Maybe a week ago, my daughter and a friend went to the Calgary Farmyard for a visit. My intention had been to do this for the last few years, but somehow it just never happened. I tend to think of it as a place to visit around Halloween. Until I saw my daughter's photos, I didn't realize that the farm also has a sunflower area as well as a Corn Maze, which I knew about. Nothing would ever get me into a Corn Maze - with no sense of direction, I would never find my way out.

Two nights ago, on 29 August 2020, I took another look at their website and saw that yesterday was going to be their last day being open in summer. So, on the spur of the moment, I dashed out east of the city, found the farm, and luckily found an empty parking spot. Tons of people with young kids, but still plenty of space to be distanced from everyone. All sorts of thing for kids to climb in and on. Farm animals and the sunflowers were what I headed for. The sunflowers had mostly passed their prime, so photos looking over a field of flower heads resulted in very colourless, uninspiring images. The plants that still had bright yellow flowers were being enjoyed by endless bees.

Llamas are one of my favourite farm animals to see and photograph, though these ones were not being very cooperative. Nearby goats were entertaining and offered a few photo opportunities.

After I left the farm. there was still plenty of time to drive the backroads. A couple of beautiful Hawks - one a Swainson's and the other a Red-tailed Hawk, I think - made the drive worthwhile.

Tags:   Alberta Canada E of Calgary Calgary Farmyard plant flora flower Sunflower yellow close-up macro insect bee bright colour outdoor summer 30 August 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

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Maybe a week ago, my daughter and a friend went to the Calgary Farmyard for a visit. My intention had been to do this for the last few years, but somehow it just never happened. I tend to think of it as a place to visit around Halloween. Until I saw my daughter's photos, I didn't realize that the farm also has a sunflower area as well as a Corn Maze, which I knew about. Nothing would ever get me into a Corn Maze - with no sense of direction, I would never find my way out.

Two nights ago, on 29 August 2020, I took another look at their website and saw that yesterday was going to be their last day being open in summer. So, on the spur of the moment, I dashed out east of the city, found the farm, and luckily found an empty parking spot. Tons of people with young kids, but still plenty of space to be distanced from everyone. All sorts of thing for kids to climb in and on. Farm animals and the sunflowers were what I headed for. The sunflowers had mostly passed their prime, so photos looking over a field of flower heads resulted in very colourless, uninspiring images. The plants that still had bright yellow flowers were being enjoyed by endless bees.

Llamas are one of my favourite farm animals to see and photograph, though these ones were not being very cooperative. Nearby goats were entertaining and offered a few photo opportunities.

After I left the farm. there was still plenty of time to drive the backroads. A couple of beautiful Hawks - one a Swainson's and the other a Red-tailed Hawk, I think - made the drive worthwhile.

© All Rights Reserved

Maybe a week ago, my daughter and a friend went to the Calgary Farmyard for a visit. My intention had been to do this for the last few years, but somehow it just never happened. I tend to think of it as a place to visit around Halloween. Until I saw my daughter's photos, I didn't realize that the farm also has a sunflower area as well as a Corn Maze, which I knew about. Nothing would ever get me into a Corn Maze - with no sense of direction, I would never find my way out.

Two nights ago, on 29 August 2020, I took another look at their website and saw that yesterday was going to be their last day being open in summer. So, on the spur of the moment, I dashed out east of the city, found the farm, and luckily found an empty parking spot. Tons of people with young kids, but still plenty of space to be distanced from everyone. All sorts of thing for kids to climb in and on. Farm animals and the sunflowers were what I headed for. The sunflowers had mostly passed their prime, so photos looking over a field of flower heads resulted in very colourless, uninspiring images. The plants that still had bright yellow flowers were being enjoyed by endless bees.

Llamas are one of my favourite farm animals to see and photograph, though these ones were not being very cooperative. Nearby goats were entertaining and offered a few photo opportunities.

After I left the farm. there was still plenty of time to drive the backroads. A couple of beautiful Hawks - one a Swainson's and the other a Red-tailed Hawk, I think - made the drive worthwhile.

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This was taken, sitting in my car, from the far side of the farmyard. I couldn't believe my eyes when I thought I saw a shape sitting in the window. Pulling over, I was thrilled to see this cute Great Horned owlet. Over the last few years, I have spotted an adult perched in the frame in two different years, so I always check when I happen to be in the area. This is private land, but I would not have driven any closer anyway, not wanting to stress out this little owl.

Maybe a week ago, my daughter and a friend went to the Calgary Farmyard for a visit. My intention had been to do this for the last few years, but somehow it just never happened. I tend to think of it as a place to visit around Halloween. Until I saw my daughter's photos, I didn't realize that the farm also has a sunflower area as well as a Corn Maze, which I knew about. Nothing would ever get me into a Corn Maze - with no sense of direction, I would never find my way out.

Two nights ago, on 29 August 2020, I took another look at their website and saw that yesterday was going to be their last day being open in summer. So, on the spur of the moment, I dashed out east of the city, found the farm, and luckily found an empty parking spot. Tons of people with young kids, but still plenty of space to be distanced from everyone. All sorts of thing for kids to climb in and on. Farm animals and the sunflowers were what I headed for. The sunflowers had mostly passed their prime, so photos looking over a field of flower heads resulted in very colourless, uninspiring images. The plants that still had bright yellow flowers were being enjoyed by endless bees.

Llamas are one of my favourite farm animals to see and photograph, though these ones were not being very cooperative. Nearby goats were entertaining and offered a few photo opportunities.

After I left the farm. there was still plenty of time to drive the backroads. A couple of beautiful Hawks - one a Swainson's and the other a Red-tailed Hawk, I think - made the drive worthwhile.

Tags:   Alberta Canada E of Calgary old building structure window nature wildlife avian ornithology bird bird of prey owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus owlet young front/side view video outdoor summer 30 August 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

This was taken, sitting in my car, from the far side of the farmyard. I couldn't believe my eyes when I thought I saw a shape sitting in the window. Pulling over, I was thrilled to see this cute Great Horned owlet. Over the last few years, I have spotted an adult perched in the frame in two different years, so I always check when I happen to be in the area. This is private land, but I would not have driven any closer anyway, not wanting to stress out this little owl. Its eyes kept closing and I think it wanted to go to sleep.

Maybe a week ago, my daughter and a friend went to the Calgary Farmyard for a visit. My intention had been to do this for the last few years, but somehow it just never happened. I tend to think of it as a place to visit around Halloween. Until I saw my daughter's photos, I didn't realize that the farm also has a sunflower area as well as a Corn Maze. Nothing would ever get me into a Corn Maze - with no sense of direction, I would never find my way out.

Two nights ago, on 29 August 2020, I took another look at their website and saw that yesterday was going to be their last day being open in summer. So, on the spur of the moment, I dashed out east of the city, found the farm, and luckily found an empty parking spot. Tons of people with young kids, but still plenty of space to be distanced from everyone. All sorts of thing for kids to climb in and on. Farm animals and the sunflowers were what I headed for. The sunflowers had mostly passed their prime, so photos looking over a field of flower heads resulted in very colourless, uninspiring images. The plants that still had bright yellow flowers were being enjoyed by endless bees.

Llamas are one of my favourite farm animals to see and photograph, though these ones were not being very cooperative. Nearby goats were entertaining and offered a few photo opportunities.

After I left the farm. there was still plenty of time to drive the backroads. A couple of beautiful Hawks - one a Swainson's and the other a Red-tailed Hawk, I think - made the drive worthwhile.

Tags:   Alberta Canada E of Calgary old building structure window nature wildlife avian ornithology bird bird of prey owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus owlet young front/side view outdoor summer 30 August 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved