Good Morning!

The sun is but a morning star.  ~Henry David Thoreau, Walden

There is definitely something magical about seeing the sunrise early in the morning ... especially in the spring!  "The dawn of a new day" as they say!  I am so thankful that I can look out my windows with a coffee in hand and take in such sights!  It's even better when you can sit outside, smell the crisp morning air and listen to the birds singing!  It lends 'promise!'



Soaking Up Vitamin D!

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.  I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow them."  Louisa May Alcott

It is amazing how the sun can lift our spirits!  After almost 2 weeks of bleak weather the sun finally chewed through the clouds and brightened our day!  It was a great day ... a SPRING day!  YES!!! 

Inspiration!

"All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it." ~ Samuel Butler

Sometimes you need to look to a rodent for inspiration!  Yes, rodent ... inspiration!  After a momentary glimpse of the sun, the fog rolled right back in and the grey, gloomy days we've had for almost 2 weeks persisted.  Certain that I am lacking Vitamin D and growing crankier with each passing, gloomy day ... out, through the fog sat a lil' Richardson's Ground Squirrel ... aka "GOPHER!"  With a sparkle in his eye and an upright stance, he looked around, stretched and started grooming himself!  Apparently, unphased by the fog and the SNOW, he was just happy to surface from his burrow!!  Hmmm ... I am happy to report that spotting a gopher is another sign that spring is on its way AND I am happy to say that spotting this lil' gopher brought a smile to my face! 

A Week of Spring!

 I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.  ~Andrew Wyeth

Hmmmm .... I don't know if I could say I prefer winter ... fall is okay!  However, we've officially enjoyed a full week of spring!  Haha!  Apparently "Spring" is a joke this year (Winter has a bad sense of humor) and I just haven't found the joke funny!  Even a reflection demonstrates the bleakness we've endured lately.  How many days has it been since we've seen that round, bright object in the sky?  What is that thing called? 

On the bright side, the temperature is warming up and water droplets are forming!  We are about to see ALOT of water drops forming!  The snow is DEEP and my snowshoes are still not on sale ... apparently they will be available in May ... I wonder if that will be too late?

Note to Self!

Oooops!  If you (meaning 'I') are not going to be home to download your camera and post a pic to your blog ... and your intention is to use the computer where you are staying ... one should really remember the camera cord!  2 pics coming up!  One for yesterday and one for today!

Unimpressed (The March Hare)!

Meet one of my resident "White-tailed Jackrabbits"  (Lepus townsendii).  We have a pair of them that have taken refuge in our yard for the last few years!  I was on my way out to check cows, when I spooked the poor lad out of his shelter from the cold, snow and WIND!  Was he impressed?  I don't think so!  However, I was happy to see that his winter coat is starting to turn for the spring and summer.  Hopefully, for his sake, the snow disappears before his white coat completely disappears!

A Smidge of Color and Some Bad Humor!

Spring was hibernating today ... there was not a hint of it too be found!  However, I did manage to find a hint of color, deep in the snow!  These rosehips apparently do not taste as good as my trees and shrubs in my yard!  (perhaps I need to draw a map for the deer)  Haha!  I also have an excess of snowmen kits remaining in my yard!  Any takers?

Searching for Spring

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.  Henry Van Dyke

Do you ever wonder if Winter will leave and Spring will finally arrive?  I know with the amount of snow, fog and wind we've received over the course of the last week I have questioned if our winter wonderland will ever disappear!  After being a bit cranky with the weather yesterday, I thought I would really search for some signs of Spring!  Granted. there are not that many... not yet!  However, if you look close enough, you can see them!!  I just know spring is around the corner!!! 

It Sucks When You Get Stuck!

My day started off being stuck and it ended being stuck!!  I drove for almost 6 hours on 'crappy' roads and was very relieved to finally make it back home ... despite having to walk to the house!  Haha!  NOT!!!  I have several old wagon wheels kickin' around and as I was walking past a set near the house, I asked myself, 'how many snow storms did that set drive through?'  'How many miles of blustery, snowy conditions did horses and our ancestors have to endure before they made it to their destination?'  If wagon wheels could only talk ... I think they would've whispered 'suck it up sunshine' ... at least your 'wagon's' wheels provided heat and a great lil' stereo!!

Spring Blizzards ...

Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail.  ~Proverb

UGH!  I think we are being lashed with a tail!  Although the temperature was not that bad outside, the snow and wind took their toll on the roads!  The school buses did not run and the school was closed today.  I attempted to take some 'great' pics ... but alas ... my fingers got cold!  However, I did get a pic of my little sister who is visiting from North Vancouver!  I think her facial expression says it all!  Despite the weather, we still managed to have some fun with my kids outside in the snow!  Snow drifts are 'everywhere' and provide a great opportunity for digging tunnels!  However, I think I need to mention that I saw a flock of geese flying over ... they changed their course and were headed back south!  I am SERIOUS!!!!  :(

Winter Winds

Well, I must admit ... I am a bit testy today!  I am rather certain its due to a lack of Vitamin D ... I think this is day 4 or 5 without the sun!  Adding to the white landscape and the grey sky, Mother Nature is ensuring that we Albertan's do not hold our breath for the arrival of spring like weather anytime soon and is slapping us with another dose of winter.  Hmmm .... I actually did see 2 ... yes, 2 gophers out the other day!!  I wonder what their thoughts are on the current weather situation?  I could really express my opinion but I'll refrain!!  I think my picture says it all!  :(

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow ...

Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together.
- Verna M. Kelly

The spring equinox has officially arrived yet winter seems to be hanging on with all its might!  So, since it was not sunny and warm, rather cold and snowy, I decided for my first official 'seasons 365 project pic' I would attempt to find beauty on such a day!  Yes, snowflakes are definitely fragile, beautiful and each one unique ... however they do pack a powerful punch when they stick together!!

The Dripping Drift!

I like these cold, gray winter days.  Days like these let you savor a bad mood.  ~Bill Watterson

I think this lil' quote says it all!  I think there just might be one or two of us savoring a bad mood and itching with spring fever!  Well, the 6 ft drift surrounding our big corral is showing some signs of warmer weather.  I love how the wind can sculpt beauty into cold, white stuff!

Seasons 365 Project

Welcome to my personal year long adventure!  Starting with the spring equinox on March 20th, 2011, I am hoping to capture an image each day of each season.  Since I tend to use my camera everyday as it is, I thought I would use this blog to share the images I capture.  NO, I am not a professional photographer BUT I am rather passionate about photography and I am always trying to improve my photography skills.  Taking pictures is the only way to do that.  I hope you enjoy the images I capture!  I would love for you to follow my photographic journey and to hear any feedback you may have!