Calgary Daily Photo

ski jump tower

2010-11-01T18:53:00.001-06:00

Trick or treating at the Mall

2010-10-30T18:41:00.000-06:00

Empty Glasshouses

2010-08-01T15:20:00.002-06:00

These are the old glasshouses at the University of Calgary. The day after I took this picture Calgary was hit by a huge hailstorm with golfball sized hail and all the glass in these and the new glasshouses was smashed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage in about three minutes. There's a video on You-tube.

Horses

2010-07-31T09:23:00.000-06:00

Just outside Calgary I found this group of horses enjoying the cool breeze blowing off the Rockies on a hot, hot day.

Movie Time

2010-07-30T21:19:00.002-06:00

Went to see a movie at one of Calgary's older movie theatres - The Plaza in Kensington.

'Those blue remembered hills'

2010-07-29T09:39:00.002-06:00

A view of the distant Rockies taken from the Leighton Art Centre just outside the city.

Yamnuska Shadows

2010-07-19T13:25:00.000-06:00

Went hiking this weekend. Took these shots of our shadows looking out over the Bow Valley.

Pika Pik

2010-07-16T20:01:00.000-06:00

It's not easy to get shots of these little creatures but this partikular pika was most obliging.

Cleaning Windows in the Rocky Mountains

2010-07-15T13:56:00.000-06:00

The view from our campsite

2010-07-13T08:52:00.000-06:00

Backcountry camping...this was our kitchen and cooking area this weekend. Breathtaking!

Winter in July?

2010-07-12T00:55:00.002-06:00

Went hiking this weekend..just three hours and a couple of thousand feet out of the city is scenery like this.

Beautiful Bricks

2010-07-11T12:42:00.000-06:00

Here's a close up of that kiln at Mount Pleasant. The colours in the old bricks are just beautiful.

Taking a break

2010-07-10T16:39:00.000-06:00

There's lots to do in Calgary in the summer. These two ladies were taking a break from throwing pots at North Mount Pleasant art Centre. The beautiful coloured bricks in the background are one of the two kilns used for smoke firing at the studio there.

At least the plants like the rain

2010-07-09T16:36:00.000-06:00

These poppies are loving the cool damp weather we are having in Calgary right now. Me...not so much!

No touch-ups...

2010-07-08T11:51:00.001-06:00

...just the amazing colours of the tree and the sky here in Alberta.

Balloon Man

2010-07-07T21:36:00.000-06:00

Spotted this guy blowing balloon creations downtown.

Boating on the Bow

2010-07-06T13:01:00.000-06:00

This is what folk do in Calgary when it's hot...blow up the inflatables and float down the Bow. Right now the river is running a little high and it's maybe not the smartest time to do this...but it's fun. The Bow River flows right through the center of downtown...though I can't imagine ending up in the middle of downtown dressed like this!

Reflecting

2010-07-05T11:30:00.002-06:00

A quiet spot to sit and each lunch and watch the river run.

Bridge to nowhere

2010-07-04T11:10:00.000-06:00

This is part of the new West leg of Calgary's LRT system...the C-train. This yellow girder will eventually carry part of the track but right now it's going absolutely nowhere!

Balloons!

2010-07-03T13:07:00.000-06:00

Taken on Canada Day (July 1st) when there were all kinds of fun going on. this girl was making amazing balloon creations for the kids...she had a long line-up waiting!

One hot horse.

2010-07-02T18:59:00.000-06:00

This Calgary police horse was on duty yesterday...and looking hot in the sun. He was having a cool drink and a brush down when we met him.

Canada Day

2010-07-01T21:54:00.003-06:00

Today is Canada Day and there are apparently some very patriotic Dogs in our city! The owner said she did it with hair dye and lots of patience.

Urban Art with Architecture

2010-06-29T23:16:00.003-06:00

I don;t know what they call this urban art form...but it's cool to watch. Gymnastics with architecture or something like that.

Getting ready for summer

2010-06-29T00:02:00.001-06:00

Finally...it's here! They're cleaning out the wading pools...just in time for summer fun.

We went to the zoo

2010-06-27T13:30:00.001-06:00

...and the vultures were gathering!

I guess someone has to do it!

2010-06-26T13:27:00.001-06:00

Fire Hall No. 5

2010-06-25T15:25:00.000-06:00

Looks like a nice place to work. They certainly keep it spick and span.

What Kind of a bug is that?

2010-06-24T22:23:00.002-06:00

Found this VW bug stalking the streets of Calgary this evening! It was resting in an autromechanics yard when I spotted it. I don't think it saw me.

Those bulls are ready to rumble

2010-06-23T15:38:00.000-06:00

they are limbering up

2010-06-22T23:15:00.003-06:00

I guess those bulls have broad backs. You gotta be able to do the splits if you want to "Ride 'em cowboy!"

Track Season

2010-06-20T19:27:00.001-06:00

It's the time of year when watching track meets in the sun is fun to do.

The cowboys are are waiting

2010-06-20T07:27:00.002-06:00

The Calgary Stampede is coming up soon...there are cowboys waiting for the day!

It's getting close to Cowboy time here in Cowtown!

2010-06-19T08:24:00.000-06:00

New Buildings

2010-06-17T19:54:00.000-06:00

Street Art Sunday

2010-06-17T19:46:00.000-06:00

Sculptors guild

Working Wednesday - When I'm cleaning Windows

2010-06-14T18:41:00.000-06:00

Street Cleaning

2010-05-11T14:20:00.000-06:00

Bow River in Spring

2010-05-04T19:45:00.000-06:00

May 09

Plane in Petro-Canada Center best shot?

2010-04-25T16:11:00.000-06:00

working weds? guy on the street

2010-04-25T16:08:00.000-06:00

Olympic post

2010-02-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

Olympic posts

2010-02-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

Olympic post

2010-02-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season 2

2009-12-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

More beautiful window displays...I'm just glad I don't have to put them up or take them down! It must have taken hours!

'Tis the Season...

2009-12-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

...to decorate! I love the shadows that the baubles in this shop window display created.

Moose in the Snow

2009-12-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

It was so cold that I could barely press the shutter...the camera shake is probably due to my shivering...and the moose was some distance away...but it's a moose! Taken in the Rocky Mountain foothills that surround Calgary.

Not exactly Christmas wrapping!

2009-12-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

When it gets really cold (as it does here in Calgary) this is how you keep your precious plants safe through the winter.

When icicles hang by the wall...

2009-12-16T13:51:00.001-07:00

As Shakespeare should have said...
"...then you know it's cold!"

Horse in The Snow

2009-12-15T13:48:00.002-07:00

We've had a lot of snow and some very cold temperatures recently(-39c over the weekend).
But if it means you can take pictures like these then it's worth it!

Ski rentals - we're ready

2009-12-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

The ski hills are opening soon

2009-11-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

who let that plane in? Petro can building

2009-11-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Chinook Skies

2009-11-15T22:20:00.001-07:00

We had a strong Chinook centered over Calgary today...so it's warm! The skies were amazing with the Chinook arch stretched across the city.

Giant Snowball

2009-11-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Luge sled - not very comfy

2009-11-07T19:04:00.000-07:00

Skeleton in Training

2009-11-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

Checking the Sled - Romanian team

2009-11-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

Bobsled start

2009-11-04T18:50:00.002-07:00

So for anyone who ever wanted to know...this is what the top of a bobsled run looks like when it's not an important race, no-one is cheering and only your coach is watching! It's cold, windy and decidedly unglamorous!

Skeletons After Halloween?!

2009-11-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Okay! I know it's not the greatest shot but these guys are traveling fast! It's hard to catch them! Most of my shots were of feet leaving the frame!

This is a member of the Canadian Junior Development team (I think) training for the skeleton at Canada Olympic Park. It was busy up there this weekend! Lots of teams are beginning to arrive to practice for the Vancouver Olympics in February 2010.
In case you're not sure of the distinctions, luge is feet first, skeleton head first and both take place on the bobsled track.

I'll post more pictures in the next few days. Training for the Olympics is not as glamorous as you might think!

The Olympic Flame is crossing Canada

2009-11-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Thought you might have heard that the Olympic Flame made it to Canada at the end of last week and is now at the very beginning of it's epic journey across one of the biggest countries on earth. This picture was taken in the Olympic Museum at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary where several past torches are displayed.This one is from the summer Olympics in Seoul.

The Olympic Flame arrived in Victoria, British Columbia on Friday, October 29th. Victoria is the starting point of the torch relay across Canada. This relay will be the longest in Olympic history. It will cover more than 45,000 kilometres of the country including Baffin Island in the far north before ending in Vancouver for the opening ceremonies of the Games on February 12th 2010.
You can follow the torch relay here:

http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/olympic-torch-relay/olympic-torch-relay-interactive-map/

Monk

2009-11-01T18:43:00.001-07:00

I met this monk up by the ski jump tower at Canada Olympic Park. He spoke no English but was happy to have me take his picture. I guess he was just another tourist taking in the sights of Calgary. And that's the suburbs of Calgary you can you can see in the background.

Halloween in the Fish Store

2009-10-31T18:55:00.003-06:00

I met these delightful guys in our local pet store...they were friendly helpful and cheerful and really getting into the spirit of Halloween!

Halloween Parties

2009-10-31T11:28:00.000-06:00

I meet these students at the university getting ready for a halloween party.
They were applying some very elaborate make-up...and the girls were having fun making up the guys!

Hauling

2009-10-30T16:12:00.000-06:00

We have some big trucks in Canada - stuff has to be hauled a long way. This one looks like it's seen better days but it's still going strong.

E

2009-10-29T20:20:00.001-06:00

Took this shot through the window of a cafe in Kensington. The trees are almost bare of leaves now. It's nice to sit inside out of the cold!

A classic view

2009-10-28T19:29:00.004-06:00

I went out to the Rockies today - bit of a break from the city.
Here's the classic view of Lake Louise, not on the usual sunny day but on a cold, grey late October afternoon when the sky was spitting snow.

Fix it in Chinatown

2009-10-27T10:35:00.001-06:00

A range of Chinese medicine and remedies is on display in this store in Calgary's Chinatown. This tiny store is crammed full of products. I just wish I knew what they all did - it looks like you could fix almost any problem.
Click on the picture to enlarge it and see the beautiful boxes in more detail.

Shadows of the past

2009-10-26T16:56:00.002-06:00

The 'Alberta Mavericks' display at the Glenbow has some great ideas and effects among the exhibits. All are low-key, not obvious, but when you spot them they are very aesthetically satisfying. This display concerns the early Northwest Mounted police. Extracts from two letters are read on surround sound whilst the shadows of the speakers are projected as if inside a tent.
I liked it.

Don't think you'd want to ride him!

2009-10-25T19:51:00.003-06:00

Went down to the Glenbow Museum to see the "Giant Baby" exhibition this weekend. You can't take photos of that exhibit but I loved this horse made out of 3km of barbed wire in the Alberta Mavericks exhibition...but I don't think you'd want to ride him!

Snowing again

2009-10-24T11:10:00.003-06:00

Taken at 10.00 am this morning. Yes...it's snow...again!

Snowy Tree

2009-10-15T19:41:00.002-06:00

Well I guess I can still get excited about how beautiful snow makes everything when it's the first snowfall of the year. But talk to me in March...I may have had enough of snow by then!

Lost in the Snow

2009-10-14T20:01:00.004-06:00

It snowed today...lots! Not what we really wanted to see this early in October.
Oh well!
I was walking in Confederation Park in the Northwest of the city when I saw this lost and found poster. I'm pretty sure this cute tropical bird won't be happy if she's still lost and out in the snow.

Street Art Sunday - Smooch

2009-10-11T13:56:00.000-06:00

I found this artwork on the side of a wall in the beltline district. This is an area of downtown Calgary that over many years became run down and is now being extensively redeveloped. Skyscrapers are being built, trees are being planted along broad walkways but right now the area is pretty raw.
There are a few, a very few, original buildings standing in an oasis of temporary parking lots and this mural was on the side of one of them. A row of stores that housed an art co-operative, a tattoo parlour and two hair-dressing salons.
I saw one guy was in the chair getting his arm tattooed, three hairdressers chatting at the end of a long day and this couple engaged in long smooch.

Is that a Saddle?

2009-10-09T13:09:00.000-06:00

I know this isn't the greatest photo - it was dark and I only had my old point and shoot - but this is the Pengrowth Saddledome, home of the Calgary Flames.
It's called the Saddledome becasue it was designed in the shape of a saddle...Calgary being Cowboy country and all that.
And yes...there is a guy in a cowboy hat in the picture. Lots of people wear them in Calgary - even when it's not Stampede time.

Kipper!

2009-10-08T13:49:00.003-06:00

The fans of the Calgary Flames are known as "The C of Red"
...because looking out over the crowd in the Saddledome on a game night, all you see are red jerseys
...a sea of red.
And Kipper is our goal tender - that's his face behind the mask on the banner.
His real name is Mikka Kiprusoff but to everyone in Calgary, he's known as Kipper.

Going to the Game

2009-10-07T21:02:00.003-06:00

It was a cold night. We have had some snow. It's not sticking yet but it won't be long before it is.
But cold nights are good for hockey games and last nights game against the Montreal Canadians was a great one...for the Calgary Flames anyway.
Flames won 4-3.

I shot this on the way to the Saddledome...it's that big grey building supposedly designed to look like a saddle!
This is cowboy country you know!
And to prove it...there's a guy in a cowboy hat going to the game.

Whispering Grasses

2009-10-05T14:25:00.000-06:00

This is the artwork on one of the bridges that crosses a four lane highway to allow pedestrian access to Nose Hill Park. The bridge is called "Whispering grasses" and was named by local school children. I think the art work represents the rivers and geology of the Calgary area.

Last of the Warm Days

2009-10-04T17:15:00.002-06:00

This week has seen Fall's final fling. Colder days are on the way but I took advantage of the warm autumn sun to walk up on Nose Hill and take a shot of the city. Snow is forecast for the week ahead. Brrr!

Diner Deluxe

2009-10-01T23:26:00.002-06:00

This is a fabulous old-fashioned diner on Edmonton Trail. Diner Deluxe serves wonderful breakfasts and has amazing lamps everywhere! They're always busy but if you're ever in Calgary it's worth going out of your way to try.

Back to the future?

2009-09-30T21:23:00.002-06:00

I had breakfast in a great little diner on Edmonton Trail this morning...and I was going to post a picture...but then I saw these fabulous boots a little store next door and I couldn't resist posting this shot instead.
I've yet to see anyone in Calgary walking round in this kind of footwear but who knows! At least it would keep your feet above the first snowfall of the season - which looks like it may not be long in coming. Temperatures are dropping...fast!

Mirror, mirror on the...ceiling?

2009-09-29T15:39:00.002-06:00

The mirrored ceiling in the foyer of the University of Calgary's Student Union might be a bit dated in terms of interior design...but it's lots of fun for taking photo's.

I'm back!...and I'm hot!

2009-09-28T19:13:00.003-06:00

At least I was hot last week! We had record breaking temperatures here in Calgary. It is NEVER 33c in Calgary at the end of September but all last week we broke records set in 1881 or there abouts.

Why was I gone so long? Camera on the fritz (brought a new one) and computer on the fritz (got it rebooted) so I'm back.

Working Wednesday - Keeping Calgary Clean

2009-09-10T15:47:00.000-06:00

Working Wednesday - Firefighters

2009-09-03T17:21:00.000-06:00

Working Wednesday #5

This bunch of firefighters looked like they were regrouping after a call-out... perhaps one of those calls where they check out an alarm but there's no fire to fight. They look relaxed and cheerful in the spring sunshine.
I'm sure they didn't get much of a break however but soon had another call-out to go to. Calgary is a growing city and all the emergency services are kept busy. Just afew weeks ago the fire service was dealing with a rash of traffic accidents after a run of cold snowy and icy days that made our roads treacherous.
So thanks to all the hard-working firefighters in this city and other cities around the world. The work they do is very much appreciated!

The old Cecil Hotel

2009-08-27T15:47:00.000-06:00

Working Wednesday - the busker and the bottle picker

2009-08-26T19:51:00.001-06:00

Rail Crossing at Dusk

2009-08-25T15:45:00.001-06:00

Beautiful Urban Decay

2009-08-24T15:44:00.001-06:00

Street Art Sunday - Chinese Cone thing

2009-08-23T19:56:00.000-06:00

Choosing cheese

2009-08-22T11:38:00.000-06:00

Soccer

2009-08-21T15:38:00.000-06:00

Soccer season is just about winding up for the summer here in Calgary. The last few games are being played and soon everyone will vanish for the long summer vacation.
Like most countries in the world, Canadians love their soccer and many kids play on teams but our season here is VERY short. Outdoor soccer begins in mid- April...but many games are cancelled due to snow and it's always a frantic scramble to get all scheduled games in before the end of June when our summer vacation begins.
And if it's not too cold...then it's too hot! This team were warming up in the shade on a 28c day!

Skyline

2009-08-20T15:38:00.000-06:00

Working Wednesday - Taking a Break

2009-08-19T16:02:00.000-06:00

Lots of cones

2009-08-18T19:59:00.000-06:00

Fire Rescue Boat

2009-08-17T18:48:00.000-06:00

Street Art Sunday - Bull Rider

2009-08-16T20:46:00.001-06:00

piece is called 8 minutes to glory

Old Cinema in Inglewood

2009-08-14T15:36:00.000-06:00

You've got mail

2009-08-13T15:35:00.000-06:00

Working Wednesday - Calgary Hosts

2009-08-12T16:00:00.000-06:00

Students. Work all summer - walk round city ...like walking information booths.

Skyline

2009-08-11T15:32:00.000-06:00