We’ve made it a part of our late spring rituals to share in a wild flower walk out at Many Springs Trail in the Bow Valley Parkway. My dear Ya Yas and I shared a delicious pot-luck picnic after enjoying the beautiful blooms along the trail. The water wasn’t as high along the boardwalk as I had expected and it was a day of extraordinary beauty. Summer is here.
Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid
The hiking Ya-Yas and two wee sprouts headed for the Bow Valley Provincial Park Trail System today for our annual spring wildflower hike on the Many Springs Trail.
“The ‘Many Springs’ trail head is located about 2 km west following the paved road that goes through the park. This is a 2.4 km loop around a spring fed lake. This trail is known for its abundance in spectacular flowers.”
“This is also an area known for its diversity of birds. At Waypoint #1, a spectacular view opens toward the north, revealing Mount Yamnuska, Loder Peak and Door Jamb Mountain.”
Anenome canadensis ‘Canada Anenome’, Buttercup Family
“At various points, the trail is going directly over the lake allowing for close study of life in the water below.”
Aster
It was an exceptional day for snapping photographs.
Wild Columbine
The weather co-operated nicely and things seemed to be well into bloom, particularly the wild tiger lilies!
Wild Tiger Lily
We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the trail head and celebrated the tradition of flower-gazing as a group. It has been such a blessing!
I like the brief quote that appears on the last sign on the trail. “Not many are as lucky…to break from the round of daily chores to come and discover this place called Many Springs.”
Viola Canadensis ‘Western Canada Violet’, Violet Family,
I am not including here, my photos of Indian Paintbrush, Wild Flax and other common flowers from the area. It was such a joy to find some unusual things and to have the time to try to capture a decent record of them.
Lonicera dioica, Twining Honeysuckle
Out-of-focus, but an intriguing find. Help me identify this one!
No idea…but this was one of my favourites!
Then there was the wee bush bunny, the conversations and the friendship! All made for a most amazing day!
Little Miracle
Here’s to another springtime of Many Springs.
Columbine: Different Varieties
Given that I am a hiker, I have always enjoyed my early spring hikes with the Hiking YA-YAs. We have one sister-friend who is particularly good at spotting and identifying a myriad of wild flowers. The Many Springs hike is usually our first every year and out on the trail, we have seen wild columbine growing. That’s what got me hooked into planting one bed exclusively with columbine, all varieties and sizes. This is a fairly new notion and I’ve only had two seasons sorting this one out, but so far, I’m happy with the result. Maturity comes with much patience…whether you are a person or a flower!
I have to apologize that my photos are not very professional looking. ;0)
Orchids!
Wild-flower gazing!
Val and Me: High Water!
There have been summer thunder storms each evening for three nights and besides setting my pooch to shivering, they created quite a drama about things. I’ve finally finished with my intense clean-up in my six-by-six foot storage space that floated in an inch of water…and for who knows how long? It was a bit of a bee in my bonnet as I wanted to be doing other things to get ready for family visits and summer vacation. I’ve now resigned myself to ease off on the pressure.
