Garden flowers 5

When I called in at the Reader Rock Garden on 29 April 2015, there were only a few flowers that were in bloom. These included a few Tulips, a few Hepatica that were already not in the best condition, and several other species, including this beautiful Pasque Flower. It felt so good to finally see flowers and colour, even though our 2014/2015 winter weather had been amazingly mild. Our present winter has been even milder. "Pulsatilla vulgaris (pasque flower, pasqueflower, common pasque flower, Dane's blood) is a species of flowering plant belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It used to be considered part of the Anemone genus, to which it is closely related." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulsatilla_vulgaris

I often tend to post a photo of a vibrant flower when our weather is overcast and grim. However, today's forecast is for a mix of sun and clouds this morning and mainly sunny this afternoon. It's -3C right now, but it's supposed to reach 7C this afternoon. Scattered flurries tonight and tomorrow, with a few flurries on Saturday. Looks like our ridiculously mild weather has come to an end - we broke a 90-year-old record the other day, with a high of +16.4C. Crazy weather for winter in Calgary! This photo was taken on 24 June 2015, when I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after a volunteer shift. I believe this flower is a Painted Daisy / Chrysanthemum coccineum. "With delicate, fernlike foliage and showy daisy-like blooms in shades of white, red, purple and pink, Painted Daisy adds striking colors to the garden." www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenecf20.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrum

This flower was seen at the Reader Rock Garden on 24 June 2015. I've just been searching Google, but have had no luck in finding an ID for this plant. Any help would be much appreciated - thanks! After two days of fog, we finally have sunshine this afternoon, 13 February 2016. Temperature is +7C and it looks a lovely day to be out. However, I have so many things to see to at home, so I mustn't go off for a drive anywhere. ID: Dianthus species.

On 16 September 2015, I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after my volunteer shift. There seemed to be more flowers in bloom than on my previous visit, including a couple of these Cosmos flowers. Also quite a few distant small birds flitting from tree to tree at one point They were impossible to see well enough to get photos or IDs, though, except for a beautiful little Hermit Thrush. I had noticed a Jack Rabbit in the garden and then, when I drove through the adjoining cemetery, it or another one was running in among the gravestones. When it saw my car coming, it froze and waited till I had moved on. "Cosmos is a genus, with the same common name of Cosmos, consisting of flowering plants in the sunflower family. It is native to scrub and meadowland in Mexico where most of the species occur, as well as the United States, as far north as the Olympic Pennsula in Washington, Central America, and to South America as far south as Paraguay. The genus includes several ornamental plants popular in gardens." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_ (plant)

I often tend to post a photo of a vibrant flower when our weather is overcast and grim. Today's (28 February 2016) forecast is for a mix of sun and clouds, but yesterday afternoon, we had some snow. I'd almost forgotten what snow looks like, this winter has been so mild! Not good for farmers, of course, with so little moisture during the winter months. Also not good as far as forest and bush fires are concerned, with everywhere being so very dry. This macro photo was taken on 24 June 2015, when I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after a volunteer shift. I always love to see Poppies, at any stage - bud, flower and seedpod.

It's -1C this morning and heavily overcast, but supposed to get up to 6C this afternoon. The next four days are expected to be between 10C and 12C, which would be good. Thought I'd post something bright and cheery - also in case anyone is getting fed up of seeing owl photos : ) On 7 June 2015, it was a hot day – way too hot for my liking. I was not keen on the idea of being out in the sun for three hours, but neither could I have stayed in my place one more minute - it felt like an oven! I decided to join birding friends for a walk at the west end of South Glenmore Park and we had a lovely, leisurely walk, stopping often to look at, or listen to, a variety of birds. I think my favourites were a pair of colourful American Goldfinch. It was also fun to see a little Black-capped Chickadee looking out from its nest cavity. There were quite a few species of wildflower as well. I so rarely go on a walk these days, so I tend to miss many of the wildflowers. The Chive flowers in this photo were taken during this walk, but I can't remember where I saw them. I know it was at or near the end of the walk, so maybe they were growing near our meeting place by the Sailing Club in South Glenmore Park. Will add Janet and Bernie’s bird list below, for my own memory. Thanks for such an enjoyable afternoon, both of you! A stop afterwards at the Good Earth café was so much appreciated, too. 1. Great Blue Heron - 1 2. Canada Goose - 40 3. Mallard - 5 4. Gadwall - 2 5. Swainson's Hawk - 1 6. Franklin's Gull - 30+ 7. Woodpecker sp. likely Sapsucker - 1 8. Olive-sided Flycatcher -1 9. Least Flycatcher - 12 10. Red-eyed Vireo - 2 11. Black-billed Magpie - 1 12. American Crow - 4 13. Common Raven - 1 14. Tree Swallow - 4 15. Black-capped Chickadee - 2 @nest site. 16. House Wren - 11 17. American Robin - 6 18. Cedar Waxwing - 6 19. Yellow Warbler - 10 20. Chipping Sparrow - 1 21. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4 22. Baltimore Oriole - 1 23. Red-winged Blackbird - 3 24. Brown-headed Cowbird - 3 25. House Finch - 3 26. American Goldfinch - 5 27. House Sparrow - 2 Least Chipmunk - 1 Muskrat - 1 Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly - 10+ Blue Azure - 1 Alpine sp. Butterfly - 15+

I often tend to post a photo of a vibrant flower when our weather is overcast and grim. Today's (9 March 2016) forecast is for a mainly sunny day, though it is fairly overcast so far. The next few days should be between +10C and +14C, so our spring-like weather will continue. It is so dry here - not good for farmers, of course, with so little moisture during the winter months. Also not good as far as forest and bush fires are concerned, with everywhere being so very dry. I always enjoy seeing Cosmos flowers - these were growing at the Reader Rock Garden on 24 June 2015. I liked the colour combination of these three flowers. "Cosmos is a genus, with the same common name of Cosmos, consisting of flowering plants in the sunflower family. It is native to scrub and meadowland in Mexico where most of the species occur, as well as the United States, as far north as the Olympic Pennsula in Washington, Central America, and to South America as far south as Paraguay. The genus includes several ornamental plants popular in gardens." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_ (plant)

I think I have the correct ID for this gorgeous flower, seen at the Saskatoon Farm on 25 September 2015, towards the end of an interesting and most enjoyable day. I wasn't sure if it might be the closely related genus Brugmansia. A year earlier, I had photographed some large, spiky/spiny seedpods, which I think must belong to the same plants. After reading the following from Wikipedia, I think this has to be Datura. All species of Datura are POISONOUS, especially their seeds and flowers. "Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that name with the closely related genus Brugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They are also sometimes called moonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within the Americas and North Africa, however, is most likely restricted to the United States and Mexico in North America, and Tunisia in Africa, where the highest species diversity occurs." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura "Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. Brugmansia are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous, not erect, flowers, that have no spines on their fruit. Datura species are herbaceous bushes with erect (not pendulous) flowers, and most have spines on their fruit. All seven species are listed as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brugmansia In the morning of 25 September 2015, six of us were lucky enough to explore a tiny part of the land belonging to Frances and David Dover. For two of us (myself and our leader), this was our second visit - for the rest, it was a first time there. I will copy and paste the description I posted on Flickr from our first visit to the Dover's acreage, on 7 August 2015 (to jog my own memory!): "Yesterday, 7 August 2015, four of us were extremely fortunate to have the chance to visit the home and highly varied topographic 62-acre property belonging to Frances and David Dover. We felt honoured and privileged to meet and spend time with Frances and David, and also their daughter Carolyn and her husband Clair. A delightful family who welcomed us so warmly into their home and land. This acreage of grassland, forest, rolling hills - and special gardens - is not far from Millarville, SW of Calgary. In fact, it's in an area that I often drive through when I only have time for, or only feel like doing, a short drive. Amazing what little gems exist out there. This is not just a beautiful property, but is very special for various reasons. For one thing, read any history of Alberta and you will find the Dover family, including David's mother, Mary Dover. Second, among the trees and open "lawns", there are Peony flower beds, containing 100-150 heritage Peonies, each one different, that have now multiplied to more than 300 plants. Unfortunately, they bloomed a couple of weeks early this year, and all the flowers had gone to seed. Another open area had a different kind of ground cover - Thyme, which smelled wonderful. If I remember correctly, this was the open space where the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra performed on one occasion! There are two large ponds on the property and another smaller area of water that they hope to turn into a Japanese Garden. It was while walking around the latter that a large brown 'shape' could be seen through the dense trees - a handsome Moose buck. I will look properly at the four or so photos I just managed to get and will slip one of them into my photostream sometime soon, just for the record, definitely not for the photo quality : ) This was also where a Great Horned Owl was seen flying through the trees by some of us (not me, ha!). There are grassy paths winding through the acreage, up and down hill, that take David seven hours to mow. They are not pristine, velvety paths, but instead, they seem to take nothing away from the wildness of the whole area. One of the animals that have passed through is the Cougar. In fact, several years ago, I saw a video taken on a nearby (or adjacent?) property, where a 'kill' and night-time camera had been set up and a total of six different Cougar individuals were seen! Even the Dover's home is unique and beautiful. It is completely built of concrete - floors, walls, ceilings, roof, deck, and so on. A Hummingbird feeder and regular bird feeders, set up on the patio, attract a variety of birds. We sat on the patio after our walk to eat our packed lunches - and to enjoy a delicious Orange Pound Cake that Frances had made for us, along with refreshing Iced Tea - thank you so much for this, Frances! Yesterday, while I was waiting for one of three tiny Calliope Hummingbirds to come back, I was lucky enough to see a little Mountain Chickadee, along with many Pine Siskins. We could also hear a Red-tailed Hawk in the area. There is just so much I could write about this visit and family. Instead, or for now, I will add several links to more information on the Internet. This was a memorable day for us. Thank you so much, Frances and David, Carolyn and Clair, for being so kind and welcoming us into your home and gardens. books.google.ca/books?id=Tr36Tq_gadcC&pg=PA290&lp... www.westernwheel.com/article/20110727/WHE06/307279983/-1/... David's mother, Mary Dover (her father was A. E. Cross), was "a dynamic and distinguished Calgarian, particularly known for her work with the military during World War II." As well as being an army officer, and an alderman, she was also a preservationist. See the following link. www.albertachampions.org/champions-mary_dover.htm#.VcY1KP... ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesMainResults.aspx?XC=/searc... glencoe.org/documents/10184/637479/The-History-of-Elbow-P... page 44-45 ." After our visit to the Dover's on 25 September 2015, I decided to drive eastwards along a road that I'd never driven before, until I reached the main road going south. From there, it was a fairly short drive to the Saskatoon Farm. As usual, I wandered round the grounds with my camera and then, when I was ready to leave, I ordered a pizza to take home with me. The inside of the gift shop has recently been renovated and they now have a pizza oven and area. Or should I say, they "had", as the last time I called in, I was told that they no longer make the pizzas.

This photo and the previous one were taken on 6 May 2015, when I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after a volunteer shift. Each year, I try and take quite a few photos of various garden flowers, ready to have something bright and colourful to post during our long, cold, snowy winter months. This winter has been ridiculously mild, apart from a number of very cold periods that brought snow, so I haven't really needed as many bright photos to post. Spring is almost here, so this is a reminder of what is yet to come. It's very overcast this morning (14 March 2016) and +3C, with a forecast for wet flurries (snow and rain) for this afternoon. Scattered flurries for this evening and overnight. We, especially the farmers, desperately need moisture. However, like it seems to have happened many times, the forecast could easily change and there will be no sign of 'the white stuff'.