Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Blue-eyed Grass

On Thursday, 12 June 2014, I drove westwards to the eastern edge of the mountains, along Elbow Falls Trail (Highway 66) as far as Maclean Pond. I did a very slow walk, finding just a few things to photograph. I was surprised at how few wildflowers were in bloom - this was the only tiny Blue-eyed Grass that I noticed. The main plant was the Dandelion, so it was obviously too early after our late spring. Also found a very few Shootingstars, several Valerian flowers, an occasional cluster of Mouse-eared Chickweed, and not much else. I drove home via the backroads SW of Calgary, where I photographed a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, a Tree Swallow, a Brewer's Blackbird, a Black Tern that was perched on a fence post, and a Snipe.

Yesterday was a busy day of botanizing. The morning was spent with a friend, hiking at the Perrenoud natural area (NW of the city) and then we went straight to the Kerfoot Ranch to botanize some of the beautiful, rolling hills that run along the Grand Valley Rd. (NW of Calgary). We were so lucky that we weren't rained on, and instead enjoyed good weather while making a record of all flaura and fauna to send to the landowners. This was one species of wildflower that we saw a lot of - Blue-eyed Grass/Sisyrinchium montanum. This small flower is a member of the Lily family, despite its common name.

This is a macro shot of the very tiny seedpods of Blue-eyed Grass. They are round balls, which split open to disperse lots of black seeds. Found on 21st August in Horseshoe Canyon, near Drumheller. This location is in the Badlands of Alberta, north east of Calgary.

The flower of the Blue-eyed Grass wildflower are so pretty and so small. Each flower is about 2 cm diameter, with six purplish tepals with a yellowish base and yellow stamens. This species belongs to the Iridaceae family. The flowers close in the afternoon, and then are far more difficult to find. Photographed (macro) this one near the Ing's Mine parking lot, off Elbow Falls Trail (Highway 66), west of the city, on July 17th. talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1063

OK, I'm happy - I think this photo shows that it IS possible for me (I know others can do it) to take reasonable photos outdoors with the Raynox 250. I didn't bother to carry my mini, table-top tripod this time, so this image was hand-held, with a light breeze. These Blue-eyed Grass flowers are so gorgeous. The flower of the Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum/Sisyrinchium angustifolium) is only about 1 cm or less than 1/2 inch in diameter, and the plant is a member of the Iris family. Photographed this one today, when I went along Elbow Fall Trails into the beginning of the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and called in at the Ing Mine's parking lot area. I was so disappointed today, as I overslept by almost two and a half hours and so missed a lovely day of botanizing with friends at Bow Valley Provincial Park. I had been waiting a year to get back to this particular area. It is a popular area for wildflowers, but is also a great place for birding. talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1063

This small Blue-eyed Grass was growing near a nesting box of a pair of Mountain Bluebirds the other day. This perennial plant is native to Alberta. A common plant, blooming in June. "Each stem produces between one and five flowers whose striking colours make up for their small size. Flowers have bright yellow centres surrounded by six violet or pale-purple petals. At 19 mm to 30 mm across, the flower may be as small as a nickel or as large as a quarter." talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1063

I always enjoy coming across these small wildflowers, which belong to the Iris family.

Just started noticing this tiny blue Blue-eyed Grass on my walks.