Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: interestingness#105

"Just" a tiny Seven-spotted Ladybug, seen in my back garden on 19 June 2014. "The Seven-spotted Lady Beetle (Coccinella septempunctata) is probably our most familiar Lady Beetle, being found in gardens, parks and natural areas across the continent. It wasn't always this way though - this, large, attractive beetle was brought over in the 1950's from Europe to the eastern US to supplement the aphid-eating prowess of the native lady beetles. This hardy alien has since spread across the continent. There is concern that this alien lady beetle is causing a decline in some native lady beetle species, particularly of the once common Transverse Lady Beetle. Are the robust Seven-spots out-competing the natives, eating the eggs of the natives, spreading disease or hybridizing with natives? No one knows for sure, but it is another cautionary example of the dangers of introducing alien species. One thing that ecologically conscientious gardeners can do is to refrain from buying alien species as biological controls and purchase native ones instead." From talkaboutwildlife.ca (no longer available). "The Seven-spotted Ladybird Beetle was brought in from Europe in the hope that it would help control populations of pests like aphids. It is doubtful that it has made any real difference, but what has happened is some of our native species have suffered a decline in populations since the Seven-spotted was introduced, perhaps because the Seven-spotted outcompetes them. Two-spotted Ladybird Beetles are the ones that most often turn up in people's homes in winter. Perhaps the best solution to ensure the beetles survive is to take them to a greenhouse that uses biocontrol." www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/insects/bugsfaq/ladybir.. . John Acorn's book, "Ladybugs of Alberta", covers all 75 species of ladybugs found here in Alberta.

I hadn't been downtown for many years, but yesterday, I had the chance to meet several friends for a birding walk at Pearce Estate, along the Bow River. After the walk, we carpooled to nearby downtown, hoping to find the Great Horned Owl family that people have been seeing. It was a much longer walk than I was expecting, but we were so lucky to find them, and not where I had been expecting them to be. As is often the case, Mom (?) and the three owlets were high up in different trees, not posing too well for most of the time, and not in good light. This owlet, that looked like the "middle child" of the family, did eventually sit up, so I was able to get this and a few other shots. The ice in that area was so treacherous, so I moved as little as possible, and extremely cautiously. A real treat to see this little family, though, and so early in the year! Mom must have laid the eggs around 1st January, as the owlets were pretty much adult-sized and either branched or fledged. Most unusual - wonder why this happened. We were half expecting the family to have moved from this particular area, but were so relieved to find that they hadn't. Thanks so much, Dorothy and Stephen, for giving me a ride to downtown and back to my car! Without it, I would not have had the chance to see these precious little owls. Thanks also for the coffee and a treat afterwards - amazing how much better coffee tastes after walking for a few hours! It really hit the spot : )

Needed a complete change of colours after all my recent white, red and orange images posted recently. This purple Columbine was growing at the Reader Rock Garden back in July. Had another long Bird Count day today, this time in the Cochrane Wildlife Preserve and Water Valley area, north west of Calgary. Another beautiful winter's day, though rather cold. Not sure yet how many bird species we found, but there was again a very noticeable decline in the number of species and of birds.

We have a lot more cones on trees this year, so hopefully we will see a lot more of these beautiful little Red-breasted Nuthatches this winter. They are so light and small when they fly down to your hand (this was on someone else's hand this morning). 'The scientific name "canadensis" means "of Canada". Species named after places usually have scientific names that end with "-ensis"; species named after men end with "-i"; species named after women end with "-ae"." From "Birds of Alberta" by Fisher and Acorn.

We saw this plant at the Reader Rock Garden yesterday, but it does grow in the wild, too. It had hailed a short while before, and the water droplets were still on some of the flowers.