Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Maclean Creek

Note: this photo is NOT my "main" (i.e. very last to be uploaded) photo out of the three I've posted this morning. I uploaded this and the previous shot first and then uploaded the main image (Echinacea flower) separately, to see if that makes any difference. I did try doing it a couple of times this way weeks ago and seem to remember that there was something I didn't like with the result, but can't for the life of me remember what it was, ha. Hopefully, Flickr (or something else) won't change the order of the way you see my photos displayed! Usually, I don't bother to take scenery shots at Maclean Pond, as I don't find it to be that photogenic. However, I Took this photo yesterday, 31 July 2015, as each one of those tiny white specks in the water is a pretty little Water Crowfoot flower. I've added a macro shot of a single, tiny flower in a comment box below. The forecast for this afternoon is 28C, a very slight improvement over yesterday, when it reached 31C. I was out all day yesterday, having a great day with friend, Darlene, going west of the city. We first called in at someone's private property to see if there was any sign of the Red-bellied Woodpecker that had been reported. No luck, but we did see many beautiful Evening Grosbeaks and even more Pine Siskins, plus a Hairy Woodpecker and several other birds. Also, we saw a different Grosbeak, either a female or a juvenile Rose-breasted Grosbeak or Black-headed Grosbeak. Didn't get a chance to look at my photos and crop to get a better look last night. Hopefully, someone will have been able to get the bird identified. After this visit, we drove to an area where I had been told that a Great Gray can be seen sometimes (no luck), and then along Elbow Falls Trail (Highway 66) as far as Maclean Pond, just in time to see an Osprey flying overhead with a large fish in its talons. So few birds to be seen or heard - maybe it was just too hot for them, and by then it was the afternoon, which tends not to be the best time to see birds. We got separated for quite a long time, through miscommunication, probably because when I yelled through the forest "Are you still coming?", it had sounded to Darlene like "I'm coming"! So, she waited for me to reach her and I had assumed that she was following behind me, some distance back. Apparently, both of us called a number of times after that, but we were out of hearing distance. Not a good feeling, each of us concerned about the well-being of the other and each wondering if we were going to have to call in a search party. At 31C, it was feeling mighty hot the whole time, too! When we finally found each other, we knew what we needed after our "ordeal" - an ice-cream, back in Bragg Creek, lol! A great day, Darlene - thanks so much for driving and for all the fun : )

Another wildflower that I came across in the Maclean Pond area. These small flowers are such a beautiful colour and shape.

Well, when I woke up (late) this morning, to my great surprise, the sun was shining! The forecast was for yet another rainy day (this is our second week of almost endless rain). I made a quick decision to drive to the mountains after lunch. I had wondered whether I'd be brave enough to drive to Brown-Lowery Park so that I could see if I'd be able to find the rare Calypso Orchids that a few of us had seen recently. A website commented that after a lot of rain, one of the gravel roads leading there was not good to travel on, so rather than risk getting stuck in soft ruts out in the middle of "nowhere", I went to plan B. I also have a phobia of driving and of getting lost, which I have managed to overcome to a certain degree, and this was the main reason I chickened out. So, instead, I drove out along the Elbow Falls Trail road and had a walk at Maclean Pond, which I always enjoy. To my joy, I discovered some of the rare Calypso Orchids growing there! Half way through my forest walk, the sky clouded over and it began to rain : ). This flower is also known as Venus'-slipper.

Well, when I woke up (late) this morning, to my great surprise, the sun was shining! The forecast was for yet another rainy day (this is our second week of almost endless rain). I made a quick decision to drive to the mountains after lunch. I had wondered whether I'd be brave enough to drive to Brown-Lowery Park so that I could see if I'd be able to find the rare Calypso Orchids that a few of us had seen recently. A website commented that after a lot of rain, one of the gravel roads leading there was not good to travel on, so rather than risk getting stuck in soft ruts out in the middle of "nowhere", I went to plan B. I also have a phobia of driving and of getting lost, which I have managed to overcome to a certain degree, and this was the main reason I chickened out. So, instead, I drove out along the Elbow Falls Trail road and had a walk at Maclean Pond, which I always enjoy. To my joy, I discovered some of the rare Calypso Orchids growing there! Half way through my forest walk, the sky clouded over and it began to rain : )

Several of these small, yellow birds were flitting from branch to banch and tree to tree yesterday at Maclean Pond, off Elbow Falls Trail. I just knew that they weren't Yellow Warblers, but had to wait till I got home to my bird book to see which Warblers have a black cap. Thanks to those below who confirmed the ID for me - much appreciated! This is my first Wilson's Warbler shot (ID only).

These were the first things that I saw when I started to explore the Maclean Pond area, off Elbow Falls Trail, yesterday.