Little treasures on a log

Yesterday, 3 June 2016, started very early for us, as a few regulars had been invited to visit the Square Butte Ranch to do a Bio-blitz. We had to be at the meeting place for 7:00 am for a day of exploration SW of Calgary. The sun was shining all day and the temperature was around 24C or 25C.

Our leader creates a highly detailed list of all the plants, birds, insects, fungi, lichen, mosses that were seen during the few hours we were there. Can’t forget to include wildlife seen – one Red Squirrel : ) This list is also sent to the person who invited us there as well as to the participants. This was a new place for us to explore, though over the years, we had been to several other acreages not too far away. We strolled over grassy meadows with ponds, and through forest covered in deep, soft mosses. Everywhere was a carpet of Dandelions in bloom and in seed.

For me, the highlight of the day was when a Morel mushroom was spotted - will post a photo soon! I so rarely see these and I have been hoping recently that someone would find one somewhere. We also stopped to look at this row of small fungi growing on a fallen log. Wish I knew the ID for it. Love the way some of them seem to glow inside. We also wondered what the green plant (?) was, that was growing in between the fungi. A few bird species were seen, including a Belted Kingfisher which landed at the top of a very tall coniferous tree, looking rather out of place so high up.

“In the 1990’s, developers started transforming 480 acres of rangeland in the Foothills of the Rockies into a recreational ranch property operated as a bare land condominium. Architectural guidelines ensured that all buildings were designed in a rustic, western style featuring log and timber structures with large front porches, wrap around decks and hitching posts. The vision was one of owners being able to enjoy the fun and excitement of a western ranch living without the headaches.”

www.squarebutteranches.com/