Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: climbing

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! A lovely sunny day, with a temperature of -2C this morning. However, a second snowstorm is forecast for the next two days (8 and 9 October). The first snowfall at the beginnng of October gave Calgary a record-breaking 38 cm of the white stuff and as much as 60 cm in Kananaskis. Two days ago, on 5 October 2018, I made the most of a few hours of mixed sunshine and cloud, and made a visit to the Zoo yesterday. I find that a bright, sunny day gives more light inside the Conservatory. Not that it really mattered, as there were only three tropical butterflies left - and those three were being harassed by several young children, so I came home with just one butterfly photo. The tropical plants were in better shape and offered lots of cheery colour. Mainly because I got to the Zoo part way through the afternoon, I got no further than the Conservatory, which is always my favourite place. This visit, I did see two Red Pandas and the beautiful Giant Pandas (that are on loan to the Zoo for five (?) years). The Red Pandas are not always outside and visible, so I was happy to catch this one climbing a tree. They really are beautiful animals and that long, bushy tail comes in handy to wrap around and keep the animal warm. "The Red Panda, also called the Firefox, Fire Cat, Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight). The Red Panda is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, Pakistan, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation... Red Pandas are classified as Vulnerable. .... In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds." From Wikipedia. Gobi, the baby Bactrian Camel was snuggled next to one of his parents. Managed to catch one of the Japanese Macaques when it was down on the ground, though the double wire fencing makes photos a challenge. A new addition to the Zoo is a Pallas's Cat. These animals look so funny/cute, and I was really hoping to see it, but it was curled up inside a dark log, with just its tail protruding. I was so thankful that I made this one last visit to the Zoo till next spring, as I found out that 'my' parking lot closes in a couple of days' time. This always happens each winter, and the other, main lot is out of my driving comfort zone.

This was this little owlet's first day out of the nest. A whole, big world to explore. Here, it found a very thin, small "tree" with a curved trunk and we watched with baited breath as it tried to climb by digging in its claws and flapping its wings. It finally made it to the top of the curve where it waited and waited for Mom to eventually fly in with a Meadow Vole. I always think owlets are the cutest little things when they have their feathered legs straightened out. Taken on 3 June 2012, NW of Calgary. A few days later, I felt totally privileged to have the chance to hold this beautiful youngster on the evening it was being banded. An opportunity that friends and I will never forget.

When I was at the Calgary Zoo two days ago, 9 April 2013, I watched this beautiful Red Panda climb this tree and watch the other two as they walked quickly around the enclosure. I'm not sure if this is the "young" one from a previous year, or one of the adults - possibly "young", as the facial colour looks a little paler. The sun was very bright, so the colours could also be a bit blown-out. I was lucky both with the weather that afternoon and with the fact that the animals weren't up in one of their tree-houses or constantly on the move the whole time. They are such difficult creatures to photograph, but once in a while, you can get lucky : ) "The Red Panda, also called the Firefox, Fire Cat, Lesser Panda, or Ailurus fulgens ("shining cat"), is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. It is slightly larger than a domestic cat (40 - 60 cm long, 3 - 6 kg weight). The Red Panda is endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, Pakistan, India, Laos, Nepal, and Burma. There is an estimated population of fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. Their population continues to decline due to habitat fragmentation... Red Pandas are classified as Vulnerable. .... In southwest China the Red Panda is hunted for its fur and especially for its highly-valued bushy tail from which hats are produced. In the areas of China where the Red Panda lives, their fur is often used for local cultural ceremonies and in weddings the bridegroom traditionally carries the hide. The 'good-luck charm' hats are used by Chinese newlyweds." From Wikipedia. Snowing AGAIN, this morning, lol! A good day for seeing to a few urgent errands, including food shopping.

This is one of the two Great Horned Owlets from Sikome, Fish Creek Park. I dashed over there yesterday evening, after getting a phone call from a thoughtful friend (thanks so much, Phil!), and managed to get a couple of shots that are just about worth keeping. This little guy/gal had apparently been active, but when I arrived, it hauled itself up this tree and decided it would stay there : ) Couldn't find a clear view, unfortunately. Its sibling, who had also fledged, was much higher up in a nearby tree, and Mom and Dad were of course in other nearby trees. What beautiful creatures they are!

I'm not sure what this little beetle is, but I kind of liked seeing him in this side view. Seen with friends four days ago, on a walk along the upper part of Fish Creek Park, in the Evergreen Bluffs area.