Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Ranchlands Natural Area

I'm not sure if this mushroom is the same as the one with the much larger cap that I posted the other day. If it is the same, then it is a Leccinum sp 'Scaber Stalk', growing in Aspen woodland - thanks, Doug, for the ID : ) They really were rather fine specimens - and a joy to behold : )

The centre of a brilliant orange Poppy, seen in someone's garden during a walk at the Ranchlands Natural Area last summer.

Not a very inspiring plant (or photo) but I wanted it for my Plants of Alberta album : ). This wild plant, introduced from Europe, grows in yards, roadsides and waste areas.

As it is an invasive species, maybe I should whisper that I love this plant, LOL! The tiny flowers are so pretty, as are the seedpods when open. It is a member of the Borage family, was introduced from Europe, and grows in pastures, roadsides and waste areas, June-August. In Alberta, this plant is listed as Noxious. I had hoped to post a few photos from a most enjoyable hike I did today, but I only got back home around 6:30 p.m. (half an hour ago) and am too tired to go through my photos from today. A few of us hiked the Ptarmigan Cirque Trail in Kananaskis, off Highway 40, a favourite place of mine, though I have only ever been to it maybe half a dozen times. A steep climb up to wonderful alpine meadows surrounded by impressive mountain peaks and scree slopes. Seeing alpine flowers for a change was such a special treat.

This pair of mating Twice-stabbed Stinkbugs was seen at Ranchlands Natural Area, on 8th July. "Body black with red band crossing width of pronotum and a short red stripe along the midline (these markings are sometimes orange or yellow); scutellum with two red marginal spots near apex - a distinguishing feature and the origin of the common name; tips of wings clear or appearing white when overlapped. Nymphs have similar color and pattern to adults but lack wings. They are 5-7 mm in size." From bugguide.net/node/view/6433/bgimage .

We were so lucky to come across a number of these beautiful Boletes on our walk this morning. They were growing in Aspen woodland at Ranchlands natural Area. Judging by the weather we are having at this very moment, maybe there will be other fungi growing in various locations, too. It has just started pouring with rain - and I have a walk to go on in about an hour and a half to see a possibly endangered wild Iris. Oh, and my daughter has just e-mailed me to warn me that there is a Tornado Watch in place for the Calgary area!

On a three-hour walk at Ranchlands Natural Area yesterday morning, I spotted a brilliant splash of orange in the distance. Walking closer, we came to a garden that borders on to the park and were treated to the sight of several huge Oriental Poppies. I'm having some problems with my camera - most of the photos I took came out horribly blown-out, but I was relieved to find that this one turned out OK.

I have to admit that I know very little about insects, though I do know that this is a Green Grasshopper nymph, with still undeveloped wings. I love the colour and patterns on these little hoppers - and thanks, David, for providing the background : )

The species name "cernuum" refers to the crook in the flower stem. Apparently, it is one of the better-tasting wild onions.

This wildflower grows in dry prairie grasslands. "Luteus" means "golden". We don't see it very often here in Calgary, so we always feel fortunate when we do get the chance.

I have only ever seen rare, double Harebells twice, each in a different location. This one was growing in the Ranchlands Natural Area. The other one we saw was at Beaverdam Flats Park.

We saw the occasional brilliant red leaf on our walk at the Ranchlands natural area this morning. This one belongs to the Sticky Purple Geranium plant. After the whole month of July of temperatures around 29C and 31C, today was about 10C earlier this morning. It also rained. I returned home absolutely soaked to mid-thigh, with a whole bunch of photos that were blurry thanks greatly to the poor light on this gloomy day. Kind of refreshing, though, to feel almost cold!