Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: lady

This photo was taken yesterday morning, 20 January 2018, when I went on a walk in Carburn Park with birding friends. I always find that a walk along the Bow River gives very few photo opportunities, as the birds are too far away for photos, but it is a lovely park in which to spend time. They are also too far away for me to ID them, as I don't use binoculars. The always loyal Black-capped Chickadees flew in to see if anyone had any food. They were in luck, as this park, unlike Fish Creek Park, does not forbid the feeding of birds. Friend, Janet, was ready waiting, with a few seeds and nuts in her hand. As you can see, the sun was shining and actually it wasn't cold. Always good to spend time in great company, including going for coffee/lunch afterwards at the local Tim Horton's. Many thanks, Howard, for leading the group! "The Black-capped Chickadee is notable for its capacity to lower its body temperature during cold winter nights, its good spatial memory to relocate the caches where it stores food, and its boldness near humans (they can feed from the hand)." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-capped_Chickadee www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/black-capped_chickadee/id "The chickadee's unerring spatial memory is remarkable enough, says Colin Saldanha, assistant professor of biological sciences at Lehigh University and an anatomist who has studied songbirds for six years. But it is what happens inside the tiny songbird's brain that Saldanha finds amazing. In the fall, as the chickadee is gathering and storing seeds, Saldanha says, its hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for spatial organization and memory in many vertebrates, expands in volume by approximately 30 percent by adding new nerve cells. In songbirds, the hippocampus is located on the dorsal surface of the forebrain right beneath the skull. In mammals, the hippocampus is located beneath the cortex. In the spring, when its feats of memory are needed less, the chickadee's hippocampus shrinks back to its normal size, Saldanha says." From article on ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/09/030912072156.htm

All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 27 October 2017. It was a day filled with interest and enjoyment, and the morning was so different from the afternoon. It felt a day well spent. Normally, I never post - or even take! - photos of people, but this time was different. In the afternoon, by the way, I drove east of the city to see and photograph an old barn that I had wanted to see for a number of years. A friend posted a photo of it the other day and it turned out to be the very barn that I hadn't yet found. Without being asked, he told me exactly where it was. I had been looking for it just a few days before and must have missed it by just one road. Early morning, I set out to drive west of the city, to meet a small group of friends at a very special place. It was just starting to get light when I left home and the pink sunrise colours over the distant peaks was beautiful. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop anywhere to take a photo, until I actually arrived. At least this photo gives an idea of the setting for the place we were visiting. We had been invited to visit and do a preliminary bio-blitz at an art centre in Springbank, belonging to two amazing, vibrant, creative people who were a joy to meet. There are so many things I could write, but will instead take the words from various articles about this lively, hardworking couple. A friend who usually comes out with us on our May Species Counts knows Katie and Harry and had told our main Naturalist, Gus Yaki, that they were interested in learning more about what plant species were growing on their 20 acres of land. I feel very fortunate to have been invited. Of course, it was not the best time of year to do this, though our Naturalist (unlike me) knows all the plants and trees without their flowers. I will gradually add some information about this generous pair, as I find again the various websites that I was looking at late last night. I say "generous" because Katie and Harry have donated their home, Gallery, collections, and land, while continuing to live there at present. A tremendous gift! "Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe have dedicated their lives to art. Their work has helped shape the local, national and international art scenes. And now they are taking the step of not just being figurative institutions on the scene, but turning their home into a literal institution for art creation. Ohe, still a part-time instructor at ACAD (Alberta College of Art + Design), has been teaching art since 1959 and has been with ACAD since 1970. As a teacher, she has promoted the creativity of a diverse range of students. While teaching at the Calgary Allied Arts Centre, she also worked and lived out of the Hart family’s carriage house — that’s the Hart family of wrestling fame. Ohe taught art to the “Hitman” himself, Bret Hart, the eighth child of wrestling patriarch Stu Hart. Harry didn’t seek the limelight,” says Deborah Herringer Kiss, director of the Herringer Kiss Gallery of Contemporary Art, who has known the couple for more than 15 years. “He didn’t care about having big shows or trying to get into museums. He didn’t care about any of that. He made it work by quietly, constantly creating art.” A couple years shy of 90, Kiyooka is still a prolific painter. Inside his and Ohe’s home, his paintings hang alongside the “greats.” Other paintings line the walls of his studio, and he still works on several huge canvases. More paintings are stored behind couches and under beds, and there’s a dedicated storage room packed with filing cabinets, filled with his paintings." From an article in AvenueCalgary, from February 17, 2016 (see link below). www.avenuecalgary.com/City-Life/Calgary-Contemporary-Art-... www.koartscentre.org/ www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/work+progress/8484134... One of Katie's kinetic sculptures (Chrome Plated Steel) in motion: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp05CHJGV6I www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-art-centre-springb...

It's overcast, lightly snowing, and an almost balmy -16C (windchill -25C) this afternoon, 7 January 2017. Forecast is for -22C (windchill -29C) for tomorrow morning. Another day closer to spring : ) All three photos posted this morning (well, almost afternoon) were taken on 27 December 2016. Nine of us (in the group I was in) took part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley area. Our time was spent travelling by car, driving the backroads SW of the city and calling in at several acreages/ farms. This is a second shot that I took for Donna, as she didn't have a photo of a Mountain Chickadee on her hand. Made a lovely change from a more common Black-capped Chickadee. I have very few photos of Mountain Chickadees, as I so rarely see them and, when I do, they are too quick and hidden. This particular day was actually a good day for seeing them and also Boreal Chickadees. "The tiny Mountain Chickadee is a busy presence overhead in the dry evergreen forests of the mountainous West. Often the nucleus in mixed flocks of small birds, Mountain Chickadees flit through high branches, hang upside down to pluck insects or seeds from cones, and give their scolding chick-a-dee call seemingly to anyone who will listen." From AllABoutBirds. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Chickadee/id I took part in this Count last year (2015) but had missed it for a few years before that. I believe I had only ever done it twice before that, a few years ago (December 2007 and December 30, 2008). This time, like last year, our area was in the centre of the count circle and I'm so glad I decided to go again. A great stop was at Rod Handfield's place. Some of us go there very occasionally on botany trips and he always has the best mushrooms and other fungi growing in his forest in the fall. Rod and his wife have such a beautiful cabin there. A Gray Jay gave us a few photo opportunities there, which was appreciated. Usually, I find Gray Jays difficult to photograph, so it was nice to see one close. Rod is always so delightfully hospitable!! Thanks so much, Donna, for driving half of us - so much appreciated! This also meant that we were lucky enough to see two tiny Northern Pygmy-owls after the Count, too, on our way home. A beautiful sunny day really helped - not all that cold (for Alberta!). A lot of snow everywhere (almost 8"), but that was OK, as we did so little walking. A great day! I will add the list of species seen, in a comment box below.

I took this photo yesterday for Donna, as she didn't have a photo of a Mountain Chickadee on her hand. Made a lovely change from a more common Black-capped Chickadee. I have very few photos of Mountain Chickadees, as I so rarely see them and, when I do, they are too quick and hidden. Yesterday was actually a good day for seeing them and also Boreal Chickadees. "The tiny Mountain Chickadee is a busy presence overhead in the dry evergreen forests of the mountainous West. Often the nucleus in mixed flocks of small birds, Mountain Chickadees flit through high branches, hang upside down to pluck insects or seeds from cones, and give their scolding chick-a-dee call seemingly to anyone who will listen." From AllABoutBirds. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mountain_Chickadee/id It's that time of year when life becomes crazy, with very early mornings, long days and the exciting search for birds (and anything else). Yes, it's the time of Audubon Christmas Bird Counts. Yesterday, 27 December 2016, nine of us took part in the annual Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count. Our time was spent travelling by car, driving the backroads SW of the city and calling in at several farms. I took part in this Count last year but had missed it for a few years before that. I believe I had only ever done it once before (December 2007?), a few years ago, and that time I was with friends covering a different section of the count circle. I remember it as being very slow and extremely unrewarding, This time, like last year, our area was in the centre of the count circle and I'm so glad I decided to go again. A great stop was at Rod Handfield's place. Some of us go there on botany trips and he always has the best mushrooms and other fungi growing in his forest in the fall. Rod and his wife have such a beautiful cabin there. A Gray Jay gave us a few photo opportunities, which was appreciated. Rod is always so delightfully hospitable!! Thanks so much, Donna, for driving half of us - so much appreciated! This also meant that we were lucky enough to see two tiny Northern Pygmy-owls after the Count, too. A beautiful sunny day really helped - not all that cold (for Alberta!). A lot of snow everywhere (almost 8"), but that was OK, as we did so little walking. A great day! Today, I have a nice, leisurely day, before having to set my alarm for some unearthly hour (maybe around 4:15 am) for the next two mornings. Never a good thing for a dreadful night owl who gets to bed around 2:00 am! I will add the list of species seen, in a comment box below.

Wandering around the Gift Shop at the Saskatoon Farm on 25 February 2015, I noticed two of these garden decorations that made me smile. I posted a photo of the other one ages ago. In the morning of that day, six of us were lucky enough to explore a tiny part of the land belonging to Frances and David Dover. For two of us (myself and our leader), this was our second visit - for the rest, it was a first time there. After our visit to the Dover's. I decided that I would drive eastwards along a road that I'd never driven before, until I reached the main road going south. From there, it was a fairly short drive to the Saskatoon Farm. As usual, I wandered round the grounds with my camera and then, when I was ready to leave, I ordered a pizza to take home with me. The inside of the restaurant/gift store building has been changed and one could order home-made pizza. Quite a nice touch, I thought. However, when I visited the Farm recently, I was told that they no longer make pizzas. In a way, I'm not surprised, as the food in the actual restaurant is so good!

All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 25 September 2015. This garden ornament was hanging up for sale on a short length of fence at the Saskatoon Farm, SE of Calgary. In the morning, six of us were lucky enough to explore a tiny part of the land belonging to Frances and David Dover. For two of us (myself and our leader), this was our second visit - for the rest, it was a first time there. After our visit to the Dover's. I decided that I would drive eastwards along a road that I'd never driven before, until I reached the main road going south. From there, it was a fairly short drive to the Saskatoon Farm. As usual, I wandered round the grounds with my camera and then, when I was ready to leave, I ordered a pizza to take home with me. The inside of the restaurant/gift store building has been changed and now one can order home-made pizza. Quite a nice touch, I thought.

I would imagine (and hope) that many, many people will be stopping today to remember the horrific events of 11th September 2001. So many mental images that will never, ever leave our minds and hearts. People from so many different countries, not just the US. So many stories of loss and heartbreak - and so many stories of bravery and heroic actions. Remembering .... all those who lost their lives on that fateful day: all those who lost loved ones and close friends or fellow workers; all those who rushed in to "do their job" or "to help others" in any way they could. Remembering .... all those who were severely injured on that fateful day and who have bravely suffered every day since then; all those Firemen, Emergency Medical people, Police - men and women, who have suffered and continue to suffer emotionally and physically, including illnesses caused by being exposed to harmful chemicals. The list goes on and on. Remembering ... and praying that we never see another day like September 11th, 2001. This photo, taken yesterday evening in South Glenmore Park, down by the Glenmore Reservoir, is an extreme to that day of horror. A feeing of peace and freedom - which I, for one, am so grateful for, each and every day. Normally, I tend not to go out in the evenings, especially as I now find night driving difficult. However, I did go yesterday, as I wasn't sure if this was going to be our last botany walk for this year. Also, someone who went on a different day this week said he had seen a mushroom growing on a log down at the edge of the water and I was hoping to find it. Well into our walk, there it was, lol! Hence my rather strange and uninspiring next photo. I did take a close photo, too, but posted this one first. Not the most beautiful fungus in the world, but I was still happy to find it. The city has released more water into the Reservoir and the narrow "shore" is now under water, unfortunately.

Decided to scan one of the thousands of old family photos last night. I'm not being very active at the moment, giving the 16 stitches across my back a chance to heal, so I have a little more time on my hands, which actually feels really nice. Also, it's -20C (windchill -28C) this morning, 28 February 2014. The forecast for tonight is -33C (windchill -41C)!! Tomorrow, Saturday, should start off at -32C (windchill -40C), but should soar to a balmy -25C in the afternoon - yeah, right! The next few days will continue cold, but by Tuesday, there should be a little improvement - and then the snow returns, ha. It did snow a little last night. Don't think I'll be going out anywhere for the next few days, which at least will allow my stitches to heal more before I have to stretch to remove the snow from my car. Anyway, this is a photo of my Mother, Vera Kathleen Bassindale, taken by my Father on one of their endless cycling outings. Both my parents were very keen cyclists and loved being in the outdoors. My Mother shared her love of wildflowers with me and my Dad always had his camera with him, to capture the beautiful scenery, his family - and his great love of steam engines as they chugged through the countryside. I believe he had a pretty much complete photographic record of every engine in the UK (certainly England) and many from Europe. Various enthusiasts now have most of his train and traction engine photos, thanks to my amazing friends in England, who spent so much time seeing to this after my Brother died. My son inherited our parents' love of cycling : ) I seem to have inherited both passions, for which I am truly grateful. My Mother died in December 1998 and my Father had died many years before that, in 1976. Sadly, our main communication for decades was by letter, as I got married at 22 (far too young!) and moved overseas, usually across the other side of the world. Missed out on family talks and sharing of my parents' lives. Very sad, but it happens to many people when family members move away.

I just had a sudden urge to scan one of my old family photos last night and chose this one, taken many decades ago by my Father, of my Mother and little me : ) I'm not sure, but it looks like I may have been sitting in the child's seat on the back of my Father's bike. I only remember seeing photos of me on my Father's bike, and I don't know if those old seats were movable to a different bike. So often at weekends, my parents and I would bike into the countryside around Birmingham, England, and my Mother would look for wildflowers, which she loved, and my Father would be taking photos - photography was a passion for him. I seem to have inherited both passions, for which I am truly grateful : ) My Mother died in December 1998 and my Father had died many years before that, in 1976. Sadly, our main communication for decades was by letter, as I got married at 22 (far too young!) and moved overseas, usually across the other side of the world. Missed out on family talks and sharing of my parents' lives. Very sad, but it happens to many people when family members move away. Oh, by the way, those curls were the curse of my life, ha, ha - just hated them!

This is my paternal Great Grandmother, Eliza Jane Shadick. She was born about 1847? in Gravesend, Kent, England, and died in 1929. She had one sibling, (Ann Shadick or Thomas?). In 1875 (between July 1875 and September 1875), she married the Rev. Henry Carden (1852-1930) at Gravesend. Their children were Alice Gladwell (1876), Florence Sophia (1878, who married Frederick Hobson between July 1904 and September 1904 at Yorkshire [North Riding]), Nellie (1879), Percy Samuel (1880, who married Catherine Batson between July 1905 and September 1905 in Cumberland), and William Henry (1885 - between December 1951 and March 1952, who married Daisy Elizabeth Jinks between July 1908 and September 1908 in Northamptonshire). Eliza Jane Shadick of Greys, Essex, was a school-teacher prior to marriage. Her family later moved to Gravesend, Kent. Eliza Jane was daughter of Richard Shadick and Ann Gladwell. Alice, the oldest, was my paternal Grandmother. Eliza's father, Richard, owned various shops in Gravesend between 1835 and 1871 when he died. He was a Currier in the leather trade. The shop first sold harnesses and saddlery items, but after World War 2, sold a much greater range of leather goods. Her mother, Ann Gladwell Shadick, then took over the business with the help of Thomas and his wife, Margaret. In early 1905, it passed into the hands of Willie Gladwell Shadick who was Thomas's youngest son, where it stayed until around 1950. At some point in the 1950s, it went to a daughter of WIllie and so the name changed. I'm adding these old family photos and information to Flickr so that I don't have to take up lots of space in my kids' e-mail Inboxes. I also hope that someone out there might just find these images of interest or help - I had found nothing on Google myself. Funny, I can see a likeness to my oldest daughter. Information taken from UK Census 1881, 1891, 1911: Birth about 1847 Gravesend, Kent Census 3 April 1881 49 Victoria Road, St. Giles, Northampton, Northamptonshire Census 5 April 1891 Walsall Road, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire Census 31 March 1901 4 West Road, Tottenahm, Middlesex Census 2 April 1911 Heathfield, 100 Elwick Road, West Hartlepool, Durham

Sorry to post two blurry photos in a row! I wonder if it's something I am doing wrong when I scan, or maybe old photos do tend to be blurry when scanned. Anyway, this is me when just a few months old, being held by my mother. Vera Kathleen Bassindale (nee Neal) Married to Tom Carden Bassindale Anne Kathrine Bassindale (m. Elliott)

This is my maternal Grandmother, Emma Neal (nee Billingsley) with two of her children. The tiny baby on the left is my mother (Vera Kathleen Neal) and that's her brother (C. Richard or Roger Neal) on her right. Needless to say, I shudder at the sight of all those furs! I know I have lots of information on my mother's family, but searching through it all will have to wait for a time when I am less busy - if that day ever comes, ha! Emma Billingsley married George Frederick Neal at St. James, Edmonton, Middlesex, U.K, on 27th December 1890. His father was Edward Neal (? - 1900, buried in Yardley Cemetery?). They had at least 8 children: 1. George Edward ("Ted"), born 24th November 1891 2. Rowland Arthur ("Arthur", born 21st July 1898 3. Gordon Ernest, born 17th October 1901, in Malaya 4. Edna Dorothy ("Dolly"), born 27th March 1904, in Malaya 5. Leslie (?) 6. Beatrice Adelaide ("Billie"), born 14th August 1908, in Malaya 7. Clement Roger ("Dick"), born April-September 1913, in Malaya 8. Vera Kathleen (my mother), born 8th May 1914 in Handsworth at 65, Thornbury Road (baptized on 20th November 1915 at St. Mary's, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya). Died December 1998 in Birmingham, UK. In the early 1920s, the family lived at 67, Bluff Road, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. George Frederick Neal was Master at Arms, Federated Malay States Police Force. There is a fascinating connection with William Somerset Maugham's short story, "The Letter", which was also made into a movie, starring Bette Davis. My maternal Grandfather was the person who examined the gun that was used in the real life shooting. This shooting incident caused a sensation in Malaya. viweb.freehosting.net/proudlock.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Proudlock_case

A friend walking in the wonderful wildflower meadows of the Small Whaleback on July 10th. The purple flowers here are Lupins - adding this after several people mentioned them. This was a long drive south of Calgary, towards the Crowsnest Pass, and just before you get to the Oldman River. This was a botanizing trip, to record all plants, insects, birds, mammals, etc. that we could find. Even a couple of Puffballs, one of which was quite spectacular : ) Later: ha ha, I did about 8,000 steps on the above hike and today I did around 10,000 steps - walking around the Stampede Grounds with my youngest daughter!! Couldn't believe my pedometer when I got home this afternoon after spending about four hours breathing in the greasy smell from the food vendors, getting neck cramps from watching people get flung on a bungee-type ride or the high swings, watching Mom pig feed her 11 little piglets, seeing the most beautiful horses from Clydesdales to Miniatures. It is quite an experience to "do" the Grounds - but I wouldn't want to do it more than one day a year! Thanks, Rachel, for a fun time! Holy smokes - just after 10:30 p.m. and we are having a torrrential rainstorm with thunder and lightning!!

I just find this image rather amusing, seeing this little Barred Owl sitting in front of an audience. The gentleman who gave the talk brought this injured, 7-year-old male owl with him and it was a neat experience to see a Barred Owl so close (even to touch him). He just sat and stared the whole evening : ) His eyes are amazing - like deep, dark pools.