Red Deer Wetlands Area

I didn't notice the very tiny insect on this Seaside Arrow Grass until I looked at my telemacro photo a bit later. Probably couldn't have got a macro shot of it, anyway, as I was already standing right on the edge of a wetland. Have not yet identified it. Taken at Slack Slough, near Red Deer, on 2 June 2013. Could it possibly be a Twenty-spotted Ladybug / Psyllobora vigintimaculata? I don't know if anyone can make an ID from such a distant shot. Yesterday, I was out on a full-day bus trip to the Red Deer Wetlands Area, NW of Calgary. I think it was about an hour and a half's drive to get there. This was an annual outing arranged through the nature group that I belong to, and each year is to a different place. The Red Deer Wetlands Area is made up of Slack Slough (our first stop), the McKenzie Trails area (our second stop) and lastly the Kerry Woods Nature Center and Gaetz Lake Sanctuary, where we spent the last two hours of the day. The latter was such a beautiful area, wonderfully laid out, with several viewing decks around the lake. Some of us chose to walk the whole way round the huge lake (further than I had expected, lol!). A couple of Moose certainly made it more than worth the effort. We were so lucky that the rain stayed away until just the last few minutes of our walk, and then the heavens opened. The forecast had been for thunder showers morning and afternoon, but it just remained overcast till the last moment - hence a lot of photos that came out blurry, ha. A great trip, well-organized - thanks so much for all your hard work, Lynne! - and it was so good to see various friends that I hadn't seen for ages, as well as those whom I see often. It's raining here this morning, but I really, really hope that the forecast for tomorrow turns out to be accurate, as three of us are heading north to Edmonton (roughly a three-hour drive) for an exciting day! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yesterday, I was out on a full-day bus trip to the Red Deer Wetlands Area, NW of Calgary. I think it was about an hour and a half's drive to get there. This was an annual outing arranged through the nature group that I belong to, and each year is to a different place. The Red Deer Wetlands Area is made up of Slack Slough (our first stop), the McKenzie Trails area (our second stop) and lastly the Kerry Woods Nature Center and Gaetz Lake Sanctuary, where we spent the last two hours of the day. The latter was such a beautiful area, wonderfully laid out, with several viewing decks around the lake. At one of the decks, we were able to very quietly look down on this Red-necked Grebe that was on her nest. Couldn't see her through the high fence, so could only take shots from this angle. Some of us chose to walk the whole way round the huge lake (further than I had expected, lol!). A couple of Moose certainly made it more than worth the effort. We were so lucky that the rain stayed away until just the last few minutes of our walk, and then the heavens opened. The forecast had been for thunder showers morning and afternoon, but it just remained overcast till the last moment - hence a lot of photos that came out blurry, ha. A great trip, well-organized - thanks so much for all your hard work, Lynne! - and it was so good to see various friends that I hadn't seen for ages, as well as those whom I see often. It's raining here this morning, but I really, really hope that the forecast for tomorrow turns out to be accurate, as three of us are heading north to Edmonton (roughly a three-hour drive) for an exciting day! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This a young Moose (last year's juvenile?) that some of us saw on 2 June 2013, when the nature group that I belong to went on its annual bus trip for the day. It was a long way off in the distance, through the trees, with its Mother. Not the sharpest of photos, but I wanted to add it to a Set for the record of what we saw at the Gaetz Lake Sanctuary, Red Deer Wetlands Area.

On 2 June 2013, I was out on a full-day bus trip to the Red Deer Wetlands Area, NW of Calgary. I think it was about an hour and a half's drive to get there. This was an annual outing arranged through the nature group that I belong to, and each year is to a different place. The Red Deer Wetlands Area includes Slack Slough (our first stop), the McKenzie Trails area (our second stop, and where I photographed the little Canada Geese goslings above), and lastly the Kerry Woods Nature Center and Gaetz Lake Sanctuary, where we spent the last two hours of the day. The latter was such a beautiful area, wonderfully laid out, with several viewing decks around the lake. Some of us chose to walk the whole way round the huge lake (further than I had expected, lol!). A couple of Moose certainly made it more than worth the effort. We were so lucky that the rain stayed away until just the last few minutes of our walk, and then the heavens opened. The forecast had been for thunder showers morning and afternoon, but it just remained overcast till the last moment - hence a lot of photos that came out blurry, ha. A great trip, well-organized - thanks so much for all your hard work, Lynne! - and it was so good to see various friends that I hadn't seen for ages, as well as those whom I see often.

Despite the fact that the horrendous flooding situation in Calgary and Southern Alberta hasn't, thankfully, affected my own home, just looking at photos and watching TV coverage causes huge emotion, depression, concern and sadness. I overslept till 11:00 a.m. this morning, which is why I'm posting so late again, two days running! It really is an unbelievable state that everywhere is in at the moment. Wonderfully, it's not raining today (so far) and the sun is shining. Some more rain is in the forecast over the next few days, but after that the forecast so far shows for hotter, sunny weather, which is so desperately needed for the tremendous clean-up that is going to be needed. Apparently, 75,000 people have been evacuated in our city (my youngest daughter, who lives 9 blocks from the river, is still on evacuation standby). The major flood of 2005 was one of the worst in recorded history, but this week's flood is far worse. I do hope that none of my friends in Calgary have had flooding in their homes! Again, my thoughts turn to all our beautiful wildlife, wondering how much they have probably been affected by all this. Stay safe and dry, everyone! People living in Canmore, Bragg Creek and High River have even worse flooding than we have here in Calgary. My hearts go out to them. Saw these cute Canada Geese goslings at the Red Deer Wetlands Area, NW of Calgary, on 2 June 2013. There were so many of them all over the place, and a mix of ages. Just looked at Calgary's WEATHER FORECAST: 2-4 mm of rain from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening; higher amounts in thunderstorms. Not good at all. "All Calgarians are asked to refrain from non-essential travel. Many roads, bridges and pathways around the city are closed or limited due to flooding. Access to the downtown core is not expected to resume until mid-next week." From the Calgary City News Blog. My power went off sometime during the night, but I don't know for how long. Water usage in the city is restricted. Incredible YOUTUBE VIDEO OF CALGARY FLOODS from Global News: youtu.be/bRS8YfVlt3Y In case anyone is wondering what is happening at the Calgary Zoo, located on an island in the middle of the Bow River, the Administration building, SCOW, ENMAX Conservatory and Kitamba Cafe all sit in several feet of water as they sit in some of the lowest areas on the island. However, all animals are safe and secure, many having been moved to higher ground or elsewhere. It will stay closed for the next two weeks, at least. As I type this, just before 3:00 p.m. on 22 June 2013, the sky is turning black and apparently the rain has already started to fall heavily in some areas. There are road closures all over the city, even places very far away from the rivers. Just noticed on the road closure map that the main road through the city is closed near where I live. There must be so many people that are feeling very trapped!

During a rather long walk around Gaetz Lake, Red Deer Wetlands Area, on 2 June 2013, I suddenly spotted one of these Sarsaparilla plants. I think I've only ever seen them two or three times before, so I was thrilled to bits. After I'd noticed the first one this day, I discovered that they were growing all over the forest floor. My photo is a macro shot of one of the three clusters of tiny, white flowers mentioned below. The Red Deer Wetland Area is quite a long drive NW of Calgary - this enjoyable day was an annual bus trip with a group that I belong to, so the journey was total luxury for all of us.. "Aralia nudicaulis (commonly Wild Sarsaparilla, False sarsaparilla, Shot bush, Small Spikenard, Wild Liquorice, and Rabbit Root) is a flowering plant of northern and eastern North America which reaches a height of 30–60 cm (12–24 in) with creeping underground stems. In the spring the underground stems produce compound leaves that are large and finely toothed. Tiny white flowers, typically in three, globe-shaped clusters 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0 in) wide, are produced on tall scapes that grow about the same height as the leaves. These bloom from May to July and develop into purple-black comestible berries. The leaves go dormant in summer before the fruits ripen. The berries taste a little spicy and sweet." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aralia_nudicaulis

Yesterday, I was out on a full-day bus trip to the Red Deer Wetlands Area, NW of Calgary. I think it was about an hour and a half's drive to get there. This was an annual outing arranged through the nature group that I belong to, and each year is to a different place. The Red Deer Wetlands Area is made up of Slack Slough (our first stop, and where I photographed this little male House Sparrow), the McKenzie Trails area (our second stop) and lastly the Kerry Woods Nature Center and Gaetz Lake Sanctuary, where we spent the last two hours of the day. The latter was such a beautiful area, wonderfully laid out, with several viewing decks around the lake. Some of us chose to walk the whole way round the huge lake (further than I had expected, lol!). A couple of Moose certainly made it more than worth the effort. We were so lucky that the rain stayed away until just the last few minutes of our walk, and then the heavens opened. The forecast had been for thunder showers morning and afternoon, but it just remained overcast till the last moment - hence a lot of photos that came out blurry, ha. A great trip, well-organized - thanks so much for all your hard work, Lynne! - and it was so good to see various friends that I hadn't seen for ages, as well as those whom I see often. It's raining here this morning, but I really, really hope that the forecast for tomorrow turns out to be accurate, as three of us are heading north to Edmonton (roughly a three-hour drive) for an exciting day!