Waterton National Park

Sep 23, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 35 Comments

Waterton National Park is in the southwest corner of Alberta between the Rocky Mountains and the prairies. Named after conservationist Charles Waterton, it borders Glacier National Park in the United States and is part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The blue dot marks the park; the grey line just to the south of it delineates the Canada-U.S. border.

Often overshadowed by its more famous sibling parks Banff and Jasper, it contains 505 square kilometres (195 sq. miles) of wilderness and mountains with stunning scenery and fantastic hiking trails among its many mountain lakes.

The lakes frequently display the intense blue, green or greenish-blue colours of glacial run-off that is often found in the Rocky Mountains.

We had beautiful weather for our first day of hikes and although it was quite windy at times we didn’t mind.

Nevertheless we’re not used to hiking at 1800 metres (6000 ft) or pushing in windy conditions and by mid-afternoon we were ready to return to our hotel to recuperate before dinner!

Happy Tuesday.

Reblogs

Reblog: Atmospheric Effects

Sep 23, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 4 Comments

The previous post showed the smoke from the Bear Gulch fire being blown into the Hurricane Ridge area of the Olympic National Park where we were …
Atmospheric Effects

Beautiful photos from Allan at Allan J Jones Photo Blog. Please click the link above to see more of Allan’s gorgeous photography.

nature, Photography

First Day of Autumn

Sep 22, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 35 Comments

Today is the first day of autumn so unfortunately, summer is officially over. It’s also a Monday though and because of that I hope these late summer scenes ease you through yet another weekly start.

A warm beach …

… a pretty tea rose …

… a transitioning hydrangea …

… and a sunny lake.

I hope your day goes well – happy autumn!

nature, Photography

Grasses

Sep 21, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 43 Comments

Although in the northern hemisphere many of the flowers are beginning to fade, there are so many interesting grasses now coming into their own.

There is a multitude of them …

… in so many shapes and sizes …

… and colours, too …

… so varied and pretty …

… as they go to seed in all their frondy, wispy glory.

Happy Sunday.

nature, Photography

Serenity

Sep 20, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 22 Comments

If everyone took a few moments to relax …

… in a tranquil garden …

… humanity would be a much better place.

Happy Saturday.

nature, Photography

September 19’s Friday Fleurday

Sep 19, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 17 Comments

Today’s fleurday has a visitor.

I saw this lovely dragonfly – technically, a blue-eyed darner – resting on one of the impatiens flowers hanging above our deck. I was very happy to see it because we have had a huge crop of spiders this year and dragonflies love to invite them for lunch!

This one seemed to be drowsing in the warmth of the sun; it rested there for about an hour before flying away on those transparently beautiful, gossamer wings; they’re so delicate looking but extremely strong.

I love the impatiens flowers but I love even more the fact that the dragonfly stopped for a little rest in my deck garden.

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Pretty Perspectives

Sep 18, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 24 Comments

September can be such a beautiful month and while we still haven’t cooled off very much, that autumnal atmosphere is somehow here and breathing gently into our days.

It’s a fantastic time to simply admire what nature has wrought.

Happy Thursday.

Reblogs

Reblog: Do Tell! Answering Your “Why Do I” Questions + A List Of Fun Friday Bloggers

Sep 18, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 11 Comments

Answering Your “Why Do I” Questions • WHY DO I rarely shop at Walmart? While you may assume I don’t shop there for some political reason because many…
Do Tell! Answering Your “Why Do I” Questions + A List Of Fun Friday Bloggers

If you haven’t yet met Ally from The Spectacled Bean, I hope you click the link above to enjoy a little visit. Not only are her posts thoughtful, entertaining and enjoyable, but the comments often are, too.

nature, Photography

September Beach

Sep 17, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 34 Comments

We are still experiencing relatively high temperatures of 30-35C (86-95F) and as a result the beaches remain very busy as people try to cool off or just enjoy the last bits of summer before it drifts gently into autumn.

The evenings are very pleasant and the beaches still inviting as people continue to enjoy them after dark and even swimming in the summer-warm lake.

Happy mid-week.

nature, Photography

September

Sep 16, 2025 Lynette d'Arty-Cross 30 Comments

We’re half-way through September and only a week away from the official start of autumn. Time certainly flies and next we will be entering winter! But before we go there, we have lovely September and especially those couple of shoulder weeks between summer and autumn that can be so glorious and enjoyable. Here are some recent September scenes that epitomise that magnificent, almost perfect, couple of weeks.