Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: explore2009July19

I was so happy to find half a dozen of these beautiful Musk Thistle/Nodding Thistle flowers at the Erlton/Roxborough Natural Area yesterday morning. I love to photograph them - they are so fascinating. However, unfortunately, they ARE invasive weeds and so have to be pulled. Wish I could have uploaded a couple of photos taken today, when several of us went hiking and botanizing all day at Bow Valley Provincial Park, west of Calgary, right at the very start of the mountains. I am totally dead beat, though, especially as, on the way home, I had to take my car in to be looked at after the Malfunction light came on yesterday afternoon! The car keeps jerking, too, every time I pull up and stop at traffic lights. Presumably, the two are connected? Hoping it will be ready tomorrow, as I have another day hike on Saturday, this time a far more strenuous hike. I'm just hoping I can manage it, especially as the forecast is for 31C (much TOO hot for me!) - would rather not have to stop and wait till the others are on the return journey, especially as one of my friends who is going had a huge Grizzly Bear pass nearby the last time he went to that area. And HE had bear spray (didn't need to use it, though).

A handful of us hiked this area all day yesterday and, as you can see, we were blessed with glorious weather. Bow Valley Provincial Park is a wonderful wetland area along the very eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains, and is known for it's great variety of wildflowers. The mountain peak in the centre of the photo is Mount Yamnuska, a popular ridge with rock climbers. Got my car back this afternoon and am now $836 poorer! So relieved to have it back in time to go and buy much-needed food ready for a strenuous hike tomorrow. Temperatures are supposed to hit 31C tomorrow, so I know the hike is going to be really tough going, especially as I hate the heat. However, there will be some new plants up there that I have never seen before, so I HAVE to go : )