Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Larch

This morning, 30 September 2017, is overcast and a bit windy, with a temperature of 13C and a chance for light rain. The beautiful yellow leaves are falling to the ground and it looks like a lot will be blown down in the rain forecast for tomorrow and the snow forecast for the next day. I knew that yesterday was going to be my last chance to see some fall photos, so I drove all day long through Kananaskis country. Of course, the mountains look beautiful in any season, but there is something extra special on a sunny fall day. Though it looks like I might have hiked for hours - which I can no longer do! - to be in such amazing surroundings, I had simply pulled over and taken this shot from my car. People come from all over the place to see the Larch trees in their fall colour. "Larches are conifers in the genus Larix, in the family Pinaceae. Growing from 20 to 45 m (66 to 148 ft) tall, they are native to much of the cooler temperate northern hemisphere, on lowlands in the north and high on mountains further south. Larches are among the dominant plants in the boreal forests of Siberia and Canada. Although they are conifers, larches are deciduous trees that lose their needles in the autumn." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larch If I remember correctly, this was the first time I had driven alone quite this far, reaching the northern end of Spray Lakes Reservoir. Unfortunately, when I got there, the sun was in the wrong position and there was a haze over the mountains. I wasn't sure how far I would go, as I had intended topping up with gas at Highwood House, along Highway 40. I had also planned on buying a sandwich and a coffee there. However, it was all closed. As it was, I still managed to do the drive I wanted and still have gas in my car. My drive started by going to Turner Valley and taking the back road to join the main Highway 40. Last fall, the views were amazing and the sky full of spectacular clouds along this route. Yesterday, there was a hazy view and the sky was a washed-out, pale blue with not a cloud in sight. Part way along Highway 40, I encountered a cattle drive, which was great to see. Only a small herd with one cowboy, who looked as if he was enjoying his work. He was accompanied by his herding dog, of course. When I came to the area where the little Pikas (Rock Rabbits) live, I didn't even stop, as I really wanted to reach Spray Lakes Reservoir, in Spray Valley Park. I had left home later than I wanted, 9:45 am, and wanted to make sure I was not driving home in the dark. As it was, I reached home about 7:15 pm, with little daylight to spare. The road to Spray Lakes, from the main Highway 40, is a dreadfully dusty, gravel road. This was a Friday, so I wasn't expecting many people in Kananaskis, but there were lots of cars, which made it difficult to drive this length of road. I was almost constantly in a thick cloud of dust with little or no visibility. The distance for the road from the Spray Lakes road turn-off from near Kananaskis Lakes to the northern tip of the huge Reservoir is 48 km, so just under 100 km return on this dusty road. The dust seeps inside the car, even with all windows closed. I also called in just long enough to take a handful of photos at Peninsular and Buller Pond, which are both along this Smith-Dorrien/Spray Lakes Trail. The return journey home (giving a total trip distance of 422 km), back the same way I had come, was uneventful, which is usually a good thing when doing such a drive. The gas station near home was a must, so now I have a full tank and I can see out the windows - just in case the forecast snow for Monday doesn't materialize and I can make perhaps the last long drive of the year.

This was one of the views from the lower plateau of Plateau Mountain, after we had hiked up from the closed gate. It was taken on 28 September 2016, on our first 'recent' trip - the second visit was just one week later, on 5 October 2016, during which we were able to get up to the top plateau (with permission). On our second trip, we were trudging through snow and dense, low cloud on the very top of Plateau Mountain. What a difference a week makes. I have been lucky enough to visit this special area several times in the past, but wondered if I would ever be able to get back to one of my absolute favourite places. There are two gates across this road - the lower one always seems to be open, but the second, higher gate is always kept locked. This means a long hike up a gravel road to get to the first plateau area, and then a further hike to get to the very top (which we didn't do). Took me a while to make up my mind whether to go on this trip, as I wasn't sure if I'd be able to manage it - my body just can't do anything uphill, even just a very slight incline. Also, I had read someone's old report, saying that, up till the day they went, a female Grizzly and her two cubs had been hanging out there for 10 days! They didn't see the bears, but noticed all the many places where the bears had pushed over rocks and ripped up the ground to look for plant roots, etc.. On our hike, there were so many digging sights and these were still unnerving enough! We also saw several bear paw prints in the gravel along this road. My main concern was that I would have to fall back and let my friends continue. The thought of being by myself and seeing a family of Grizzlies had been enough to keep me awake part of the previous night and I even broke into a sweat worrying about it, lol. However, I have very thoughtful friends, and we stayed pretty much together. These friends were there to look for plants, mosses, lichens and liverworts - plus anything else of interest - so they don't walk at a fast pace and are always stopping to look at something. This suits my ability perfectly. We were, of course, too late for wildflowers, though there were a lot of False Dandelions in bloom. We also came across a number of fungi, most of them the same kind of very small, brown fungus. We did see one or two other kinds that were worth photographing. Because of stopping so often, we ran out of time to continue hiking this road as far as the very top, flat plateau - I would have had to stay behind if they had gone further. The lower plateau is where most of my visits have taken place, but I think I have been right to the very top twice, maybe three times, before. Almost every visit other years had been in the month of July. Actually, the middle part of the hike was over ground that was very similar to the very top plateau, including some permafrost 'boils'. Birds seen on this trip included a tiny Wren, a few small flocks of unidentified birds flying fast, and a falcon (Prairie falcon?). "This nearly flat high-elevation plateau is recognized for several unique features. There is an internationally recognized ice cave with ice crystals, curls, sheets and pillars (ice crystals are so fragile that a temperature increase of one degree Celsius can cause melting). The periglacial features (known as "patterned ground") in the reserve include active permafrost, sorted stone circles, polygons, steps and frost boils. The area also contains critical winter range for bighorn sheep." From www.albertaparks.ca/plateau-mountain.aspx There are no public roads in Plateau Mountain Ecological Reserve; the road to the mountain top is leased by Husky Oil; to prevent vandalism to natural gas production facilities and to lessen impact on the area's natural features, access is controlled by the locked gate; travel in the reserve is by foot only; there are no facilities on site and overnight camping and open fires are prohibited." www.albertaparks.ca/media/2741526/plateau_mtn_mgmt_plan.pdf Thanks so much, Sandy, for organizing this wonderful trip and getting us out there! Not sure, but I think the last time I was out there was in August 2012. Major flood damage had kept the roads closed after that, so it was very exciting to know that someone else had discovered that the roads were now OK for travel. We were so lucky with the weather and only had a few raindrops. Rather chilly, but it was almost October, so it was hardly surprising. I think the temperature was between 2C and 4C, approximately. I was wearing thermal underwear, jeans, two fleece jackets and my thick winter jacket, and my winter boots! Many thanks, too, to Ken, for the ride from and back to Calgary - much appreciated! A long drive, but through such beautiful scenery.

Three days ago, on 1 October 2016, I finally had my very first visit to the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens, thanks to friend, Sandy. I first heard about this beautiful place from my daughter, but I had never been, because it is way out of my driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining, at least in my part of the city, and I wondered if going would turn out to be a big mistake. However, the rain stayed away while we were there and, though the sky was overcast, I was still able to photograph to my heart's content. I was surprised at how many flowers were still in bloom on the first day of October and I was extremely impressed with how meticulously these gardens are kept - every inch of them. So many different kinds of trees and plants, and it was very obvious that each area had been planted with so much thought and care. Amazing that dedicated volunteers have been, and continue to be, the ones to thank for these gardens. Couldn't resist taking a quick shot of one of the beautiful Larch trees. Their colour in the fall is just so spectacular. Seeing them in the mountains, mixed in with the dark green of the coniferous trees, is especially breathtaking. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! After our walk in the Gardens, I went back to Sandy's place and we had an early supper. We all know that snow isn't far away - it has fallen in parts of the mountains, but not yet in the city - so I am trying to get out as much as I can before having to deal with the long, dreaded months of winter. Apologies to everyone for not much commenting at the moment!! "The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs is without doubt one of the Seven Wonders of Calgary, Alberta. It boasts 1350 square meters (14 600 square feet) of gardens which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. In the gardens you will find an endless variety of annuals and perennials ranging from artemisias to zinnias. Here indeed is a place to stop and smell the roses and the peonies and the delphiniums and the chrysanthemums and the … What makes these gardens so very special is that they were created and continue to be maintained by a band of green-thumbed enthusiastic volunteers. These hale and hearty diggers, planters, seeders, weeders, mowers, waterers, pruners and community builders work two to three mornings a week to keep the gardens in primrose shape and their efforts are truly appreciated by the many walkers, joggers, and cyclists. On any given day, hundreds of people walk the wall garden with their families, friends and out-of-town visitors. It has become a treasured destination site for many. For anyone who has spent time in the gardens, it is hard to believe that they have only been here since 2006 when a humble ornamental garden (400 square feet) was developed within the existing BirthPlace Forest tree beds. The BPF, by the way, saw 7000 trees planted in the area. The project was accomplished through a partnership of BP Energy, Calgary Parks, Regional Health and Golden Acres." From the gardens' website. www.botanicalgardensofsilversprings.ca/

These flowers always fascinate me - including the fact that they are growing from tree branches. If you happen to know where there is a Larch tree, take a look at the branches at the right time of the year. When you see these female flowers (they become cones) up close, they really are very attractive. They start off a deep pinky purple and become paler as they open fully. Yesterday afternoon, 3 May 2015, I met up with a group of birding friends in South Glenmore Park. We walked east towards the "point" and beyond. Not a huge number of birds and most were the far side or in the centre of the Glenmore Reservoir. However, 25 species were seen - will add the list compiled by leaders, Janet and Bernie, posted mainly to help my own memory: 1. Common Loon - 1 heard 2. Horned Grebe - 40+ 3. Red-necked Grebe - 40+ 4. Western Grebe - 60+ 5. Canada Goose - 4 6. Mallard - 12 7. American Wigeon - 10 8. Lesser Scaup - 2 9. Common Goldeneye - 35 10. Bufflehead - 32 11. Swainson's Hawk - 2 12. American Coot - 2 13. Bonaparte's Gull - 3 14. Franklin's Gull - 35+ 15. California Gull - 12 16. Northern Flicker - 1 17. Black-billed Magpie - 5 18. American Crow - 15 19. Common Raven - 8 + 2 young in nest 20. Tree Swallow - 2 21. Rough-winged Swallow - 2 22. Black-capped Chickadee - 2 23. American Robin - 6 24. Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Myrtle 25. House Sparrow - 2+ Five of us went to the Good Earth cafe after the walk and, as always, coffee and a chat were most enjoyable. Thanks for the good walk, Janet and Bernie!

I just never seem to get a sharp (macro) photo of one of these Larch tree baby cones, but I thought this was too pretty not to post. These flower-like baby cones always fascinate me. If you happen to know where there is a Larch tree, take a look at the branches at the right time of the year. They have a number of these along the branches and when you see them up close, they really are very attractive. They start off a deep pinky purple and become paler as they open fully. Photographed at the Reader Rock Garden on 7 May 2014.

These flowers always fascinate me - mainly the fact that they are growing on a tree. If you happen to know where there is a Larch tree, take a look at the branches at the right time of the year. They have a number of these small flowers along the branches and when you see them up close, they really are very attractive. They start off a deep pinky purple and become paler as they open fully. Photographed at South Glenmore Park on 10 May 2011, when I went birding with friends along the southern edge of the Glenmore Reservoir.

This is a zoomed in view taken from the Larch Valley trail, Banff National Park. Way down below and well out of sight, is Moraine Lake. The fall season of beautiful yellow Larches was past its prime, but, as you can see, there was still some golden colour. Though the photo may look a little "strange", there is just something I like about it : )

Took this photo on a hike at Ptarmigan Cirque in Kananaskis, off Highway 40, on 1st September 2005. "Larches are conifers in the genus Larix, in the family Pinaceae. They are deciduous trees, growing from 15-50 m tall. The leaves are needle-like, 2-5 cm long, slender (under 1 mm wide). They are borne singly, spirally arranged on the long shoots, and in dense clusters of 20-50 needles on the short shoots. The needles turn yellow and fall in the late autumn, leaving the trees leafless through the winter. Larches are often used in bonsai culture, where their knobby bark, small needles, fresh spring foliage and especially autumn colour are appreciated." Adapted from Wikipedia.

This is a cone belonging to a Siberian Larch tree, seen at Pearce Estate. "The Siberian Larch or Russian Larch (Larix sibirica; syn. L. russica) is a frost-hardy tree native to western Russia. It is a medium-size to large deciduous coniferous tree reaching 20-40 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m diameter. The crown is conic when young, becoming broad with age; the main branches are level to upswept, with the side branches often pendulous. It is most easily distinguished from the closely related European Larch by the shoots being downy (hairless in European Larch). The leaves are needle-like, light green, 2-4 cm long, and turn bright yellow before they fall in the autumn, leaving the pale yellow-buff shoots bare until the next spring. The male and female cones are borne separately on the same tree; pollination is in early spring. The male cones are solitary, yellow, globose to oblong, 4-8 mm diameter, and produce wingless pollen. The mature female cones are erect, ovoid-conic, 2-4 cm long, with 30-70 erect or slightly incurved (not reflexed) and downy seed scales; they are green variably flushed red when immature, turning brown and opening to release the winged seeds when mature, 4-6 months after pollination. The old cones commonly remain on the tree for many years, turning dull grey-black. Because of its rot resistance, larch wood is especially valuable for posts, poles, railroad tie sleepers, and mine props. It is grown in Canada and the northern United States to a limited extent, first cultivated there in 1806. It is faster-growing than many other coniferous trees in cold regions, but requires full sunlight." From Wikipedia.

Seen at the Reader Rock Garden, Calgary. This is the female flower of the Siberian Larch tree - looks more like a cone than a flower.