Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: CrystalAward

This is one of the two Northern Hawk Owls that a friend and I saw on Monday, N of Cochrane (i.e. NW of Calgary). I happened to catch it having a good stretch, very high up in a tall tree. I did remove a thin branch that cut across the tail, as I just found it extremely distracting and annoying. Yes, I admit it, I altered an image, LOL! Then, as if the thrill of Monday wasn't enough, I was invited by another friend to go back to the very same area this afternoon!! The sky was as blue as can be (just like on Monday) and we found THREE of these owls in the area. Unbelievable! The icing on the cake was yet to come, as we soon found out. A few moments later, on our way out of the area, there was a female Moose in a wooded field. To these two friends who enabled me to get out of the city (where I won't drive for the most part) and see these incredible sights - thank you SO much!

It's that time of the year, when I have to resort to buying a very occasional flower from Safeway when I go grocery shopping : ) It's just too cold to go for walks and photograph nature at around -27C! Normally, I never buy Carnations, but I loved the colour, and patterns in this one, reminding me of a yummy, minty candycane! "The carnation, scientifically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, is an historically rich and meaningful flower choice. With its scientific name dianthus roughly translating to "flower of love" or "flower of the gods", depending on the source, this flower is one that has been revered for centuries. One of the world's oldest cultivated flowers, the carnation is appreciated for its ruffled appearance, clove-like scent, and extended blooming period." From www.proflowers.com/flowerguide/flowermeanings