Instead of sharing Waterton Lakes National Park pictures, here are three shots from July 23, 2015, taken during a botanizing trip to Darryl Teskey’s acreage southwest of Millarville, near Calgary. Five of us explored meadows and forests, cataloging fungi, plants, birds, and insects. The landowner later receives a detailed inventory and photos, benefiting both parties.

A highlight was discovering mushrooms like Red-belted polypores (Fomitopsis pinicola) adorned with exquisite guttation droplets. Guttation, where fungi exude moisture beads, is common in some polypores, with droplets resembling tears or other substances like blood or milk. Plants also undergo guttation, releasing excess water through leaf tips.

The weather cooperated until black clouds—reminiscent of Calgary’s tornado a day prior—signaled our return. Skipper butterflies were a delightful sight, swarming in vivid orange clusters. Navigating hidden fallen logs kept us on alert.