Odds & ends

It's already past noon today, so our weather has warmed up somewhat. I wasn't up in time to see what the temperature was much earlier, but I know it was forecast to be a few degrees colder than it is right now. Yet another deep-freeze day, at -21C (windchill -31C). I haven't been out with my camera since 29 November and it is already 9 December. Supposed to warm up very slightly in a few days' time - I really hope so, as the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts start very soon. Both photos posted today were taken on 1 October 2016. On this day, 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. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! "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/ After our walk in the Gardens, I went back to Sandy's place and we had an early supper. Her dog, Finn, looked like he was hoping for a treat.

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, 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 (where I photographed these large stars) 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!

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!

Some years, the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of Nanton is held late in December. Other years, it ends up being held early January, sometimes delayed because of really bad weather. The Count that took place on 3 January 2016, was part of the 2015 Bird Count. As you can see, the weather was bright and sunny for us this day. What you can't see was that it was very cold for the first part of the day, then warming up to a more pleasant cold later on! I think it was -21C when we started. On the January 2014 trip for the 2013 Count, on the hour-long drive south of Calgary, we hit -34C (-29.2F)!!!!! Again, this year, there was no or very little wind, which makes all the difference. Also, the only walking we had to do was when we called in at various farms and acreages. We drove through such beautiful scenery when we were covering the SW quadrant of the Christmas Bird Count circle that centered on the town of Nanton. A landscape over which the occasional Golden Eagle soars (we saw 5!) and in which some years - but definitely not this day! - numerous Sharp-tailed Grouse wander on the ground or perch in trees. I think the highlight of the day, certainly for me, was all the beautiful Pine Grosbeaks that we saw. We had been told about a farm family who had lots of these Grosbeaks at their feeders, and we are so glad that we arranged to call in. We also saw a Gray Jay there, to add to our species list. My small group of 4 friends and myself, travelling in two cars, did see 5 Golden Eagles, too, which was a thrill, but they were way off in the distance and I couldn't get any even remotely close photos I absolutely love this area SW of Nanton! Some of these backroads are extremely steep and almost look vertical when seen from a distance. Some years, the whole area is white, covered in deep snow, so that you can't tell where the roadside ends and the ditch begins. This Count, it wasn't too bad, thank goodness, though I might have felt differently if I had been one of the two drivers for our group! Around lunch time, we returned to the Truch family's place as we happened to be very nearby, and ate our lunch in the warmth of their cosy home. After driving (being driven, for me, which is always pure luxury) the backroads from about 8:00 a.m. till around 3:30 p.m., we returned to the wonderful home of the Truch family. Not only do Bill and Leah Truch and their son, Mike, always welcome everyone with open arms, they also provide a much-appreciated breakfast snack for us and then, at the end of the day, a delicious supper. Have to say that I love travelling these scenic backroads, but I also really enjoy getting together with everyone afterwards. This is one of my favourite Bird Counts, and perhaps the most favourite. Just before leaving for Calgary at the end of the day, we were shown the family's Llamas, two Donkeys, Peacocks, and several tiny white Quail. I should have taken photos of these animals when it was daylight - but maybe I can do it on our next visit. Thanks so much for doing all the driving, Tony and Andrew, and thanks, Leah, Bill and Mike for all the effort and time you put into your warm welcome! It was another well-organized Count, Mike, as usual - thanks. Can't wait for this year's Christmas Count, in about two and a half weeks' time!

Have had to spend less time on my computer and Flickr the last couple of days, as I have been feeling dizzy and nauseous for some reason. Unfortunately, I had to miss the funeral of a good friend's son yesterday morning and cancel a very important vaccination appointment in the afternoon. Today, I have to try and make it as far as a Bank, to sign some very urgent forms and letter in connection with my late Daughter's estate. I have to first clear the snow and ice off my car and I'm really not sure I'm going to be able to make it. So very annoying! Looks like I might have to miss the first Christmas Bird Count, too - hopefully, not more than that. This gorgeous, deep chocolate brown pet rabbit was with its owner when we visited the Silver Springs Botanical Gardens back in October. I asked if I could take a couple of photos and was granted permission. I also asked if the rabbit ever runs away from him, as it was not on a leash - apparently not! Judging by the thickness of the chewed wood, I don't think the wood comes from the bench! With all our autumn colour gone and now deep in the whites and blues of 'winter', it feels good to be able to look back to a photo from 1 October 2016. On that day, 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 city driving comfort zone. In the morning, it was raining 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. Thanks so much, Sandy, for giving me the chance to spend an afternoon in such beauty and peace! We all knew that snow wasn't far away and about a week after this visit, Calgary had its first snowfall of the season, the whole of the Thanksgiving weekend. At least I now have some bright, colourful photos that I will be able to post in between all the white, snowy images that will be taken during the long months of winter. "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/

This photo was taken 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. Photographed this large, metal star in the gift store. 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, 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!

The day before yesterday, 20 December 2016, was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the town of High River, roughly 40 minutes' drive south of Calgary. This is one of my favourite Counts and I'm so glad that I managed to take part. I wasn't sure if I would feel well enough to go, thanks to the dizziness/light-headedness that I've had the last nine days. Had a doctor's appointment yesterday and was told that the problem was the tiny "rocks" that a person has in the inner ear. Apparently, it's a very common problem and hopefully it will either right itself or will be helped by exercises. Anyway, I didn't have to drive for the Count and there was not much walking - just around the various farms we called in at on our route. I don't know where all the farm cats were on this day, but I think the one in my photo plus another at the same farm were the only ones we saw. This beautiful cat was very active and, in the end, the only way I finally managed to get a photo was when Lorrie picked it up. The Count started at 8:00 am and my small group (seven of us in two cars) started at Frank Lake. I think we finished somewhere around 4:00 pm, and then met up with everyone else who had different routes at the meeting place to hand in the lists of species seen. The Potluck supper was delicious! Thank you so much to the ladies of High River who had prepared this for us. Many thanks to Greg Wagner, too, for organizing yet another great Count. Thanks, Lorrie and John for driving the car I was in! I will add our leader's list of species that my small group saw, in a comment box below. For me, the six Great Horned Owls (3 pairs) were the highlight of the day. The saddest thing we found was a dead Great Horned Owl that was in one of the huge Spruce trees in someone's yard. We couldn't tell the cause of death.

Today, 23 December 2016, we are having a heavily overcast day and the snow is steadily falling. Just noticed that there is a Snowfall Warning in effect. The temperature is -6C (windchill -11C). I don't think I need to go out, though, unless to the mailbox. Wish the old days were still here, when the mailman actually put mail in the mailbox right by your front door, instead of everyone having to use community boxes. I had my Christmas yesterday, 22 December, with my daughter. We drove south of the city to the Saskatoon Farm and had a delicious breakfast. She is in so much pain that we can't go for a drive to look for Snowy Owls or old barns. She has an appointment next month and is more than ready to take the absolute earliest date for her surgery. On the way to drop her off at home, we called in at the Glamorgan Bakery - a well-known bakery that we have used for the last few decades. It always feels good to see their traditional cookies, Cheese Buns, cakes and pies. Thanks, Rachel, for a lovely few hours spent together - the best Christmas gift possible. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Helios. A solar-powered, interactive, kinetic sculptural installation consisting of eight large scale repurposed vintage mechanical horses running wild across the breathtaking prairie landscape at Leighton Art Centre. The horses were released (note: until 13 November 2016) onto the 80 acre property in celebration of Alberta Culture Days." From Lisa Brawn's website. www.lisabrawn.com/ "In 2013 I purchased a herd of broken down coin-operated horses as the core components of a giant sculptural installation. These are the mechanical horses that stood outside Woodwards, Woolworths, Kresge’s, and so on, in Calgary and small towns in Southern Alberta from the 1950s through the 1980s. I believe these horses are a touchstone of that era, holding a place of local historical value in our collective cultural imagination, and that compelled me to reimagine and reactivate them in a contemporary context. I have been presenting the horses in different configurations and environments, and emphasizing distinct elements as the project unfolds. The first iteration consisted of dynamic mechanical multiples in the 150’ public art spectacle, Spacepony for Beakerhead, 2014. The horses emerged from a UFO and invaded Fort Calgary in a historical reenactment of questionable veracity. I then collaborated with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks on a multidisciplinary performance emphasizing movement, rhythm, and desire; Year of the Horse, at Theatre Junction Grand. For this production eight horses were further altered to battery power and remote activation, with heavy duty swivel casters and clear plexiglass base panels to reveal the mechanical workings. The current installation at Leighton Art Centre references the herds of free-roaming horses called "Wildies" in Alberta. This stage of transformation consisted of installing solar panels, application of silver leaf (to reflect the sky and surroundings), and changing the activation to motion sensors. The reflective surfaces have a confounding effect in this prairie landscape environment, making the extremely substantial installation somewhat illusory or ephemeral." www.lisabrawn.com/index.php/blog/item/helios This photo was taken on 10 November 2016, when I decided on the spur of the moment to do a short drive SW of the city. I hadn't been taking much in the way of photos for a couple of weeks and had been feeling less and less motivated to go out. However, on this particular day, I wanted to go to the Leighton Art Centre to see Lisa's artistic display. The last day for the exhibit, before the eight horses were removed, was 13 November 2016, so I only just made it in time. By mistake, it took me much longer to get there than it should have done, despite following their map, and I arrived there five minutes after they closed. I asked if I could still wander part way down the hill to take a few photos. As the lady said, it was 'magic hour', with a wonderful sunset. At one point, the valley below and the distant mountains almost disappeared in an orange haze. It did, indeed, feel magical. This wasn't my first visit to the Leighton Art Centre, as I had been decades ago with my youngest daughter's Kindergarten class. In more recent years, I had been a couple of times with botany friends, to list all the plant species that we could find. Check out Lisa's Flickr stream to see the hundreds/thousands of beautiful, painted woodcuts that she has created. www.flickr.com/photos/lisabrawn leightoncentre.org/

I ran out of time to even think about taking Christmas photos. I did end up with the little snowman and this pretty star, which caught my eye when my daughter and I were wandering round the antique/odds and ends store, All through the House, fairly recently. Happy Christmas, everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day today (Christmas Eve) and tomorrow (Christmas Day). Here in Calgary, it's 11:00 am as I type. The temperature is -12C (windchill -17C), and there is a Snowfall Warning in effect. Yesterday and today, I think we've had more snow than we've had all 'winter', and it's still snowing. A quick look through my window and I think I've decided that I can survive my Christmas dinner without roast parsnips - in all these years, I have never forgotten to buy them before! Blame it on the dizziness that I've had for at least 10 days now, lol, though it's not as bad as it was before. 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 you have a happy weekend, anyway. Wishing you all a HAPPY CHRISTMAS and all the very best in the New Year! If you will be on the road, please don't drink and drive!