Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: on hand

This photo shows a Thaloid Liverwort (non-vascular plant) found growing at the edge of a pond on Frances and David Dover's acreage. You can see the rhizoids that anchor it, also a few tiny water creatures (seen on friend Sandy's hand). Well found, Sandy, as this is a tracked liverwort (S2). We have only seen it at one location in Calgary, along the edge of one of the ponds at Pearce Estate. I was at that location in 2008 and again on 27 August 2013, when it was discovered there. "In ancient times, it was believed that liverworts cured diseases of the liver, hence the name. In Old English, the word liverwort literally means liver plant. This probably stemmed from the superficial appearance of some thalloid liverworts (which resemble a liver in outline), and led to the common name of the group as hepatics, from the Latin word hēpaticus for "belonging to the liver". An unrelated flowering plant, Hepatica, is sometimes also referred to as liverwort because it was once also used in treating diseases of the liver. This archaic relationship of plant form to function was based in the "Doctrine of Signatures". The greatest impact of Liverworts is through the reduction of erosion along streambanks, their collection and retention of water in tropical forests, and the formation of soil crusts in deserts and polar regions. However, a few species are used by humans directly. A few species, such as Riccia fluitans, are aquatic thallose liverworts sold for use in aquariums. Their thin, slender branches float on the water's surface and provide habitat for both small invertebrates and the fish that feed on them." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marchantiophyta I will copy and paste the description I posted on Flickr from our first visit to the Dover's property, on 7 August 2015: "Yesterday, 7 August 2015, four of us were extremely fortunate to have the chance to visit the home and highly varied topographic 62-acre property belonging to Frances and David Dover. We felt honoured and privileged to meet and spend time with Frances and David, and also their daughter Carolyn and her husband Clair. A delightful family who welcomed us so warmly into their home and land. This acreage of grassland, forest, rolling hills - and special gardens - is not far from Millarville, SW of Calgary. In fact, it's in an area that I often drive through when I only have time for, or only feel like doing, a short drive. Amazing what little gems exist out there. This is not just a beautiful property, but is very special for various reasons. For one thing, read any history of Alberta and you will find the Dover family, including David's mother, Mary Dover. Second, among the trees and open "lawns", there are Peony flower beds, containing 100-150 heritage Peonies, each one different, that have now multiplied to more than 300 plants. Unfortunately, they bloomed a couple of weeks early this year, and all the flowers had gone to seed. Another open area had a different kind of ground cover - Thyme, which smelled wonderful. If I remember correctly, this was the open space where the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra performed on one occasion! There are two large ponds on the property and another smaller area of water that they hope to turn into a Japanese Garden. It was while walking around the latter that a large brown 'shape' could be seen through the dense trees - a handsome Moose buck. I will look properly at the four or so photos I just managed to get and will slip one of them into my photostream sometime soon, just for the record, definitely not for the photo quality : ) This was also where a Great Horned Owl was seen flying through the trees by some of us (not me, ha!). There are grassy paths winding through the acreage, up and down hill, that take David seven hours to mow. They are not pristine, velvety paths, but instead, they seem to take nothing away from the wildness of the whole area. One of the animals that have passed through is the Cougar. In fact, several years ago, I saw a video taken on a nearby (or adjacent?) property, where a 'kill' and night-time camera had been set up and a total of six different Cougar individuals were seen! Even the Dover's home is unique and beautiful. It is completely built of concrete - floors, walls, ceilings, roof, deck, and so on. A Hummingbird feeder and regular bird feeders, set up on the patio, attract a variety of birds. We sat on the patio after our walk to eat our packed lunches - and to enjoy a delicious Orange Pound Cake that Frances had made for us, along with refreshing Iced Tea - thank you so much for this, Frances! Yesterday, while I was waiting for one of three tiny Calliope Hummingbirds to come back, I was lucky enough to see a little Mountain Chickadee, along with many Pine Siskins. We could also hear a Red-tailed Hawk in the area. There is just so much I could write about this visit and family. Instead, or for now, I will add several links to more information on the Internet. This was a memorable day for us. Thank you so much, Frances and David, Carolyn and Clair, for being so kind and welcoming us into your home and gardens. books.google.ca/books?id=Tr36Tq_gadcC&pg=PA290&lp... www.westernwheel.com/article/20110727/WHE06/307279983/-1/... David's mother, Mary Dover (her father was A. E. Cross), was "a dynamic and distinguished Calgarian, particularly known for her work with the military during World War II." As well as being an army officer, and an alderman, she was also a preservationist. See the following link. www.albertachampions.org/champions-mary_dover.htm#.VcY1KP... ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesMainResults.aspx?XC=/searc... glencoe.org/documents/10184/637479/The-History-of-Elbow-P... page 44-45 ."

Not the greatest quality photo (OK in this small size), but I just liked it. The light wasn't very good, which gives me either noisy or blurry images, but I couldn't resist trying for a shot or two when this friendly little Black-capped Chickadee flew down to someone's hand.

A little Black-capped Chickadee doing what (some) Chickadees do! Someimes, all you need to do in certain locations is put your arm out to point something out to a friend, and before you know it, a little bird has landed on your hand : ) LOL, I've had them on my head, my shoulders, arms, hands, clinging to the leg of my jeans, and even perched on top of my camera. Such cute and friendly little guys. There is always a Chickadee around when nothing else seems to be. Thank you, Chickadees, especially in deep mid-winter, when it's -25C outside, and you come and see me in the park and give me something to photograph : ) So much appreciated!

Taken in Carburn Park on 23rd January. Of course, as you can see, I didn't get the focus on the most important thing in the photo - the little Black-capped Chickadee. However, I did want to add it, as I told the person I would probably add a shot on Flickr if it was even remotely good enough. It was her very first time to experience a bird on her hand : )

When there is little or nothing else to photograph, the friendly Black-capped Chickadee always appears out of nowhere : ) Then, one by one, others come to join him. Taken on an overcast day in Fish Creek Park, Bebo Grove to Shannon Terrace, three days ago.

I really don't need any more Black-capped Chickadee photos in my photostream, but that never stops me, lol! This little guy/gal flew down to see one of my friends when we were on a walk at Burnsmead, Fish Creek Park, two days ago.

A little Red-breasted Nuthatch paying a visit to a friend during a walk at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, on November 11th. As I type this, snow is gently falling - again : )

This was one very friendly little butterfly! Talk about posing nicely for photos : ) Obviously it hadn't read the description of this species below, ha. Seen while we were botanizing the beautiful acreage belonging to Susan Wright (down south of Calgary, past Turner Valley). Wingspan: 34 to 52 mm. "A quick, active species that flits rapidly about its territory, often along a woodland road. It regularly alights on the ground or on a rock or tree with its wings spread flat. It feeds mostly on sap, rotting fruit, and animal dung, but is also seen nectaring on flowers." From www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/butterflies/species/Milbert'sTor...

Came across a couple of groupings of these little Earthstar fungi at Shannon Terrace, Fish Creek Park, three days ago. Fascinating things and it's always a treat to come across one on a rare occasion. Whenever I've seen them, they are loose, and simply resting on top of the soil and leaf litter, so can easily be picked up (and then replaced in the same spot). The weather was so grey and gloomy that I picked this one up and took several steps in the hope that I might get more light coming through the trees - but there just wasn't any decent light at all, hence not the best quality image. Fun, all the same : ) "The outer, leathery wall (peridium) splits open into the rays of a star, but the rays fold down into "legs" that support the spherical spore case that sits on a short stalk or pedicel. The rays are firmly attached to a clump of mycelium and leaf debris." From waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0504 . This is a very short video showing how an Earthstar works. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY6mwnRPiRU "Time lapse Earthstar fungi splitting open and then rising off the forest floor. It raises itself up so that the puff-ball is above the leaf litter and gets a better chance of being struck by raindrops which expels its spores." Filmed by Neil Bromhall copyright www.complete-gardens.co.uk

I'm running late with posting today : ) Spent a couple of hours this afternoon shooting Coots. Yes, Coots - but it felt SO good to finally see any kind of bird close enough to photograph it. And I like Coots, LOL. Also saw Scaup, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds (too far away) and the usual Canada Geese, Mallards, etc.. On the way home, I called in to see the family of Great Horned Owls in Fish Creek Park - a relief to see three little fuzzy heads sticking up above the edge of the cavity. Our recent rain, snow and very strong winds had not harmed these little guys, thank goodness. This photo of a Gray Jay was taken in dense forest in dreadful light, but I managed to brighten it enough to post it. I don't usually get the chance to photograph these birds, and certainly not on a friend's (David) hand. Taken last September in West Bragg Creek. That's MY granola bar that it flew down for, LOL. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Jay

One of the little Black-capped Chickadees that flew down to see us on our three-hour walk this morning, along the Bow River from the Bow Valley Ranch south to 194th Avenue S. I kind of liked the background. A gorgeous, mild, sunny day today - supposed to get up to 14C. However, snow is back in the forecast for Wednesday (?).

Not a good shot, by any means, but thought it might be interesting to see for those of you who aren't familiar with Gray Jays. This one landed on a friend's hand deep within dark forest in the Bragg Creek park. Terrible lighting, of course, LOL. "The Gray Jay, Perisoreus canadensis, is a member of the crow and jay family (Corvidae) found in the boreal forests across North America north to the tree-line and in subalpine forests of the Rocky Mountains south to New Mexico and Arizona.... To the delight of modern campers, many individual Gray Jays quickly learn that we can be an excellent source of food, even coming to the hand for bread, raisins, or cheese." From Wikipedia.

Not the greatest photo of the Chickadee itself, but I loved the splash of colour of this lady's jacket and the way the little bird was clinging to her finger tips : ) Taken down in Fish Creek Park four days ago.

Sometimes I take photos of the birds on my own hand, but if the chance arises to shoot one on someone else's hand, as in this image, that's fun, too : ) The little Red-breasted Nuthatch is such a small, light and cute bird. One of my favourites to have on my hand. They are pretty fast little birds, but not quite as fast-moving as their friends, the Black-capped Chickadees. The light was not good, so had to use flash, which has resulted in a rather harsh outline - but, hey, at least it's sharp, LOL! Background colour is from snow.

Isn't this the cutest little thing? I love having Red-breasted Nuthatches fly down to my hand - they are so small and light and dainty. Saw this little guy in Fish Creek Park on 31st December last year. Explore Front Page, 19th November 2009

Trying to remember what the lighting was like down in the park today - I know it wasn't good and my photos came out so dark. It was a harsh kind of sunlight and very windy. Anyway, just wanted to show you this little male White-breasted Nuthatch that flew down to my hand to say Hello. He and his mate are "my" regulars in that area : )

This cute little Western Toad, Bufo boreas, was found at Bow Valley Provincial Park on Thursday. I always used to think that Toads were huge, so was surprised to learn that this little one was a Toad. Thanks, Doug, for patiently holding it - something that I could never do myself :) - while I took some photos. When he was released (the Toad that is, not Doug!), we were able to watch him swim a short way in the clear water. "Adult Western Toads have stocky bodies with short legs, and tend to walk rather than hop. Their thick skin appears dry and bumpy and can range in colour from pale green to grey, dark brown, and red. They typically have pale-coloured bellies mottled with black, and a pale coloured stripe down their backs. Their beautiful gold-flecked eyes have distinctive horizontal oval pupils. Behind each eye is a prominent oblong or kidney-shaped swelling called a parotoid gland. Adults range from 5.5 to 14.5 centimetres in body length, excluding the hind legs. Males are generally smaller than females and have dark pads on their thumbs that help them cling to the female during mating. Their skin is usually less rough and blotched than the females' skin." From www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/frogwatch .

The Black-capped Chickadee is such a popular little bird, with its "friendly, trusting" nature. They often fly down in certain locations as soon as they see you. This little one flew down to a friend's hand in Fish Creek Park. A reminder to everyone - feeding of wildlife, including birds, is forbidden in Fish Creek Park, a Provincial park. A hefty fine could be given if someone is caught.