Calgary Parklands: Baker Park

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In the fall, Calgarians seek out the larchesin their shining golden hues. Every year I have gone to the mountains, where the larches are far away, shining against the dark evergreens and the grey granite mountain slopes.

This year, a friend invited me to go with her to Baker Park for a walk. She gleefully surprised me with the brilliant yellows of magnificent larches – surrounding the parking lot! I have never been so close to these uplifting trees! Their colour enhanced the very sunlight. Close to the Bow River, they have the moisture to grow wide and high into the sky.

In the distance was the other attraction of the day – the twinning of Stoney Trail bridge over Bowness Park and the Bow River. As we walked alongside the river, the towering X-shaped pillars became larger and larger in our view. Not quite aligned to the original bridge, two of the new pillars were almost completed, but a third was only evidenced by a huge round highly-reinforced hole. The pedestrian way under the existing bridge gave us close-up views of the workers moving soil and gravel around, and others concentrating mysteriously on the underside of the pillar-tops high above our heads.

Walking back along the park pathway, not so dazzled by the larches, I could admire the light yellow poplars painted in the blue sky accented by puffy white clouds. The red leaves and bright fruit of planted Flowering Crabapples drew my gaze closer in. Playful Cubs (sculpture by Leo Mol) tumbled in the sunshine. Picnic tables scattered near the flower gardens made our tea break beautiful as we gazed at the spectacular colours of fall.

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Photos

Growing roadway
Twinning Stoney Trail

Larches in Baker Park
Surprise of the gold!

Nature's artistry
Larch

Pathway through Baker Park
Other trees have their own beauty

Ripe rose hips
Ubiquitous Alberta Wild Rose

Pathway
Good view for side-walk superintendents

Bow River
Golden Fall

Poplar along the Bow River
Twinkling yellow leaves

Flowering Crabapple
A luscious looking ornamental

Sunbowl Amphitheatre
Park's focal point

Playful Cubs 1996 by Leo Mol
Perfect spirit for a fine day in Baker Parker

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

Yellow on yellow
Twinning that bridge already? It's hard to keep up. Of course, my sense of how long it's been there might be a tad off. Your fall photos are spectacular. Another park for me to explore at some point.

[beentouring]

Twinning the bridge
I was also surprised. Time rushes by.