Taking Flight!

Yes, ... they are in fact, pigeons!  And when they are not perched and cooing on the bins, the corral fences, or in buildings, ... startled, they swoop up and take short, circular flights back to the same location!

Painted Daisies!

Swaying in the summer breeze, these painted daisies are out in my perennial flower bed.  They are such a rich, deep color ... and depending on the light, they are either a deep pink or a bright red.  I just love the contrast of the bright yellow center against each flower petal.

Lightning Strikes!

It was a beautiful day in central Alberta.  However, the heat of the day combined with the moisture we have, are fantastic ingredients for 'thunderstorms.'  It has been awhile since I captured (attempted to capture) lightning strikes!  Hmmm ... somehow, I think I will be given other opportunities throughout this summer!  Practice, practice, practice!  Hahaha!

A Smokey Morning!

No, these are not great photos ... but if you live anywhere in Alberta ... I am certain you woke to a smokey one like we did.  Eventually, the smoke thinned out ... but I'll be happy when the forest fires up north are out and the clear blue skies return!

"Watchful Eyes" Update!

Driving home after checking crops tonight ... I spotted some baby hawks up in their nest.  If you've been following along, I did an updated post back on June 9th called "Watchful Eyes."  Back then, I was able to snap a photo of 'Mama' hawk perched in the nest, both her and her mate chose as their 'summer time' vacation home!

Well, from the looks of things ... there are for sure, two little fuzzy baby hawk heads peering out of the nest.  Hmmm ... still needing that new lens and teleconverter!  Perhaps I need to write my list in BIGGER FONT for my hubby!  Haha!  Well, I don't think I dare get any closer than the road ... Mama hawk is not too fond of visitors!

The Lilacs Are in Bloom

Yes, they do seem very late this year ...usually our yard is full of sweet smelling lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) at the end of May, beginning of June ... one of those SPRING things!  Hmmm ... however, 'better late than never!'

Knee Deep!

I was Southern Alberta bound today ... and it was a beautiful morning for a drive.  Even better ... it was a beautiful morning to cool your feet, and have a drink!  Not far from home, these horses were enjoying the slough and slough grass!  They apparently didn't mind being knee deep and taking it all in!

GRASS!

Yup ... just grass!  But I love it!  Especially prairie grass!  There is nothing more mesmerizing as watching a sea of long grass blow in the wind!

A Ruddy Duck!

They refer to this small duck, as the "clowns of the wetlands."  And if you sit back and watch these beautiful chestnut colored ducks with their bright blue bills slapping the water with their bills ... you will understand why!  These handsome fellows are just comical to watch!

Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) are the only member of the stiff-tailed ducks to be found in our province.  And with that blue bill, big head and stiff tail ... they are hard to miss!  The sloughs and cattail marshes are full of them right now.  They will stick around for the summer and begin to disappear in September.

The Rise of a New Season!

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED

Although it was not officially summer when this morning's sunrise came over the hills, it was indeed a summer like sunrise!  And ... every morning going forward, will be an official summer sunrise ... that of course, until FALL arrives (but lets not think about that for awhile)!

The LAST Day of Spring!

WOW!  So ... it arrived and although it seemed to take forever ... in a blink ...it is gone!  Spring 2011 will now be a part of our past!  To commemorate the LAST day of spring, the wild roses have began to bloom.  With the cooler temperatures and the rain, the air is fresh and crisp and filled with the sweet smell of roses, sage and of course, silver berry.  I truly wish I could bottle it up for each of you!  Thank you for enduring the first season with me! I hope my photos are improving (sometimes I think yes ... and other days, well, not so much).  Although I can't bottle up the fragrance of the prairie, I hope I've been able to capture and share with you a hint of this gorgeous land during spring.

Wishing each of you a warm, sunny and wonderful summer! 

Cheers!

TM

One Heck of a Dad!

It's Father's Day ... and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank not only my DAD, Bob ... but the father of my children ... Brad!  He truly is one of the hardest working people I know.  Despite the hours he works, he makes his family his top priority!  He loves our boys and would climb every mountain for them, he truly is 'one heck of a Dad!'

Although, it rained all day again, we celebrated Father's day by helping our Scout group serve breakfast for the Good Sam Jamboree this morning and then spent the day in Calgary stocking up on some camping/canoeing gear!  We finished the day, celebrating Father's Day with Grandpa Wilkins ... aka my Dad!  Dad's play such a huge part in a child's life ... I'm lucky to have such great Dad's in my life!  Thankyou!!

Our 21 Year Olds!

It poured BUCKETS ... ALL day today!  I think the old saying "April showers ..."  should be changed to "June monsoon ... wet monsoon!"  However, since we have no control over the weather ... I'll let that go!  Haha!  Anyhow, while out feeding little Miss "Lucky" tonight (in between rain clouds) I snapped a few pictures of our 21 yr olds!  Meet 'Fritz and Spritz!' And no... the names were not planned.  I raised Spritz and my husband purchased Fritz a few years after we were married!

Fritz is one of my husband's rope horses (although Ryley appears to be staking claim of Fritz these days) and Spritz, who you met earlier in the spring, is my baby girl!

She has the most gorgeous mane ... that is forever twisted by the wind!  I'll spend hours untangling that mess and within a day ... its twisted up again!

Just after snapping these few shots ... the rain clouds moved back in ... and yes, its still coming down!  How many more days till SUMMER?

Blossoms!

Spring is coming to an end ... and I've yet to plant up any of my plant pots!  This is very unusual for me but somehow ... it just hasn't happened this year!  Despite the lack of potted plants ... my perennials are beginning to bloom!  And with all the rain and overcast days we've been having ... seeing some colorful blossoms is a welcomed addition to my yard!  Perhaps I need to visit the greenhouse!

A Storm is Brewing

Well, it has rained here most of the day!  However, the clouds did move off for a couple of hours late this afternoon ... just in time to rebuild!  It is raining again, but when you are out checking crops under such an amazing spectacle ... its hard not to snap a few pics (166+).  These are just a few I thought you might enjoy!