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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I was done today's volunteering before lunch. This was my morning view.

On a stunning, cloudless blue sky day, looking across a broad valley to towering mountains. A sea of green conifers is dotted with the yellows of aspen trees in their fall regalia.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I managed to get 7 swimming together this year. There were more around, but this flotilla was fun.

On a lake filled with ripples, a flotilla of 7 brightly coloured male Harlequin Ducks paddle by.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

On a crisp, chilly fall day, a broad river flows out of the mountains. Some mountains in the background are snow capped. Foliage along the blue water is pale greens and golds of willows and grasses, in contrast to the dark green conifers on the mountains. The sky is rich blue with a few puffy white clouds.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

Looking across an alpine lake (into the sun) at mountains rising in the distance, under a blue sky with some puffy clouds.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

A clear mountain river flows over gravel in the foreground. Yellow willows and aspens line the far river bank. In the distance, rugged rocky mountains rise, with conifer forests leading up to treeline, and the sheer rock cliffs above. And all of this is under a stunning, cloudless blue sky.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Buffaloberry season ended in mid August this year. There haven't been any saskatoons for over a month, either. Chokecherries, Pin cherries & Dogwood berriers are on the current menu for Black Bears in valleys. But every grizzly I know is in the alpine digging up roots and ground squirrels.

Grizzly digs in an alpine meadow. In this case, digging up the roots of Silverweed, a potentilla sapecies.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I love the smell of P-Tex in the morning. It smells like... ski season.

Inside a messy garage, a single Nordica Enforcer downhill ski sits on a work bench. Short, well used P-Tex candles, used to repair the ski's base, sit on the messy bench. A ski iron and ski wax are on the bench as well. Shaved off wax and P-Tex are on the floor and workbench.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today’s lunch view while out volunteering was in the same place as yesterday. So I tried for a different perspective.

Under a stunning blue sky, in the foreground, aspens are changing in fall colours to yellows. Behind them, rolling conifer covered hills give way to rugged gray mountains in the distance

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I'm late. Yesterday's lunch view while out volunteering.

Under a stunningly blue, cloudless sky, some fall colours are starting to show in the aspen forest in the foreground valley, while a sea of conifer-covered rolling hills lead to dramatic rocky mountain peaks in the background.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

Looking out across a fireguard cutblock in a forest. On the other side of the valley, mountains rise, their tops enshrouded in clouds. The sky is overcast, and it happens to be drizzling, too.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering was in the exact same place as yesterday, but with radically different weather: cold, windy, overcast and some drizzle.

Rolling hills covered with conifers lead to rugged grey mountains in the distance, most of which are engulfed with puffy grey clouds, all under an overcast sky.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

And here's a movie of a Pika I saw not long after lunch.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering. Stay tuned, though, for post #2 (multiple media typed are not supported).

Trees (mostly conifers) cover the rolling hills in front of towering, rugged mountains in the distance, under a mostly blue sky with some high cirrus clouds.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Strange things I saw while out volunteering today: a 70 year old radio sitting on a tree stump in the wilderness. Feel free to Google "Hammarlund Model SP-600" to find out about it. I did; it's kinda interesting.

A rusted out, 70 year old radio receiver sitting on a cut off tree in the middle of nowhere. The manufacturer's name (Hammerland Model SP-600) is clearly visible.

The insides of said radio look... interesting.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

In the foreground, a large meadow with plants regrowing after tree clearing for forest fire protection. Beyond the meadow lies a conifer forest. In the background, rugged mountains rise, partially obscured by a bit of forest fire smoke haze. The blue sky is full of puffy white clouds.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering. It's possible you know where this is. I consider myself very privileged to be able to go here. I do not take the ability for granted, and am thankful to the folks who let me do so.

Sitting on the top of a high alpine ridge meadow, looking across to incredibly rugged mountains rising in the distance.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering, and a cute thing I saw along the way.

Beyond the shade of a conifer tree is a muddy mountain lake. On the other side of the lake, a rugged mountain rises majestically, all under a sunny blue sky.

A Snowshoe Hare, still in its brown summer colour, munches on grass in the middle of a trail.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Today’s lunch view while out volunteering.

Looking down at a winding mountain road that disappears into a forest, leading to rugged mountains (with snow patches) rising under a gray sky

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering. It was a bit smoky, so I had to dehaze this pic a bit.

Sitting in a high mountain meadow, looking across a broad valley (with a town in it) to rugged mountains, all under a clear blue sky.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I have seen at least a dozen voles this year, about a dozen more than I have ever seen in my whole life. Here's a Red Backed investigating my backyard fence.

On an old, grey, wood fence covered lightly in lichen, a Red Backed vole sits on a cross board, investigating said lichen.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Today’s lunch view while out volunteering.

Looking across a broad alpine meadow, in the distance rugged mountains rise, in a bit oh smoke induced haze, all under a mostly blue sky with some high clouds.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

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

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

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

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

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".

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Today's lunch view while out volunteering.

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

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

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

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

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.

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Derek Ryder @ryderda.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

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.

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