Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: explore2014September20

The Common Ravens that are seen within the city are usually flying high overhead or perched right at the top of very tall trees, and I can't get photos of them. Once one is out in the mountains, these very intelligent birds have learned that where there are people, there is often food. Parking lots and pull-offs have become one of their favourite places to hang out, making it possible to get shots of them. A couple of these large birds were down on the ground at the Elbow Falls parking area yesterday afternoon. This was the first time I had managed to get out there this year and, really on the spur of the moment, that's where I decided to go yesterday. The weather called for some sun and some cloud, which sounded good. After the two heavy snowfalls on 9 and 10 September, I wasn't sure what to expect before I reached the beginning of the mountains, but every bit of snow had disappeared. The furthest point of my drive was Forgetmenot Pond, one of my favourite places to go. This drive is the only one I will do on my own and it only takes about an hour to get from home to the Pond. On the return drive, I called in at a place not far from the pond, where I have found a few mushrooms in previous years, and managed to find just a few that were in good enough condition to photograph. Other than that, I didn't see a whole lot during the few hours I was out. The scenery is spectacular and there were patches of trees that have turned yellow. Some of the trees looked as though their leaves were past their fall prime, and I came away wondering if I was a bit too early or a bit too late to see the best of the fall colours. The final place I called in at was Maclean Pond, but the light was fading somewhat and so I didn't feel like going far into the forest. I had just got back into my car when I happened to look up just in time to see a family of beautiful Bluejays not far from the parking lot. Managed to get a few shots, but distant and not as sharp as they should have been. A nice way to end the day, though.

Yesterday was the first time this year that I had managed to get out to the mountains as far as Forgetmenot Pond - really an on the spur of the moment decision. The weather called for some sun and some cloud, which sounded good. After the two heavy snowfalls on 9 and 10 September, I wasn't sure what to expect before I reached the beginning of the mountains, but every bit of snow had disappeared. Forgetmenot Pond is the only mountain drive I will do on my own and it's one of my favourite places. It only takes about an hour to get from home to the Pond, so makes a very pleasant half-day drive. The bridge over the river, just before Allen Bill Pond, has now been repaired. The high banks of the river had been totally washed away during Alberta's Flood of the Century in 2013. On the return drive, I called in at a place not far from the pond, where I have found a few mushrooms in previous years, and managed to find several, including this one, that were in good enough condition to photograph. Other than that, I didn't see a whole lot during the few hours I was out. The scenery is spectacular and there were patches of trees that have turned yellow. Some of the trees looked as though their leaves were past their fall prime, and I came away wondering if I was a bit too early or a bit too late to see the best of the fall colours. The final place I called in at was Maclean Pond, but the light was fading somewhat and so I didn't feel like going far into the forest. I had just got back into my car when I happened to look up just in time to see a family of beautiful Bluejays not far from the parking lot. Managed to get a few shots, but distant and not as sharp as they should have been. A nice way to end the day, though.

Yesterday was the first time this year that I managed to get out along the whole length of the Elbow Falls Trail - really an on the spur of the moment thing. The weather called for some sun and some cloud, which sounded good. After the two heavy snowfalls on 9 and 10 September, I wasn't sure what to expect before I reached the beginning of the mountains, but every bit of snow had disappeared, except on the mountain peaks. The furthest point of my drive was Forgetmenot Pond, one of my favourite places to go. This drive is the only one I will do on my own and it only takes about an hour to get from home to the Pond. This photo was taken at a place just before the Pond, along the gravel road leading to Cobble Flats. In the distance, you can see the main road. On the return drive, I called in at a place not far from the pond, where I have found a few mushrooms in previous years, and managed to find several that were in good enough condition to photograph. Other than that, I didn't see a whole lot during the few hours I was out. The scenery is spectacular and there were patches of trees that have turned yellow. Some of the trees looked as though their leaves were past their fall prime, and I came away wondering if I was a bit too early or a bit too late to see the best of the fall colours. The final place I called in at was Maclean Pond, but the light was fading somewhat and so I didn't feel like going more than a few steps into the forest. I had just got back into my car when I happened to look up just in time to see a family of beautiful Bluejays not far from the parking lot. Managed to get a few shots, but distant and not as sharp as they should have been. A nice way to end the day, though.