Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: interestingness#151

I was so happy to find half a dozen of these beautiful Musk Thistle/Nodding Thistle flowers at the Erlton/Roxborough Natural Area yesterday morning. I love to photograph them - they are so fascinating. However, unfortunately, they ARE invasive weeds and so have to be pulled. Wish I could have uploaded a couple of photos taken today, when several of us went hiking and botanizing all day at Bow Valley Provincial Park, west of Calgary, right at the very start of the mountains. I am totally dead beat, though, especially as, on the way home, I had to take my car in to be looked at after the Malfunction light came on yesterday afternoon! The car keeps jerking, too, every time I pull up and stop at traffic lights. Presumably, the two are connected? Hoping it will be ready tomorrow, as I have another day hike on Saturday, this time a far more strenuous hike. I'm just hoping I can manage it, especially as the forecast is for 31C (much TOO hot for me!) - would rather not have to stop and wait till the others are on the return journey, especially as one of my friends who is going had a huge Grizzly Bear pass nearby the last time he went to that area. And HE had bear spray (didn't need to use it, though).

This little Seven-spotted Ladybug caught my eye when I was on a walk in Confluence Park a week ago. "With approximately 35 species of Ladybug in Alberta, identifying the exact species is a bit more of a challenge. The Seven-spotted is one of our largest ladybird beetles, getting up to 7 mm long. It has seven round black spots on the elytra (modified front wings that protect the body). Immatures are rather like short caterpillars, and are dark grey with yellow spots ..... Seven-spotted Ladybird Beetles are now the most common ladybird beetle in Alberta and can be found in most habitats. These and other ladybird beetles are often encountered in large numbers in the fall when they are preparing to hibernate .... This species was originally introduced into North America from Europe in the 1950s .... The Seven-spotted Ladybird Beetle was brought in from Europe in the hope that it would help control populations of pests like aphids. It is doubtful that it has made any real difference, but what has happened is some of our native species have suffered a decline in populations since the Seven-spotted was introduced, perhaps because the Seven-spotted outcompetes them." From www.royalalbertamuseum.ca .

Yes, this was this morning, LOL! Actually, it has been a beautiful, sunny day, around 0C or a degree or two above. Was out on a walk all morning at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, which is where I noticed this leaf lying on the path. I can never see a leaf edged with ice-crystals and not photograph it. Straight after this walk, I called in at the Zoo, which was nearby. SO many people everywhere, enjoying the sunshine!! I couldn't get all that many photos - think I prefer a weekday, not a weekend. The most-photographed creature there for me was a Canada Goose, who was standing on the path, on guard, while his mate was up on a low roof, building her nest : ) One very happy animal was the new, male Snow Leopard. He and the female have just been introduced - and today he must have been feeling VERY happy (to the embarassment of many parents with young children, LOL). Hopefully, there will be babies this year.