Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: explore2014June20

This was just a quick shot through the window of a moving car, that came out better than I was expecting. I so rarely get to see this incredible mountain, so I'm always thrilled when I do see it. Taken on 14 May 2014, the first day of a wonderful two-day trip through the Canadian Rockies with friends, Cathy and Terry. On our return journey to Calgary the following day, we stopped and were able to get different views of this mountain. "Castle Mountain is a mountain located within Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, approximately half-way between Banff and Lake Louise. It is the easternmost mountain of the Main Ranges in the Bow Valley and sits astride the Castle Mountain Fault, which has thrust older sedimentary and metamorphic rocks forming the upper part of the mountain over the younger rocks forming its base. The mountain's castellated, or castle-like, appearance is a result of erosive processes acting at different rates on the peak's alternating layers of softer shale and harder limestone, dolomite and quartzite. The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector for its castle-like appearance. From 1946 to 1979 it was known as Mount Eisenhower in honour of the World War II general Dwight D. Eisenhower. Public pressure caused its original name to be restored, but a pinnacle on the southeastern side of the mountain was named Eisenhower Tower. Located nearby are the remains of Silver City, a 19th century mining settlement, and the Castle Mountain Internment Camp in which persons deemed enemy aliens and suspected enemy sympathizers were confined during World War I." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Mountain

Came across this little fluffed-up Tree Swallow perched on a fence post along one of the backroads SW of the city. Taken late afternoon on Monday, 16 June 2014. I had a late afternoon physiotherapy session (shoulder and back), and had already decided that I would go for a short drive straight afterwards, no matter what the weather. Well, dark clouds filled the sky and part way there, the rain started. Normally, I never go out with my camera when it's raining, but I did manage to get several shots that were worth keeping. It has rained the last few days and more rain is expected for today. Almost one year ago to the day of southern Alberta's devastating Flood of the Century in June 2013, people are getting anxious about the amount of rain that has been falling and continues to fall. Most of the flooding concerns seem to be from just south of Calgary, especially in the SW corner of Alberta in places like Pincher Creek. I guess we will all be finding out in the next while. A change in the weather is expected to take place this evening and onwards, with no rain and with higher temperatures. "Improving weather conditions in southern Alberta are helping to ease fears of a repeat of last year's devastating floods. After several communities were put on evacuation alert Wednesday, officials say things are looking much better. According to Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman, the river flow forecast has improved. Still residents are being urged to exercise caution and remain a safe distance from flooded areas. In Claresholm, overland flooding damaged about 40 homes and prompted voluntary evacuations in the area. An evacuation centre that had been set up in Claresholm however, was closed by Wednesday evening thanks to improving conditions. 'Storm water systems and sewer systems are starting to catch up. If current conditions continue, the Town hopes to have the situation well in hand in short order,' said the town in their 4:30 pm update Wednesday, and by 6 pm the reception centre located at the arena was closed. Areas in extreme SW Alberta will likely see a further 10-20 mm of rain this morning before the precipitation begins to taper off this afternoon. Upwards of 100 mm of rain has already been recorded in some areas. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible and residents are being urged to watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts. The timing of this significant rainfall event is eerie as it was this same time last year when 32 states of emergency were declared across the province as the flows of three major rivers rose to almost 10 times their normal rates. It is considered the costliest disaster in Canadian history with an estimated $5 billion in damage, sparking concerns that this would be a similar event." From the Weather Network on Thursday, 19 June 2014.