209/366... July 27/12... McHugh Bluff view

209/366... July 27/12... McHugh Bluff view, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

After submitting photos of the Crescent Heights Community Stampede Breakfast, I was asked if I could replace the cityscape photo at the top of the community newsletter. The one currently used "isn't even the view from Crescent Heights" I was told. I said I'd give it a try.

This is attempt 6 (?), I think. Not quite what I wanted, but getting there.

208/366... July 26/12... vintage home find

208/366... July 26/12... vintage home find, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

During Historic Calgary Week 2012, July 27 – August 6, hundreds of Calgary homeowners have registered their vintage homes on the Century Homes Calgary web site. Crescent Heights, my community, is one of Calgary's originals. The local senior high school is celebrating its 100th birthday. My friend and I took a stroll and discovered more vintage homes than are registered on the site. Many, like this one, also have lovely yards.

Festival of Chariots

203/366... July 21/12, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

This afternoon, while on an outing with one of my photo groups, I came upon the Festival of Chariots. I'd heard of it, but this was the first time I chanced to see it. I followed the procession of dancers, singers, and the devout down Stephen Avenue to Shaw Millennium Park. At the end of the parade food and flowers were tossed from the chariot (a huge float-like structure covered in flowers) to the masses.

leftover chicken

leftover chicken, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Didn't know that seagulls ate chicken. This one found a chicken bone in somebody's tossed dinner in the park. And he wasn't sharing his find with his buddies.

Calgary Stampede 2012 - double snuggling

Calgary Stampede 2012 - double snuggling, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

My last Stampede Breakfast of the year, held this morning at my local community.  This couple was so sweet that I watched them until I could create a photo that (I thought) defined them. They had just finished dancing to the live band.  Later, when I showed them this photo, the fellow said they were "double shuffling." When I said it looked like double snuggling he said, "Call it what you want."

Links:

Calgary Stampede 2012 - set on Flickr

193/366... July 11/12

193/366... July 11/12, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

A couple Stampede mascots having fun with noon-hour c-train riders. With temperatures at almost 30 degrees celsius, again, I don't blame them for taking a break in an air conditioned car.

breakfast outing

breakfast outing, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

The chicks are out and about with Mother wren showing the chicks how to forage. The one chick reminds me of Tweety Bird, after he drank Dr Jekyll's potion.

Earlier the little ones were checking out the plant containers in my courtyard -- just a few feet away from my snoozing cat.

Not the best quality photo, sorry. They were in a shady area in the far side of the yard. Still, very exciting to see.

Calgary Stampede Parade 2012

Calgary Stampede Parade 2012, a set on Flickr.

This year marks the Calgary Stampede's 100th Anniversary.

There seemed to be a whole lot more horses and marching flag waving ladies than usual, but I had to work, so I wasn't able to see the whole Stampede Parade. I did go to the pre-parade area, though; about an hour before the parade started. Then when I got to work I hung out a window for the first hour and a half.

These are some of my shots. My favorites are the ones I took of Library staff. The makeup artist was amazing.

Canada Day 2012 - a decisive moment

Canada Day 2012 - decisive moment, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

A nod to Cartier-Bresson.

Canada Day 2012 - standing on guard

Canada Day 2012 - standing on guard, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

A little late, I know, but last Sunday was Canada Day. So much was going on. There were booths and tents set up along the Riverfront bike path, at Fort Calgary, in Olympic Plaza, and, of course, at Prince's Island Park.

I spent most of the day at Prince's Island, which wasn't as crowded as I expected, unless you were trying to cross the main foot bridge from Eau Claire. The entertainment was great. Dan the One Man Band was there with material that included spoofing the Biebs and a skit with stuffed Shrek and Donkey. Also saw Wakefield Brewster MCing the songwriters stage.

Thought I was in for a treat when the Plaid Tongued Devils appeared on the main Enmax stage schedule. But as these things happen, I was more impressed with the band that came before them, The Collective. Sure they had the advantage of youth, they looked out of high school, but they not only played well, but performed well, too. The exciting newness of performing was still with them. I hope to see them play again, probably at another venue where oldies like me can enjoy music like theirs while standing beside little ones and teens.

This wasn't my photo of the day, but it has a little story. The lad's task was to hold this huge Canada flag. He saw a bunch of us photographers trying to get the perfect shot of him, but there was no wind. He was a bit exasperated on our behalf. But then the breeze picked up, the flag lifted, he was super pleased, and I got my shot.

Links:

• Canadian Flag History 
• Canadiana Connection: History of Canada Day

Nature - Birds - Wren TV

Nature - Birds - Wren TV, a set on Flickr.

A couple of wrens set up a home in the tree in front of my apartment. I named them George and Hilda. They have three chicks, although you usually only see two at a time.

Since I don't have digital or cable TV, my daily show is a day in a wren's life on wren TV. Did you know baby wrens know to poop outside the nest? It's better than anything on the tube. : )