Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: interestingness#482

Taken just over a year ago at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park. I like the shape of these little mushrooms and the markings. I have always disliked photos that have the subject bang in the centre, but I'm finding that in so many of my square images, it looks really off-balance when I try putting the subject to one side .... sigh. Was finally out on a walk this morning. It has been such a beautiful day today, that I knew I just had to get out there, before my joints seize up completely : ) There were hardly any birds down in the park - presumably, they were all up at the feeders in the gardens that are along the edges of the park! Such a shame that they are being drawn away from their natural areas. Did see two of the family of four Great Horned Owls at Sikome, Fish Creek Park, though, which is always a treat. Too many branches in the way for any photos today : )

A group of eight of us drove south of Calgary on 18 December 2012, to take part in the annual High River Christmas Bird Count. We covered all the backroads in the SE quadrant of the huge circle around the town. One of the places we stopped at was Frank Lake, a very popular place for birders. This photo was taken, looking towards the sun, giving what I thought was quite a nice effect. Have to admit that while the others were scanning the lake for any sign of wildlife, I was enjoying myself taking scenic shots and ice-crystals : ) I've marked this shot on my map, but placed it in the middle of Frank lake, as I'm not sure just where we were. We started our search at around 8:30 a.m. and returned to the meeting place around 5:00 p.m., when we handed in our results and stayed for a delicious potluck supper. Thanks so much to the local birders who organized this most enjoyable ending to a long day! Our small group's sightings for the day: Mallard 9 in am at Frank Lake; 7 seen flying there in late pm. Common Goldeneye-4 Bald Eagle-4 ad. Northern Goshawk-2 ad. Rough-legged Hawk-1 Merlin-2 Gray Partridge-12 Sharp-tailed Grouse-5 Rock Pigeon-26 Great Horned Owl-5 Snowy Owl-1 (seen 3 times). Downy Woodpecker-1 m. Black-billed Magpie-34 Common Raven-8 Northern Shrike-1 American Tree Sparrow-3 Snow Bunting-807 Common Redpoll-925 Hoary Redpoll-1 House Sparrow-245

A photo taken quite a time ago, when I went to Lake Louise with friends. We stopped for lunch in a place near the lake and three of these very cold, puffed-out Bohemian Waxwings were feeding on berries in a small tree. Normally, these birds are very sleek and stream-lined, but not that day.

Two flowers from the most recent bunch of roses that I bought from Safeway. I just cannot get either of my digital cameras to record the accurate colour, which is so disappointing.