Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Hollyhock

This was just one of a whole row of gorgeous Hollyhocks in Lisa's garden. Some were white and others that were various shades of pink. Back to the bio-blitz on Lisa Harbinson' property for my photos this morning. I really need to get the rest of my suitable shots taken that day edited and posted, so that I can send her the link to my album. The area we visited on 7 August was an 80-acre site near Bottrel, NW of Calgary. The site consisted of mostly open, low, hilly, ungrazed land, with a few Aspens and Spruce, and willows around three ponds (two of which were dry). On 25 May 2018, four people had visited this site for the first time - I had been unable to go, as I was spending the day with my daughter. The original visit was the result of the owners winning a free bioblitz at a Silent Auction, in connection with the Ghost Valley Community. A great idea and always a win-win situation, with the land owners learning a lot about what is found on their land, and the leader and participants enjoying a much-appreciated visit to a different location. We were very lucky to see an adult male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with two juveniles. I rarely see one of these birds, but love to see the neat rows of small holes that they make on a tree trunk. Did you know that photographing mushrooms can be dangerous? I believe I knew this already and I was reminded of this on this bio-blitz. Towards the end of our hike, I stopped to photograph a not particularly photogenic mushroom that was growing on a very slight incline. I took one step back to focus better and lost my balance - not sure if my foot went down into a shallow hole or if I was tripped up by one of the many very small, short tree stumps. Whatever the cause, I did a most inelegant, slow-motion fall backwards, hitting my head hard on the ground, surrounded by my friends. Because I was wearing a backpack, I think this resulted in some whiplash, with my head falling back. It was not pleasant to drive anywhere the next day, especially each time I had to start off when traffic lights turned green. The muscles all around my neck and my shoulders are painful, but hopefully it will clear up before too long.

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 these Hollyhock buds with a little visitor. "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.

After a bitterly cold day yesterday (17 January 2016), standing in a temperature of -15C with a windchill of -22C, I needed a warm, sunny shot for today. 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. "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.

A very sad day yesterday, as I learned that local photographer, Brad Russell, passed away a few days ago. He had a close group of great friends (including John Andersen and Brett Abernethy) and they used to go out together with their cameras, day or night. Stunning photography by all. I only met Brad on one occasion, at Heritage Park, on a photo shoot with my daughter and the photography group she ran for a short while. He left a lasting impression on me - something great about his personality, making him such a comfortable person to be around. My sincere condolences to his family and to each of his friends. He will be missed by many - his incredible images will live on. Though he closed his Flickr account quite a time ago, his photos can be seen with National Geographic. www.evanjstrong.com/obituaries/Robert-Russell-11/#!/Obituary My thoughts also go out to the families and friends of the nine victims of the shooting at Umpqua Community College, Oregon, US. A lot of healing, physical and emotional, will be needed for those who were injured, including the young father who bravely attempted to stop the shooter. Apparently, the shooter, a student at the College, acquired all his weapons legally, some bought by his own mother. This beautiful Hollyhock flower, seen in a friend's garden on 25 August 2015, represents to me the complete opposite of yet another senseless tragedy - a reminder of the good and beautiful in the world. A touch of winter arrived here last night and I woke up to a dusting of white. The snow fell, mixed with rain, so it's probably rather slippery out there. I've just checked our weather forecast (around noon) and the temperature is 2C (feeling like -4C). I don't think there is any fine snow falling now and, so far, none forecast for the next week or more. I know where I will be all day today - at home in the warm, hoping that the snow and ice on my car windshield will melt quickly. I am so not ready for this! Lol, is anybody?!

When I got up almost an hour ago, the sky was blue and the sun was brightly shining. It seems to have clouded over now, but hopefully the smoky air that we've had the last few days has disappeared. That means that the forecast rain for the northwest United States actually happened, which should help all those brave firefighters in their battle against the widespread flames. This is a close shot of a pale pink Hollyhock flower that was growing at the Reader Rock Garden on 26 August 2015. I always love to see the centres of these large flowers. 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. Most of the flowers there 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. "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

A pale pink Hollyhock flower that was growing at the Reader Rock Garden on 10 August 2011. I always love to see the centres of these large flowers, especially the blackish flowers. "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. Hollyhocks are popular garden ornamental plants, cultivars selected, particularly from A. rosea. The flowers have been selected for variations in colour, with dark purple, red and white-flowered plants available in addition to the colours found in wild plants (pink or yellow)." From Wikipedia.

Thought this Hollyhock flower was interesting, the way it was opening.

I love the centre of Hollyhock flowers, especially the black ones. This one was growing at the Reader Rock Garden. "This historic garden is a tribute to one man's passion for plants and beauty. William Roland Reader was the Superintendent for Calgary Parks from 1913 – 1942, who transformed a bare hillside into an internationally-acclaimed garden. During the turn of the century, it was common for horticulturists to collect alpine plants on their travels and create gardens as living artifacts of their journeys. Reader actively engaged in this practice and for thirty years the Garden trialed over 4000 different plant species, making it one of the few significant gardens in western Canada. Reader used the Garden as a showplace to educate people about the gardening potential of the prairie/foothills region of Alberta, particularly Calgary. Lovingly rehabilitated according to Reader's original plans, the garden blooms from mid-March to mid-November. The reconstructed Arts and Crafts style house features a café and classroom space for educational programs." From the City of Calgary website.

This was one of the gorgeous Hollyhock flowers growing in the amazing homestead gardens belonging to Jim Coutts. Jim lives in southern Alberta, near Nanton. A few of us were lucky enough to go and be shown around his gardens yesterday morning, including a display area of native grassses. After lunch, we all went for a hike in the rolling hills west of Nanton, to botanize the area. I'm trying to give my very painful arms and shoulders a bit of a break, being careful not to spend too much time on the computer. Thanks for your patience and understanding : )

I got the chance to gaze deeply into a gorgeous black Hollyhock flower at the Reader Rock Garden a few days ago. What a sight to see - always love to do this! Reminds me of fireworks or a little windmill. What amazing magic there is to be found by simpy "looking" AND "seeing" : ) Just got home about half an hour ago, from a full day of hiking on the southeastern edge of Kananaskis, at Marsden Creek. Mainly uphill climbing, until we turned around, of course. This was the second time some of us had been there, to botanize the area. It was another case of mushroom heaven for a couple of us - so many everywhere, though many were the same. Did get a few different ones, though, which will hopefully turn out sharp enough, but just too tired to download them from my camera right now. The return half of the hike was in the rain - we had watched as the clouds gradually came lower down and finally turned into rain. Fortunately, we were able to take most of our photos in time, though the light was not good. Oh, and we had a major storm early this morning, around 2:00 a.m., with thunder, lightning, horribly wild winds and torrential rain, so I wasn't even sure if we would still go on this hike. However, six of us brave souls decided to go : ) On the way home, we stopped for coffee/hot chocolate, to which we were treated - thanks, David! It sure felt good after all our exercise! Yummy!

I think this was some kind of Mallow flower, growing in the gardens at the Calgary Zoo last August. I liked the pattern at the centre of the flower and the textured petals. It was -24C when we started a three-hour morning's walk today.

At least I THINK it is! Almost didn't post it, as I know it really is blurry! This photo shows the green "star" pattern better than my previous images. This Hollyhock was growing in a flower bed that some home-owner had created outside their garden fence and in the actual park. So, with a stretch of the imagination, I guess it can be counted as "wild".

These Hollyhocks have been planted in a garden bed in North Glenmore Park. A house owner created two beds of garden flowers actually outside his/her own garden fence, so I'm not sure if one calls them wildflowers or not : )

Another look inside a gorgeous Hollyhock flower, seen in North Glenmore Park a few days ago. Always amazes me that it almost seems as if there is a tiny light shining deep inside these flowers.

The centre of a Hollyhock flower is so delightful! The flower itself was almost black and I found this bright little "light" deep inside.