Sunrise at the Witch House

On this occasion my visit to the Witch House was an illuminating experience. 

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on November 2, 2024.

Day of the Dead

A day to honour loved ones who have passed along into the ether.  Enjoy this happy celebration of life and death.

Borschiw Cemetery near Haight, Saskatchewan.

September 17, 2021.

Saint Wolodymyr Cemetery near Cappon, Alberta.

November 7, 2021

Hanks Cemetery near Zahl, North Dakota.

June 22, 2023

Ukrainian Settlers Mass Grave near Olha, Manitoba.

July 27, 2022

Congregational Cemetery near Gros Ventre-Tothill, Alberta.

September 9, 2023

Sacred Heart Cemetery near Bow Island, Alberta.

May 29, 2019

Holy Ghost Ukrainian Cemetery near Ispas, Alberta.

February 23, 2020

Blessed Virgin Mary Church Cemetery near Rhodes, Manitoba.

July 24, 2022

Ostriem Cemetery near Leeds, North Dakota.

September 16, 2023

Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery near Prelate, Saskatchewan.

October 26, 2024

"Feliz Día de los Muertos"

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Blumenfeld Church was photographed near Prelate, Saskatchewan on 

October 26, 2024.

Four Years and One Day Ago

A stark autumnal shot taken on the grounds of Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cemetery near MacNutt, Saskatchewan.  

The freshly painted headstones are dazzling against the orange-leaved aspen trees and blue sky.  I love capturing these "moments in time" while passing through the countryside. 

Photographed on October 10, 2020.

Sun Bath

A prairie rattler enjoying a sunbath.

I have had a few startling encounters with them over the years but...

They won't hurt you in any significant way so, please don't hurt them or run them over.  They deserve a long and full life too.  

Photographed near Mayfield Cemetery in Saskatchewan on July 14, 2020.

Summer Landscape

Lovely, n'est pas?

And now, gardening duties beckon.  See you soon.

Photographed near Westhazel, Saskatchewan on July 16, 2023.

Easter Sunday

Some handsome wooden carvings of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for Easter Sunday.

Photographed at Saint Joseph's Cemetery near Frenchville, Saskatchewan on May 25, 2022.

The East Wing of Saint Mary's

Saint Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church dates back to 1914 with additions in 1920 and then again in the mid-50's.  The photos here were taken in the latter addition completed in 1956.  I felt quite at home there in the east wing...me and it being the same vintage and all.

Photographed in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on December 17, 2019.

Tall Phlox

Something colourful and pleasant for a snowy day...

Not only are tall garden phlox attractive, but they also have the sweetest scent...something to look forward to each and every spring.

Photographed in Eastend, Saskatchewan on June 12, 2020.

Aldag S.D. No. 1361

A monument at the former location of a one-room schoolhouse in southern Saskatchewan.

"Construction of the Aldag School began in 1912 - completed in 1913.  Enrollment varied from 7 to 35 pupils.  The building was used for church services, dances, card parties and public meetings.  On June 10, 1966 a decision was made to close the school.  The students were bussed to Gull Lake."

As an aside...I grew up on a small farm near the town of Midale in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan.  Through the years the one-room school there was replaced first by a two storey brick building, then by a modern school built circa 1960.  I started school in the new building in 1962 and completed Grade 12 in 1974 in the new wing that had been added circa 1967 to the modern school.  And, believe it or not, the school is still thriving to this day.  A rare thing indeed in this day and age.  Midale has a population of about five hundred and fifty people.      

Photographed near Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on June 17, 2023.

Killed by Lightning

This is the Ralph Pioneer Cemetery.

I grew up not far from Ralph but never knew of this little pioneer cemetery.  Over six years ago now I was on a trip through my old stomping grounds, and with some research and knowledge under my belt, set out to experience my past in a different light.

Five headstones remain in the tall prairie grass in the long abandoned cemetery but only three are identified; from the indentations and remnants of wooden crosses I discovered while walking through the cemetery, there are several more "unknown" graves.

Bernard Halbert Engelrup

February 14, 1916 - September 2, 1917

Audrey Miller

1934 - 1937

Charles Johnson

1852 - August 18, 1905

At the age of fifty-three he was struck and killed by lightning.

Photographed near Ralph, Saskatchewan on October 17, 2017.

Winter at the Witch House

A visit to the witch house is always intriguing.  

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on January 24, 2022. 

Summerscape

Somewhere near Lothian, Saskatchewan...

I love summer on the prairies.

Photographed on August 4, 2020.

Redvers Pool Elevator

One of very few grain elevators still bearing the large "Pool" logo.

I have no idea what that large rectangular object is that's attached to the side of the elevator.  Anyone know what it is?

Photographed in Redvers, Saskatchewan on August 16, 2022.

Spring 2017

A flashback to mostly spring blooms...flowers make everything better, n'est pas?

May 21, 2017

A clump of buffalo beans alongside the highway just north of Simpson, Montana.  It's not spring without these cheery golden yellow blooms.  

May 28, 2017

At one time it was common to plant irises at the grave of a loved one...especially in country cemeteries on the prairies.  A lovely way of remembrance.  The grass was just barely turning green at Kincorth Lutheran Cemetery but these irises were already in full bloom.  They're tough and hardy. 

   

June 2, 2017

Fleabane is a native plant throughout the prairies.  This clump of happy white flowers was just outside the entrance to the Empress Cemetery.  The town of Empress is in Alberta, but the Empress Cemetery is just across the border in Saskatchewan.  

June 11, 2017

I'd stopped in Hilda, Alberta to take a few shots of the grain elevator and while doing so, came across this beautiful orange butterfly amongst the alfalfa flowers. 

June 17, 2017

If you're lucky enough to be traveling along Eagle Butte Road near Woolchester, Alberta at just the right time you'll be rewarded with the visual delight of these masses of pink flowers.  I always look forward to seeing "the pink fields" in full bloom.  I believe they are a species of vetch. 

 

June 21, 2017

A bee foraging in the blooms of a froebelii spirea in one of the gardens I tend in town.  Bees really are the busiest little guys.

June 24, 2017

Flowers and butterflies aren't the only spring delight...a doe with her fawns just across the lane from the Post Office where I pick up my mail.  The second fawn is hidden mostly behind mama deer.

June 24, 2017

A pincushion cactus flower on an acreage where I tend to some gardening.  The resulting fruit is sweet and delicious.  Leave some for the animals and birds...they need a treat every so often too.

June 28, 2017

The waxy yellow flower of the native prickly pear cactus.  I found this one high above the southern bank of the South Saskatchewan River in southern Alberta.

June 30, 2017

Bunchberries blooming in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.  They are the smallest variety of the dogwood species I've seen anywhere.  The unique four-petal flowers later develop into brilliant red berries that are enjoyed by a variety of wild animals and birds.

An interesting fact about bunchberries...when a bee or other insect lands on a flower it stimulates the flower to open at the incredible rate of half a millisecond...spreading the pollen at a few thousand times the force of gravity.  Imagine that.

Hope you enjoyed the somewhat belated spring tour of 2017.

Photographed in Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Happy Orthodox New Year!

Almost forgot...Happy Orthodox New Year from Saint Michael's!

Even though it's late...a good bottle of champagne is in order.  Cheers!

Photographed near Rama, Saskatchewan on March 20, 2020.