Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Iris family

Rather wish I hadn't bothered to post this photo, but I don't have the time or energy to look for a different one. I grabbed it last night, hoping to add a change of colour on my photostream, which is looking very green these days : ) Fortunately, at least the Hollyhocks and Gladioli were still in bloom and in good condition when I called in briefly at the Reader Rock Garden after an afternoon volunteer shift on 26 August 2015. Most of the flowers there had finished for the season and many of the ones that did still exist were past their prime. Still managed to get a few photos, though, including this beautiful pink Hollyhock flower. I think its little visitor is a Tarnished Plant Bug. "Alcea (Ál-ce-a), commonly known as hollyhocks, is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae. Most species are native to southwest and central Asia, although a few are native to southeast Europe or Egypt." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcea I wasn't sure whether I should go there or not that day, as the air quality had been very poor for a number of days, due to smoke blowing across from the devastating forest fires in Washington State, northwest US. Fortunately, the rain that had been falling for a few days helped the firefighters fight the flames.

An update on my daughter who was in the hospital for a few days. She was allowed to go home three evenings ago, though the medical staff still aren't completely sure of the cause of the problem. She has a follow-up appointment in September, so hopefully she and we will know more at that time. Meanwhile, I feel totally drained, ha! Fortunately, at least the Gladioli were still in bloom and in good condition yesterday, 26 August 2015, when I called in briefly at the Reader Rock Garden after an afternoon volunteer shift. Most of the flowers have finished for the season and many of the ones that do still exist are past their prime. Still managed to get a few photos, though. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiolus I wasn't sure whether I should go there or not, as the air quality is very unpleasant at the moment. Even in the house, it smells of smoke. The following is from the Weather Network website. A friend let me know that the numbers given were inaccurate (too high), but we were still well over the "high" level. "In the city of Calgary the air quality health index was off the charts through the overnight hours Tuesday (25 August 2015), peaking at 19 on a scale where 10 is considered 'high'." The smoke is being blown here from the northwestern United States (Washington State) and it affects the visibility the whole day. Most unpleasant, and I don't know how people who live much closer to the wildfires are managing! We are being told to stay indoors, close all windows, and not use air-conditioning (which most of us don't have in our homes), including in our cars. Temperature this afternoon is supposed to reach 27C (to feel like 30C). Definitely a day to stay home - photography would be useless, as the sky is so heavily smoke-laden. "Thursday, August 27, 2015, 10:11 AM - Southerly winds continue to spread heavy plumes of smoke north into British Columbia and Alberta from the large wildfires burning in Washington state. However, there is relief in sight as a series of low pressure systems are expected to cool temperatures down and bring a substantial amount of rain." From the Weather Network. So many Firefighters bravely battling the flames down in this whole area, as well as all those fighting the fires in British Columbia! A huge thank-you to each and every one of them!

On Thursday, 12 June 2014, I drove westwards to the eastern edge of the mountains, along Elbow Falls Trail (Highway 66) as far as Maclean Pond. I did a very slow walk, finding just a few things to photograph. I was surprised at how few wildflowers were in bloom - this was the only tiny Blue-eyed Grass that I noticed. The main plant was the Dandelion, so it was obviously too early after our late spring. Also found a very few Shootingstars, several Valerian flowers, an occasional cluster of Mouse-eared Chickweed, and not much else. I drove home via the backroads SW of Calgary, where I photographed a pair of Mountain Bluebirds, a Tree Swallow, a Brewer's Blackbird, a Black Tern that was perched on a fence post, and a Snipe.

The flower of the Blue-eyed Grass wildflower are so pretty and so small. Each flower is about 2 cm diameter, with six purplish tepals with a yellowish base and yellow stamens. This species belongs to the Iridaceae family. The flowers close in the afternoon, and then are far more difficult to find. Photographed (macro) this one near the Ing's Mine parking lot, off Elbow Falls Trail (Highway 66), west of the city, on July 17th. talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1063

OK, I'm happy - I think this photo shows that it IS possible for me (I know others can do it) to take reasonable photos outdoors with the Raynox 250. I didn't bother to carry my mini, table-top tripod this time, so this image was hand-held, with a light breeze. These Blue-eyed Grass flowers are so gorgeous. The flower of the Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium montanum/Sisyrinchium angustifolium) is only about 1 cm or less than 1/2 inch in diameter, and the plant is a member of the Iris family. Photographed this one today, when I went along Elbow Fall Trails into the beginning of the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and called in at the Ing Mine's parking lot area. I was so disappointed today, as I overslept by almost two and a half hours and so missed a lovely day of botanizing with friends at Bow Valley Provincial Park. I had been waiting a year to get back to this particular area. It is a popular area for wildflowers, but is also a great place for birding. talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1063

This is a very small (5-9 mm wide), native wildflower that likes moist, open areas. It has 3 petals and 3 sepals. A member of the Iris family, it grows June-July.

I always enjoy coming across these small wildflowers, which belong to the Iris family.