Sandy Point Bridge

Sandy Point Bridge crosses the South Saskatchewan River near McNeill, Alberta.

Driving across (and through) a steel truss bridge is always somewhat of an "event" that never seems to lose its thrill.  One of those little things that adds some colour to an otherwise ho-hum day, if you know what I mean.   

Photographed along Buffalo Trail (Alberta 41) on February 24, 2022.

Holy Trinity near Pierceland

This is the Romanian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity near Pierceland, Saskatchewan.

It's a simple log building clad with siding built in 1934.  The church and cemetery are bordered on all sides by fully grown trees.  

Less than two hundred feet south of the church is the busy Provincial Trunk Highway (SK-55) but due to the tall shelterbelt of trees the view of the church is mostly obscured.  I'll bet many motorists have passed right by without catching even a glimpse of the church.  Blink...and you'll miss it.

Photographed on February 26, 2022.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines at sunset.

Photographed near Assiniboia, Saskatchewan on January 25, 2022.

Deer on a Hill

Some deer on a hill near Hatfield, Saskatchewan.

As I slowed down they turned to run but once I was stopped they all turned around for a look.

Half a dozen geese can be seen on the right (probably heading out to an open field for breakfast).

Photographed on March 23, 2022.

Saint John near Fidelity

Saint John the Evangelist Ukrainian Catholic Church near Fidelity, Alberta.

The twin cupolas and small central dome are topped with wrought iron crosses.  Another cross stands at the peak above the front entrance.  The building still has its cedar shake roof as well.

A close-up of one of the budded iron crosses.

Looks like a brand new sign by the church.

There is a cemetery bordered by a hedgerow just a few hundred feet west of the church.

Some photos of the church in summer including some interior shots can be seen 

here:  St. John Evangelist Fidelity Ukrainian Catholic Church

Photographed on February 21, 2020.

Fidelity School

A simple marker on the grounds of Fidelity School.  The school was open for forty-two years...a successful run for a pioneer school.

Someone has planted spruce trees on either side of the sign.

Looks like the old school building has been renovated as a community hall.  I was here on a Friday and the parking lot had been recently plowed...there must have been plans for a get-together on the weekend.    

Photographed near Fidelity, Alberta on February 21, 2020.

Elevator at Duval

A grain elevator on the outskirts of Duval, Saskatchewan.

The mustard yellow dust controllers and lettering stand out in high contrast with the rich red of the elevator and annexes.

A truck was unloading grain while I snapped a few shots.  Good to see it's still in use.

Photographed on March 23, 2022. 

Walter

Walter the whooping crane is town mascot in the Village of Govan, Saskatchewan. 

The fibreglass and steel structure is dedicated to the Last Mountain Wildlife Area located about fifteen miles northwest of town at the northern end of Last Mountain Lake.  This wildlife area was established in 1882 and is the oldest bird sanctuary in North America.

At the time "Walter" was unveiled in 1987 there were only 137 whooping cranes in existence.  Current statistics estimate there are now 506 left in the wild with another 79 in captivity.  They are doing a little better now thanks to protected wildlife sanctuaries. 

Growing up in southeastern Saskatchewan in the 1950's and '60's I can remember seeing them flying over the farm in spring on their way to Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and then again in fall on their way back to the County of Aransas in Texas.  Now that I live in southeastern Alberta, I miss seeing these graceful fliers on their migration route.

Information courtesy of Parks Canada and the Village of Govan.

Photographed on March 23, 2022.

Wiwa Creek Farms

An impressive gate sign near Rush Lake, Saskatchewan.

Another one of those "I'll stop next time" moments.

Photographed on March 25, 2022.

Rush Lake Creek Bridge

Something caught my eye the other day while driving down the busy Trans Canada Highway.  It was near Rush Lake, Saskatchewan and the object of interest was the same thing that had been catching my eye for well over forty-five years now: a one-arch bowstring bridge.  I always say to myself, "I'll stop next time."  Well, I decided that "next time" was going to be this time (finally).

The bridge is located about half a mile north of the highway and is situated on a dirt road that runs parallel to the railroad tracks.  I was expecting the bridge to be closed but to my surprise found that it was still in use and in great condition.  It's one of the best preserved examples of a bowstring bridge I've encountered in my travels.

The bridge crosses over Rush Lake Creek.

I would imagine most of the traffic over the bridge is now from farm vehicles.

The name is embossed on both the northeast corner and again on the southwest corner of the bridge.    

And just as I was about to leave a train passed by...woo woo!

Photographed on March 25, 2022.