New Adventures.

For the last three weeks I've been attending a program with my my dear husband whom graciously supports my endeavours wholeheartedly. I have to admit the program did not fulfill my expectations; nor did it fulfill what I considered to be their statement objective, but I've committed to continuing volunteer work and have met wonderful people along the way.

We've been enjoying photographing spring flowers in bloom along the Whitemud Ravine in Edmonton. The Whitemud is a special area of interest to me as a splinter of natural or as close to natural as possible within city limits as one can get.

Columbine

Goldeneye ducks nest and rear young in the Whitemud Nature Reserve.

Beautiful blossoms abound.

Canada Violet

Whereas the majority of Canada Violets have white on their petal face with purple on the backside of petals these violets are tinged with a pinkish mauve blush. I wonder if it has something to do with the soil they grow in. Where I find a purplish or pinkish violet I notice they tend to grow in a small patch about 3 feet diameter at the base of a tree. 

Wild Roses

Walking the Whitemud Ravine

The suns warmth lured us down the Whitemud Ravine this afternoon.

 First bridge who should greet us but this sweet chipmunk. They scurry so fast I never seem to be able to get clear shots but this wee one was generous and posed.

 The willows are in blossom, such a joy to witness when snows recede.

 A curious little vole?

 A fine looking Beaver.

 Theres a bit of snow and ice on this hillside and a few icy sections on the trails as well as the expected mud, thought the paths were mostly dry.

Comma butterfly.

Butterflies were out in numbers flitting in the warmth and once in awhile I was gifted with a momentary landing whereupon was able to quickly captured the image. 

 Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterfly. Very tiny at this time of year. I have noticed the summer ones to be twice the size. 

Mourning Cloak butterfly.