Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Handfield property

Though I took this photo just over two years ago, I don't seem to have posted it before. Remember finding this one, Doug? This slime mold is so tiny, I don't think I would ever find it myself - this is a very heavily cropped photo. I think this stage of its life is so delicate and beautiful. Seen on Rod Handfield's property when several of us spent the day botanizing there, on 20th July 2009. "Slime mold is a broad term describing fungi-like organisms that use spores to reproduce. They were formerly classified as fungi, but are no longer considered part of this group. Their common name refers to part of some of these organism's lifecycles where they can appear gelatinous (hence the name slime). However, this feature is mostly seen with the myxomycetes, which are the only macroscopic slime molds. Slime molds have been found all over the world and feed on microorganisms that live in any type of dead plant material. For this reason, these organisms are usually found in soil, lawns, and on the forest floor, commonly on deciduous logs. In urban areas, they are found on mulch or even in the leaf mold in gutters. One of the most commonly encountered slime molds, both in nature in forests in the temperate zones of the earth as well as in classrooms and laboratories is the yellow Physarum polycephalum." From Wikipedia.

Just too mentally exhausted to come up with some inspirational title for this photo, lol! I desperately need to get out for a walk but our deep freeze continues for yet another day. Last night, the windchill temperature got down to -36C, and even though the actual temperature has now soared to a comparatively balmy -17C (0F), it's not enough to entice me outdoors. Keep warm, everybody! Took this photo at Rod Handfield's place on August 17th.

A different shot of this pretty female Evening Grosbeak, seen at the Handfield's wonderful acreage, south west of Calgary, west of Millarville on 16th May. The other posted image was of this bird at a feeder, and showed more of the wing pattern. That's a pretty powerful beak, LOL! "The Evening Grosbeak is a year-round Alberta resident, usually in the northern half of the Province, but may be found in the southern mountains and the Cypress Hills as well. This big-beaked bird is a common winter visitor to central and southern Alberta towns and cities. When not stuffing themselves at winter feeders, grosbeaks use their specialized beaks to crack the winged seeds of Manitoba maple (boxelder) and green ash trees. In spring, swelling buds of poplar and willow are relished, and in summer and fall, the birds gorge on the ripening berries of pincherry, Saskatoons and other juicy morsels." talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=346

This a very pretty, native wildflower that grows in moist, wooded areas, in flower June-July. The solitary flowers are white, waxy and fragrant, 1-2 cm wide. This plant was growing on private property near Millarville on 20th July.

I have kept putting off posting this image, unsure as to whether it is beyond simplicity, LOL. However, I thought it still gives an idea of the magic one can find deep within the forest : ) Seen on the Handfield property near Millarville, back on 20th July. We had such a great time botanizing this private property and really appreciate the kindness of the owners.

Pretty common mushrooms, no doubt, but I loved the way they were growing on this rotting tree stump. Found when botanizing the Handfield property near Millarville, south of the city, on 20th July.

Two of the small mushrooms we found on a repeat, full-day botanizing outing to a 152-acre private property west of Millarville (south of Calgary) on Monday. The forest here was absolutely amazing, including for fungi. What a fun time we had!

This was one of the many wonderful species of fungus that we discovered while botanizing the 152-acre property of Rod Handfield, south of Calgary, west of Millarville. Just loved the grooves and the light : )

A friend pointed out this beautiful specimen of Comb Tooth fungus when we were doing a repeat botanizing trip on the Handfield property, west of Millarville, south of Calgary. I had seen this kind of fungus before, but maybe only two or three times, so it was exciting to come across it again.

This mushroom was taken on 20th July at the Handfield's acreage, west of Millarville (southwest of Calgary).

Saw this beautiful little hairy beetle yesterday, when I went with a handful of friends to botanize someone's property near Millarville, southwest of the city. It is an Ornate Checkered Beetle, Trichodes ornatus - thanks, Doug, I've just seen your ID!

It was a real treat to come across a few stems of this rare, wild orchid when we botanized someone's property two days ago, south west of the city, near Millarville. It has been sighted at about four locations in Calgary, but I don't know if the plant still appears in these places. This photo is a much enlarged view of just one of the several very small flowers that grow on each stem.

Today, a handful of us went to do a repeat botanizing walk on a wonderful, forested property near Millarville, south west of Calgary. We saw all sorts of neat fungi and slime molds, as well as a good variety of wildflowers and birds. This tiny one, Stemonitis axifera, growing on a fallen log, was strange and quite beautiful when zoomed in on. Reminded me of brown "Sparklers". I haven't checked it out in large size, but it should be easier to see the details on the right, sharper clump. Thanks, Doug, for finding all sorts of neat things today - between you, you and David did an amazing job! Many thanks, too, to Mr. Handfield who so kindly allowed us to explore his property and accompanied us on our exploration. I'm sure we all learned some new things : ) "Slime mold is a broad term describing fungi-like organisms that use spores to reproduce. They were formerly classified as fungi, but are no longer considered part of this group. Their common name refers to part of some of these organism's lifecycles where they can appear gelatinous (hence the name slime). However, this feature is mostly seen with the myxomycetes, which are the only macroscopic slime molds. Slime molds have been found all over the world and feed on microorganisms that live in any type of dead plant material. For this reason, these organisms are usually found in soil, lawns, and on the forest floor, commonly on deciduous logs. In urban areas, they are found on mulch or even in the leaf mold in gutters. One of the most commonly encountered slime molds, both in nature in forests in the temperate zones of the earth as well as in classrooms and laboratories is the yellow Physarum polycephalum." From Wikipedia.