Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Priddis Greens Golf Course

I had to dash out early this morning to meet with friends to spend the day at Bow Valley Provincial Park - roughly a 45-minute drive west from Calgary - and, because I overslept by an hour, I didn't have time to write all my descriptions before I left home. It was gloomy and raining, but we decided that we would still go. We found quite a few wildflowers - unfortunately, though, because everything was covered in millions of teeny raindrops, almost every one of my photos came out blurry, lol! I was also having a few problems with my camera, which does not feel good! Everywhere looked beautiful, clean and fresh and SO green from all the rain we've been having, but there was barely any sign of the surrounding mountains, which were covered in very low cloud and mist. Thanks so much for organizing this trip, Sandy, and thank you, Stephen, for driving us out there and back. So much appreciated! This photo was taken on 20 July 2010, at the Priddis Greens Golf Course, when a few of us botanized the areas around the greens. I seem to remember that a clump of these gorgeous blue Irises were growing "wild".

Just "playing" with my macro lens outdoors here - a lens that had previously only ever been used indoors for flowers and waterdrops : ) Because I have to be within about 6" of the subject, I find this lens is an absolute neck-killer! I LOVE the strobilus (cone-like structure at the tips of some of the stems) of any kind of Horsetail - not sure which species this one is. The much-reduced leaves of horsetails "grow in whorls fused into nodal sheaths. ... The stems are green and photosynthetic, and distinctive in being hollow, jointed and ridged (with sometimes 3 but usually 6-40 ridges) and these are often played with by children who will separate and then seamlessly rejoin the segments." The leaves are seen here across the middle of the image. Taken while we were botanizing Priddis Greens Golf Course, recording all the flora and fauna seen that day. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum

When I checked my photostream, I discovered that I didn't have a photo of Northern Bedstraw (Galium boreale), so wanted to upload this for friend, Barbara, who is beginning on the huge challenge of learning our wild plants of Alberta, LOL! We saw quite a lot of this species on our recent day trip to the Open House at the Field Station of the University of Calgary, near Barrier Lake, Kananaskis. My photo was taken two days ago, while botanizing the forested areas at the Priddis Greens Golf Course, west of Calgary. www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/northern-bedstraw

Wasn't sure whether to post this supermacro shot (taken with Raynox 250) of a very tiny Spotted Coralroot flower or not, as I am not a big fan of very blurry images, LOL! However, if you look carefully, you'll notice that the "important" part, that gives this teeny wild orchid it's common name, is sharper than the rest of the photo. I rarely get to see Spotted Coralroot, so it was great to see it in the wooded area at the Priddis Greens Golf Course that we botanized the other day. Several of us had a long, but so enjoyable, day out south of the city today. We were lucky enough to be given the chance to make a return visit to Janel B. and her family's ranch, near Millarville. A delightful family who make us all feel so welcome! We had such an interesting day, walking though the forest that is part of their land, recording all the flora and fauna that we saw. Best of all, we were accompanied for the whole day by two youngsters: their son, Trystan, and a close friend of his, Casey (sorry guys, I need to check on the spelling of both your names!). Talk about delightful kids, and very helpful in helping to find all sorts of things in the woods, especially fungi and bugs!!! I found myself wishing that all kids could grow up in such a place and being so in-touch with nature! Wonderful to see! Thank you both for your much enjoyed company and for all your help, both of you! I suspect you will both sleep really well tonight - I've just woken up from falling asleep in front of the TV this early evening! Trystan, if you read this, I haven't had time yet to go through my photos from today, but will very slowly get a few of the better ones (if there are any, LOL) added to Flickr. Thank you from all of us for a lovely day! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corallorhiza_maculata

Always a joy to come across some of these large, vibrant yellow Heart-leaved Arnica (Arnica cordifolia) flowers when walking in the forest. This one was growing a few days ago in the forested area at the Priddis Greens Golf Course, when we made a return visit to record all flora and fauna seen that day. This is a native wildflower that grows in the forests of the foothills and mountains. It belongs to the Aster family (Asteraceae) and blooms June-August. it's basal leaves are oblong to oval or heart-shaped, hence the common name.

When we were botanizing the forested areas of the Priddis Greens Golf Course a few days ago, I happened to notice several tiny, white "blobs" on a branch lying on the ground. When I turned it over, this is what I saw! I love Split Gills! For an interesting read, if you have time, check out Tom Volk's Fungi website page on Schizophyllum commune. I was so thrilled to find these tiny ones, having no idea what a treat we were in for yesterday, when we botanized Janel B. and family's ranch, south of the city, near Millarville. Haven't had a chance to go through yesterday's photos yet. Thanks, Tatiana (ressaure), for pointing out that these are not Split Gills but possibly Crepidotus sp.. Boy, do I have a lot to learn : ) botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/feb2000.html

I noticed these beautiful ice crystals on a large puddle the other day, when we botanized the Priddis Green Golf Course area.