Derek Ryder

@ryderda

Skier, hiker, traveler, Former Director - Friends of Kananaskis, K-Country Bear Team member, Sunshine SnowHost, Wildlife Ambassador, and retired.

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Derek Ryder@ryderda· 18h

It was pouring rain at lunch today, so we ate indoors (in front of a fire trying to dry our rain gear). This was the "15 min before lunch" view while out volunteering.

Under a grey sky with low clouds (with rain coming out of them), a verdant green and broad shore leads to a large alpine lake. A mountain, partially obscured by clouds rises, with it's top disappearing into the clouds above.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· 2d

Was more than a bit smoky at lunch today while out volunteering.

In the distance thru a smoky sky, obscured mountains rise above a large, calm alpine lake

Derek Ryder@ryderda· 8d

Today's volunteering was close to my house so that's where I ate lunch. Here's a view from just before lunch.

Looking across a grassy meadow to a wall of conifer trees. Towering above them are rugged mountains, and all are lit up under a brilliant blue sky.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 13

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

A forested mountain ridge covered in avalanche paths that cut swaths through said forest.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 9

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

In the foreground, a rocky beach with willows, lining a blue-green alpine lake. Mountains tower in the distance, under a blue sky filled with puffy cumulus clouds trying to become thunderstorms.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 7

Since I wasn't on bears, you get to see 4 of them that were napping where I was supposed to be volunteering (but didn't because there were 4 bears napping there). Oh, and a picture of a Pika, too, just because.

A mom Grizzly Bear and her three cubs nap in the sun in a giant pile on a grassy flat on a field of rocks.

A Pika – the world's cutest animal – sits on a rock overlooking its domain. In the blurry background is an alpine lake.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 7

Today's lunch view while out volunteering. My volunteering today was heavily impacted by bears. I was NOT on bear duty, but doing other stuff. However, I saw 9 bears in total. Two of them (technically, 5 of them) required me to adjust my volunteering plans on the fly.

Large rocks in the foreground lead down to a green-blue alpine lake. On the far side of the lake, mountains tower.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 4

Today's lunch view while out volunteering. But I was NOT volunteering on bear work (where I am not allowed to share pics). On my way to my second (not bear) volunteering gig, look who blocked the road. Meet 139 & the 3 cubs. My second volunteering stint involved Pika, so here's one of them, too.

Across a green-blue alpine lake, mountains tower, some still with snow patches, all under a sky filled with dark cumulus clouds.

One grizzly bear crosses a road, blocking traffic, to meet up with 3 other Grizzly Bears on the other side of the road.

A rock coloured Pika – the world's cutest animal, with perky round ears and a grey potato for a body – sits in some rocks.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 4

I was stupid and forgot to take a pic today at lunch while out volunteering. This was about an hour after lunch. My lunch view was similar.

A mostly still but muddy alpine lake is in the foreground, while mountains still retaining snow rise in the distance past forested ridges, all under a blue sky with puffy white clouds.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jul 2

On Monday, the Robins (that have been nesting on my shelf attached to my house) fledged. There were 4 of them. Their first landings were miserable crashes (could have something to do with a lack of tail feathers). There are now only 3 as a pair of Crows got one despite the best efforts of mom & dad.

A tail-less fledgling Robin sits still (and somewhat dazed) after their first flight, which would have been better described as a "plummet".

A second, tail-less, fledgling Robin sits still (and equally dazed) after their first flight, which would have been better described as a "plummet" to a "crash landing".

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 27

I've been (and continue to be) very busy, and am, as a result, am getting behind in posting. Yesterday's and today's lunch views while out volunteering.

On the grassy shore of a muddy alpine pond, mountains rise above the pond – some with bits of snow – under a blue sky with cirrus clouds.

A moody grey sky sits over a large alpine lake. In the distance, rugged snowy peaks rise. The shoreline of the lake is rocky and somewhat barren.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 25

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

Across a large, yet dead calm, green alpine lake, multiple mountains tower. Some small amounts of snow remain in the alpine. In the brilliant blue sky, cumulus clouds are trying to become thunderstorms.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 23

I never know what the #birding theme of the day is, and doubt this will fit. But I liked this anyway. #bird #merganser

A Merganser stands on a moss covered rock, looking out over the lake, that has gentle ripples and reflections of clouds.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 20

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

Looking across a bit of gravel and grass with some scattered trees, to a broad lake. On the far side of the lake, rugged mountains tower under a brilliantly blue sky with some puffy white clouds.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 16

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

Across a large, shimmering, blue alpine lake, a brilliant blue sky above (with wisps of cirrus clouds) illuminates the towering snow capped peaks on the far side of the lake.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 12

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

A wide angle shot, taken high on a grassy hillside, looking across a valley at the towering mountains on the other side (some still with snow), under a blue sky filled with puffy white clouds.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 10

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

Across a large green-blue alpine lake, snow capped mountains rise under a cloudy sky.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· Jun 1

June 1, and it's snowing where I live near Canmore #ABStorm

A view of a not particularly interesting back yard, with fresh snowfall colouring the grass white.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 31

I'm late. Friday's lunch view while out volunteering, and Saturday's volunteering lunch view, too.

Under a brilliant blue sky with puffy white clouds, rugged mountains tower in the distance over a large, blue mountain lake.

An overcast sky threatens rain and obscures the nearby mountain peaks. A 100 year old iron bridge spans a river running high, fast and muddy with spring run off.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 29

Here's my male.

In a maze of branches sits a male Calliope Hummingbird, with his distinctive splayed purple neck gorget.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 26

I was done volunteering before lunch today. Here was my view about 30 min before I finished.

A wide, blue-green river flows past under a brilliant blue sky. The far bank is lined with evergreen trees. In the distance, rugged mountains rise, still with snow on them.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 20

Today's lunch view while out volunteering, and the waterfall I saw not long after lunch.

Across a still, grey lake, under a grey overcast sky, snow capped mountains rise.

In a green dense forest, a creek slides over a small sandy rock cliff. The long exposure shows white streams of water radiating out from the base of the falls.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 17

The Boss on my front lawn (taken from inside my house) Nov 2024. He was being stalked while in my hamlet by professional wildlife photographers, all of whom were far too close, some within 10 m. You can purchase their photos.

A large grizzly bear walks under trees across a lawn towards a driveway

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 16

Two Bluebirds seen while out today. #Birds #Birding

A female Western Bluebird with here distinctive blue butt sits in the branches of a conifer tree, with tree covered mountains in the background.

A male Mountain Bluebird, back to the camera, sits on a fence post, with deciduous and coniferous trees in the background.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 16

Today's lunch while out volunteering was inside because the weather was... cold and snowy. Here's an example snow squall from later in the afternoon. A little blown away by the people in this pic having a 3:30 pm BBQ by an icy lake.

Looking down over a greenish alpine lake, partially covered in ice. In the foreground: a family at a picnic table with a fire and a BBQ. In the background, snow squalls swirl over the lake which is backed by towering, snow covered peaks.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 15

Today's lunch view, and 10 minutes after lunch after the SNOW shower moved through. Yes, where I live, it snows in May.

A large mountain lake, looking greenish, is enshrouded by low clouds with mixed rain and snow falling, with blue sky peeking through.

Mere minutes after the first shot, the lake is now blue, and the towering snow capped mountains on the other side of the lake are visible under mostly blue skies.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 12

I have been dogsitting for the last few days. Today was "walkies" day. Luigi is now tired.

A brown and white dog stands on a grassy hill under a brilliant blue sky. On the other side of the valley are majestic, snow capped rugged mountains.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 12

Ran across a few Harelequin Ducks while I was out volunteering yesterday. #birds #birding

Two colourful male Harlequin Ducks stand on a rock at the edge of a lake. Both have their faces tucked into their backs.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 12

Yesterday's lunch view while out volunteering.

A large meadow with a pond at the far end, with a sunning backdrop of towering snow capped mountains under a brilliant blue sky with puffy cumulus clouds.

Derek Ryder@ryderda· May 10

Today’s lunch view while out volunteering.