Between the return of major league sports, peak hiking/biking season across Canada and medical officers asking all of us to be good sports about wearing a mask, there is a wide range of subject matter for the August 2020 photo blogging challenge.

Between the return of major league sports, peak hiking/biking season across Canada and medical officers asking all of us to be good sports about wearing a mask, there is a wide range of subject matter for the August 2020 photo blogging challenge.
Despite its official arrival almost four weeks ago, signs of spring remain elusive. But for careful observers, there are compelling clues that spring is creeping over the Calgary landscape: fluffy catkins, pale green leaves poking through, patches of open water on Glenmore Reservoir, and prairie crocus blossoms - the most convincing sign of spring!
Water! Here in Calgary, we open the nearest tap for instant access to unlimited, safe drinking water at a cost of roughly half a cent per litre. Inexpensive, ready access to clean water is easy to take for granted. And that's reflected in my photos - water as an abundant, natural element. Part of what makes water amazing is that we can observe it all three states - gas, liquid, solid - within the temperature range that humans can tolerate. The fact that October is the month for the water theme means the timing is just right to photograph water in all of those natural states.
Highlights along the Elbow River Pathway from its north end in Inglewood to North Glenmore Park include Jeff de Boer's "Rainbow Trout" sculpture, riding through ENMAX Park and several stretches where it's hard to remember you're in the middle of Calgary. But pathway signage is a little scarce and route-finding a bit challenging for first-time riders.
One easy and scenic riding option in Calgary is circumnavigating the Glenmore Reservoir, a route that runs 15 or 16 km. The city's extensive pathway system makes it easy to extend the distance. Mr. GeoK and I covered 31 km riding from home, around the Reservoir, and back. Heritage Park, sailboats, and the view of the Canadian Rockies to the west add visual interest to the ride. If you're lucky (and alert) you might even spot some water birds, a deer or a coyote.