Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Portulacaceae

I can't remember if it was last summer or the summer of 2010, that there was a botanizing day trip to Plateau Mountain, when a friend saw this plant and sent round a photo in an e-mail. Either I wasn't on that particular trip or else some of the group had decided to go a bit further, but ever since seeing that photo, I longed to see this very small flower for myself. Yesterday, it happened! Eight of us made a return trip to Plateau Mountain. The upper gate was locked and we didn't have a key, so we had to walk from the locked gate up the road all the way to the lower meadows. This time, though, we also explored a little bit further, climbing part way up a very rocky slope. Shortly before this slope, someone spotted this very small flower and then we noticed another two or three. I was so thrilled to finally be able to photograph (macro) this little beauty. Each flower has 5 to 9 white, pink or red petals which may or may not have dark veining or striping. The petals are 4 millimeters to one centimeter long. Another highlight of the trip was when we were offered the chance to be driven to the very top to see the herd of around 150 Bighorn Sheep that call the mountain "home". A week before, I had been up there for the first time, but we only passed by and didn't get out of our vehicles. Three of us chose to go, and what a thrill it was to have dozens of these wild animals come rushing towards the vehicle - they love to lick the salt off the truck. Apparently, they won't come near if it's just a person standing there, but they do come running over when they see a vehicle to lick. We got out of the truck and we even had a sheep or two come over and nuzzle our hands. While there, someone spotted a Hoary Marmot enjoying the shade under part of the small gas plant. I was delighted to see one of these animals - got a very distant and crummy photo, but might still upload it just to add it to my Wild Animals of Alberta set. We were so lucky to be driven all the way back to our cars, too, picking up the other five of us on the way. It's a tough job searching for rare plants and researching different locations , but someone has to do it, lol! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewisia_pygmaea

Guess I forgot to upload this macro photo of a small Spring Beauty wildflower, taken on Plateau Mountain on July 2nd. This plant is native to Alberta. "Claytonia lanceolata is a species of wildflower in the purslane family known by the common names lanceleaf springbeauty and western springbeauty. This plant is native to western North America as far south as New Mexico where it grows in foothills up to alpine slopes." Holy smokes, just had a phone call to say that the 12 boxes coming from England will be delivered this afternoon! I was expecting at least a few days' notice, ha! Sounds like the delivery people are only allowed to carry boxes inside a place, not down to a basement - they have a 2-step limit! Really hoping that they can be persuaded or that at least a few of the boxes will be light enough for me to carry/slide down the stairs myself! I can just see the people who come to replace all they windows and the front door and patio door having to manoevre their way around this pile of boxes if they are stuck in my living room! 12:30 p.m.: all 12 boxes of sentimental belongs of my brother and my parents are now safe and sound down in my basement! Smaller than I was picturing (which is good), but the delivery guy said that certain boxes were VERY heavy! He was absolutely prepared to take them down to the basement for me - said he wouldn't dream of leaving them in my living room - for which I am truly thankful : ) Now I just have to go through the very emotionally exhausting task of unpacking, little by little.