Pansy

After a three hour walk at Carburn Park yesterday morning, during which we saw 42 species of bird, we walked past a couple of huge flower planters near the parking lot. Couldn't resist photographing this rather beautiful Pansy.

I was out with a handful of friends for about 10 or 11 hours today in hot sunshine, botanizing the beautiful private acreage belong to Janel Butler and her family, west of Millarville, south west of Calgary. Janel and her son, Tristym, and his young sister, very generously showed us around and told us about all the birds that they can have around their farm. After being treated to much appreciated tea/coffee and strawberries part way through our day, we then called in to see the Handfields, owners of another acreage not too far away. They had been so generous last year (on 20th July), allowing us to botanize their beautiful land and showed the same hospitality today, despite the fact that they had no warning that we would drop by : ) We were extremely lucky to see a gorgeous pair of Evening Grosbeaks near their house! Hopefully, a couple of my photos will turn out OK. We meet such delightful people, who welcome us into their homes and let us explore their grasslands and woodlands. And now I feel TOTALLY exhausted and desperately in need of sleep!