Pelicans at dusk.

I just got back from my little getaway to the lake. I came back with my camera loaded with pictures and while I never tire of sunsets on the lake, I thought I would post something different . The last evening that we spent there my hubby took me accross to where the pelicans wade about on the lake. It was late , in fact very dark when we got back. The sky was threatening but the water was very still. I took a hundred or so photos of the pelicans. Most of which did not turn out due to the low light and the bobbing of the boat. But even still it was beautiful to see, and I managed to get a few shoots I really like. I love the dreamlike quality of these ones. Did you notice the guy in to top pic looking under the water for something to eat?

End of the Road

I took this picture a few weeks ago when we had just started the haying season. This view is about a mile and a half from my house. If you click on the picture you may see that little white speck in the valley is my house. We are at the end of a dead end road so there is very little traffic. Our closest neighbour is a mile and a half away by road. or a mile as the crow flies. The land behind our house is ours for almost as far as you can see. Sometimes I feel like the Queen of my little piece of the earth.

Farmgirl

My grand daughter Reese loves the farm . Reese is not afraid of getting dirty , climbing trees, or eating carrots that have been washed in the watering can. When I asked her what she was doing hiding around the trees. She said "Shhh Grandma, I'm hunting ravvits"

The lake

I was raised on the shore of the lake. Lesser Slave Lake .The lake was always there, sometimes quiet and peaceful. Sometimes gray and threatening. Sometimes frozen and jagged. But if you lived by the lake you came to know the dangers and the pleasures that came with it. The lake I remember best, was the lake that awakened me to lifes mystery and wonder. We are packing to go camping for a few days next week. Back to lake that I love and long for . I hope its not the last time this year. I took this picture of another photographer enjoying MY lake. Oh but who can blame him?

Happy Birthday Marley

Today is my youngest grandchild's first birthday. And lucky me, they decided to come and stay overnight. Here she is enjoying her Teddy Bear pancake birthday breakfast. So many times with my grandchildren I am transported back to the time in my life when my kids where their ages. Sometimes I ache for that time back and other times when I see how busy and full their lives are now, I am satisfied with being a Grandma. Giggling from the sidelines, and knowing that being a Grandma is a wonderful gift.

MIdnight at the Oasis

Last night about midnight I took this photo of my hideaway. A 10ft by 10ft screen tent, where I created a special place to rejuvenate my soul. Just as lovely at night as it is in the daytime. Only much colder. I think I may have to start wearing a couple of layers to enjoy it at night.

In a garden

I spent some time in my Eden yesterday.

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth
One is near God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
Dorothy Francis Gurney

Art In My Garden

Lately I have been thinking about doing some experiementing with my camera. Inspired by the photography of Freeman Patterson I set out to make some images with an expressionist feel. I really had to think about how to acheive this , but I was happy with some of my results. This one made me think of royalty and power . I love the diagonal lines. This image was cropped in photoshop and the lighting adjusted slightly . Other than that it is shown the way it was captured.

NIght Photography

Thinking that this might be my last chance of the year to capture fireworks, I headed to Dawson Creek. I arranged to meet a friend half way and packed my gear. I learned a few things.

1. That the bag that I bought that was going to be so great , was not.

2. Dawson Creek really likes a fair.

3. That I am getting to know my camera by feel.

4. Photographing fireworks is not that easy.

5. I really have missed my best friend.

White

I have been creating an outdoor haven. A place for quiet relaxation or meditation, just a place to be. This place is built by me for me , and those I choose to share it with . Building the structure alone was a struggle. It made me realize I sometimes give up to easily. It also made me realize how strong , resourceful ,and determined I can be. Now comes the fun bit. The decor. I have decided on primarily white. now those of you that know me well, will wonder where are all the vibrant colours? I know, I thought that at first also . But the power of white has won me over. So tranquil and romantic. This place has true mystery and I love it.

Lunar Lunacy

Once again waking at 4 in the morning has proved to a fruitful time for photography. The moon was full last night and not wanting to miss the drama and the mystery, I found myself outside in my pyjamas , with camera and tripod. I had to look for the tripod first though as I had taken it camping the last timewe went, and couldn't remember where I left it. After stealthily searching the house, so as not to wake Floyd . I was set. I came back to the house at 7.30 happy, wet, and cold.... this is indeed lunacy.

My Lunch

Need I say more?

Promise

This is one

of the sunflower buds

from my garden.

Beautiful

but

full of potential to become

so much moreso.

Castles in the sky

Today its raining so I looked on my recent photos for something to put up... I found one of my favorites from the Alberta Open Sand Sculpting Competition 2009 . This pic was taken after the competition was over and all the sculptures had been rained on. Somehow that just seemed to soften them a bit, adding to the fairytale.

Adventures at 3:00 A.M.

Three a.m. this morning it was too hot to sleep. I decided to cool off on the steps. There was a warm wind and distant thunder rumbled. Seeing flashes of light in the sky I knew there was a incoming storm. Get the camera... wait , where is that dog? It turned out he was hiding in my car as I had left a window open. After securing him in the porch I took a tour of a few miles in searching for a good vantage point for viewing the storm. I headed home at 6:00, when the rain started to come down so hard I was afraid the road would wash away. Very exciting. I could get hooked on photographing lightning.

Haying season

The weather has been perfect for haying , hot and dry . Today after I took lunch to the field I decided to take a trail I usually do not go down. Fireweed is one of the things I love to see, it reminds me of being a child and every year the colour enchants me like it did then. I also look forward to seeing Indian paintbrush it grows here all summer long . but I think the thing I like most about it is the romantic name.. anything with paintbrush in its name has got to be good. I was rewarded amply with wild strawberries, although not large they are one of our most perfect gifts from nature.. now off with a container to pick some for desert.