Internal fireworks

I got the chance to gaze deeply into a gorgeous black Hollyhock flower at the Reader Rock Garden a few days ago. What a sight to see - always love to do this! Reminds me of fireworks or a little windmill. What amazing magic there is to be found by simpy "looking" AND "seeing" : )

Just got home about half an hour ago, from a full day of hiking on the southeastern edge of Kananaskis, at Marsden Creek. Mainly uphill climbing, until we turned around, of course. This was the second time some of us had been there, to botanize the area. It was another case of mushroom heaven for a couple of us - so many everywhere, though many were the same. Did get a few different ones, though, which will hopefully turn out sharp enough, but just too tired to download them from my camera right now. The return half of the hike was in the rain - we had watched as the clouds gradually came lower down and finally turned into rain. Fortunately, we were able to take most of our photos in time, though the light was not good. Oh, and we had a major storm early this morning, around 2:00 a.m., with thunder, lightning, horribly wild winds and torrential rain, so I wasn't even sure if we would still go on this hike. However, six of us brave souls decided to go : ) On the way home, we stopped for coffee/hot chocolate, to which we were treated - thanks, David! It sure felt good after all our exercise! Yummy!