Bison near Orcadia

I love these majestic beasts.

Photographed near Orcadia, Saskatchewan on October 14, 2022.

Barn near Surprise

A barn near Surprise, Saskatchewan.

Just as I was about to leave an owl appeared in the hayloft door.  I'll bet there's a nest with owlets somewhere inside.  Mama owl picked a nice spot to raise her babies.

Photographed on May 15, 2023.

United Church

The United Church in Garland, Manitoba.  It was built in 1916 and originally named Saint John’s Ruthenian Presbyterian Church.  

The Presbyterian Church of Canada assumed the role of converting Ukrainian pioneers to the Presbyterian faith.  I think the fact that so many Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches far outnumber United churches tells the story.  

In 1925 the Presbyterian Church joined the new United Church of Canada.

Information courtesy of the Manitoba Historical Society. 

Photographed on October 12, 2022.

Holland

Welcome to Holland, Manitoba!

Photographed on August 20, 2022.

Apple Tree

The apple tree in Linda and Lawrences's backyard is putting on quite a show this spring.  Enjoy!

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 13, 2023.

Foggy Morning

Sunrise accompanied by fog. 

 

Fog is not something you see every day here in southeastern Alberta and these are not the colours one usually associates with a foggy morning...much like a real-live sepia tone.

Something I've come to appreciate over the years is that from where I live in town I can be out in the country in about five minutes.  Everyone should have that luxury.

Photographed near Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 13, 2023.

Bethel Lutheran in the Danvers District

An early morning drive from Dauphin on the John Bracken Highway through Riding Mountain National Park... 

My first stop was this glorious sign for Bethel Lutheran Church set against a field of blooming canola. 

Less than a mile away was this handsome church and cemetery...impeccably kept and obviously cherished by the descendants of the pioneers in the Danvers District of Manitoba.

The cornerstone...

...and a peek inside.

Friendly checkout at the motel and a delicious breakfast in Dauphin followed by a drive through the park where I saw black bears and deer...then a visit to Bethel Lutheran Church and Cemetery.  Great start to the day, don't you think?

Bethel Lutheran Church and Cemetery was photographed near Ditch Lake, Manitoba on July 25, 2022.

Scott Larry

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away"

Photographed in Bethel Lutheran Cemetery near Ditch Lake, Manitoba on July 25, 2022.

Gardening on a Saturday

Was out at sunrise this morning to tend to some regular gardening duties.  Even though spring is late here in southeastern Alberta there are a few plants showing their colours and brightening up my day.

After a quick trip out to an acreage I was in Pat's yard:

An early-blooming cushion spurge with its sulfur-yellow flowers.

I love this variety of Spirea.  The new growth is always such a brilliant and showy crimson colour.

 

The heart-shaped pink flowers of an old-fashioned favourite...a bleeding heart.

Then next door at Dave's place:

The white blossoms of a Honeycrisp apple tree.  These are one of the tastiest apples you can find anywhere and they store well for the winter...Dave was still eating the apples picked in September the following March.

Two doors down at Bill and Margaret's:

Hints of pink on the new growth of a false spirea.  Their appearance has always struck me as something far too exotic to grow here in the south...but they do.

Hosta leaves edged in yellow.  The deer often think that hostas are simply a salad planted just for them.  

The lovely lavender flowers of a creeping phlox.

At Lawrence's office:

The caraganas are reaching full bloom.  They have proven to be one of the hardiest prairie plants.

Mama bush bunny had a couple of babies recently and this is one of the pair.  The youngsters are cute as a button and also help with the lawn mowing.  They live under the deck in the backyard. 

An early display of dwarf irises...one of my favourites of the early-blooming perennials.

And ending in Linda and Lawrence's yard:

A lone tulip blooming amongst the ferns and trunks of a mountain ash tree.

I'm still somewhat astounded that people pay me to do this.  Who would have thought?

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 13, 2023.

At the Lake

At the lake last fall.  

I don't think I've ever seen the water so clear.

Photographed at Elkwater in the beautiful Cypress Hills of Alberta on October 3, 2022.