good-bye September

As we say good-bye to the month of September, we are not saying good-bye yet to the beautiful autumn colours.  The leaves are in the midst of transitioning with some already lying on the ground. It was an usually warm, dry September this year.  In fact, Calgary experienced the driest September in history.  Another thing about the end of September is the sun sets early and rises late. For me, that means I am up savouring my morning coffee while it is still dark out.  

Yesterday morning the temperature was warm, there was no wind, I decided to sit outside in my pjs, slippers and a jacket, to sip my coffee. While sipping, I watched the stars in the sky when I saw a familiar sight begin to develop. The Aurora Borealis appeared and danced across the sky!  Saying good-bye to September with such a sweet sight! Sigh!

Seeing the Aurora Borealis as I started my day was an amazing experience.  I was ready to see more beautiful shades of September so hiked up on Nose Hill.  The sun was now up and the temperature even warmed up more. The colours were there right from the get go.

The recognizable song of the Blue Jay filled the hills.  I aimed to where the song was coming from.  Seeing the bright blue was an added bonus to all the yellows, golds and oranges.  I also saw a Townsend’s Solitaire, many Northern Flickers, a few Yellow-rumped Warblers and of course Crows and Magpies.

This is today’s panorama view.  

During a not so dry September, the pond would not be so shallow.  

One more water colour project needed to be painted before I close the book on September.  The Blue Jay came to mind as did of course the gorgeous colours of leaves.  I thought about how fawns loose their spots at this time of year.  The hills are alive in so many ways and this painting portrays that! I have been enjoying doing two page spreads.

Good-bye September!

from retreating to sanctuarying

How fortunate we are to be having gorgeous weather as September winds down!  I was excited to get back out birding at The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary after spending three days retreating in beautiful Banff National Park. It was quiet for the first while, probably because it was cold, cold enough that I needed gloves and three upper layers.  The colours were a distraction and became my focus for photographing.  

Once it warmed up a bit, The Sanctuary began to wake up and become alive.  

There were a few of us admiring this Red-tailed Hawk.

I gave two guys a hard time for calling this “just” a White-throated Sparrow.

Greater Yellow Legs

I chatted with a fellow about this Red-necked Grebe.  He saw it a few times over the past few days.  He believes it is a juvenile and wondered did it get left behind during migration.  We both hope it finds its way.  

Warning: adult content!  When I saw the female Wood Duck in that position, I was pretty sure what was going to transpire.  But, it is not spring time, it’s autumn and time to head south.

she circled around to the front of the male Wood Duck

he pushed her under the water then

pulled her up by the head

She shook it off, fluffed her feathers, spread her wings then swan away!

Happily I would think!

In addition to the above, I also saw lots of Robins, a few White-breasted Nuthatches, some Black-capped Chickadees, a Merlin, a Belted Kingfisher, a muskrat, a young Buck with a Doe and loads of Northern Flickers.  It was a most delightful stroll through The Sanctuary today!

Banff Cabin Retreat September 26, 2025

When I woke this morning, I quickly realized I did not turn on the fireplace for heat supply throughout the night.  My cabin was quite cool yet I was snuggly warm in bed.  I had to do it though, I had to get up and get the heat going. Once I was up, I was up to stay so donned cozy clothes then brewed a cup of coffee.  

I still felt fulfilled from yesterday's hike when I carried a full backpack and used hiking poles for the entire distance. That was a great step in the right direction and a good workout for my upper body. 

Eventually, I left my cabin and hit the 1A to see the morning sights. 

The autumn colours were popping. 

The colours called me so I found a few nice stops along the way to walk for awhile.

This is today's panorama!  

I have to make a conscience effort to remember to take one.

While at my cabin, I spent a little time laying shades on paper.   Yesterday at Boom Lake, this view appealed to me. I thought this would be a fun photo to recreate with watercolours.  I captured many photos from different angles, with the sun both shining through and not. This was my favourite of the few. 

This is that view as I see it and feel it! 

It's the two bushes that stand out for me!

The water really was that colour!

Even though it was chilly here,

I felt the warmth of the sun

and the trees brought shelter from the wind!

Banff Cabin Retreat September 25, 2025

For this retreat, I came prepared to hike. I was loving being at my cabin so much that for a fleeting few minutes I said ditch the hiking and enjoy cabin fever.  Then I came to my senses, I can have it all, hike in the morning then embrace cabin fever for the balance of the day. The trailhead for Boom Lake is a mere fifteen minute drive from my cabin. There were two other vehicles in the parking lot when I arrived just before nine. I assumed they belonged to backpackers who spent the night somewhere, both vehicles were frosty looking. It went down to 3C last night.

 I was last here in January of 2023, it was a winter wonderland. It was nice to see the area dressed in autumn shades.  Yes, you need to be able to quickly draw your bear spray.  I practiced! I was very vocal tbe entire way to Boom Lake. I did have one scare, it was my shadow!

beautiful colours along the trail

Dark-eyed Junco

how perfect is nature, this was growing on the side of the trail

Spruce Grouse

the pattern on the side of a rock 

This heart was calling out to me from the middle of the trail.  

I picked it up to transport it.

This was my first view when I arrived at Boom Lake.

Before doing anything, I needed to capture my destination shot!

This is where I transported the heart to.

It measures about two inches in size.  

Time came to settle down for awhile.

After savouring the sights and snacks, I packed up and geared up for the hike back. No one else had arrived while I was at the lake.  I remembered to take a panorama photograph.  And yes, the water was that colour.

I did not take photos on the return.  I did chat with many others who were on their way in.  I stopped counting at twenty-one.  I arrived back at my vehicle feeling very pleased that I accomplished this hike. I was feeling more excited to get back to my cabin to feel that fever on my deck, inside on the sofa, during a nap in the bed, having beer and chips in the sun with my feet up, hearing the birds, squirrels and chipmunks.  I bring a whole new meaning to the term cabin fever!  Now to get on with enjoying the evening!

Banff Cabin Retreat September 24, 2025

It’s just meant to be when the weather looks good, it’s a last minute idea and it just so happens that my little cabin in the woods is available on the nights I need it to be!  It’s meant to be!  After ten hours straight of sleeping, I woke refreshed, ready and raring to go, to go west, to Banff National Park.  My hope was for blue sky with lots of bright cheerful autumn shades.  I got exactly that the entire day along with much warmer temperatures than what was forecasted.  I roamed around a few of my favourite locations such as Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Cascade Ponds, along the Bow River and of course along Banff Avenue where I could make some investments. 

These are a few of the sweet sights I saw!

When I looked at this photo, I thought I was loosing my mind.  I swore I wore navy pants.  I changed when I got to my cabin so checked the dirty clothes pile, yes I wore navy pants today.   Not sure how this happened!

I like the names of the streets in Banff and I like the markers even moreso.

Everywhere in Banff was busy. I knew it would be. 

I mentally prepared myself for it and I did fine.  

What a treat it was to find the Farmers Market in full swing at Centennial Park.  

I found a larch tree!  

I enjoyed a slow saunter along The Bow River!

Time came to check into my little cabin in the woods!