Golden

This morning, 3 December 2015, is overcast and dreary, so it feels good to see this glowing flower, though I think the sun is now trying to burst through the cloud. Temperature is -3C (windchill -7C), but it's supposed to reach 7C this afternoon.

I had originally planned on going for a birding walk with friends this morning, but after the agonizing sharp pain that shot through my lower back yesterday and still lingers, I have had to change my plans. I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon, mainly so that there is a record of the car accident I was involved in five days ago - not my fault, thankfully, and I would love to say a few things to the woman driver who made such a dangerous, stupid move! Details at flic.kr/p/BucN9q. The previous three weeks, I had been walking in somewhat less pain than I have for years, which felt wonderful.

This photo was taken on 8 September 2015 at the Calgary Zoo. In the morning, I joined a group of friends for a three-hour stroll at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. 38 bird species were seen, though I didn't manage to see any of the tiny, fast-moving Warblers. It was good to see 28 Wood Ducks, but they were far, far away, in an area that is still closed due to devastating flood damage. The Sanctuary had been closed for about two years for this reason and only fairly recently re-opened just a part of the area.

The Calgary Zoo is very close to the Sanctuary, so after our morning walk, I decided to call in there. I hadn't been for about a year and I really missed going there. Of course, many of the garden flowers were past their prime, but I did find a few that were fit to photograph.

I knew I wouldn't be able to walk far, having already been walking all morning, but I really wanted to get to the ENMAX Conservatory to see what was going on. I had been longing all summer to see the tropical butterflies and plants. The butterfly season was coming to an end for these tropical beauties, but there were still plenty of them to be seen. Also, the parking lot that I use was going to be closing for the winter and I don't like the drive back home from the north parking area, using Deerfoot Trail, so tend not to go to the Zoo all winter.

There was so much activity going on at the Zoo on this day. People everywhere, carrying large animals wrapped in white, protective coverings, preparing for the upcoming ILLUMINASIA, Lantern & Garden Festival. Each animal was an individual lantern and there were so many of them. I noticed that several of the real animals in their enclosures were watching all the unaccustomed activity, which made me smile. So, a good day despite the overcast sky, and plenty of photo opportunities.