Christ Church

After spending a couple of days in Vulcan County I packed up and was ready to leave for home when I remembered something.  I had been encouraged to visit this church by a few friends and since it was still early in the day I decided there was no time like the present.  I think the detour was well worth it.  It's a truly a lovely church and the well kept grounds were a bonus.

Christ Church is an Anglican church built in 1896.  That makes it one hundred and twenty-three years old this year.  It is near Millarville, Alberta and is still used on a regular basis.

The church construction is somewhat unusual in that it was built of vertically placed logs instead of the usual horizontal arrangement.

There is a large cemetery on site.

First look inside the church.

Looking up the aisle towards the altar.

An outstanding triptych of stained glass behind the altar.

A diptych of stained and clear glass on the right hand side of the altar.

Looking back from the altar.

The pump organ and baptismal font.

The grounds are spacious and beautifully maintained.

This is the only Anglican church where I've seen an outdoor crucifix.

The sign near the turnoff to the church.

The church is comfortably nestled in the trees.  I love that red roof.

And last but not least...a view of the Rockies from the church grounds.

Photographed on October 15, 2018.

Near South Fork

I always enjoy stopping along the road to see horses out in the pasture.  Their curiosity usually gets the best of them and they soon come over for a closer look.

Don't you just love the feel of their muzzle?

While the dappled gray mares were particularly friendly...

...this filly and her mom were a little shy.

"What a show-off!"

Photographed on July 11, 2019.

Rosenbach Cemetery

This little cemetery is quite literally in a farmer's back yard in the Rhineland area of Saskatchewan just southeast of Swift Current.

There are no headstones remaining in the cemetery but there is a sturdy metal sign listing those interred here...about half of those were infants.  It was a hard life then.

It's always a good thing to see those that came before us remembered in this simple and thoughtful way.

The past and present...a pioneer cemetery with a backdrop of modern wind turbines.  Time moves on.

Photographed on February 28, 2018.

Mom! I'm Hungry!

Mom and her hungry baby.

Mama blue jay has been a regular visitor to my balcony for about four or five years now.  When her young ones are able to fly she brings them over for a meal of peanuts and a drink of water.  Her "twins" from a few years back still make frequent visits and seem to be inseparable...when one shows up the other is right behind.

I really enjoy them coming 'round and their various antics.  They're an endless source of entertainment and joy.

A baby is a big responsibility.

This one is only about three months old.

Photographed on July 8, 2019.

Country Houses

June 2, 2017

A small collection of abandoned houses from near and far.

Above and directly below is a large abandoned house on the outskirts of Empress, Alberta.  The east side of Empress is on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border and this house lies just two hundred feet inside the Saskatchewan boundary.

June 2, 2017

July 31, 2017

A long abandoned house surrounded by golden-coloured rolling hills near Richmound, Saskatchewan.

November 30, 2016

An early winter view of a tiny abandoned house in Comrey, Alberta.  The cold and frosty morning made for a bone-chilling yet captivating view all around.

January 29, 2017

The same house as above but just two months later on a bright and sunny winter day.  The sunshine makes for a completely different take on the scene.

February 18, 2017

A big old square two storey house just east of Burstall, Saskatchewan.

When I was a kid I can remember visiting a married sister who lived in a house much like this one though in much better condition.  Her father-in-law used to grow tobacco and would hang it up in the attic to dry.  It was quite a thrill for me as a ten-year-old to go up the stairs and see the year's crop hanging from the rafters.  Her mother-in-law made batches of Belgian beer which was even more exciting.  (No smoking or drinking were allowed at my house.)  Eventually I got to sample both...and both met with my approval!

November 27, 2017

November 27, 2017

A summer home for the birds near Virgelle, Montana.  Some kind soul had created a nesting spot for osprey during their breeding season "up north."  Nice to see this.

June 18, 2017

June 18, 2017

A pastoral setting north of the Cypress Hills a little west of Eagle Butte Road.

December 15, 2018

A two-storey house with a spacious veranda near Roth, North Dakota.  For the time it was unusual to have such a large window on the second floor.

February 26, 2018

A winter view of the "spooky house" near Leader, Saskatchewan.

June 2, 2017

A storm is brewing just south of the big brick "spooky house."  It was so windy when I took this photo that it was hard to keep the camera steady.

You can see more "country houses" here: Nobody Home

Tunstall

This concrete bank vault is all that remains of the village of Tunstall, Saskatchewan.

The big slab of concrete in front of the vault must have been the front step into the bank.

This looks kind of ominous.

Tunstall has inarguably achieved "ghost town" status. 

Photographed on July 30, 2019.

A Closer Look

Driving down a road allowance near Fox Valley, Saskatchewan I noticed something (just below centre in the upper photograph) that deserved a closer look.

Looks like a juvenile hawk or falcon.  Handsome bird.

Photographed on July 30, 2019.

Goose in the Cattails

An eye-catching headstone of granite and stained glass in the Lake Road Cemetery near Consort, Alberta.

The stained glass goose and cat tails appear unusually bright and vibrant on the polished black granite.  This effect is attained by backing the glass with a silver mirrored finish and really brings the image to life.

As an added bonus the reflection of the snow on the dark granite creates an optical illusion...the foreground reflection blends with the snow behind the marker to become one unified image.  Visual delights.

Photographed on November 25, 2018.

Aquilo the North Wind Warrior

A fascinating sculpture I found on the grounds of the Eastend Farmer's Market in Saskatchewan.

Aquilo was built by local rancher and artist Grieta Krisjansons from scrap pieces of iron collected from old homesteads, farms and ranches in the Eastend area.

The eye on this side is a mirror.

Photographed on July 11 & 12, 2019.