Spruce Coulee

Early evening at Spruce Coulee Reservoir in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.

Love the reflections, which reminds me...

Many years ago I would occasionally take a day off from what was then a very hectic gardening and landscaping schedule and camp out at Spruce Coulee.  What made it attractive to me was there were no RV's, camper trailers or motor boats allowed, a rule that still applies to this day.  So if you wanted to spend the night you needed whatever would make your outdoor stay a pleasant experience (just as long as it didn't make any noise).

One warm night I ventured out onto the reservoir in my inflatable dinghy around midnight.  Once I'd paddled to the centre of the lake I laid down with my head resting on the front edge of the dinghy and looked a little forward and a little upwards.  The star filled sky reflected on the surface of the water created a "floating in mid air" experience that was second to none. One of those things that I will remember forever.

Photographed on October 3, 2022.

Do You Like My New Place?

Pretty nice, don't you think?  The reflection of the sky in the windows even matches the colour of my car.

And it comes with a picturesque view of the lake too!

Only kidding.  This is Daisy's house at Elkwater in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.

We're here spending some quality time together for a few days just enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

Photographed on October 3, 2022.

Ghost Bird

I have no idea why the bird in this colour photograph appears as a grayish ghost image...almost looks like a photoshop creation (which is a software tool I do not use).

Maybe the name of the spot where the photo was taken is a clue.

Photographed on the grounds of Holy Ghost Romanian Orthodox Church and Cemetery in the Hairy Hill area of Alberta on June 27, 2022.

Je suis l'Immaculée Conception

A beautiful wrought iron gate at the entrance to the old monastery near Holland, Manitoba.

Photographed on August 17, 2022.

Wild Bergamot

Wild bergamot in full bloom near Bangor, Saskatchewan.

Make your own Earl Grey tea from the dried leaves.

Photographed on July 22, 2022.

Ewart School

This old schoolhouse is about half a mile off the main road and stands right in the middle of a canola field.

There was an overgrown rutted trail (suitable only for tractors and all terrain vehicles) so I parked and walked in for a better view.  

The trail led past a corral and finally ended up at an old homestead where these shots were taken.

Photographed near Ewart, Manitoba on August 16, 2022.

Honey Bee

A honey bee enjoying the flowers on an Autumn Joy Sedum plant.

Chances are, I'll be enjoying the honey produced by this bee in a month or two.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on September 24, 2022.

Lone Pine Share Shed

Need a tea kettle, a book or maybe some rubber boots?  Stop in at the Lone Pine Share Shed and you may very well find what you need.

I think this is a great idea!  Don't you?

And a bonus...right beside the door is this colourful planter of portulaca and marigolds.

The Share Shed is located beside a country road near Ewart, Manitoba.  

Photographed on August 16, 2022.

A Beautiful Place out in the Country

Photographed at Holy Ascension Church and Cemetery near Elm Springs, Saskatchewan on May 25, 2022.

Budda

This is a recreation of an authentic circa 1899 Ukrainian budda (a habitat made of tree trunks, branches, sod and hay) and is where the Ukrainian settlers lived while their homesteads were being sorted out by the powers that be.   

It was built in 1978 by Michael Swistun together with the Parkland Ukrainian Pioneer Association. 

A second budda was built at the same time and stood beside this one but, sadly, it recently burned down.  But...one is better than none.

Photographed near Olha, Manitoba on July 26, 2022.