Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Bow Glacier Trail

On 10 August 2013, I had such a wonderful day in the mountains! I don't get out there very often at all, and certainly not as far as we went today, so it was an absolute treat! Friend Sandy had found an interesting Liverwort (non-vascular plant) there and wanted to go back to see it at a different stage, hoping it would make ID a little clearer. She asked if I wanted to go with her - ha, yes, you bet! We went past Banff and Lake Louise, as far as Bow Lake (seen in my photo) along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway. They do say that this scenic highway is the most beautiful in the world, and it's easy to believe. I had jokingly said to Sandy when we left Calgary, that what I would really like, please, was blue sky to start with it, then a few puffy white clouds and then maybe even a touch of grey with the white - and that's exactly what we got (plus some rain on the drive back to Calgary). While we were there, we walked very slowly along the Bow Glacier Trail, which runs along the right hand edge of Bow Lake, but we didn't continue as far as the Falls. I had only ever once been to Bow Lake and that was 30+ years ago, but I had always longed to go back. It's one of my favourite places.

Much as I don't like my composition here, with the animal in the centre of the shot instead of being to the left side, I didn't want to crop and lose the patch of bright orange lichen : ) On 10 August 2013, I had such a wonderful day in the mountains! I don't get out there very often at all, and certainly not as far as we went today, so it was an absolute treat! Friend Sandy had found an interesting Liverwort (non-vascular plant) there and wanted to go back to see it at a different stage, hoping it would make ID a little clearer. She asked if I wanted to go with her - ha, yes, you bet! I had only ever once been to Bow Lake and that was 30+ years ago, but I had always longed to go back. It's one of my favourite places. We went past Banff and Lake Louise, as far as Bow Lake (seen in my photo) along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway. They do say that this scenic highway is the most beautiful in the world, and it's easy to believe. I had jokingly said to Sandy when we left Calgary, that what I would really like, please, was blue sky to start with it, then a few puffy white clouds and then maybe even a touch of grey with the white - and that's exactly what we got (plus some rain on the drive back to Calgary). While we were there, we walked very slowly along the Bow Glacier Trail, which runs along the right hand edge of Bow Lake, but we didn't continue as far as the Falls. At the first rock fall, we were entertained, while having lunch, by several of these small Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels. They look rather similar to a Chipmunk and are very fast-moving animals, ha. They love a rocky mountain slope for their habitat. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-mantled_ground_squirrel

This Pigeon looked quite beautiful, sitting with its feathers puffed up, on a large, metal garbage container. Noticed it when I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, Banff National Park, on 29 August 2013. Sandy wanted to look for lichens, mosses and liverworts. I find these more and more fascinating, including to photograph, but of course I was so thrilled to get the chance to shoot the spectacular scenery and anything else that was beautiful! I hadn't been to Bow Lake in 30+ years, but had fallen in love with it all those years ago. "A baby pigeon is called a 'squab' or a 'squeaker'. The female is a 'hen' and the male is a 'cock'. A group of pigeons is called a 'kit' or a 'flock'."

This Pigeon looked quite beautiful, sitting with its feathers puffed up, on a large, metal garbage container. Noticed it when I went with a friend to Bow Lake, Banff National Park, on 29 August 2013. "A baby pigeon is called a 'squab' or a 'squeaker'. The female is a 'hen' and the male is a 'cock'. A group of pigeons are called a 'kit' or a 'flock'." It's Good Friday today, the beginning of the Easter weekend. Beautiful, sunny weather would have been nice, especially for working people who get the day off. Instead, it's gloomy and unpleasant, looking like it's going to either rain or snow. Just checked the forecast and it's 1°C (windchill -2°C) this morning, supposedly getting up to 4°C this afternoon, with an 80% chance of rain and snow. Happy Easter weekend to everyone who celebrates! Later: sure enough, it snowed all day today.

Lol, I know there's a much better title for this shot, but my brain is just too tired to function! Maybe something along the lines of "Hmmm, wonder if I can move this one?" or "Hmmm, I THINK it's just the common lichen species"? All I know is that it's a really crummy day out there, yet again. STILL snowing and as dreary as can be. I was supposed to go on a birding walk this morning, but can't face the thought of having to clear the snow off my car and then walk for three hours in -13C (windchill -20C) temperatrures. Been doing it for six months now, and enough is enough, ha. The rest of the week looks like it's expected to be much better, thank goodness. Stay warm, everyone! On 10 August 2013, I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, in Banff National Park. It is located along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, said to be the most beautiful, scenic road in the world. She had seen a tiny Liverwort (non-vascular plant) maybe a week earlier on a different trip and wanted to go back to check it at a later stage, and asked if I'd like to go with her. How lucky I am! She had hoped that it might be a particular rare species, but as it turned out, it wasn't. Still an interesting species to add to the list of flora and fauna for the area. We walked very slowly along the Bow Glacier Trail, which runs along the right hand edge of the lake, searching for anything of interest and beauty. We went as far as the second rock fall, but didn't hike up to the Bow Glacier Falls. At the first rock fall, we were entertained, while having lunch, by several of these small Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels. They look rather similar to a Chipmunk and are very fast-moving animals, ha. They love a rocky mountain slope for their habitat. I posted a second, previously posted photo in a comment box. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-mantled_ground_squirrel This photo is in the following SETS: WILD ANIMALS OF ALBERTA 2 www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157627108424381/ BOW LAKE & BOW GLACIER TRAIL www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157635021387503/ EXPLORE, FLICKR www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/sets/72157594372373773

Can anyone tell me if this is "just" a regular Pigeon or a Carrier or Homing Pigeon? Or maybe you can only tell it's a Carrier Pigeon if you see a metal band on its leg? Whichever it is, it looked quite beautiful, sitting with its feathers puffed up, on a large garbage container. Noticed it when I went with a friend to Bow Lake, Banff National Park, on 29 August 2013.

On 10 August 2013, I had such a wonderful day in the mountains! I don't get out there very often at all, and certainly not as far as we went today, so it was an absolute treat! In fact, it must have been something like 32 years since I went to Bow Lake, but I never forgot it and always longed to go back some day. Friend Sandy had found an interesting Liverwort (non-vascular plant) there and wanted to go back to see it at a different stage, hoping it would make ID a little clearer. She asked if I wanted to go with her - ha, yes, you bet! We went past Banff and Lake Louise, as far as Bow Lake (seen in my photo) along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway. They do say that this scenic highway is the most beautiful in the world, and it's easy to believe. I had jokingly said to Sandy when we left Calgary, that what I would really like, please, was blue sky to start with it, then a few puffy white clouds and then maybe even a touch of grey with the white - and that's exactly what we got (plus some rain on the drive back to Calgary, which I definitely didn't ask for, lol. Though this particular view doesn't really do the area justice, I liked the bright orange/red of the canoeists.

I had the wonderful chance to return to the mountains again today, with friend Sandy, to see what we could find that was new that could be added to various lists, including Alberta-wide records. A tremendously time-consuming thing, but we are also able to enjoy the spectacular scenery and all species of flora and fauna at the same time : ) We set off early this morning and drove westwards, out past Banff, Lake Louise, Bow Lake and Peyto Lake and a little further. It was great to call in at Bow Lake again and, of course, the lighting was completely different. Really, no reflections in the lakes, though I did seize the opportunity to position myself in a good place (by a big puddle, ha!) to photograph this young couple visiting from Austria. They had asked if one of us would take a photo of them together, and I left this to Sandy, as I can't use a camera without a viewfinder : ) I asked them if I could take a shot with my own camera - if anyone on ipernity or Flickr happens to recognize them, please feel free to pass on this photo to them. Normally, I never post photos of people (or take them) and I wasn't sure whether to post this shot or a similar one without the couple. Any opinions?? Must admit I kind of love their reflections. Got home around 10:00 p.m., tired out, but so "renewed" and happy! We even saw two rare fungi - I had seen both before, but what a treat! It was strange to notice small, broken branches when I was driving along my street, and I could see that there must have been some strong winds blowing in the city, at least in my area. When I turned on my computer, I found two photos on Flickr from a friend, showing that an enormous tree had fallen and crashed right down on top of his truck! Such a great shame - and he and his wife were all packed up ready to go camping for this long weekend : (

On 10 August 2013, I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, in Banff National Park. It is located along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, said to be the most beautiful, scenic highway in the world. She had seen a tiny Liverwort (non-vascular plant) maybe a week earlier on a different trip and wanted to go back to check it at a later stage, and asked if I'd like to go with her. How lucky I am! She had hoped that it might be a particular rare species, but as it turned out, it wasn't. Still an interesting species to add to the list of flora and fauna for the area. Just before turning off into the parking lot for Bow Lake, we had stopped to look over the lake and to view the Crowfoot Glacier. It's located 32 km (20 mi) northwest of Lake Louise. After that, we walked very slowly along the Bow Glacier Trail, which runs along the right hand edge of Bow Lake, but didn't continue as far as the Falls. You can just make out the Falls below the glacier in the far distance. I had only ever once been to Bow Lake and that was 30+ years ago, but I had always longed to go back. This lake is the source of the Bow River, which is the main river that runs through Calgary. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Lake_ (Alberta) www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/9598236793

Another photo from a wonderful day along the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) west of Banff and Lake Louise, on 10 August 2013. Our destination was beautiful Bow Lake, so that friend Sandy could check on a Liverwort (non-vascular plant) that she had seen there recently. There were a few people out taking photos in this area, so it was a bit of a challenge to try and photograph in between them : ) We were so lucky to have this beautiful cloud formation that morning! The plant in the foreground is Shrubby Cinquefoil. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Lake_ (Alberta) www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/9571598706

Another photo from a wonderful day along the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) west of Banff and Lake Louise, on 10 August 2013. Our destination was beautiful Bow Lake, so that my friend could check on a Liverwort (non-vascular plant) that she had seen there recently. The title for this image comes from the colourful plant in the foreground, called River Beauty. There were a few people out taking photos in this area, so it was a bit of a challenge to try and photograph in between them : ) "Chamerion latifolium (formerly Epilobium latifolium) is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the English common names Dwarf Fireweed and River Beauty Willowherb. It has a circumboreal distribution, appearing throughout the northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including subarctic and Arctic areas such as snowmelt-flooded gravel bars and talus, in a wide range of elevations. This arctic plant provides valuable nutrition for the Inuit, who eat the leaves raw, boiled with fat, or steeped in water for tea, the flowers and fruits raw, and as a salad with meals of seal and walrus blubber. Every part of this plant is edible, tasting much like spinach, and is also known in the Canadian tundra as River Beauty. It is the national flower of Greenland, where it is known by the Greenlandic name niviarsiaq, which means "little girl"." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamerion_latifolium www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/9524200370

On 10 August 2013, I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, in Banff National Park. It is located along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, said to be the most beautiful, scenic highway in the world. She had seen a tiny Liverwort (non-vascular plant) maybe a week earlier on a different trip and wanted to go back to check it at a later stage, and asked if I'd like to go with her. How lucky I am! She had hoped that it might be a particular rare species, but as it turned out, it wasn't. Still an interesting species to add to the list of flora and fauna for the area. We walked very slowly along the Bow Glacier Trail, which runs along the right hand edge of the lake, searching for anything of interest and beauty. This is where I took this photo, almost looking into the sun, but still turned out OK. Couldn't have wished for more effective clouds and their reflection : ) Later in the day, none of the views looked as beautiful as they did in the earlier morning light. We went as far as the second rock fall, but didn't hike up to the Bow Glacier Falls. I had only ever once been to Bow Lake (that I remember), and that was 30+ years ago, but I had always longed to go back. Many, many years ago, I did an oil painting of just the area in the centre of this photo. www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/9503913004

On 10 August 2013, I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, in Banff National Park. It is located along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, said to be the most beautiful, scenic road in the world. When we returned to the parking lot at the end of our hike, we went inside the Num-Ti-Jah Lodge to look around. A very interesting place inside and it has a great story to go with it. "Num-Ti-Jah Lodge is the dream of the remarkable Simpson family. Our story begins with a wild, red-haired 19 year old named Jimmy Simpson who left England for Canada in 1896. He was to become the legendary outfitter known as the last and greatest of the Canadian mountain men. He guided scientists, mountaineers, big game hunters and artists through the little-explored Rocky mountains. His wild character, quick wit, and tall tales of the trail made him one of Canada's most eccentric pioneers. When Jimmy Simpson camped at Bow Lake in 1898, he vowed that one day he would "build a shack here". Twenty-five years later he began building the first log cabin on the site and had a permanent base for his outfitting tours. He called his operation Num-Ti-Jah, a Stoney Plain word for pine marten, a small animal similar to a sable. In 1937, the Banff-Jasper highway was completed as far as Bow Lake. Jimmy, his wife Billie and their children Margaret, Mary and Jimmy jr. began expanding on the original dream of a "shack". With the earnings from Margaret and Mary's professional ice-skating tours, the building of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge began. In 1940, the Lodge had six guest rooms. By 1950, a beautiful log and stone hotel with 16 rooms stood on the shores of Bow Lake. In the fifties and sixties, Jimmy Simpson's reputation attracted tourists keen to hear his stories. While Jimmy became a living legend, his son took charge of the Num-Ti-Jah operation. Jimmy jr. has his own mountain stories from an outfitting career that spanned thirty-five years ending in 1974, two years after his father died. Although he retired from managing Num-Ti-Jah Lodge in 1996, with his remarkable memory, he is the keeper of the old tales of Bow Lake. "Num-Ti-Jah Lodge hasn't changed much since it was completed in 1950. What you'll see and feel here is the dream of the Simpson family." From the Num-Ti-Jah website - I can't get the link to work.

On 10 August 2013, I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, in Banff National Park. It is located along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, said to be the most beautiful, scenic road in the world. When we returned to the parking lot at the end of our hike, we noticed this brightly coloured van. I was taking a shot or two when I heard a voice say "Take your time ..." A couple was just getting back to this vehicle. This campervan company has the wildest designs on their for-rent vehicles - bright and so much fun.

On 10 August 2013, I went with friend Sandy to Bow Lake, in Banff National Park. It is located along Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, said to be the most beautiful, scenic road in the world. We walked very slowly along the Bow Glacier Trail, which runs along the right hand edge of the lake, searching for anything of interest and beauty. We went as far as the second rock fall, but didn't hike up to the Bow Glacier Falls. At one of the rock falls, we were entertained, while having lunch, by several of these small Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels. They look rather similar to a Chipmunk. They love a rocky mountain slope like this one - and I was happy when one of them climbed and sat on this brightly coloured, lichen-encrusted boulder. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-mantled_ground_squirrel

I am SO tired (but happy tired!) after a wonderful day in the mountains today! I don't get out there very often at all, and certainly not as far as we went today, so it was an absolute treat! Friend Sandy had found an interesting Liverwort there very recently and wanted to go back to see it at a different stage, hoping it would make ID a little clearer. She asked if I wanted to go with her - ha, yes, you bet! We went past Banff and Lake Louise, as far as Bow Lake (seen in my photo) along Highway 93. They do say that this scenic highway is the most beautiful in the world, and it's easy to believe. I had jokingly said to Sandy when we left Calgary, that what I would really like, please, was blue sky to start with it, then a few puffy white clouds and then maybe even a touch of gey with the white - and that's exactly what we got (plus some rain on the drive back to Calgary). www.flickr.com/photos/annkelliott/9484933371

I am SO tired after a wonderful day in the mountains today! I don't get out there very often at all, and certainly not as far as we went today, so it was an absolute treat! Friend Sandy had found an interesting, tiny Liverwort there (seen in my photo) very recently and wanted to go back to see it at a different stage, hoping it would make ID a little clearer. She asked if I wanted to go with her - ha, yes, you bet! We went past Banff and Lake Louise, as far as Bow Lake along Highway 93. They do say that this scenic highway is the most beautiful in the world, and it's easy to believe. "The Marchantiophyta i/mɑrˌkæntiˈɒfɨtə/ are a division of non-vascular bryophyte land plants commonly referred to as hepatics or liverworts. Like other bryophytes, they have a gametophyte-dominant life cycle, in which cells of the plant carry only a single set of genetic information. It is estimated that there are about 9000 species of liverworts. Some of the more familiar species grow as a flattened leafless thallus, but most species are leafy with a form very much like a flattened moss. Leafy species can be distinguished from the apparently similar mosses on the basis of a number of features, including their single-celled rhizoids. Leafy liverworts also differ from most (but not all) mosses in that their leaves never have a costa (present in many mosses) and may bear marginal cilia (very rare in mosses). Other differences are not universal for all mosses and liverworts, but the occurrence of leaves arranged in three ranks, the presence of deep lobes or segmented leaves, or a lack of clearly differentiated stem and leaves all point to the plant being a liverwort. Liverworts are typically small, usually from 2–20 mm wide with individual plants less than 10 cm long, and are therefore often overlooked. However, certain species may cover large patches of ground, rocks, trees or any other reasonably firm substrate on which they occur. They are distributed globally in almost every available habitat, most often in humid locations although there are desert and arctic species as well. Some species can be a nuisance in shady green-houses or a weed in gardens." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marchantiophyta