On July 23, 2015, I joined a group for a day of botanizing on Darryl Teskey’s acreage, southwest of Millarville, near Calgary. This visit, just a 40-minute drive from the city, introduced me to fascinating mushrooms like the Red-belted polypores (Fomitopsis pinicola), adorned with beautiful guttation droplets—a natural phenomenon where fungi release moisture, resembling tears or dew.

Our walk through meadows and forests revealed vibrant Skipper butterflies in unprecedented numbers, alongside diverse plants, trees, and wildlife. As always, we documented every discovery for the landowner, creating a detailed inventory of their property.

The weather cooperated until our drive back, with ominous clouds reminding us of Calgary’s recent tornado. This outing was a refreshing escape, highlighting the beauty and biodiversity right in our backyard.