Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: social animal

My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the devastating tragedy in the province to our east, after a collision on Friday (6 April 2018) between a Saskatchewan junior hockey team’s bus and a tractor-trailer in rural Saskatchewan. That afternoon, the Broncos junior hockey team of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, were en route to a playoff game in Nipawin. Twenty-nine people were on board the team bus. Fifteen people were killed, including the coach, assistant coach, bus driver and a team announcer. Others remain in hospital. The tractor-trailer driver survived. There has been such a huge outpouring from people across Canada, and beyond. Such sadness, especially at so many young lives lost. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are a number of Wild European Rabbits in Calgary, and this is just one of them. It always feels strange to see what look like pet rabbits wandering loose in people's gardens and around a neighbourhood. This one was seen on 23 July 2014, when I went on a botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area. It was busy eating the grass by this tombstone and then it took a good look at me before continuing to feed. Right next to this area is a Cemetery - funny, I do tend to see rabbits in cemeteries, either these Wild European Rabbits, which come in all sorts of colours, or the White-tailed Jackrabbits. The town of Canmore, near Banff, in Banff National Park, has had a problem with these Wild European Rabbits. They attract Coyotes and other wildlife into the town. I know they did do something about this problem, but I don't know what the situation in Canmore is like now. I seem to remember reading that a fair number of them were sent to British Columbia to a sanctuary there and the rest were "got rid of". Here is a link to a Calgary Herald newspaper article from 15th December 2010, about the problem with these Rabbits in the town of Canmore, near Banff: They were, of course, also eating the plants in people's gardens, which some home owners complained about. "Canmore Mayor Ron Casey is taking aim at the picturesque Alberta town's rascally rabbits. Casey, who said the animals are attracting predators such as cougars, has secured support for a $50,000 budget to deal with feral rabbits." Read more: www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Canmore+cull+bear+baitin...

On 27 July 2017, I decided to get up early and do a repeat botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, not far from downtown. One of the reasons I did this, was that I really dislike doing this drive, especially knowing that I could so easily end up in the downtown area - which I avoid at all cost. So, a bit like getting back on a horse if one is thrown off, I hoped a second drive might make me feel more comfortable. Also, I really wanted to hopefully see a Wild European Rabbit or two, and sure enough, they didn't disappoint. Black and white, plain black, light brown, mid-brown. A few more photos of the Nodding/Musk Thistles were also on my mind. The Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, not far from downtown Calgary, is the richest botanical area, for its size, within the city. Over 385 species have been recorded in an area of about three hectares. (All of Fish Creek Provincial Park has only about 460 species). Eighty species, however, are aliens, now occupying 90+% of the area. It is such a shame to see how the area is being devastated by plants that include Baby's Breath, Creeping Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Yellow Clematis and other invasive species.

Snow, snow, go away - don't come back another day! The weather forecast was right - snow today (so far only very light), with more to come for four more days. Our temperature just before noon is -3C (windchill -10C). Yesterday, we had rain, which was a shame because it was time for kids to go out trick-or-treating. I didn't see or hear a single child. All three photos posted this morning were taken the day before yesterday, 30 October 2017. They show what a varied day I had - everything from Alpacas to Artichokes! Several Alpacas, including this very cute, very curious one, were seen early on, during my drive. I spent the day driving mostly roads that I had been along before (a round trip of 230 km). I still find a few roads in this area so confusing! My destination was partly to check on two old barns that I have only seen and photographed once before. Having been there with my daughter in January 2015, I knew that there were several other old barns and homesteads en route. This day was definitely a barn day, not a bird or wildlife day. The large barn in a photo I posted yesterday was one that I had been looking forward to finding and seeing for the first time, which I finally did in January 2015, with my daughter. I would love to have been able to get photos from both sides of it, but it was in a farmer's field that was, of course, private property. The second old barn that I saw in this area is in far worse condition, but I love it. It was funny, because I was standing in the road two days ago and had already taken a handful of photos of this crumbling, weathered structure, when I noticed someone walking towards me in the distance. Talk about deja vu! I started walking towards her and it turned out that she lived at the farm just down the road, but had previously lived in the house next to this decaying barn and it was her property. She told me to wander wherever I wished, take as many photos as I wanted. I laughed and said that in January 2015, when my daughter and I had been standing right there in the road, a lady came by on her horse and told us the very same story - it must have been the same person! Felt so good! Another place I stopped at was a farmyard full of old barns, sheds and vehicles. I pulled over and got out to take a quick shot of an old, blue truck from across the road. A person happened to just appear, walking across his farmyard, so I called out to him and we had a delightful chat. I think he was very amused at my passion for old things and told me to walk around and take whatever photos I wanted. Which I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! The blue truck in a photo posted yesterday was just one of several old vehicles, mainly cars. I told him what an amazing place he had, full of interesting things. I got the impression that he saw things very differently - lots of old things that needed fixing or tidying up : ) I told him to just leave everything as it is - a photographer's dream : ) On the way home, I called in at the Saskatoon Farm to see if the restaurant was still open, but it had just closed (3:30 pm). I realized I had been enjoying myself so much that I had totally forgotten to eat anything all day. Managed to get a much-needed cup of coffee, though, and I did buy a box of frozen, uncooked Saskatoon Berry and White Chocolate scones. I bought some of these last time I was there and they are SO good, piping hot, straight out of the oven.

All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 27 July 2017. I decided to get up early and do a repeat botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, not far from downtown. One of the reasons I did this, was that I really dislike doing this drive, especially knowing that I could so easily end up in the downtown area - which I avoid at all cost. So, a bit like getting back on a horse if one is thrown off, I hoped a second drive might make me feel more comfortable. Also, I really wanted to hopefully see a Wild European Rabbit or two, and sure enough, they didn't disappoint. Black and white, plain black, light brown, mid-brown. A few more photos of the Nodding/Musk Thistles were also on my mind. The Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, not far from downtown Calgary, is the richest botanical area, for its size, within the city. Over 385 species have been recorded in an area of about three hectares. (All of Fish Creek Provincial Park has only about 460 species). Eighty species, however, are aliens, now occupying 90+% of the area. It is such a shame to see how the area is being devastated by plants that include Baby's Breath, Creeping Thistle, Nodding Thistle, Yellow Clematis and other invasive species. We are still under a Heat Warning. This morning, I happened to check the forecast for the coming week and, so far, the temperatures for next Thursday and Friday are 35C and 34C. The average high for the month of July is 22.9C. There are fire bans in many places in Alberta, as everywhere is bone dry.

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates! Hope you have sunny days the next few days, so that it feels like spring. When I checked our weather forecast very late last night, it was for snow today, so I changed my plans for a day out. Woke up really late this morning and the sun was shining. I guess snow could still arrive this afternoon. This little rabbit is one of the Wild European Rabbits that I've seen in Calgary. I'm not sure if they are only found in this one area of the city or elsewhere. Seen on 23 July 2014, when I went on a botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area. Right next to this natural area is a Cemetery - funny, I do tend to see Rabbits in cemeteries, either these Wild European Rabbits, which come in all sorts of colours (light brown, black, black and white, and so on), or the White-tailed Jackrabbits. The town of Canmore, near Banff, in Banff National Park, has had a problem with these Wild European Rabbits. They attract Coyotes and other wildlife into the town. They were going to do something about this problem, but I don't know if they ever managed to "get rid" of them all. I seem to remember reading that a fair number of them were sent to British Columbia to a sanctuary there and the rest were "got rid of". Here is a link to a Calgary Herald newspaper article from 15th December 2010, about the problem with these Rabbits in the town of Canmore, near Banff: They were, of course, also eating the plants in people's gardens, which some home owners complained about. "Canmore Mayor Ron Casey is taking aim at the picturesque Alberta town's rascally rabbits. Casey, who said the animals are attracting predators such as cougars, has secured support for a $50,000 budget to deal with feral rabbits." Read more: www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Canmore+cull+bear+baitin... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A three-minute YouTube video on ALBERTA - "Remember to Breathe". www.youtube.com/embed/ThFCg0tBDck

There are a number of Wild European Rabbits in Calgary, and this is just one of them. Seen on 23 July 2014, when I went on a botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area. Right next to this area is a Cemetery - funny, I do tend to see Rabbits in cemeteries, either these Wild European Rabbits, which come in all sorts of colours, or the White-tailed Jackrabbits. The town of Canmore, near Banff, in Banff National Park, has had a problem with these Wild European Rabbits. They attract Coyotes and other wildlife into the town. They were going to do something about this problem, but I don't know if they ever did. Here is a link to a Calgary Herald newspaper article from 15th December 2010, about the problem with these Rabbits in the town of Canmore, near Banff: "Canmore Mayor Ron Casey is taking aim at the picturesque Alberta town's rascally rabbits. Casey, who said the animals are attracting predators such as cougars, has secured support for a $50,000 budget to deal with feral rabbits." Read more: www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Canmore+cull+bear+baitin...

There are a number of Wild European Rabbits in Calgary, and this is just one of them. Always feels strange to see what look like pet rabbits wandering loose in people's gardens and around a neighbourhood. This one was seen on 23 July 2014, when I went on a botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area. It was busy eating the grass by this tombstone and then it took a good look at me before continuing to feed. Right next to this area is a Cemetery - funny, I do tend to see rabbits in cemeteries, either these Wild European Rabbits, which come in all sorts of colours, or the White-tailed Jackrabbits. The town of Canmore, near Banff, in Banff National Park, has had a problem with these Wild European Rabbits. They attract Coyotes and other wildlife into the town. They were going to do something about this problem, but I don't know if they ever did. www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/12/21/canmore-alberta-rabbits_... Looks like we may possibly have thunderstorms and rain the next few days. This morning, it's 24C (feels like 29C) and it is supposed to go up to 28C (feels like 33C) this afternoon. Yesterday, it got up to 32C in the afternoon. This is a long weekend here in Canada - Monday, 4 August 2014 is Heritage Day. Have a good, safe holiday, everyone!

There are a number of Wild European Rabbits in Calgary, and this is just one of them. Seen on 23 July 2014, when I went on a botany walk at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area. Right next to this area is a Cemetery - funny, I do tend to see Rabbits in cemeteries, either these Wild European Rabbits, which come in all sorts of colours, or the White-tailed Jackrabbits. The town of Canmore, near Banff, in Banff National Park, has had a problem with these Wild European Rabbits. They attract Coyotes and other wildlife into the town. They were going to do something about this problem, but I don't know if they ever did.

This is one of 36 wild European Rabbits that our small group of four found at one location in Drumheller yesterday. Our territory (section of the huge circle) for the Horseshoe Canyon/Drumheller Bird Count was on the north side of the Red Deer River, including the Tyrrell Museum area. This is Dinosaur country, the wonderful Badlands of Alberta! We drove some of the residential alleys looking for birds at feeders as well as in trees, and walked along the edge of the river at McMullen Island (it only becomes an island when the river level rises). The Red Deer River was completely frozen; 12 inches of snow cover. The day started off cloudy, clearing to beautiful sunshine, calm and a temperature of -14C soaring to 6C (yes, that's +6C!). Left my house at 5:40 a.m. and got home maybe 7:45 p.m. (?) Total kms-73; Total kms by car-68; Total kms on foot-5. Total hours-7; Total by car-4.5; Total on foot-2hrs; In cafe-0.5 hrs.. Just in case anyone is interested in what species the four of us found, this is the list for the day: Rock Pigeon-1 Eurasian Collared Dove-24 Great Horned Owl-1 Snowy Owl-1 Downy Woodpecker-5, Hairy Woodpecker-4 Northern Flicker-4 Pileated Woodpecker-1 Blue Jay-4 Black-billed Magpie-38 Black-capped Chickadee-17 White-breasted Nuthatch 3. Bohemian Waxwing-96 White-winged Crossbill-2 Common Redpoll-139 House Sparrow-42 We actually saw a total of six Snowy Owls; one on our territory; one each about 2 miles E and W of Horseshoe Canyon on Hwy 9, and three others on Hwys 9 and 72, outside of the Christmas Bird Count area. As far as photos for the day is concerned, all I managed bird-wise was a Eurasian Collared Dove, a Red Crossbill and maybe a couple of Snowy Owl photos. However, the scenery covered in snow was beautiful (and, as usual, my photos don't even begin to do it justice). This Count was the last one I am doing for the 2012/2013 annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count season. There is another one going on today, but 5th January is the final day. I am SOOOO tired and pretty useless for anything now, after the last three weeks of Bird Counts : )

This was one of the 36 wild European Rabbits that we saw in Drumheller, Alberta, on 4 January 2013. Four of us drove east of the city to the Badlands (land of the dinosaurs) and spent the day taking part in the annual Horseshoe Canyon/Drumheller Christmas Bird Count. Our territory was the N side of the Red Deer River, including the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology area. Was just reading a discussion on photographing Snowy Owls - people's idea of what birding etiquette is definitely varies from one person to another. This YouTube video was included - can't believe that some photographers will go to this length to photograph already stressed-out birds that have come down from the north! youtu.be/E0_gzY2k7P0 We had a few inches of fresh snow overnight and it's still snowing this afternoon. Judging by the very white sky, it looks like there is plenty more snow to fall. It's -10C, windchill -18C, but tomorrow is supposed to fall to -19C. Could be worse!