Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Rockies

A rather hazy photo taken two days ago, on 13 October 2016, when I joined a group of friends for a birding walk in South Glenmore Park. When I walk in this area, it's usually for the fresh air and exercise. As far as the birds are concerned, everything tends to be over on the far side of the Glenmore Reservoir. It's no fun at all trying to photograph birds that are barely visible with the naked eye! On this day, some of those very distant specks turned out to be Surf Scoters and Western Grebes. The first part of our walk was going westwards along the rough trail near the edge of the water, and on our return walk, we used the main, paved path. It was during the latter half of the walk that we spotted something moving in the tall grasses. Really, all you could see at first was a pair of ears. It could easily have been someone's dog, but when a little more of it showed through the grass, we could see it was a beautiful Coyote. Lovely colouring and looking very healthy. I will add our leader's list of species seen: S. Glenmore Reservoir, SW Calgary, 0915-1200, Thu13Oct2016. Completely overcast, calm -1 to 1°C 1. American Wigeon-1+ 2. Mallard-25 3. Ring-necked Duck-6+ 4. Scaup sp.-10+ 5. Surf Scoter-9+ 6. Bufflehead-20 7. Common Goldeneye-15 8. Common Merganser-3 9. Horned Grebe-50+ 10. Red-necked Grebe-1 11. Eared Grebe-2 12. Western Grebe-15 13. Sharp-shinned Hawk-1 14. American Coot-50+ 15. Bonaparte’s Gull-7 16. Herring Gull?-3 17. Downy Woodpecker-21 18. Northern Flicker-2 19. Blue Jay-2 20. Black-billed Magpie-10 21. American Crow-4 22. Common Raven-3 23. Black-capped Chickadee-30 24. Red-breasted Nuthatch-3 25. Brown Creeper-2 26. Hermit Thrush?-2 Red Squirrel 4 Coyote 1 After the walk, friend Sandy invited a couple of us back to her place for lunch. Very enjoyable and much-appreciated - thanks, Sandy! This was the view taken from this area, looking west towards the Rocky Mountains. The snow we had over the Thanksgiving weekend in Calgary had all melted.

This is just a quick shot through the windscreen of the car I was riding in, when a group of us went birding W of Calgary, on 2 February 2014. I zoomed in quite closely in order to avoid the highway being in my photo, so the mountain looks much closer than it really is. "Cascade Mountain is a mountain located in the Bow River Valley of Banff National Park, Alberta, adjacent to the town of Banff. The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector after the waterfall or cascade on the southern flanks of the peak. The mountain has also been called Stoney Chief, which is related to the name of the smaller neighbouring mountain Stoney Squaw, which is still in use. Cascade is the highest mountain adjacent to the townsite." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cascade_Mountain_ (Alberta)

One of the majestic scenes that I photographed through a dirty window on a moving bus on 30 January 2008, when I went for the day with a group of friends from a 50+ group I used to belong to, to Lake Louise (Banff National Park). They were holding the annual Ice Carving Competition at the Lake, so we wanted to wander round and admire the beautiful ice sculptures. I remember it being a bitterly cold day.

From the archives. On 30 January 2008, I went on a bus trip to Lake Louise to see the Ice Sculptures there. Lake Louise is a two-hour drive from Calgary, through gorgeous mountainous scenery. A lot of my scenery photos, including this one, were taken through a dirty bus window on a very bouncy ride! I'm always impressed with Image Stabilization, lol!

The last few days, I have been trying to back up and delete a few more photo folders ready for when I take the plunge and replace my computer. I have to do this within the next few months, probably sooner than later. I pulled out a few old photos while looking at these archived images, and will post them along with more recent shots. This mountain scene was taken on 20 May 2012, when I went with friends, Cathy and Terry, part way along the Bow Valley Parkway, and along the Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (where I think this photo was taken) and the Lake Minnewanka loop. A day in the mountains like this one is quite a rare treat for me and tremendously enjoyed and appreciated : )

Nothing too inspiring, but kind of liked this view of forest and mountain peaks that I noticed in a side mirror, when we went to the mountains yesterday. This was the main highway between Canmore and Calgary. Didn't see a whole lot of birds - in fact, it was an extremely quiet, slow day for birds, though the highlight of the day was seeing a Northern Hawk Owl on a very, very distant tree! As you can see in this photo, the roads were clear and it was a beautiful day. Today, it's -2C and we have had/are still having heavy snow all day long. Here comes winter, AGAIN!

A view from Wildcat Hills Rd, NW of Calgary, taken on 2 April 2013. I have passed this backroad many times, but had never driven on it so, two days ago, I decided to try it.

This wonderful opportunity was thanks to Phil and Jan, who so kindly invited me to go with them yesterday to Kananaskis! There was quite a lot of snow in the mountains and, though the highway was perfectly clear, there was snow right up to the road when we stopped at the Rock Glacier Trail area (along Highway 40), seen in this image. The dark brown scree clope had a thin layer of snow on it, which made walking slow and cautious. On this slope, we saw two of the little animals called Pikas, running in among the rocks. Thanks so much, Phil and Jan, for such a great day!

Sunset over the Rocky Mountains in the far distance, after a full day of the Christmas Bird Count in the Cochrane WIldlife Preserve/Water Valley area (north west of Calgary).

I was fortunate enough to go with friends to Lake Louise (past Banff, Rocky Mountains)for the day at the end of January two years ago. The lake is off to the left of my photo, but I wanted to capture a part of the Chateau Lake Louise and the majestic mountains nearby. Such a beautiful place to visit at any time of year. By the way, we didn't actually stay at the Chateau (hate to think how much it costs, LOL!); just went to the mountains for the day.

A VERY cold Bohemian Waxwing photographed two years ago on a day trip to Lake Louise, Banff National Park. Usually, these birds are very sleek, LOL!

This photo of Castle Mountain dates back to 30th January 2008. This is the view from the highway as you drive westwards from Calgary. "Seeming to stand out in the centre of the valley is a very remarkable mountain... which looks exactly like a giant castle." When Sir Sandford Fleming travelled up the valley during the construction of the CPR he seemed to agree with the appropriateness of the name, writing, "Westward we see Castle Mountain to our right. The resemblance to Cyclopean masonary has doubtless suggested the name, for it is marked by huge masses of castellated-looking work, with turreted flanks. One of the most imposing peaks in the Bow Valley, the bold, castellated southwest front of the mountain dominates the view for much of the journey from Banff to Lake Louise, its bulk, prominent position and reddish colour combining to make this a favourite of many who pass this way." From rmbooks.com/Peakfinder/peakfinder.asp?PeakName=Castle+Mou... .

Another one from my archives, September 2004! This is one of the many views from Kananaskis Village - spectacular in every direction. "Kananaskis Country, established by the Alberta government in 1977, is just 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Calgary. The Park encompasses over 5,000 square kilometers (2,600 square miles) of land, three provincial parks and some of Canada's most spectacular rolling terrain. The name was first given, by 1858 explorer John Palliser, to the pass over the continental divide, in honour of a Cree amed Kineahkis who is said to have recovered from a blow to the head. Since then the name is given to a lake, a set of falls, a mountain range, an alpine village and a provincial park. The word "Kananaskis" comes from an Indian word that means either "meeting of the waters" or "man with tomohawk in head". From foundlocally.com/Rockies/Travel/Near-Kananaskis.htm .

A Rocky Mountain winter scene, between Calgary and Castle Mountain, on the way to Lake Louise with friends, almost two years ago. No idea where those two years went - how time flies!

This photo was taken on 25th July, on a hike along the Pocaterra Cirque trail, Kananaskis. Within a few minutes, the weather changed, the sun vanished from the valley and it poured with rain just after I took this photo. A beautiful place for a hike!

Went to Banff for the day today, and had lunch at the Banff Springs Hotel. It's a spectacular place, set in a magnificent setting.

These are a few distant peaks seen from the Bow Falls parking lot, near Banff, in the Rocky Mountains. Seen yesterday on a day out with friends. We had stopped at the Banff Springs Hotel for an excellent lunch and then had a quick stop here at Bow Falls.

Took this winter scene on 30th January, when I was on a day bus trip to Lake Louise in the Rocky Mountains. The frozen lake is off to the left of the mountains.