Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: garden escapees spreading into our natural areas

An overcast morning today, 22 October 2015. The sun is supposed to shine this afternoon - I'm just hoping it won't rain, as I washed my car yesterday and vacuumed it out, ready for the arrival of winter. I then dropped it off at my Tire place to get my winter tires put on today - thought that if I left it any longer, too many people would be making appointments to get the same done. Another thing completed this week was having two people come and remove everything from my tiny back yard. It had become one tangled jungle mess and, as I can't bend or kneel to do anything, it had been become totally out of control. It now looks completely bare and wonderfully tidy! That big, black cloud that has been hanging over my head for years has finally gone, and it feels so good. This photo was taken on 20 October 2015 in South Glenmore Park, down by the Glenmore Reservoir. I went on a birding walk with a group of friends, but couldn't resist a quick shot of these bright Mountain Ash berries. By now, the leaves have died and shrivelled, leaving just the clusters of red. "European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is frequently planted for its showy clusters of white flowers in spring followed by an excellent display of fruit that develop in tight clusters 4-5" wide. Individual fruits are about 3/8" in diameter. Fruits start maturing in August and hang on through October." In winter, Bohemian Waxwings seek out the ornamental Rowanberry/European Mountain-ash for its berries. However, widely planted in gardens, this ornamental tree has escaped and replaced native plants in our natural areas. Not good news! Link to an article from CTV News page, on Bohemian Waxwings getting drunk on fermented Mountain Ash berries: www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/birds-drunk-on-fermented-berries-... I've just read the following suggestion of an alternative tree species on the City of Calgary's Yard Smart webpage: "Snowy Mountain Ash (Sorbus decora) – A small, dense tree with flower clusters and then red berries. Needs well-drained soil. Twenty feet tall and fifteeen foot spread. Full sun. Attracts birds such as waxwings. Avoid its relative the European Mountain Ash (Sorbus auduparic) which can be invasive." www.calgary.ca/UEP/Water/Pages/Water-conservation/Lawn-an...

I would imagine (and hope) that many, many people will be stopping today to remember the horrific events of 11th September 2001. So many mental images that will never, ever leave our minds and hearts. People from so many different countries, not just the US. So many stories of loss and heartbreak - and so many stories of bravery and heroic actions. Remembering .... all those who lost their lives on that fateful day: all those who lost loved ones and close friends or fellow workers; all those who rushed in to "do their job" or "to help others" in any way they could. Remembering .... all those who were severely injured on that fateful day and who have bravely suffered every day since then; all those Firemen, Emergency Medical people, Police - men and women, who have suffered and continue to suffer emotionally and physically, including illnesses caused by being exposed to harmful chemicals. The list goes on and on. Remembering ... and praying that we never see another day like September 11th, 2001. This photo was taken yesterday evening in South Glenmore Park, down by the Glenmore Reservoir. I went with three friends for our last but one botany walk of the year. "European Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is frequently planted for its showy clusters of white flowers in spring followed by an excellent display of fruit that develop in tight clusters 4-5" wide. Individual fruits are about 3/8" in diameter. Fruits start maturing in August and hang on through October." In winter, Bohemian Waxwings seek out the ornamental Rowanberry/European Mountain-ash for its berries. However, widely planted in gardens, this ornamental tree has escaped and replaced native plants in our natural areas. Not good news!