Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: decorations

"Between the Rockies' vigorous upthrusts and the recumbent lines of the grassland plains, the Porcupine Hills provide a softly rounded interface, gentle contours that stir the heart, They are always so beautiful, from the wildflowers of spring to the hazy shimmer of summer and the sharp gold of fall aspens, and even in the austerity of a landscape under the sharp shadows of snow. The hills bring magic to all the seasons." These are the first few lines from the book, "Exploring the Routes Less Travelled - Country Roads of Alberta", by Liz Bryan. This is a book that my daughter gave me a year or two ago and I had forgotten just which journeys it covered. Last night, while I was Googling the area that I had just spent the day exploring with friends, Dorothy & Stephen, and Janet, I came across this book. The short chapter on this area made interesting reading. Dorothy and Stephen had made a decision to drive down south and asked if I would like to go with them. As always, my answer was a delighted "Yes, please!" The weather forecast looked good, especially compared to the forecast snow for tonight and the next few days. After meeting at their house, the four of us left at 8:30 am and drove to Nanton. From there, we basically drove in a huge circle between Highway 2 and Highway 22, covering such beautiful scenery. Some of these roads were new roads for us, certainly for me. Each year, I take part in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton, and my small group covers the area to the SW of Nanton, but much closer to the town than the area we explored yesterday. My friends' target bird was the Golden Eagle, but all of us were happy as can be to see anything else that we might come across. As it turned out, not only did we not see a single Golden Eagle, there were not many birds of any kind to see all day. A flock of 50+ Starlings, and 25 Common Ravens, various Magpies, a few Pigeons, Canada Geese and a couple of heard Red-breasted Nuthatches were all that we saw. For animals, we saw one Coyote, 5 Mule Deer and a couple of White-tailed Deer. However, perhaps our biggest excitement came when we found ourselves in the middle of a cattle drive. We could see the huge herd in the distance, with one lone cowboy on his horse, coming towards us. The whole procession was following another farmer, driving very slowly with a huge hay bale in the back of his truck. After taking a quick few distant shots, we climbed back into our vehicle and waited, and waited, and waited till the very last cow had walked past us. The cowboy said he appreciated the fact that we had stopped, not wanting to spook any of the animals. As soon as they were past us, we climbed out of the car to take a quick photo or two. I think I've only ever seen a cattle drive maybe twice before. So good to see a genuine cowboy at work, doing what he does so well. Another interesting stop was when we were driving along part of the Sky View Road. We came across a logging sight, with a couple of large piles of cut logs waiting to be trucked out of the area. Fortunately, yesterday was Family Day, so there were no huge logging trucks on the rough, gravel road leading up the hillside. We were hoping to reach the Lookout in case there were amazing views from there, but we decided that it might be risky to drive the last part of the road that would have led to the Lookout. We had climbed high enough to already find a lot more snow and the rough road was not in the best condition. This was where we saw the two White-tailed Deer. We had seen beautiful views already, lower down the road, so we were happy. Thanks so much, Dorothy and Stephen, for such a great day, exploring a new area. It was so much fun to see some new things and, of course, the scenery was spectacular. How lucky we are to live within reach of such beauty! Having been out so few times in the last few weeks and having taken barely any photos at all, this kind of day was exactly what I needed.

This photo was taken a month ago, on 11 November 2016, when my daughter and I had a day out together. We started off at 9:00 am and drove straight to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast - I had a delicious meal of quiche and sweet potato fries. On a quick wander round the grounds, several Ornamental Cabbage or Flowering Kale were the only plants with colour. The rest had all gone to seed. The Saskatoon Farm is an interesting place that is maybe a 25-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside greenhouses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things (including these cute Christmas owls), and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They also have a restaurant that offers great food. www.saskatoonfarm.com/ We then drove west into Okotoks, to go to the antique store, All Around the House, and to the Christmas Market being held in the town. From here, for some insane reason, we drove as far as Millarville to go to their annual Christmas Market. I don't think I have ever seen as many cars anywhere, for anything! It was totally crazy, with endless vehicles lined up along various nearby roads, waiting to be able to park in the fields, as the market parking lot was full most of the time. Thankfully, they had arranged for two or three small school buses to transport people from the field to the Market. Some people chose to get a wagon ride instead, or walk. Later, when we were ready to leave, we had to wait for a bus again. More time (hours?) was spent waiting for buses than was spent actually walking around the huge Market. Once inside, it was absolutely packed, so you couldn't really get to any of the booths to look at things, anyway. I think we've both decided that this would be our last annual trip to this Market! We know that it would be much more relaxing and fun to be driving the back roads, looking for birds and other things to photograph : ) However, for me, the main reason for this day was to spend precious time with my daughter, so it was a good day. Thanks, Rachel!

Good morning, everyone! Happy Christmas (Eve day)! Hope you all have a wonderful day today and tomorrow. In Calgary, the temperature is -5C, with a windchilll of -11C, supposedly getting up to 0C (windchill -5C) this afternoon, so we are lucky. What would Christmas be without a snowman? This one was made from a hollowed-out gourd and I just couldn't resist it when I saw it at my local garden centre : ) Stands about 10" high. For many people, Christmas is a very difficult time, for various reasons. My thoughts are with them and, as always, with those who for one reason or another will spend Christmas alone. To those of you who don't celebrate Christmas, I hope today and tomorrow will be happy ones for you. If you will be on the road, please don't drink and drive! Today, I am lucky enough to be going looking for owls again, with friends Cathy and Terry. I've never, ever been out this many times so close together, looking for these magnificent birds - three times this week : ) Wishing you all a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and all the very best in the New Year!

After the High River Christmas Bird Count on 17 December 2013, we all returned to the town of High River for a most enjoyable Potluck supper. While waiting for other participants to arrive back, I snapped a handful of quick shots of decorations. I'm hoping that I'll have time to photograph something at home in the next day or two - if not, Happy Christmas, everyone, lol!

Hope you all had a very happy day and are now relaxing, full of turkey and stuffing! Came across this little owl decoration in one of the stores and knew it was meant for me, LOL! Next day, I was lucky enough to see the uncommon Northern Pygmy-owl. I have a feeling that I might just keep this owl hanging somewhere all year round : ).

Only three more days till Christmas, for those of you who will be celebrating! A few shiny baubles - actually part of a wreath that I bought recently, partly so that I could take a few photos, and it was even on sale : ) - to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

Bet this took you by surprise, lol! It's a scan of a print from an old colour slide, taken in the desert outside Doha, Qatar (Middle East) in 1967. Will explain more about it when I get back home today. I have several of these old photos from Qatar that I need to scan and post as soon as possible. I don't know just where outside Doha this was taken, so I have marked it as Doha on my map - just in case anyone isn't quite sure where Doha is : ) Anyone else getting Hold Your Clicks ... this afternoon? Back to really slow page downloading, etc.. Taking forever to save comments this evening. When I click on Stats, it keeps taking me straight to the photo page for my most recent image. Weird.

I came across this scan that I made ages ago and sent it to my daughters a few days ago. Last night, I decided that I would upload it to Flickr to give you all a little smile and chuckle. My eyes are blue, by the way, not rather green like they look in this very, very old photo : ) I was told many years later that I was very lucky to have a colour photo of myself, as colour photography was just becoming available when I was around three years old, and my father must have been one of the first to use it. I still remember all those decorations, though I haven't seen them for dozens of years. Happy Christmas, everyone!

A few of the decorations hanging on my little four-foot artificial tree. I have to admit that the decorations stay on it all year round and I just keep it in my basement.

Happened to notice that I had included a copper decoration that has a heart pattern punched into it. A heart for you, Jan!

These are two of the gifts my youngest daughter gave me last Christmas when she came from Vancouver. For SOME reason (LOL), she seems to think I'm a birder! (Actually, I'm not a birder - I'm just someone who loves nature and taking photos of anything beautiful). I love the little Smores snowman with Field Guide, binoculars and bird on his hat.

A few of my familiar snowmen who make a ring around the base of my little tree.

I've had this cheap, plug-in, electric "fire" for maybe 25 years. It gives no heat, just a glow, which I appreciate at Christmas.

My little tree is covered in a whole mixture of decorations - my favorite ones being those from my kids (of course!). A little secret, though - these decorations have remained on the tree for about eight years now - I simply carry it down to my basement and cover it with a plastic bag till it needs carrying upstairs a year later!

If I could invite you over, this little Christmas table would greet you just inside my front door. Nothing fancy, but you would be welcome.