darkwhilesparksfly

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Please don’t, please.

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Where the river hides under the stones (at Semuc Chanpey) https://www.instagram.com/p/BbQoS2ugps1/?igshid=aqw5k4ibrsdb

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Halo (optical phenomenon)

Halo is the name for a family of optical phenomena produced by light interacting with ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. Halos can have many forms, ranging from colored or white rings to arcs and spots in the sky. Many of these are near the Sun or Moon, but others occur elsewhere or even in the opposite part of the sky. Among the best known halo types are the circular halo (properly called the 22° halo), light pillars and sun dogs, but there are many more; some of them fairly common, others (extremely) rare.

The ice crystals responsible for halos are typically suspended in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds high (5–10 km, or 3–6 miles) in the upper troposphere, but in cold weather they can also float near the ground, in which case they are referred to as diamond dust. The particular shape and orientation of the crystals are responsible for the type of halo observed. Light is reflected and refracted by the ice crystals and may split up into colors because of dispersion. The crystals behave like prisms and mirrors, refracting and reflecting light between their faces, sending shafts of light in particular directions.

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Bath time at dusk

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Dont you wish summer was perpetual?

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Howie the mini ozzie and his two favourite blondes

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This is a long caption but its worth a read if you'd like to know more about the special relationship between fig trees and wasps. You may not like wasps, but without certain species of them we would not have edible figs. ° ° These small fruits were found emerging on a Ficus microcarpa in an office in downtown Calgary. These small "fruit" are actually an inverted blooming flower that protect the seeds inside. Although they might look tasty they are not edible, and the chances of them becoming a snack are quite slim. The "fruits" or flowers must be pollinated by a specific type of wasp named Eupristina verticillata. This symbiotic relationship between the fig tree and the wasp is very special, as each fruit bearing species of fig has a wasp that is specialized to fertilize their flowers. #yyc #downtownyyc #figtrees #figs #symbiosis #fruit #pollination #plantsmakepeoplehappy #indoorplants #ficus #ficusmicrocarpa #plantsinfocus (at Calgary, Alberta) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsOyB2fBNzc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=veh2ypthqmm7

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Western hemlock seedlings grow from a fallen ancient Red Cedar in the Kokanee Creek Old Growth Forest. The fallen tree is referred to as a nurse log. The nurse log gets broken down, which releases nutrients and provides a moist and elevated environment for the seedlings to grow. The seedlings will eventually grow their rooting network through the log, into the soil to properly anchor themselves. 🌲🌿 ••• Western Hemlock - Tsuga heterophylla ••• ••• Red Cedar - Thuja plicata ••• (at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpgbj8VnaEu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5s993leaskjd

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Xanthoria elegans, commonly called the Sunburst Lichen. This photo was taken in Bluerock, in Kananasis, Alberta. I sincerely want to know so much more about rocks, moss and lichen. (at Blue Rock) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpLpc0-n873/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=n6c475u02u8x

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Juniperus conferta I found this bountiful juniper bush on a trail up from a camp site in Bluerock Wildland, AB on a hike last summer. Strangely enough, upon further research I realized that this shrub is not native to Canada, instead it originates from Japan, not something you'd expect to find out in the back country! However this species had very successfully populated much of a west facing, dry and rocky hill. It seems that seeds from a plant likely used in a maintained landscape made their way to the woods -possibly via bird- where they were distributed -via bird poop- along this now juniper rich hill side. It truly is amazing to see how well an introduced species can thrive in an area that it is not native to, of course there is the worry of introduced species outcompeting a native species and disrupting the delicate balance in an ecosystem, but nature has a way of finding equilibrium even with great disturbance. At least this juniper is providing food for birds, shade for lower growing plants and nutrients for microbes in the soil. (at Sandy McNabb Campground) https://www.instagram.com/p/BiIMbZGnx45/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dhvbssqpvc3r

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Prunus triloba 'Multiplex' commonly known as the double flowering plum is probably one of most beautiful flowering trees that's hardy enough to grace Alberta with a bit of colour in the early spring. Shout out to Mother Nature for giving us a mild spring and to @cameelo for snapping these awesome pics at the @saskatoonfarm (at Saskatoon Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BjnpjyvHrso/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s1835tuk63y8

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Erigeron speciosus is part of the Asteraceae (sunflower family). These dusty purple blooms were growing amongst Nodding onions and Lupines uphill from a small clear water lake in BC. Members of the Asteracaceae (Aster) family consistently have the characteristic daisy like flowers, with ray florets (the purple part) radiating around a cluster of tightly packed disk florets (the yellow part); think about sunflower, echinacea, rudbeckia and of course daisies. https://www.instagram.com/p/BiQQW7jn3ik/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1urlgxbba431

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Here's some fun facts about Salpiglossis sinuata, otherwise known as Velvet Trumpet Flower 🌸 •Part of the solanaceae, or nightshade family; which plants like peppers, eggplant, potato and eggplant all belong to 🍆🍅🥔🌶 •It is an annual that flowers from spring to mid summer, deadheading is recommended to encourage continuous bloom •The plants can get quite tall at mature age reaching 2-3 feet, so staking in windier areas may be necessary •It is important to note that Salpiglossis prefers a full/partial sun exposure, however the plant will not bloom under extremely hot temperatures, and prefers a cooler soil •The Velvet Trumpet Flower works well in sunny spots indoors, outside in pots, or at the back/mid of garden beds. Can also be used as a companion plant in vegetable gardens. https://www.instagram.com/p/BhsDvpPHw_A/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18nm5k2ho36wt

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Lobularia maritima. This Sweet Alyssum was growing in the high wood pass area, up by pickle jar lakes last summer. These sweet smelling flowers attract all sorts of pollinators 🐝 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi5hdpWH2zo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tdk8u13l2flb

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Guatemala, in a quiet area on the lake surrounded by volcanoes. Such a magical place ⛰ (at Jaibalito, Solola, Guatemala) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmOi7C0HSF1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ljzf36ekrnd9