The Old Bridge near Margaret

Chatting with a lady out walking her dog in town was a pleasant break from my drive in the countryside.  It was a chilly morning but as we stood talking the fall sun soon blessed us with some much needed warmth.  

About twenty minutes later when it came time for me to get back on the road she asked, "Have you seen the old bridge?"  

Hadn't seen one quite like this before.  It was only a short walk from the main road but well worth it, don't you think?          

Photographed near Margaret, Manitoba on October 16, 2022.

Іван i Марія

Іван i Марія Капіцький

Вічна пам'ять

Фотографії зроблені на православному кладовищі Святої Марії біля Сандро, Альберта, 9 вересня 2021 року.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

The school district was established in 1894 with the schoolhouse seen here operating from 1909 to 1967.

Tamarisk School was photographed near Grandview, Manitoba on July 22, 2022.

Stepping Stones

Some stepping stones placed around a grave in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery.

It's always a joy to see these little personal touches in a country cemetery.

Tread softly.

Photographed near Smuts, Saskatchewan.

How Sweet It Is

Daisy and I went to Elkwater yesterday afternoon.  Even though it was snowing heavily at times, the roads were in good condition and the trip was uneventful, as they say.  We made a pit stop at her house to get a few treats and then went for a drive around town where she could sniff and smell to her heart's delight.  

I hadn't taken any pictures of her for awhile so, as they also say, there's no time like the present.  Back at her house I parked in the driveway where she gave me this "how sweet it is" look.  

Uh huh...she's pretty sweet.

It's good to have some canine company every so often.

Photographed in Elkwater, Alberta on March 26, 2023. 

Somewhere in Vulcan County

The open road...

A few photos from one of several road trips through Vulcan County in Alberta.  The fall weather was mild and most enjoyable on this occasion...a delightful time out in the middle of nowhere.      

The main subject of my trips through the area was to find the over one hundred signs posted at the locations of former pioneer schoolhouses.  I found most of them but think that maybe a few have been the victim of cultivators or other farm machinery.

One day I'll post pictures of the signs.  Many of them are of similar design but the landscape they inhabit is captivating to say the least (that's speaking as a prairie boy, of course).

Photographed on October 14, 2018.  

Flirting and Feeding

A pair of ducks flirting on the river.  My bet is there will be ducklings in the spring!

Meanwhile on the other side of the bridge...

...was this solitary duck...

...there she goes...

...on a deep dive to find some food...

...just ripples now...

...(cue the sorrowful despairing orchestral music like they do in nature films)...

...she's been underwater for almost a minute now...

...oh there she is...safe and sound!  Hope she found something good to eat.

I've always found the simple everyday routines of wild creatures so engrossing.  Each time is the same...but different.

Photographed at Finlay Bridge in Medicine Hat, Alberta on January 11, 2023.

Sunny Day

It's always nice to take a break from "the usual" and go for a day trip in the country...especially when the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the canola is in full bloom.

Photographed near Hilda, Alberta on July 14, 2020.

"Красиве місце в країні"

"A Beautiful Place out in the Country"

Had visited Saint Ascension earlier in the day but felt a need to return to soak up more of the ambient history later in the day.

Over the years I've visited many Ukrainian Orthodox churches but this is one of maybe half a dozen places where the spirits of the past come alive and the past lingers all these years later.  Quite a rare and joyful experience. 

Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church was photographed at Maryville, Saskatchewan on August 7, 2020.

The Turner House

A visit to the remains of The Turner House.

Steel braces hold up the two remaining walls.  

With a little luck they'll stay upright for a many more years.

Thanks to those who have taken some time out of their day to help preserve this ol' girl. 

Photographed near Cessford, Alberta on March 17, 2023.