When the world is a big, strange place

..... and your little legs get tired easily, lol! This little Canada Goose gosling was one of several that were busy feeding along a gravel roadway in Bridlewood, right next to a road. My heart would miss a beat each time one of these youngsters moved closer and closer to the main road, but somehow they seemed to know that they mustn't go any further. Both Mom and Dad were, of course, keeping very close watch over them. In fact, one of them was only a couple of feet away from this little one. I noticed that some of the goslings had these striped markings on their neck - anyone happen to know if this is a male/female thing?

Needed a day at home today after a very long day trip yesterday that lasted about 13 hours : ) A two and a quarter hour drive south of Calgary took a few of us to the Small Whaleback, where the beautiful, rolling hills were covered in carpets of wildflowers. Our walks are always very slow, while we search for and record all plants, insects, birds, mammals, etc.. Even so, at the end of our hike, I managed to hobble the last few feet and was luckily able to collapse on the low trailer that we discovered parked in the parking lot. Fortunately, the owner didn't return before the rest of our group returned to the cars a short while later - it felt SO good to be able to sit down! What a beautiful area this is and I am so grateful to have had the chance to visit and explore a few of the hillside slopes and meadows. The weather was beautiful - sunny but not too hot and a lovely cool breeze that felt really good but was a bit of a pain when it came to taking flower and insect photos! Thanks so much, Moya, for leading this amazing trip and for driving some of us there and back.

Today, last night's rain continues. Too bad for anyone going down to the Stampede Grounds today. I keep forgetting that it's the Calgary Stampede for 10 days! "The Royals", Kate and WIlliam, got the chance to go down to the Stampede Grounds a few days ago, before it was open to the public. They seem to have had a great time here in Canada - England will feel so small to them now, after visiting such a vast country : )