Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: stem

As usual, any fungi IDs given are always tentative, not 100% confirmed. Rule is, if you are not an expert in mycology, do not pick wild mushrooms to eat! You could end up very sick, or worse. Another gloomy day today, 13 September 2019, with a temperature of 14C just after noon. Yesterday, however, it was actually sunny, so I had to get out and make the most of it. It definitely feels and looks like fall. Snow is already being forecast for parts of Alberta. It will soon be time to get all-season tires off and winter tires put on. Five days ago, on 8 September 2019, we had such a wonderful four and a half hours, searching for different kinds of fungi in the amazing forest on Rod Handfield's land, SW of Calgary. I believe this was our tenth visit - the first one I went on, being on 25 June 2009 - each one resulting in various different species. This last visit was so overwhelming! You didn't know which direction to face and which mushroom to photograph first. They were everywhere! Such a contrast to our visit on 6 August 2017, when basically there were no mushrooms (other than maybe three), because everywhere had been so very dry. A day like this can be so exhausting, not just from the walking and fresh air, but also because of all the excitement. The quality of many of my photos is not the best, as the day was very overcast - the last thing one wants when trying to take photos deep in the forest. After leaving Rod's, it did rain. I had driven myself there instead of carpooling, so that I could drive some of the backroads in the area after we had finished. The forecast was for sun and cloud - and I had foolishly believed it. The rain put an end to my plans and I headed for home. I'm so glad I had checked a special little spot near Rod's first thing in the morning, when I got there a bit too early. A few years ago, there was a beautiful display of Fly Agaric / Amanita muscaria mushrooms growing there, but not since then whenever I have checked. To my absolute delight, there were maybe half a dozen, in different stages of development. Surprisingly, we didn't come across a single one in Rod's forest this year. As always, thank you so much, Rod, for so generously allowing us to explore your property. This has been my favourite place to visit for quite a number of years now. We greatly appreciate your kindness - you are always so welcoming, and we learn so much and discover so many beautiful things. Thank you, Karel, for leading the group and helping with identifications. I'm sure at least some of us are anxiously waiting for you to have time, in between leading botany walks, to post some of your photos along with their IDs. Meanwhile, "fungus" has to be sufficient.

Wish I had not looked at the weather forecast just now - snow-rain showers this afternoon and evening and snow for tomorrow (Monday), Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. I had been wondering whether to join friends for a birding walk this afternoon, but I guess I will be staying home after all. Temperature this morning is 10C (windchill 7C). On 25 October 2018, I dashed down to a place that I had been curious about for the last few years. Every time I drove the highway, I would pass a sign that said Kayben Farms. My daughter had posted photos from a visit there with friends a while ago and there were a few things that I wanted to see sometime. A spur-of-the-moment visit gave me the chance to do so. Actually, I suspect it may also have been a delaying tactic for all the endless things that I knew I should be seeing to. There were a few sheds/barns scattered around the grounds. Most were a pretty basic, simple shape and not old. However, I loved one little barn and absolutely loved the wonderfully bright and colourful door of two other buildings. The one barn had an assortment of ducks, chickens, pigs - and a rabbit that I only noticed when I was editing the image. There were several different kinds of domestic duck and two in particular caught my eye. A female domestic Turkey had two babies, one black and the other was a tan colour, and what a good mother she was. Wandering near the corn maze - now closed till next year - I came across a dead Sunflower hanging its head. One of my favourite things to photograph, at any stage of their life. As for a corn maze, nothing would make me enter .... nothing, unless the corn plants were no higher than my waist and if I was with someone who has an excellent sense of direction! Various pieces of old farm equipment dotted the area. I always enjoy coming across such things on any of my travels. In a nearby area, there was a variety of farm animals, including a very cute pig that was fast asleep and snoring loudly, and horses, sheep and goats were entertaining. All made for a very pleasant visit, just in time before the farm closed to the public for the winter season.

Two afternoons ago, on 25 October 2018, I dashed down to a place that I had been curious about for the last few years. Every time I drove the highway, I would pass a sign that said Kayben Farms. My daughter had posted photos from a visit there with friends a while ago and there were a few things that I wanted to see sometime. A spur-of-the-moment visit yesterday gave me the chance to do so. Actually, I suspect it may also have been a delaying tactic for all the endless things that I knew I should be seeing to. There were a few sheds/barns scattered around the grounds. Most were a pretty basic, simple shape and not old. However, I absolutely loved the wonderfully bright and colourful door of two of the buildings. Wandering near the corn maze - now closed till next year - I came across this dead Sunflower hanging its head. One of my favourite things to photograph, at any stage of their life. As for a corn maze, nothing would make me enter .... nothing, unless the corn plants were no higher than my waist and if I was with someone who has an excellent sense of direction! Various pieces of old farm equipment dotted the area. I always enjoy coming across such things on any of my travels. There were several different kinds of domestic duck and two in particular caught my eye. A female domestic Turkey had two babies, one black and the other was a tan colour, and what a good mother she was. A variety of farm animals, incluing a large Pot-bellied (?) Pig that was fast asleep and snoring loudly, made for a very pleasant visit.

It made such a nice change to come across a couple of (unidentified) dragonflies while we were in Trinidad last year. This one was seen on 19 March 2017, in the same location as the beautiful Masked Cardinal, just before we climbed on to an open, flat-bottomed boat that was going to take us through the Caroni Swamp to find the breathtaking Scarlet Ibis. At the Swamp, my six friends and I were privileged to be able to watch the arrival of huge flocks of amazing Scarlet Ibis flying in to roost. Will add this YouTube link (not my video) to give an idea of what our boat ride was like - including the large snake curled up in a tree over our heads! All the other boats we saw were packed full of people, but we were given a boat to ourselves, which was great. All boats had to stay the far side of the huge lake, in order to not stress the Ibis. youtu.be/vV9XvW2JSVE This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off! What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way. I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure. This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015. youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk

I wish I could remember where friends and I went on our last morning, 20 March 2017, on the island of Trinidad. When I Google the names of two bird species that we saw only in that area, the name Wallerfield Airfield comes up, so maybe that is where I took two of the three photos posted this morning, 27 February 2018. This was just a short, morning outing, before returning to Asa Wright, where we spent the afternoon photographing some of the birds and packing our bags ready for leaving in the middle of the night (around 2:00 am?) to catch our flight home. One of our first stops that morning was at the place seen in the next photo. Just off to the left of that photo, we saw a little Bran-coloured Flycatcher, and a Masked Yellowthroat (seen in the above photo). This is a male - the female does not have a mask. There was also a pair of Ruddy Ground-doves. I was quite surprised to see the rather fine houses in this area. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_yellowthroat This adventure was only the second holiday of any kind, anywhere, that I have had in something like 30 or 35 years! The other holiday was a wonderful, one-week trip with my dear friends from England, Linda and Tony, when we went down south to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons in September 2012. I have had maybe half a dozen weekends away, including to Waterton National Park, which have helped keep me going. Six birding/photographer friends and I decided that we would take this exciting trip together (from 12-21 March 2017), spending the first two or three days on the island of Tobago and then the rest of the time at the Asa Wright Nature Centre on the nearby, much larger island of Trinidad. We decided to take a complete package, so everything was included - accommodation at both places, all our food, and the various walks and day trips that we could choose from. Two of my friends, Anne B. and Brenda, saw to all the planning of flights and accommodations, which was so very much appreciated by the rest of us. I could never have done all this myself! We were so lucky with our flights, as we were just in time to get Black Friday prices, which were 50% off! What a time we had, seeing so many beautiful and interesting things - and, of course, everything was a lifer for me. Some of these friends had visited Costa Rica before, so were familiar with some of the birds. There was a lot more to see on Trinidad, so we were glad that we chose Tobago to visit first and then spend a longer time at Asa Wright. It was wonderful to be right by the sea, though, at the Blue Waters Inn on the island of Tobago. Just gorgeous. The Asa Wright Nature Centre, on Trinidad, is such an amazing place! We stayed in cabins up or down hill from the main building. Really, one doesn't need to travel away from the Centre for birding, as so many different species visit the Hummingbird feeders that are right by the huge, open veranda, and the trees of the rain forest high up the mountainous road. The drive up and down this narrow, twisting, pot-holed road was an adventure in itself! Never would I ever do this drive myself - we had a guide who drove us everywhere in a minibus. I had read many accounts of this road, lol! There was enough room for two vehicles to pass each other, and the honking of horns was almost continuous - either to warn any vehicle that might be coming fast around the next bend or as a sign that drivers knew each other. The drive along this road, from the coast to Asa Wright, took just over an hour each way. I still miss the great food that was provided every single day at Asa Wright and even the Rum Punch that appeared each evening. I never drink at all, so I wasn't sure if I would even try the Punch - glad I did, though, as it was delicious and refreshing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all served buffet-style, with a great variety of dishes from which to choose. To me, pure luxury. So very, very grateful to have been invited to be part of this amazing adventure. This is a video that I came across on YouTube, taken by Rigdon Currie and Trish Johnson, at many of the same places we visited on Trinidad and Tobago. Not my video, but it made me feel like I was right there still. Posting the link here again, so that I won't lose it. youtu.be/BBifhf99f_M I also came across the following 27-minute YouTube video of the flora and fauna of Trinidad, filmed by John Patrick Smith in February 2015. youtu.be/6HHBm9MIxnk

I had just been photographing some beautiful cones on a coniferous tree (Douglas Fir?) along the Red Rock Parkway in Waterton Lakes National Park. Friends, Cathy and Terry, and I, had made a brief stop along the way. I happened to notice some tiny “bumps” along the stem of a plant, and when I zoomed in as close as I could, I discovered these beautifully patterned Leafhoppers. I would love to have been able to take a macro shot of them, but I have to avoid any bending because of my back issue. Still, a heavily cropped shot is better than nothing. This was the first time I had ever seen these amazingly beautiful insects. Taken on 26 August 2014, our first day in Waterton. We spent the next day in the park, too, and then for the third day of our trip, we drove something like two hours east of Waterton Park before we turned and headed back to Calgary. "Leafhopper is a common name applied to any species from the family Cicadellidae. These minute insects, colloquially known as hoppers, are plant feeders that suck plant sap from grass, shrubs, or trees. Their hind legs are modified for jumping, and are covered with hairs that facilitate the spreading of a secretion over their bodies that acts as a water repellent and carrier of pheromones." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leafhopper

Not too thrilling a photo, but I did want to add this wild plant to my Plants of Alberta Set. This particular plant was growing wild at Shagnessy Heights, Calgary, but is also found in other parks and natural areas in the city. Keep your eyes open for the small, orange Asparagus Beetle that is sometimes seen on the plant. "Asparagus officinalis is a flowering plant species in the genus Asparagus from which the vegetable known as asparagus is obtained. It is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. It is now also widely cultivated as a vegetable crop.... It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 100–150 centimetres (39–59 in) tall, with stout larissa stems with much-branched feathery foliage.... The shoots are prepared and served in a number of ways around the world" From Wikipedia.

"Imperfect" petals, but glorious colour! One of my Safeway flowers from late last year. I would never try taking a photo in store, so every once in a while I have to buy a small bunch of flowers : ) Desperately need some bright and beautiful flowers to photograph, as I am beginning to feel rather uninspired. Have been feeling really under the weather the last week and haven't been out anywhere for a walk for days - and the sun is shining this afternoon and the temperature has warmed up. Roll on next week!

I've no idea what created the bokeh quite like that (some circles), but I thought it was pretty and spring-like. We had more snow overnight, LOL!

Taken on a really dull day, weatherwise, while on a bird walk. I seem to remember that we saw quite a few species, but everything was so far away - way out of reach for my zoom. A close (and rather "noisy") photo of this ordinary little Damselfly made my day, though : )

Ha, I just had to photograph this Dandelion stem that had curled so beautifully into three coils. I would imagine that the flower head had been chewed off by some wild animal on Keith Logan's land, about 2 miles south of Water Valley. Can't say I've ever noticed this happen before. Photographed on June 17th. Have to go on a three-hour walk this morning and then have my volunteer shift this afternoon, so I'm posting really early today.

This Nodding Onion bud was seen when we spent a very enjoyable day botanizing J. Edworthy's land, past Black Diamond on July 29th. I didn't notice the little green visitor (maybe a Shield Bug?) until I went to crop this supermacro image : )

We saw quite a few clusters of this pretty, native wildflower, Purple Clematis (Clematis occidentalis, also known as Blue Clematis), when we were doing the annual May Species Count in Fish Creek Park on 29th May. Unfortunately it was snowing and raining, so not ideal weather for taking photos : ) talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=1109

Another of our wild Orchids, the rare Striped Coralroot. This small Orchid (macro image) with very tiny flowers was seen with quite a few others on our walk yesterday, at the new Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. We were extremely lucky to be allowed this chance, as the Park will not be open to the public for another 1-3 years. "Corallorhiza striata is a species of orchid known by the common names striped coralroot and hooded coralroot. This flowering plant is native to much of North America, especially Canada and the northern and western United States. It is a member of the coniferous understory flora, where it lives in the layer of decaying plant matter on the ground obtaining nutrients from fungi via mycoheterotrophy. Like other coralroots, it has reduced leaves and no chlorophyll and relies upon its parasitism of the fungi for sustenance. This coralroot has an erect stem which may be red, pink, purple, or yellow-green to almost white. It is mostly made up of an inflorescence of orchid flowers. Each flower is an open array of sepals and similar-looking petals which may be pink or yellowish and have darker pink or maroon stripes. Inside the flower is a column formed from the fusion of male and female parts, which may be spotted with purple or red. The fruit is a capsule one or two centimeters long." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corallorhiza_striata

Something good always comes out of something not so welcome : ) Loved the way the tiny raindrops clung to the Brome (?) grass when we were on a morning walk at Griffith Woods three days ago.

Happened to notice this small Gaillardia flower just beginning to open, when I was on a three-hour walk in a local park yesterday morning. It was on the edge of the creek bank, overlooking the water. I like these flowers at all stages of their life : ) Thanks, Rebecca, I meant to say that I was posting early today because I have a long, afternoon walk and then, if it doesn't rain, I might drive a few of the gravel roads south of the city this evening. Later: no, I just collapsed at home for the day, after all.

Taken on 7th February, when we had the most amazing hoar frost in the morning, especially near the edge of the river. I've posted at least a couple of other winter scenes from that walk and this time I thought I'd post this small plant that had been transformed into a pillar of ice crystals.

This is what everything looked like on Saturday morning, down near the Bow River. It was one of the most beautiful mornings I have ever seen! Every plant, bush, blade of grass, metal railing and fence, etc. was decorated so delicately with gorgeous ice crystals. By the time we turned around to retrace our steps, it had all melted : ( I would love to be able to watch these crystals grow under a microscope. Hey, Machel - if you look really closely and use a HUGE amount of imagination, you can see the faintest suggestion of dotted bokeh : )