Calgary Parklands - Griffith Woods

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Three groups of four walkers each set off at intervals to make up our city walk this week. In Griffith Woods, autumn surrounded us: dried grass, bare trees, traces of old snow, hidden animals. Only tiny Wood Violets twinkled spring colour.

The excellent path, groomed but natural, cherished our feet for most of the way west along multiple strands of the Elbow River. The still water shone with reflections of treed vistas and sculptural bushes. Everywhere Red Osier Dogwoods shared their bright red branches. In the quiet reaches of the river, mallards slowly drifted and dipped for underwater plant-life.

For indiscernible reasons, park maintenance entailed the felling of many trees, some for making the path, but others for purposes left to our imaginations and mildly curious conversation. The trees were left to disintegrate naturally, undoubtedly making homes for innumerable insects, plants and small animals.

Other walkers in the park greeted us with good cheer, seemingly pleased that we were with them in spirit. Dogs, from small to large, kept their owners moving at a good pace. We noticed signs that seemed to dictate that dogs on leashes were not allowed to go faster than ten kilometres an hour!

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Photos

Wood Violets
Spring in tiny packages

Elbow River, Griffith Woods
Rare stillness

Griffith Woods
Path through the trees

Deadfall
Home for woodland animals

Red Osier Dogwood
Bright colour in a brownish season

Deadfall
Planned cuts

Solitary Mallard
Elbow River

Reminder of winter
Elbow River

Beaver lodge
Happy use of wood

Pair of mallards
in the undergrowth

Tree burls
Intriguing shapes

Confusing signs
or is it a list?

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

Well, there's this to be said for that time of year: you can see well into the woods, and the shapes of things stand out. It's impressive how quickly it "flips" into visible spring. Love the signs.

[beentouring]

Spring
Our walks and taking photos have made me understand spring more in my own home town.