around my neck and my shoulders are painful, but hopefully it will clear up before too long.
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Usually, the Underwing Moth's distinctive colors are only displayed during flight and usually most Underwing Moths are active at night, spending the day resting upside down with their wings open against the bark of trees or stumps. I think I have only ever seen a moth like this one twice before. The common names given to species of Catocala are often fanciful and arbitrary.
This morning, 11 August 2018, it is such a smoky day from the wildfires in British Columbia, and our temperature is only 19C so far, just before noon. Yesterday, it got up to 36.4C, which made it the hottest day EVER recorded in Calgary! The previous record was 36.1C in 1919. On top of the heat, the smoke from wildfires is making the heat even more unbearable, as well as producing poor visibility - and High Risk for the air quality today. Functioning in the heat, without air-conditioning, is not my strong point : )
Back to the bio-blitz on Lisa Harbinson' property for my photos today. I really need to get the rest of my remotely suitable shots taken that day edited and posted, so that I can send her the link to my album. That means I might just edit a few more photos and add them later today. It's too smoky to venture outside, so this will have to be another day at home.
The area we visited on 7 August was an 80-acre site (with 30 of that being hayfield) near Bottrel, NW of Calgary. The site consisted of mostly open, low, hilly, ungrazed land, with a few Aspens and Spruce, and willows around three ponds (two of which were dry). On 25 May 2018, four people had visited this site for the first time - I had been unable to go, as I was spending the day with my daughter.
I believe this recent visit was the result of the owners winning a free bioblitz at a Silent Auction, in connection with the Ghost Valley Community. A great idea and always a win-win situation, with the land owners learning a lot about what is found on their land, and the leader and participants enjoying a much-appreciated visit to a different location.
We were very lucky to see an adult male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with two juveniles. I rarely see one of these birds, but love to see the neat rows of small holes that they make on a tree trunk.
Did you know that photographing mushrooms can be dangerous? I believe I knew this already and I was reminded of this on this bio-blitz. Towards the end of our hike, I stopped to photograph a not particularly photogenic mushroom that was growing on a very slight incline. I took one step back to focus better and lost my balance - not sure if my foot went down into a shallow hole or if I was tripped up by one of the many very small, short tree stumps. Whatever the cause, I did a most inelegant, slow-motion fall backwards, hitting my head hard on the ground, surrounded by my friends. Because I was wearing a backpack, I think this resulted in some whiplash, with my head falling back. It was not pleasant to drive anywhere the next day, especially each time I had to start off when traffic lights turned green. The muscles all around my neck and my shoulders are painful, but hopefully it will clear up before too long.
Tags: Alberta Canada E of Bottrel Lisa Harbinson's property bio-blitz nature insect moth Underwing Once-married Underwing left front wing missing resting grass leaves macro close-up texture pattern outdoor summer 7 August 2018 FZ200 FZ200#4 Panasonic Lumix annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2018 © All Rights Reserved
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