Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: color

I just loved the fall colours seen at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens on 1 October 2016. The Oak leaves were gorgeous, some of them with tiny insect galls on them. With our autumn colour gone, it feels good to be able to look back to a photo from 1 October 2016. On that day, I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! We all knew that snow wasn't far away and about a week after this visit, Calgary had its first snowfall of the season, the whole of the Thanksgiving weekend. At least I now have some bright, colourful photos that I will be able to post in between all the coming white, snowy images that will be taken during the long months of winter. "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the … What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists. On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many. For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website. www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/

I just loved the fall colours seen at the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens on 1 October 2016. The Oak leaves were gorgeous, some of them with tiny insect galls on them. With most of our autumn colour gone, it feels good to be able to look back to a photo from 1 October 2016. On that day, I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! We all knew that snow wasn't far away and about a week after this visit, Calgary had its first snowfall of the season, the whole of the Thanksgiving weekend. At least I now have plenty of bright, colourful photos that I will be able to post in between all the coming white, snowy images that will be taken during the seven (?), long months of winter. "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the … What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists. On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many. For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website. www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/

With most of our autumn colour gone, it feels good to be able to look back to a photo from 1 October 2016. On that day, I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! We all knew that snow wasn't far away and about a week after this visit, Calgary had its first snowfall of the season, the whole of the Thanksgiving weekend. At least I now have plenty of bright, colourful photos that I will be able to post in between all the coming white, snowy images that will be taken during the seven, long months of winter. "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the … What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists. On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many. For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website. www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/

The sun has finally come out, late afternoon, but it has been a cold day today, with an unpleasant cold wind (which has just started to pick up). Had a routine dental appointment this afternoon and when I got back home, I noticed that the first flower on my little Christmas Cactus had fully opened. Thought I'd make the most of it - after all, a day without using my camera is not my favourite kind of day, LOL! Hope it sends out lots of cheer : ) Rebecca (Red-Star) - this is to celebrate your successful, but bittersweet, house sale.

I used flash on this beautiful Rose and didn't like the over-bright, resulting colours. However, when I looked down at the Rose, I realized that in fact the colours were exactly correct. It was a beauty - thank you, Safeway. Beat you to it, Marilyn (Deerluvr), LOL!

A gorgeous Scaber Stalk fungus seen on a walk at Paskapoo Slopes in the city a week ago. We have seen this species of mushroom in a number of different places recently. Always such a bright splash of colour. By the way, I'm posting my "daily three" early today because I am going CANOEING down the Bow River all afternoon! This will be my very first time (though I have been in a canoe once before in my life, but not on the river), and I am both excited and SCARED TO DEATH!!! I have longed to travel down the river for many years. Yesterday, a friend (an experienced canoeist) asked if I still wanted to do it, and so that's what we will be doing. I suspect that my already-painful (from too much mouse-clicking and from struggling to get into my backpack!) shoulders/arms will be excrutiatingly painful by the end of the day, so maybe I won't be able to even raise them to type on my keyboard. If I don't drown, then I will be SOOO relieved. Come and stand on one of the bridges over the river in the city or on the river bank and cheer us on - just kidding, ha!

Two days later, I am STILL on a natural high after seeing these gorgeous, wild Yellow Pondlilies for the very first time. We spent a full day on Thursday botanizing the Bentz Lake Natural Area, north of Calgary and west of Sundre, and these Yellow Pondlilies were growing near the edge of the lake. To get to them from the forest where we were exploring, we had to make our way through a very watery bog, LOL. Apart from one small mishap that left one friend soaked to his upper thighs, we managed it with only soaking wet feet. This native, aquatic member of the Water-lily family grows in lakes and ponds June to August. The yellow flower is 4-7 cm across, has 6 yellow, petal-like sepals and several small, inconspicuous petals. Today, I was out with five friends, exploring and botanizing (recording all flora and fauna seen) the forest of Bragg Creek Provincial Park, west of Calgary. A perfect day weatherwise as well as far as enjoyment and sightings were concerned. Lots of mushrooms - though no brilliant red ones today, LOL!

What a day we've had today, especially this afternoon! Was out birding in South Glenmore Park all morning - we saw something like 24 species in and by the parking lot, even before we had started our walk! Lovely to see quite a few Tundra and Trumpeter Swans on the Reservoir (that is now half melted), Common Loons, Grebes, Ring-necked Ducks, etc., etc.. Then the snow started falling around lunch time. After a quick lunch, we went over to 12 Mile Coulee in the north west part of the city. I knew this would be quite a brutal walk/hike, as it is steeply uphill and downhill. However, I SO wanted to see the rare Townsendia hookeri wildflowers! Part of the walk stayed clear, but then the snow, rain and small hail started : ) Too tired and painful (LOL) to deal with the photos I took today - will have to wait till another day. Oh, I did see my first snake of the year (plus a second one's slithering tail) - a young, male Wandering Garter Snake, all coiled up because it was cold. And, Doug, if you read this, there were some beautiful Lichens growing on the rocks up there.

I took this photo a long time ago, using my old Olympus C750 UZ. The metal door to the battery compartment got bent when I dropped the camera. Consequently, I used to have a thick, purple elastic band wrapped around my camera in an attempt to keep it partly closed. As you can imagine, it hardly looked "professional" and I'm sure many people got a good chuckle over it. However, it took some good photos : ) Sometimes, the door would spring open and then the date was not recorded on the photo. I also had to reset everything in the camera, which was very frustrating. So, I can't remember when or where I took this photo and worst of all, I can't remember what plant it is. Doug, or anyone else, if you happen to see this, would you be able to let me know the ID? Purple Prairie-clover? Might have been a garden plant. Thanks! Later: have managed to track down this photo on my external hard drive. It is Purple Prairie-clover, seen at Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park on 7th August 2007. Thanks, George - you were right!

I love the colour of the bill of these Domestic Ducks. So vivid. There were a number of these gleaming white birds at the Coaldale Birds of Prey Centre, near Lethbridge, southern Alberta. Went with a friend in August 2007 and had a wonderful day there, seeing so many different species of Hawks, Eagles, Owls, etc.. The Centre takes injured birds of prey, releases those that can be rehabilitated and keeps those that they are unable to help enough for release.

Happened to notice a small bunch of these vivid pink fringed Gerberas at Safeway yesterday. It was the only bunch and I was sure it had my name on it, LOL. Needless to say, I just HAD to buy them. Just enough natural light was coming through my window,

The sky is overcast and has a definite "snow is coming" look, so I thought I'd add a cheery flower centre to brighten things : ) Anyone out there still getting snow or still living in a white landscape??? If so, this one's for you!

This photo was taken a year ago. I guess it must have been cold, snowy weather that forced me to give in to temptation and buy a bunch of three sunflowers from Safeway : ) The snow that was in our forecast for a few days seems to have passed us by so far, thank goodness. It has been a beautiful, sunny day today, somewhere around 0C, I think. We went for a walk in Fish Creek Park and it was very pleasant weather for walking. I saw two male Ring-necked Pheasants as I drove into the east end of the park. They were pecking at something on the small road and then decided to attack each other : ) Nothing serious, though. Checked on the two sets of Great Horned Owls. One female is tucked down inside a tree, but one eye and an ear tuft can be seen through a very small, high-up hole. She looks so cozy in there : ) At the other nest site, the female was sitting up higher at the top of her tree stump. Up till now, she has been out of sight, lower in the cavity. We also saw an Eurasian Wigeon on the Bow River, rare during migration - these ducks do not nest in Alberta. "Honey bees are essential for production of over 90 food crops. In 2006, for unknown reasons, honey bee colonies suddenly began to die across the U.S. from a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). These losses severely threaten the honey, pollination and major food growing industries, which is why researchers are looking for causes and remedies. By planting, watching and recording the bees at sunflowers in your garden, you can help us understand the challenges that bees are facing. Please go to Plant and be counted with Great Sunflower Project and find out how you can help." From the Super Eco group and website.

Three more weeks and it will be 1st April - wow! Today was brutal; it started off at -28C (-18F) and soared to -23C (-9F) this afternoon. Was walking all morning, but came home with little more than a handful of photos. After five minutes of taking photos, it became too agonizingly painful to continue, despite wearing gloves. Did manage to take a few shots of one of "my" local Great Horned Owls, who has finally moved to his usual perch near the pair's nesting tree. The excitement begins : ) As for Roses, I love these mixed colour ones.

Blue for a change, LOL! I post too many orange, red and yellow flowers, so here is a blue "Mum" (?) from Safeway. The weather has been so beautiful today, that I don't need a bright colour to cheer me up.