Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: canyon floor

This little White-crowned Sparrow landed on a rock at the bottom of Red Rock Canyon, on our last day in Waterton Lakes National Park, 10 July 2016. One rapid shot taken from the bridge, which didn't come out as sharp as I would have liked - it was a long way down. After this, we followed the path above the creek and continued as far as Blakiston Falls. I really enjoy this walk - just a comfortable distance for me, and we see some interesting things along it. At the Falls, we saw an American Dipper's nest with one baby Dipper visible and either one or both adults flying back to the nest with food. We could also see several patches of Yellow Monkeyflower growing on the rocky wall at the falls and then spotted a couple of Orange False Dandelion flowers as we walked away from the falls. Three great sightings. Six days ago, late afternoon, (I think around 5:15 pm), on 10 July 2015, I arrived back home from my holiday of the year - this two and a half day trip to Waterton National Park. It was wonderful to again be surrounded by such magnificent scenery, go on a few pleasantly slow walks/hikes with plenty of time to look for, and photograph, wildflowers, insects, and a few birds and animals. Lots of great company with (22) people, some of whom I already knew and lots of new faces, too. The trip was organized by Nature Calgary. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted each day, but for the two nights, we stayed at the very basic Canyon Church Camp, off the Red Rock Parkway. Dorm-style cabins (about which I will say nothing, lol!), but they do have showers and even flush toilets at the camp. We were fed so well - lots of variety and good food. We were given two breakfasts and two suppers, plus a packed lunch for the two days. Our thanks go out to the lady (can't remember her name, sorry, but she was also there for us in July 2015) who cooked and prepared these meals for us! They were so much enjoyed and greatly appreciated! Thank you SO much, Janet, for driving your friend and me to and from Calgary and around the park some of the time, too. To say that I appreciated it is a huge understatement!! Our thanks, too, to Andrew for organizing this trip so brilliantly, as usual! A great time was had by all. Andrew, I am SO happy and relieved that you were finally able to find a bear (and her cub) - yes, we came across the same ones shortly after you saw them. Not sure if they were two of the three I had seen at more or less the same location the previous morning, 9 July 2016. If it was the same female, then her second cub must have been really well hidden in the tangle of bushes and trees yesterday. We didn't get a good view, though I did take a handful of photos, including when the cub looked towards us for a split second. I had never seen such a young cub before, so I was thrilled to bits. Can't forget to add my huge thanks for finding me a Lazuli Bunting yesterday, too, at some unearthly hour (well, 7:30 am). No idea how on earth you managed to spot such a small bird from so far away - just a tiny speck in the far, far distance. Also was delighted that you found two Nighthawks flying high overhead at the Nature Conservancy area by the Waterton Springs Campground. So, I guess you and I both returned to Calgary feeling really happy : ) "Waterton Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also an International Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve. No other park in the world has these three designations. Waterton Biosphere Reserve as it is officially called, was designated in 1979 under what is called the internationally recognized "Man and the Biosphere program" of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), that sure is a mouthful. Biosphere Reserves are designed to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature." www.wediscovercanadaandbeyond.ca/2010/11/red-rock-canyon-...

This was a fascinating thing to see down at the bottom of Horseshoe Canyon, in the Badlands of Alberta, north east of the city. Several of us spent the day on 21st August botanizing the amazing area. This spider web was so different and very intricate, constructed down in the grass. Too bad the little (?) owner didn't show itself - maybe camera shy?

We noticed a number of these beautifully round mounds of crumbled sand and rock, when we explored Horseshoe Canyon in the Badlands north east of Calgary, mid-June. I don't know what kind of Ant made these tiny holes and mounds, but they were so round and perfect. This one was maybe a couple of inches in diameter. Got home about an hour ago, after a lovely (though a little too warm for me) day botanizing part of the beautiful land belonging to Angela Cumberland and Patrick Brennan. This lies to the north west of the city and was a mix of forest, open meadows and a "bog". This family very generously supplied a delicious Chili and salad lunch for us, too! What an absolute treat - and many thanks from all of us!! Hope you will find the eventual list of flora and fauna observed today interesting and useful : ) Thanks so much for allowing us to explore your property! Oh, and on the way home, we stopped in Cochrane for one of their famous ice-creams ; )

Such a treat to come across two of these tiny Boreal Chorus Frogs when we botanized Horseshoe Canyon on 13th June. They were both down on the floor of the canyon. Horseshoe Canyon is a 1 1/2-2 hour drive north east of Calgary, across the prairie grasslands until suddenly one comes across the Badlands, our very own mini Grand Canyon : ) www.srd.alberta.ca/BioDiversityStewardship/WildSpecies/Am...