Prairie Rattler

On my way home from Saint Margaret's today I saw this prairie rattler along Eagle Butte Road.  

Used to see them all the time in southern Alberta but catching sight of one these days is a special treat.  

Photographed near Wolchester, Alberta on July 29, 2023.

At Daisy's House

At Daisy's house early one morning...

I'd just started pruning the big mayday tree when mama deer arrived with her twins.  As far as they were concerned, I was making breakfast easy for them...fresh cut leaves all over the lawn...how could things be better than that!  They kept an eye on me as they gobbled up the easy pickins...the little ones were a little timid but mom seemed to think everything was a-okay.  Most of the time they were barely six feet away from me.  The company of "wild" animals always adds a new perspective to the day.

Meanwhile, in the back alley, the resident pheasant was out with his young ones.  They're pretty shy and once they sense a human presence they quickly disappear into the tall grass on the hillside.

Some hours later, and after all the wildlife had departed...

Daisy and her buddy Jesse came home from the lake.  They kept me company while I pruned the old crabapple tree in the front yard.  Jesse likes to play fetch and really enjoyed the fresh crabapple branches to chew and chase.  He's a dog that needs to be kept busy...and it's pretty sweet when he wants to cuddle.  Daisy likes to hang out in the shade but often comes over to lick my ear and have a tummy rub...she's a sweetie.

Being the gardener definitely has its perks.   

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on July 25, 2023.

Horses near Smoky Butte

Five handsome horses by a big slough...

...surrounded by tall yellow clover.

Photographed near Smoky Butte, North Dakota on June 22, 2023.

Buck

First thing in the morning...

I was walking into the backyard at Pat's place where I needed to do some pruning and there was this handsome buck.  Bambi all grown up.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on July 22, 2023.

Butterfly

Close-ups of a delicate and colourful creature.  

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

Five in a Row

Early morning sunlight on what look like some brand-spanking-new grain hopper bins.  They look rather regal out there in the prairie landscape.

Photographed near Schuler, Alberta on September 16, 2019.

Grasshoppers for Breakfast

Yesterday morning I was working in Riverside where a pair of hawks (or maybe they're falcons?) have moved into the neighbourhood.  I was busy pruning a large ninebark when I noticed this one in the backyard devouring grasshoppers....mmmm, grasshoppers for breakfast!

A little later I talked to Dave, the next-door neighbour, and he said that just a few days ago two of them were enjoying a shower under his oscillating sprinkler while feasting on grasshoppers.  That's the life!

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on July 22, 2023.

The Ukrainian Flag

Colourful, bold and strong.

   

Photographed near Westhazel, Saskatchewan on July 16, 2023.

Westhazel S.D. No. 1337

The sky was thick with smoke from the forest fires in British Columbia as I drove from Medicine Hat to Lloydminster this past Saturday.  Smoky skies are, in a word, oppressive but, to my delight  I woke up to clear blue skies the following morning.  I always function better on a sunny day...after breakfast, it was time to hit the road and enjoy the nice weather and visit some of the historical sites in the area.  Westhazel School was just one of many discoveries during my Sunday drive. 

This little one-room schoolhouse is in pretty rough condition but still looks pretty solid.  Hope it stands upright for many more years.   

Glad I had a chance to visit on such a pleasant day.

Photographed near Westhazel, Saskatchewan on July 16, 2023.

Saint Anthony's at Grosswerder

The kindness of strangers...

...I was taking some photos of Saint Anthony's Church when a couple in a pickup pulled over.  They were curious about who I was and what I was up to way out in the middle of nowhere (both of which are reasonable questions).  It didn't take long and we were chatting up a storm and having some laughs.  Deciding that I wasn't up to no good, they asked, "Would you like to see inside?"

Little seems to have changed inside the church in well over a century.  The addition of electricity is likely the most recent update.  The original altar, colour scheme, captivating set of Stations of the Cross and three bells in the bell tower all in tact.   

The sky was thick with smoke that day so the the outdoor photos aren't what I'd hoped for...my next visit will be on a "blue sky" day I'm sure.  There is a statue of Saint Anthony above the front door and a small outdoor altar in a protected corner of the churchyard.  The church is still in use.

The cemetery is on the opposite side of the road about a quarter of a mile west and is populated with many grave markers both old and new.  It's also still in use.

Thank you kind people for inviting me into your beautiful country church.  Making new friends is always a good thing...and thank you for brightening up a gloomy day.

Photographed near Grosswerder, Saskatchewan on July 15, 2023.