Standing tall

One of my favourite kinds of mushroom to photograph : ) They are so tiny (maybe three-quarters of an inch tall) and delicate and grow on leaf litter. This, and other similar ones, were found at Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Park, on September 12th.

Was out for a three hours+ walk from Votier's Flats to Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, this morning, to check for birds (and anything else, of course). We were thrilled to bits to see a tiny, pop-can sized Northern Pygmy Owl perched on the very top of a very tall Spruce tree! SO good to know that at least one of these little owls has returned to the same area. They have given us so much enjoyment the last three+ years. Two of us had a Northern Goshawk male fly right past us, not much above head height and very close. Such a magnificent bird of prey. It was one of those magical moments that you are so in awe of what is happening that you don't even think about trying to get a photo! Also watched a couple of Coyotes in the distance. The morning started off chilly, but the sun warmed us up later on and it felt so good to be out in this lovely October weather. I was walking in snow yesterday afternoon, west of the city, down Elbow Falls Trail (Highway 66), LOL. It felt strange to be kneeling in snow to take photos of some little Split Gill fungi on a log, out at Maclean Pond. Much prefer the snow-free city paths, though snow is in our forecast in the coming week. I need to go and wash off all the mud from my vehicle in a short while, in case I do go ahead with arranging to get a remote car starter installed.