HAPPY 4th JULY to all Americans! I wish you all safe celebrations.

This morning, I have added six photos that were taken yesterday, 3 July 2020. Pretty much poor quality images, but I have posted them just to document my day.

The weather forecast was for several rainy days in a row, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day. Now I see that the forecast has changed and it only shows two rainy days. This week, I am having to be careful about how many kilometres I drive, as I don't want to mess up my car warranty. The maintenance light came on a few days ago and I have to wait a week for an appointment.

Yesterday, however, I decided to drive west of the city, just into the eastern edge of the mountains. It's not a long drive and I was hoping to find some wildflowers before they all go to seed.

What a nightmare few hours, as I think half of Calgary decided to do this trip. So many cars and so many people. Parking lots were overflowing and the main highway was lined with parked cars in many places.

My first stop was at a forested area to have a quick look for wildflowers and to see if there were any fungi that had started growing yet. Very little variety in wildflowers, and I only came across one single mushroom plus a little group of a different species.

From there, I kept driving till I reached my destination, Forgetmenot Pond. This is actually a man-made pond, left over from the excavation of a gravel pit. The water is crystal clear. It's just a short walk around the pond, but enjoyable to do. The main road this far into Kananaskis only opens in June each year, as a winter gate at Elbow Falls closes in December for the winter months, to protect the wildlife in the area. Yesterday, though, the path around the pond had a lot of people on it, and some people (families?) had actually set up various tents near the path. I had to keep walking through the trees to avoid everyone. As for Elbow Falls, there were so many cars there that there was no way I was going to even call in briefly. This was a Friday, not even a busy weekend day. I suspect this is what it is going to be like the whole of the summer - yikes!

I found the following 4-minute video on YouTube, taken by Kenneth Lori using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter and taken on 16 June 2016. It travels over Forgetmenot Pond and the surrounding river and mountains. So beautiful.

youtu.be/fEamf0nDXt4

It was such a contrast to drive a few of my favourite roads closer to home. A few cyclists and a few cars, but, in between them, it was so quiet and peaceful. Felt so good. There was even one Snipe on a fence post to make this extra bit of driving worthwhile. Not that I need any more Snipe photos to post : )

Two of the Mountain Bluebird families had vacated their nest boxes. I had a feeling that I was going to miss their fledging - this is what usually happens each year! However, I was so happy to spot a tiny Bluebird fledgling huddled right against the top of a fence post. Just trying to keep safe. And then, suddenly, it was no longer there. I didn't see it fly and I thought it may have dropped down into the grass. However, when I turned my car around to the other side of the road, i found a fledgling (same one?) down in the field, in an area of dried mud rather than tall grass. SO cute.

To help support a small pub/restaurant in the area, I called in and got take-out. One of the young women who work in the cafe was excited to tell me that they now have homemade chili on the menu again. The minestrone soup is also good.

There was still time, after taking a few photos of some of the usual birds, to drive on a road that I have driven so many times before, but not for a while. Happy to see a beautiful Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence post.

Finally reached home around 5:00 pm, after driving roughly 185 km since 9:30 am. So, not a really long drive, and one that still leaves me with more spare distance before my car goes in on Tuesday. Hopefully, that will be that, for the rest of the year!!

Tags:   Alberta Canada west of Calgary nature flora plant flower wildflower yellow False Dandelion? Agoseris glauca? flower head macro close-up forest bokeh outdoor summer 3 July 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

HAPPY 4th JULY to all Americans!

Yesterday morning, I heard a bit of a squabble outside and saw a Magpie arguing with several Rock Doves/Pigeons. I love how Rock Doves vary in colour and pattern.

This morning, I have added six photos that were taken yesterday, 3 July 2020. Pretty much poor quality images, but I have posted them just to document my day.

The weather forecast was for several rainy days in a row, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day. Now I see that the forecast has changed and it only shows two rainy days. This week, I am having to be careful about how many kilometres I drive, as I don't want to mess up my car warranty. The maintenance light came on a few days ago and I have to wait a week for an appointment.

Yesterday, however, I decided to drive west of the city, just into the eastern edge of the mountains. It's not a long drive and I was hoping to find some wildflowers before they all go to seed.

What a nightmare few hours, as I think half of Calgary decided to do this trip. So many cars and so many people. Parking lots were overflowing and the main highway was lined with parked cars in many places.

My first stop was at a forested area to have a quick look for wildflowers and to see if there were any fungi that had started growing yet. Very little variety in wildflowers, and I only came across one single mushroom plus a little group of a different species.

From there, I kept driving till I reached my destination, Forgetmenot Pond. This is actually a man-made pond, left over from the excavation of a gravel pit. The water is crystal clear. It's just a short walk around the pond, but enjoyable to do. The main road this far into Kananaskis only opens in June each year, as a winter gate at Elbow Falls closes in December for the winter months, to protect the wildlife in the area. Yesterday, though, the path around the pond had a lot of people on it, and some people (families?) had actually set up various tents near the path. I had to keep walking through the trees to avoid everyone. As for Elbow Falls, there were so many cars there that there was no way I was going to even call in briefly. This was a Friday, not even a busy weekend day. I suspect this is what it is going to be like the whole of the summer - yikes!

I found the following 4-minute video on YouTube, taken by Kenneth Lori using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter and taken on 16 June 2016. It travels over Forgetmenot Pond and the surrounding river and mountains. So beautiful.

youtu.be/fEamf0nDXt4

It was such a contrast to drive a few of my favourite roads closer to home. A few cyclists and a few cars, but, in between them, it was so quiet and peaceful. Felt so good. There was even one Snipe on a fence post to make this extra bit of driving worthwhile. Not that I need any more Snipe photos to post : )

Two of the Mountain Bluebird families had vacated their nest boxes. I had a feeling that I was going to miss their fledging - this is what usually happens each year! However, I was so happy to spot a tiny Bluebird fledgling huddled right against the top of a fence post. Just trying to keep safe. And then, suddenly, it was no longer there. I didn't see it fly and I thought it may have dropped down into the grass. However, when I turned my car around to the other side of the road, i found a fledgling (same one?) down in the field, in an area of dried mud rather than tall grass. SO cute.

To help support a small pub/restaurant in the area, I called in and got take-out. One of the young women who work in the cafe was excited to tell me that they now have homemade chili on the menu again. The minestrone soup is also good.

There was still time, after taking a few photos of some of the usual birds, to drive on a road that I have driven so many times before, but not for a while. Happy to see a beautiful Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence post.

Finally reached home around 5:00 pm, after driving roughly 185 km since 9:30 am. So, not a really long drive, and one that still leaves me with more spare distance before my car goes in on Tuesday. Hopefully, that will be that, for the rest of the year!!

© All Rights Reserved

HAPPY 4th JULY to all Americans!

Yesterday started and ended with a Jackrabbit : ) This one was playing behind my house with three others when I first got up. At the end of the day, when I arrived home, one was resting, stretched out on the cool soil at the front of my place.

This morning, I have added six photos that were taken yesterday, 3 July 2020. Pretty much poor quality/terrible images, but I have posted them just to document my day.

The weather forecast was for several rainy days in a row, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day. Now I see that the forecast has changed and it only shows two rainy days. This week, I am having to be careful about how many kilometres I drive, as I don't want to mess up my car warranty. The maintenance light came on a few days ago and I have to wait a week for an appointment.

Yesterday, however, I decided to drive west of the city, just into the eastern edge of the mountains. It's not a long drive and I was hoping to find some wildflowers before they all go to seed.

What a nightmare few hours, as I think half of Calgary decided to do this trip. So many cars and so many people. Parking lots were overflowing and the main highway was lined with parked cars in many places.

My first stop was at a forested area to have a quick look for wildflowers and to see if there were any fungi that had started growing yet. Very little variety in wildflowers, and I only came across one single mushroom plus a little group of a different species.

From there, I kept driving till I reached my destination, Forgetmenot Pond. This is actually a man-made pond, left over from the excavation of a gravel pit. The water is crystal clear. It's just a short walk around the pond, but enjoyable to do. The main road this far into Kananaskis only opens in June each year, as a winter gate at Elbow Falls closes in December for the winter months, to protect the wildlife in the area. Yesterday, though, the path around the pond had a lot of people on it, and some people (families?) had actually set up various tents near the path. I had to keep walking through the trees to avoid everyone. As for Elbow Falls, there were so many cars there that there was no way I was going to even call in briefly. This was a Friday, not even a busy weekend day. I suspect this is what it is going to be like the whole of the summer - yikes!

I found the following 4-minute video on YouTube, taken by Kenneth Lori using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter and taken on 16 June 2016. It travels over Forgetmenot Pond and the surrounding river and mountains. So beautiful.

youtu.be/fEamf0nDXt4

It was such a contrast to drive a few of my favourite roads closer to home. A few cyclists and a few cars, but, in between them, it was so quiet and peaceful. Felt so good. There was even one Snipe on a fence post to make this extra bit of driving worthwhile. Not that I need any more Snipe photos to post : )

Two of the Mountain Bluebird families had vacated their nest boxes. I had a feeling that I was going to miss their fledging - this is what usually happens each year! However, I was so happy to spot a tiny Bluebird fledgling huddled right against the top of a fence post. Just trying to keep safe. And then, suddenly, it was no longer there. I didn't see it fly and I thought it may have dropped down into the grass. However, when I turned my car around to the other side of the road, i found a fledgling (same one?) down in the field, in an area of dried mud rather than tall grass. SO cute.

To help support a small pub/restaurant in the area, I called in and got take-out. One of the young women who work in the cafe was excited to tell me that they now have homemade chili on the menu again. The minestrone soup is also good.

There was still time, after taking a few photos of some of the usual birds, to drive on a road that I have driven so many times before, but not for a while. Happy to see a beautiful Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence post.

Finally reached home around 5:00 pm, after driving roughly 185 km since 9:30 am. So, not a really long drive, and one that still leaves me with more spare distance before my car goes in on Tuesday. Hopefully, that will be that, for the rest of the year!!

Tags:   Calgary Alberta Canada nature animal wildlife wild animal Jackrabbit behind my house outdoor summer 3 July 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

HAPPY 4th JULY to all Americans!

This morning, I have added six photos that were taken yesterday, 3 July 2020. Pretty much poor quality images, but I have posted them just to document my day.

The weather forecast was for several rainy days in a row, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day. Now I see that the forecast has changed and it only shows two rainy days. This week, I am having to be careful about how many kilometres I drive, as I don't want to mess up my car warranty. The maintenance light came on a few days ago and I have to wait a week for an appointment.

Yesterday, however, I decided to drive west of the city, just into the eastern edge of the mountains. It's not a long drive and I was hoping to find some wildflowers before they all go to seed.

What a nightmare few hours, as I think half of Calgary decided to do this trip. So many cars and so many people. Parking lots were overflowing and the main highway was lined with parked cars in many places.

My first stop was at a forested area to have a quick look for wildflowers and to see if there were any fungi that had started growing yet. Very little variety in wildflowers, and I only came across one single mushroom plus a little group of a different species.

From there, I kept driving till I reached my destination, Forgetmenot Pond. This is actually a man-made pond, left over from the excavation of a gravel pit. The water is crystal clear. It's just a short walk around the pond, but enjoyable to do. The main road this far into Kananaskis only opens in June each year, as a winter gate at Elbow Falls closes in December for the winter months, to protect the wildlife in the area. Yesterday, though, the path around the pond had a lot of people on it, and some people (families?) had actually set up various tents near the path. I had to keep walking through the trees to avoid everyone. As for Elbow Falls, there were so many cars there that there was no way I was going to even call in briefly. This was a Friday, not even a busy weekend day. I suspect this is what it is going to be like the whole of the summer - yikes!

I found the following 4-minute video on YouTube, taken by Kenneth Lori using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter and taken on 16 June 2016. It travels over Forgetmenot Pond and the surrounding river and mountains. So beautiful.

youtu.be/fEamf0nDXt4

It was such a contrast to drive a few of my favourite roads closer to home. A few cyclists and a few cars, but, in between them, it was so quiet and peaceful. Felt so good. There was even one Snipe on a fence post to make this extra bit of driving worthwhile. Not that I need any more Snipe photos to post : )

Two of the Mountain Bluebird families had vacated their nest boxes. I had a feeling that I was going to miss their fledging - this is what usually happens each year! However, I was so happy to spot a tiny Bluebird fledgling huddled right against the top of a fence post. Just trying to keep safe. And then, suddenly, it was no longer there. I didn't see it fly and I thought it may have dropped down into the grass. However, when I turned my car around to the other side of the road, i found a fledgling (same one?) down in the field, in an area of dried mud rather than tall grass. SO cute.

To help support a small pub/restaurant in the area, I called in and got take-out. One of the young women who work in the cafe was excited to tell me that they now have homemade chili on the menu again. The minestrone soup is also good.

There was still time, after taking a few photos of some of the usual birds, to drive on a road that I have driven so many times before, but not for a while. Happy to see a beautiful Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence post.

Finally reached home around 5:00 pm, after driving roughly 185 km since 9:30 am. So, not a really long drive, and one that still leaves me with more spare distance before my car goes in on Tuesday. Hopefully, that will be that, for the rest of the year!!

© All Rights Reserved

HAPPY 4th JULY to all Americans!

This morning, I have added six photos that were taken yesterday, 3 July 2020. Pretty much poor quality images, but I have posted them just to document my day.

The weather forecast was for several rainy days in a row, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day. Now I see that the forecast has changed and it only shows two rainy days. This week, I am having to be careful about how many kilometres I drive, as I don't want to mess up my car warranty. The maintenance light came on a few days ago and I have to wait a week for an appointment.

Yesterday, however, I decided to drive west of the city, just into the eastern edge of the mountains. It's not a long drive and I was hoping to find some wildflowers before they all go to seed.

What a nightmare few hours, as I think half of Calgary decided to do this trip. So many cars and so many people. Parking lots were overflowing and the main highway was lined with parked cars in many places.

My first stop was at a forested area to have a quick look for wildflowers and to see if there were any fungi that had started growing yet. Very little variety in wildflowers, and I only came across one single mushroom plus a little group of a different species.

From there, I kept driving till I reached my destination, Forgetmenot Pond. This is actually a man-made pond, left over from the excavation of a gravel pit. The water is crystal clear. It's just a short walk around the pond, but enjoyable to do. The main road this far into Kananaskis only opens in June each year, as a winter gate at Elbow Falls closes in December for the winter months, to protect the wildlife in the area. Yesterday, though, the path around the pond had a lot of people on it, and some people (families?) had actually set up various tents near the path. I had to keep walking through the trees to avoid everyone. As for Elbow Falls, there were so many cars there that there was no way I was going to even call in briefly. This was a Friday, not even a busy weekend day. I suspect this is what it is going to be like the whole of the summer - yikes!

I found the following 4-minute video on YouTube, taken by Kenneth Lori using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional quadcopter and taken on 16 June 2016. It travels over Forgetmenot Pond and the surrounding river and mountains. So beautiful.

youtu.be/fEamf0nDXt4

It was such a contrast to drive a few of my favourite roads closer to home. A few cyclists and a few cars, but, in between them, it was so quiet and peaceful. Felt so good. There was even one Snipe on a fence post to make this extra bit of driving worthwhile. Not that I need any more Snipe photos to post : )

Two of the Mountain Bluebird families had vacated their nest boxes. I had a feeling that I was going to miss their fledging - this is what usually happens each year! However, I was so happy to spot a tiny Bluebird fledgling huddled right against the top of a fence post. Just trying to keep safe. And then, suddenly, it was no longer there. I didn't see it fly and I thought it may have dropped down into the grass. However, when I turned my car around to the other side of the road, i found a fledgling (same one?) down in the field, in an area of dried mud rather than tall grass. SO cute.

To help support a small pub/restaurant in the area, I called in and got take-out. One of the young women who work in the cafe was excited to tell me that they now have homemade chili on the menu again. The minestrone soup is also good.

There was still time, after taking a few photos of some of the usual birds, to drive on a road that I have driven so many times before, but not for a while. Happy to see a beautiful Swainson's Hawk perched on a fence post.

Finally reached home around 5:00 pm, after driving roughly 185 km since 9:30 am. So, not a really long drive, and one that still leaves me with more spare distance before my car goes in on Tuesday. Hopefully, that will be that, for the rest of the year!!

© All Rights Reserved