Friday, 8 July 2022: today is the start of the 10-day Calgary Stampede. This year, the Parade this morning is being led by actor, Kevin Costner, as Parade Marshal.

"Thursday, 7 July 2022, continues a stormy stretch on the Prairies with a renewed threat for severe storms across Alberta. Tornadoes are possible. Stay alert!" From the Weather Network. Calgary was in the risk area for one or two tornadoes this afternoon, as well as very large hail. Really wished I didn't have two appointments mid to late afternoon. What a drive it was! The heavy rain started when I was driving north to pick up an ordered meal from Forage Foods in Marda Loop. A bit of hail in with the rain, but thank goodness no large hailstones. As I pulled into the parking lot, there was an almighty thunderclap - just one and no more. The drive home was the same torrential rain until I was almost home. When I reached home, there was no water evidence anywhere at all. Part way home, a beautiful rainbow formed in the distance and it was interesting to see how a small rainbow formed each time a car drove through the water on the road and sent the water flying. Unfortunately, I was on a major highway at rush hour, so there was no chance to stop and take a photo. I was glad to get home!

Yesterday, 6 July 2022, I spent some time at the Saskatoon Farm and then drove a little further SE of Calgary to drive a few familiar roads. Turned out to be a gloomy afternoon, with rain. Managed a few photos, though.

The most exciting find was a very distant American Badger, out in the middle of a huge field. I still can't believe that I actually spotted it. The field was a mix of dark soil and green. I just caught sight of some movement,that looked like maybe a dog. Definitely not a Coyote, as it was very low to the ground. When I finally managed to find it through my viewfinder, I was in shock - a Badger? Spent a little time pulled over in my car, watching it once it reached its sett (den). For a while, it kept looking out. It was almost playing "hide-and-seek" with a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, which came within maybe three feet or so of the den. Each animal was well aware of the presence of the other. I sat there, wondering if I might witness a rather unpleasant capture, but nothing happened. Photos and video are all poor quality given the distance and gloom and rain. However, I was thrilled to bits to experience this. This was only my seventh Badger seen in many years. Sat in my car with the windows down to take photos, of course, and my car quickly filled with annoying, buzzing mosquitoes, ha.

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"Thursday, 7 July 2022, continues a stormy stretch on the Prairies with a renewed threat for severe storms across Alberta. Tornadoes are possible. Stay alert!" From the Weather Network. Calgary was in the risk area for one or two tornadoes this afternoon, as well as very large hail. Really wished I didn't have two appointments mid to late afternoon. What a drive it was! The heavy rain started when I was driving north to pick up an ordered meal from Forage Foods in Marda Loop. A bit of hail in with the rain, but thank goodness no large hailstones. As I pulled into the parking lot, there was an almighty thunderclap - just one and no more. The drive home was the same torrential rain until I was almost home. When I reached home, there was no water evidence anywhere at all. Part way home, a beautiful rainbow formed in the distance and it was interesting to see how a small rainbow formed each time a car drove through the water on the road and sent the water flying. Unfortunately, I was on a major highway at rush hour, so there was no chance to stop and take a photo. I was glad to get home!

Yesterday, 6 July 2022, I spent some time at the Saskatoon Farm and then drove a little further SE of Calgary to drive a few familiar roads. Turned out to be a gloomy afternoon, with rain. Managed a few photos, though.

The most exciting find was a very distant American Badger, out in the middle of a huge field. I still can't believe that I actually spotted it. The field was a mix of dark soil and green. I just caught sight of some movement,that looked like maybe a dog. Definitely not a Coyote, as it was very low to the ground. When I finally managed to find it through my viewfinder, I was in shock - a Badger? Spent a little time pulled over in my car, watching it once it reached its sett (den). For a while, it kept looking out. It was almost playing "hide-and-seek" with a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, which came within maybe three feet or so of the den. Each animal was well aware of the presence of the other. I sat there, wondering if I might witness a rather unpleasant capture, but nothing happened. Photos and video are all poor quality given the distance and gloom and rain. However, I was thrilled to bits to experience this. This was only my seventh Badger seen in many years. Sat in my car with the windows down to take photos, of course, and my car quickly filled with annoying, buzzing mosquitoes, ha.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary farm field agriculture crop Canola yellow golden

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"Thursday, 7 July 2022, continues a stormy stretch on the Prairies with a renewed threat for severe storms across Alberta. Tornadoes are possible. Stay alert!" From the Weather Network. Calgary was in the risk area for one or two tornadoes this afternoon, as well as very large hail. Really wished I didn't have two appointments mid to late afternoon. What a drive it was! The heavy rain started when I was driving north to pick up an ordered meal from Forage Foods in Marda Loop. A bit of hail in with the rain, but thank goodness no large hailstones. As I pulled into the parking lot, there was an almighty thunderclap - just one and no more. The drive home was the same torrential rain until I was almost home. When I reached home, there was no water evidence anywhere at all. Part way home, a beautiful rainbow formed in the distance and it was interesting to see how a small rainbow formed each time a car drove through the water on the road and sent the water flying. Unfortunately, I was on a major highway at rush hour, so there was no chance to stop and take a photo. I was glad to get home!

Yesterday, 6 July 2022, I spent some time at the Saskatoon Farm and then drove a little further SE of Calgary to drive a few familiar roads. Turned out to be a gloomy afternoon, with rain. Managed a few photos, though.

The most exciting find was a very distant American Badger, out in the middle of a huge field. I still can't believe that I actually spotted it. The field was a mix of dark soil and green. I just caught sight of some movement,that looked like maybe a dog. Definitely not a Coyote, as it was very low to the ground. When I finally managed to find it through my viewfinder, I was in shock - a Badger? Spent a little time pulled over in my car, watching it once it reached its sett (den). For a while, it kept looking out. It was almost playing "hide-and-seek" with a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, which came within maybe three feet or so of the den. Each animal was well aware of the presence of the other. I sat there, wondering if I might witness a rather unpleasant capture, but nothing happened. Photos and video are all poor quality given the distance and gloom and rain. However, I was thrilled to bits to experience this. This was only my seventh Badger seen in many years. Sat in my car with the windows down to take photos, of course, and my car quickly filled with annoying, buzzing mosquitoes, ha.

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"Thursday, 7 July 2022, continues a stormy stretch on the Prairies with a renewed threat for severe storms across Alberta. Tornadoes are possible. Stay alert!" From the Weather Network. Calgary was in the risk area for one or two tornadoes this afternoon, as well as very large hail. Really wished I didn't have two appointments mid to late afternoon. What a drive it was! The heavy rain started when I was driving north to pick up an ordered meal from Forage Foods in Marda Loop. A bit of hail in with the rain, but thank goodness no large hailstones. As I pulled into the parking lot, there was an almighty thunderclap - just one and no more. The drive home was the same torrential rain until I was almost home. When I reached home, there was no water evidence anywhere at all. Part way home, a beautiful rainbow formed in the distance and it was interesting to see how a small rainbow formed each time a car drove through the water on the road and sent the water flying. Unfortunately, I was on a major highway at rush hour, so there was no chance to stop and take a photo. I was glad to get home!

Yesterday, 6 July 2022, I spent some time at the Saskatoon Farm and then drove a little further SE of Calgary to drive a few familiar roads. Turned out to be a gloomy afternoon, with rain. Managed a few photos, though.

The most exciting find was a very distant American Badger, out in the middle of a huge field. I still can't believe that I actually spotted it. The field was a mix of dark soil and green. I just caught sight of some movement,that looked like maybe a dog. Definitely not a Coyote, as it was very low to the ground. When I finally managed to find it through my viewfinder, I was in shock - a Badger? Spent a little time pulled over in my car, watching it once it reached its sett (den). For a while, it kept looking out. It was almost playing "hide-and-seek" with a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, which came within maybe three feet or so of the den. Each animal was well aware of the presence of the other. I sat there, wondering if I might witness a rather unpleasant capture, but nothing happened. Photos and video are all poor quality given the distance and gloom and rain. However, I was thrilled to bits to experience this. This was only my seventh Badger seen in many years. Sat in my car with the windows down to take photos, of course, and my car quickly filled with annoying, buzzing mosquitoes, ha.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary nature wildlife badger American Badger in its sett (den) very distant field soil camouflage outdoor 6 July 2022 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott

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"Thursday, 7 July 2022, continues a stormy stretch on the Prairies with a renewed threat for severe storms across Alberta. Tornadoes are possible. Stay alert!" From the Weather Network. Calgary was in the risk area for one or two tornadoes this afternoon, as well as very large hail. Really wished I didn't have two appointments mid to late afternoon. What a drive it was! The heavy rain started when I was driving north to pick up an ordered meal from Forage Foods in Marda Loop. A bit of hail in with the rain, but thank goodness no large hailstones. As I pulled into the parking lot, there was an almighty thunderclap - just one and no more. The drive home was the same torrential rain until I was almost home. When I reached home, there was no water evidence anywhere at all. Part way home, a beautiful rainbow formed in the distance and it was interesting to see how a small rainbow formed each time a car drove through the water on the road and sent the water flying. Unfortunately, I was on a major highway at rush hour, so there was no chance to stop and take a photo. I was glad to get home!

Yesterday, 6 July 2022, I spent some time at the Saskatoon Farm and then drove a little further SE of Calgary to drive a few familiar roads. Turned out to be a gloomy afternoon, with rain. Managed a few photos, though.

The most exciting find was a very distant American Badger, out in the middle of a huge field. I still can't believe that I actually spotted it. The field was a mix of dark soil and green. I just caught sight of some movement,that looked like maybe a dog. Definitely not a Coyote, as it was very low to the ground. When I finally managed to find it through my viewfinder, I was in shock - a Badger? Spent a little time pulled over in my car, watching it once it reached its sett (den). For a while, it kept looking out. It was almost playing "hide-and-seek" with a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, which came within maybe three feet or so of the den. Each animal was well aware of the presence of the other. I sat there, wondering if I might witness a rather unpleasant capture, but nothing happened. Photos and video are all poor quality given the distance and gloom and rain. However, I was thrilled to bits to experience this. This was only my seventh Badger seen in many years. Sat in my car with the windows down to take photos, of course, and my car quickly filled with annoying, buzzing mosquitoes, ha.

Tags:   Alberta Canada SE of Calgary Saskatoon Farm flowers garden colour color colorful macro close-up

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