Calgary Parklands: Nose Hill Park, Berkley Gate

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On the last beautifully warm day of summer, a good number of C Hikers from the Skrastins club gathered on the eastern edge of Nose Hill Park. Ann led us round the gentler slope of the park, avoiding the unnecessarily aggressive stairs to the top. Grasses waved golden heads around the Scotch Thistles, which were fuzzily going to seed, as so many plants were at this time in the season. Most attractive were the orange-red rose hips, just beginning to ripen. One last Alberta Wild Rose shone in the sunlight.

Deeper into the park, we walked through groves of Trembling Aspen, enjoying the cool air as a respite from the sun’s heat. The path dipped into ravines and small coolees. A few flowers still shone through the grasses, especially mauve Wild Geraniums and Wild Lupins. Near a pond, a brave Goldfinch pecked at the nutritious seeds of a thistle, ignoring the admiring ooing and aahing from our excited (socially-distanced) crowd.

For lunch we sat along the walking path, at first just enjoying the cyclists and walkers silhouetted on the far hill horizon. Quite soon, a string of walkers and bikers and baby strollers interrupted our view, compensating us with friendly greetings. Satisfied with a 7.5 km stroll punctuated with light breezes and lush vistas, we concluded our morning’s enjoyment of friendship and nature. Generously, a few hikers added another kilometre by helping me retrace my steps to find a dropped glove.

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Photos

Nose Hill Park
Walker on the far horizon

Wild Rose
One bloom keeping summer alive

Bunch Berries
The season to concentrate energies

Harebells
Delicate dancing bells

Grasses
They make a prairie

Trembling Aspen
Winkling the sun

Rough-fruited Fairybells
I had to look up this identification.

Silver dollar plant
Even weeds can look attractive

American Goldfinch
Eating is paramount!

Nose Hill Park
Undulating landscape

Nose Hill Park
Embracing the prairie landscape

Comments

[lj]

I enjoy your photos and commentary--thank you!

[Isabel Gibson]

The Prairie Landscape
Having grown up in them, Mom loved the Prairies - crocuses, wheat fields, undulating hills, and the mountain backdrop. I don't think Gram ever took to them. Having grown up in Iowa, walking to school along roads where tress touched overhead, she found the Prairies too stark and could never see beauty in them. It's interesting how our notions of beauty are so linked to our childhood experiences.

[beentouring]

The Prairie Landscape
And, born here, I am a prairie girl.

[Jennifer S.]

Prairie
Interested to read others' comments. I've lived out East (ok, Ontario, but that is east of centre) and on the Western edge of this continent but I was born on the prairies. The final photo made me want to say "THIS is what a park looks like where I'm from!"...and to dispel any incredulity, yes, I would mean that in a good way. : )

[beentouring]

Calgary Parks
Glad that our parks bring back good memories. Thanks.

[beentouring]

Bermuda
Happy to expand your understanding. Worth another visit.