Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Fish Creek Provincial Park

I love to see this bright red, old wagon that sits in Fish Creek Park by the Bow Valley Ranch. Next to it is the Artisan's Garden.

I'd like to thank each and every one of you who left a very kind, supportive comment on my last photo, posted to let people know that my oldest daughter passed away early in the early evening of 3rd January 2014. Your thoughtful words are of great comfort. Life will certainly never be the same without Fiona - she has left a huge hole that can never be filled. I try to take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in constant pain, no longer has to think about the two knee replacements that were to take place before too long, and no longer struggle with everyday things. Rest in Peace, Fiona. flic.kr/p/qD8TEb

Though Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a weed that grows in our parks and natural areas, I still like coming across it, with its beautiful bright yellow, button-like flowers. This particular plant was photographed at Lafarge Meadows, Fish Creek Provincial Park, on 14 September 2014. In Alberta, this plant is listed as Noxious. It was a beautiful, sunny day - hard to believe that we had had two heavy, late-summer snowfalls on 9 and 10 September. "Introduced from Europe in the 1600’s, its pungently aromatic foliage has been used medicinally, as an insect repellant, and for embalming. Common tansy forms dense stands and the plants contain alkaloids that are toxic to both humans and livestock if consumed in large quantities. Cases of livestock poisoning are rare, though, because tansy is unpalatable to grazing animals. Because of its long medicinal and horticultural use, Common tansy is still available in plant nurseries and from herbal remedy suppliers. Gardeners should not purchase Common tansy."

Thanks to Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jr, who sang the song that had this title (1927). Have to admit it was never (i.e. many years later) "my" kind of music : ) However, that title came to mind when I saw this shot. Almost on the spur of the moment, I decided to join friends yesterday afternoon for a birding walk. The weather was so perfect, especially compared to the two consecutive snowstorms we had on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week! After a quick look for birds along the avenue of trees near Fish Creek Provincial Park headquarters, we drove down to the Boat Launch area and from there we walked south along the Bow River. The Ospreys were flying near the river ad we saw one of them carrying a fish to take back to their nest. We saw 30 species, but nothing close enough for photos. After an enjoyable walk, a few of us called in at Tim Horton's for coffee and a snack. From there, I called in at a different part of the park and watched a family of Beavers swimming in their pond. While I was waiting, hoping that they might appear, so many American Robins flew from branch to branch in the nearby trees and bushes, sometimes landing, like this colourful male, on the rocks at the edge of the pond. I always feel that Robins are so much taken for granted. Eventually, after a long wait, the Beaver's appeared - one adult, who crossed the path where I was standing (photo posted today), who took me off guard as I had my camera well zoomed. This huge animal walked faster than I was expecting, so it's not the greatest photo. Better than almost all my photos taken of them, though, as the light was quickly fading and the pond area was too dark. Hope your photos came out much better than mine, Phil! Such a treat to watch this family, especially the young ones. We were amazed, at one moment, when an old wooden pallet started moving and blocked a small passageway between the banks. One Beaver was pulling this discarded structure all on its own. I wonder if they had originally found it washed up nearby after the Alberta Flood of the Century last year (2013).

A little gem (Bolete mushroom) found on 28th August last year at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park.

One of my "usual" little male Downy Woodpeckers at Sikome, Fish Creek Park. Unfortunately, the blue sky had disappeared by the time I was in this area of the park.

The Red-breasted Nuthatches were busy down in Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Provincial Park, yesterday.

Such a beautiful blue sky for a background to this Boreal Chickadee, seen in Votier's Flats, Fish Creek Park, yesterday morning. This type of Chickadee is uncommon to common year-round in Alberta. We don't see many here in the city parks. They are found in mature and young Spruce and fir forests. We watched this Chickadee checking out a small cavity in a tree.

Yesterday evening, I went for a beautiful walk in a local park with a friend. This elegant Mule Deer doe stopped to watch us for a while.

Had to crop this image quite heavily, as I was unable to approach any closer.

A helmet, leather boots, a pair of Harley-Davidson wheels and flashy metal and this little Red Squirrel would be all set to "Go"! He's got the right pose.

Took this photo almost looking into the sun, so the lighting isn't the greatest. Does give it a more wintry look, perhaps.

I love the black spots that cover the breast of these woodpeckers.

These two photos were taken on a day when the weather was so cold and windy. Guess this kept the birds down low and this gave me a chance to get a few rather distant photos that needed quite a lot of cropping.

This is a favourite little bird in Alberta and it is found at garden birdfeeders as well as in woodlands. This one was down in one of my local parks. It is a very humbling experience to have them fly down to one's outstretched hand. They are such a welcome sight during the long winter months when there are far fewer things to see.