A Riot of Autumn Splendor in Calgary: My Annual Fall Pilgrimage in Ottawa is Renewed in Calgary’s Urban Parks
Year after year for more than three decades, Gatineau Park — located in the Outaouais region of Quebec and only a 20 minute drive from Ottawa — and the grounds of Rideau Hall — the official residence of Canada’s Governor General — became my annual pilgrimage sites for two weeks beginning October 7. The pilgrimage was to enjoy the spectacular autumn foliage of yellows and reds that would peak at that time. When I moved to Calgary, my hope of ever seeing beautiful foliage that I had experienced in Ottawa faded. But how mistaken. Late this past summer, I began reading articles about larch trees that grow in the higher elevations of the Rockies in Alberta.
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They are a major attraction for residents of Alberta and around the world. Visitors take long walks through moderate to difficult trails to see the larches. The transformation of the larch trees that appear to be evergreens or coniferous, from green to gold is stunning. This phenomenon starts generally around the 3rd week in September. The moment of glory is short-lived and by mid-October the needles fall off.
Considering that the trails involved some steep climbing, I gave up the idea of seeing the larches from a close-range. To my surprise and delight, I found out that a number of parks and streets in Calgary have small sections of planted larch trees from years ago. I was drawn to Baker Park, which is separated from the neighbouring Bowness Park by the iconic Bow River. Bowness has a cafe and a restaurant with a superb patio by a lagoon. On September 27, 2023, I headed to Bowness and after a pastry and coffee began a good 4 km walk throught the park. I was simply overwhelmed and astonished by the forests of yellow poplars that I was seeing.
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I had never seen such a strong concentration of yellows — yes not even in Ottawa! I was breathless. I then crossed over to Baker Park and it is here that I got to see larch tree for the first time in my life. Unlike the larches that grow in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, the trees at Baker Park were planted many decades ago along with 1800 other trees. Two days later, on September 29th, I went to Confederation Park and unexpectedly came across more larch strees.
Enjoy the photographs and head to the parks that I have visited before the leaves fall to the ground in the coming days. Or, of course, feel your presence in the parks through these photos wherever you may be.
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TEACH THIS TRIPPLE TRUTH TO ALL
“A generous heart, kind speech and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity” — inscription, memorial bench, Confederation Park, see photograph, below
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I did not feel I would be upto climbing steep elevations and gave up the idea of seeing the larches. Then, to my surprise, I found out that a number of parks and streets in Calgary have small sections of planted larch trees from years ago. I was drawn to Baker Park, which is separated from the neighbouring Bowness Park by the iconic Bow River. Bowness has a cafe and a restaurant with a superb patio by a lagoon and I thus began my walk there after a cup of coffee. I was simply overwhelmed and astonished by the forests of yellow poplars that I was seeing. I had never seen such a strong concentration of yellows — yes, not even in Ottawa! I then crossed over to Baker Park and it is here that I got to see larch tree for the first time in my life. Unlike the larches that grow in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, the larch trees at Baker Park were planted many decades ago along with 1800 other trees.
Enjoy the photographs and head to the parks I have mentioned before the leaves fall to the ground in the coming days. Or feel your presence in the parks through these photos if you are not close to Calgary!
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LARCH TREES
No matter the season, these trees [Larches] are worth a visit. In spring, star-like clusters of yellow-green juvenile foliage emerge alongside dense clusters of male pollen cones. By summer, the needles — now longer, in a deep–emerald — have hardened off. Scattered among the impressive planar pads of foliage, maturing seed cones develop. By mid-October, as the entire tree takes on a golden hue, the cones turn a light-tan. As they dry, cone scales loosen from the central axis and disperse abruptly — the seeds borne within, scattered to the wind — excerpt from Arboretum Harvard
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EPILOGUE
…As a very rich man treasures the possession of some unique picture, so a man should treasure and exult in the possession – his individual possession – of the sights of this unique world — Aga Khan III, 48th Hereditary Ismaili Imam
Date posted: September 30, 2023.
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A wonderful and uplifting photo essay. Thank you. For information, the statue of the Shriner and child outside of the Al Azhar Shrine Center is known as the “Editorial without Words”, and exemplifies the Shriner motto: “No man stand so tall as when he stoops to help a child.”
Simply beautiful pictures and informative commentary. Thanks for sharing.