Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: explore2009August9

Sorry, folks, I have so many fungi photos to eventually upload. These two mushrooms were growing along the Marston Creek trail (southeastern edge of Kananaskis, off Highway 40) three days ago. Today, I was in mushroom heaven again (with five friends), this time northwest of the city, west of Sundre, at the Bentz Lake Natural Area. Left home about 6:45 a.m. this morning and I have just got home around 8:00 p.m. this evening. A full day of walking and exploring forest and bog - in fact, my feet have been soaking wet for maybe nine hours, LOL! However, we saw so many amazing things, everything from a Police Car Moth to tiny Wood Frogs, and from a few new plants including Yellow Pondlily to beautiful, brightly coloured mushrooms and slime molds. I'm tired out (even more so as I got practically no sleep last night) from so much fresh air, exercise and excitement. I'm so glad no one tape records all my oohs and aahs, LOL!

I was thrilled to bits yesterday when friends called me over to see this beautiful, red mushroom! We don't usually see a sight like this, so it was an extra special surprise when we were exploring and botanizing the forest at the Bentz Lake Natural Area, north of Calgary and west of Sundre. And, yes, in case you are wondering, this really IS its colour : )

Two days later, I am STILL on a natural high after seeing these gorgeous, wild Yellow Pondlilies for the very first time. We spent a full day on Thursday botanizing the Bentz Lake Natural Area, north of Calgary and west of Sundre, and these Yellow Pondlilies were growing near the edge of the lake. To get to them from the forest where we were exploring, we had to make our way through a very watery bog, LOL. Apart from one small mishap that left one friend soaked to his upper thighs, we managed it with only soaking wet feet. This native, aquatic member of the Water-lily family grows in lakes and ponds June to August. The yellow flower is 4-7 cm across, has 6 yellow, petal-like sepals and several small, inconspicuous petals. Today, I was out with five friends, exploring and botanizing (recording all flora and fauna seen) the forest of Bragg Creek Provincial Park, west of Calgary. A perfect day weatherwise as well as far as enjoyment and sightings were concerned. Lots of mushrooms - though no brilliant red ones today, LOL!