Bear Grass - Photo of the Day - September 22nd, 2010

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"Bear Grass"

A pair of tall, white bear grass flowers standing amidst a dense green forest thicket. This image was taken in Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada.

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Waving Sunflower - Photo of the Day - August 29th, 2010

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"Waving Sunflower"

The yellow petals of a large, almost ripe sunflower wave in the breeze, almost as waving in greeting.

This particular flower was growing wild in Indian Battle Park, along the shores of Oldman River in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Taken with a Canon Rebel XSi using an 18-55mm lens @ 29mm, f/4.5, 1/640 sec., ISO 100.

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Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are annual plants native to the Americas, that possess a large inflorescence (flowering head). Sunflower stems can grow as high as 3m (10 ft), and the flower head can reach 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter with large edible seeds. What is usually called the flower is actually a head (formally composite flower) of numerous florets (small flowers) crowded together. The outer florets are the sterile ray florets and can be yellow, maroon, orange, or other colors. The florets inside the circular head are called disc florets, which mature into what are traditionally called “sunflower seeds,” but are actually the fruit (an achene) of the plant. The inedible husk is the wall of the fruit and the true seed lies within the kernel.
The sunflower is the state flower of the US state of Kansas.

Common Red Paintbrush - Photo of the Day - August 11th, 2010

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"Common Red Paintbrush"

A macro photograph of the bright red bracts protecting the duller flower-head of a Common Red Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) plant.

Captured in Kananaskis Country in the eastern reaches of the Canadian Rockies of Alberta, Canada.

Taken with a Canon Rebel XSi using an 18-55mm lens. No post processing.

Castilleja, is a genus of about 200 species of wildflowers, collectively known by the common names Indian paintbrush or Prairie-fire. It can often be difficult to identify particular species within the genus, were it not for some assistance from reference material i would not have been able to identify this flower.

Castilleja miniata is a species of Indian paintbrush known by the common name giant red Indian paintbrush. It is native to western North America from Alaska to Ontario to California to New Mexico, where it grows usually in moist places in a wide variety of habitat types. This wildflower is a perennial herb growing up to about 80 centimeters tall, slender and green to dark purple in herbage color. The lance-shaped leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long, pointed, and coated in thin hairs. The inflorescence is made up of bright red to pale orange or orange-tipped bracts. Between the bracts emerge the yellow-green, red-edged tubular flowers.” – Wikipedia

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"Columbine" - Photo of the Day - June 28th, 2010

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"Columbine"

A close-up of the brightly red and yellow coloured flower of a wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Captured in late May 2009 near Thessalon in rural Ontario, Canada.

Also known as Canadian Columbine , or (ambiguously) called “Red Columbine”, wild columbine is a wildflower of the Ranunculaceae family. Leaves are both basal and cauline, lobed and divided. The distinctive flowers appear in late spring, above the foliage. Flowers consist of coloured sepals, and petals elongated into a spur.

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"Puffball"- Project 365 - Day 166 of 365

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"Puffball"

Day 166 of 365

I have no idea what these plants are, but they're fluff was flying all over the park like it was snow.

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"Jacob's Ladder - Project 365 - Day 165 of 365

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"Jacob's Ladder"

Day 165 of 365

Lovely purple flowers. I missed seeing these last year, as I wasn't in Alberta yet when they were in bloom.

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"Alberta Wild Rose - Our Provincial Flower" - Project 365 - Day 163 of 365

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"Alberta Wild Rose - Our Provincial Flower"

Day 163 of 365

The first of these wonderful flowers I have seen so far this year.

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"Moccasin Flower" - Photo of the Day - June 8th, 2010

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"Moccasin Flower"

A close-up of a beautiful Pink Lady’s Slipper orchid.

Captured in Neys Provincial Park, in northern Ontario, Canada.

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Blooming in late spring, the Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule (Orchidaceae) ) orchid is known in the United States and Canada as the Moccasin Flower, from its resemblance to a shoe or moccasin.

This native orchid prefers acid soil such as is found in pine forests of northern Ontario.

The Pink Lady’s Slipper is the provincial flower of Prince Edward Island, Canada. In Nova Scotia, Canada it is considered endangered and is protected by law.

If the plant’s blossom does not cycle through, it will not regenerate; for this reason, it is recommended that the flower not be picked.

"Snapdragons" - Photo of the Day - May 24th, 2010

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"Snapdragons"

A beautiful close-up of yellow snapdragon flowers.

Captured growing next to a rock outcrop near Burmis, Alberta, Canada.

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"Common Viper's Bugloss - Photo of the Day - May 10th, 2010

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"Common Viper's Bugloss"

Small blue flowers crown the tips of a common viper’s bugloss plant. Captured near Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Common viper’s-bugloss was introduced to North America as a garden flower in the 1600s; by the mid-1800s, agriculturalists were condemning it as a vile foreign weed. Although it is said to be edible, it would make a rather bristly dish. In fact, some people get rashes by simply touching this hairy plant. The beautiful flowers, on the other hand, make a pretty garnish when floated in punch or tossed in salads.

At one time, common viper’s-bugloss was said to have the power to drive away sadness, especially when combined with wine. It was also believed to counteract viper venom, and therefore to cure all snake bites. Unfortunately, it was most effective when administered before the bite, which required a certain amount of foresight.

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"Columbine" - Photo of the Day - May 6th, 2010

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"Columbine"

A close-up of the brightly red and yellow coloured flower of a wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Captured in late May 2009 near Thessalon in rural Ontario, Canada.

Also known as Canadian Columbine , or (ambiguously) called “Red Columbine”, wild columbine is a wildflower of the Ranunculaceae family. Leaves are both basal and cauline, lobed and divided. The distinctive flowers appear in late spring, above the foliage. Flowers consist of coloured sepals, and petals elongated into a spur.

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"First Blooms of Spring" - Photo of the Day - March 8th, 2010

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"First Blooms of Spring"

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a plant in the family Asteraceae.

It has been used medicinally as a cough suppressant. The name “tussilago” itself means “cough suppressant.” The plant has been used since at least historical times to treat lung ailments such as asthma as well as various coughs by way of smoking. Crushed flowers supposedly cured skin conditions, and the plant has been consumed as a food item.

Coltsfoot is a perennial herbaceous plant that spreads by seeds and rhizomes. Tussilago is often found in colonies of dozens of plants. The flowers, which superficially resemble dandelions, appear in early spring before dandelions appear. The leaves, which resemble a colt’s foot in cross section, do not appear usually until after the seeds are set. Thus, the flowers appear on stems with no apparent leaves, and the later appearing leaves then wither and die during the season without seeming to set flowers. The plant is typically between 10 – 30 cm in height.

This image was captured in mid-April 2008 in Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.


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"Wild Rose" - Photo of the Day - February 5th, 2010

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"Wild Rose"

A close-up of two vivid purple Common Wild Rose blooms taken on a bright sunny day in Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.

Common Wild Rose (Rosa virginiana), also known as Virginia Rose or Prairie Rose, is a woody perennial in the rose family native to eastern North America. In the Canadian maritimes, it grows with at an almost invasive rhythm. It is seen in meadows, vacant lots, ditches, even in dumps.

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"Red Trillium" - Photo of the Day - January 20th, 2010

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"Red Trillium"

A close-up image of a beautiful red trillium flower, captured against the background of the forest floor.

Taken at Heber Downs Conservation Area, Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Spring 2008

Trillium erectum, or red trillium is also known as wake-robin, stinking Benjamin and Beth root. The flowers are dark maroon and usually appear in late April and May. This trillium prefers a more acid soil than Trillium grandiflorum. It is found in upland deciduous forests or mixed white pine deciduous forests. This trillium sometimes hybridizes with Trillium cernuum and a white variant has also been found.

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"Lily of the Valley" - Photo of the Day - December 12th, 2009

"Lily of the Valley"
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My apologies to everyone for missing a day, life has a funny way of creeping up and making sure that I am just too busy to get near a computer sometimes.