Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: sheen

Couldn't resist photographing this bright yellow flower that I found growing in a flower bed in the cemetery next to the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area. Unfortunately, a few plants have invaded the Natural Area when dead flower arrangements have been tossed over the fence - plants such as the very invasive Baby's Breath. "Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata) is a perennial that reproduces by seed only. It is native to Eastern Europe & western Asia and was likely introduced as an ornamental. It develops deep tap root that can extend to 4m1 allowing it to access deeper groundwater during periods of drought. This is the airy, white flowered plant used extensively by the flower industry as bouquet filler and sold for dried arrangements. In winter stems break off and tumble with the wind, spreading seed – a single plant can produce 1000s of seeds." www.invasiveplants.ab.ca/Downloads/FS-BabysBreath.pdf Severe thunderstorm warning for City of Calgary (just found this on the weather network at 6:00 p.m.). I was wondering what the temperature was and why I was feeling clammy - I guess it's very "close", not to mention 30C-32C in my computer room. My sympathies go out to those of you who are dealing with extremely high temperatures at the moment - hope you get some cooler air soon!

Decided to post something that isn't a flower, a bird or a mushroom, LOL! I collected many species of shells many years ago and thought I would use my macro lens on one of them the other day. I've always been fascinated by shells that have a zig-zag pattern on them - can't for the life of me think of the word that is on the tip of my tongue that I wanted to use instead of "zig-zag" : ) Later: the zig-zag patterns remind me of seismographs : ) Think that's the right word.

On a three-hour walk at Ranchlands Natural Area yesterday morning, I spotted a brilliant splash of orange in the distance. Walking closer, we came to a garden that borders on to the park and were treated to the sight of several huge Oriental Poppies. I'm having some problems with my camera - most of the photos I took came out horribly blown-out, but I was relieved to find that this one turned out OK.

What a day we've had today, especially this afternoon! Was out birding in South Glenmore Park all morning - we saw something like 24 species in and by the parking lot, even before we had started our walk! Lovely to see quite a few Tundra and Trumpeter Swans on the Reservoir (that is now half melted), Common Loons, Grebes, Ring-necked Ducks, etc., etc.. Then the snow started falling around lunch time. After a quick lunch, we went over to 12 Mile Coulee in the north west part of the city. I knew this would be quite a brutal walk/hike, as it is steeply uphill and downhill. However, I SO wanted to see the rare Townsendia hookeri wildflowers! Part of the walk stayed clear, but then the snow, rain and small hail started : ) Too tired and painful (LOL) to deal with the photos I took today - will have to wait till another day. Oh, I did see my first snake of the year (plus a second one's slithering tail) - a young, male Wandering Garter Snake, all coiled up because it was cold. And, Doug, if you read this, there were some beautiful Lichens growing on the rocks up there.