Winter Blah ...

The boys, nor their heifer 'Lucky' were very impressed with the weather again today.  The temperature hovered around the -23C mark but between the wind and the 'off and on' snow flurries, outside activities became inside activities.  The boys were enjoying a PD day from school and had hoped to work on their igloo or dig out a snow fort from the huge snow drifts that have been forming lately.  However, after heading out to the corrals to check on the livestock with 'Mom,' they opted for a fort made out of blankets and chairs!  There might have been a mug or two of hot chocolate as well!

Winter Wind

Blow, blow, thou winter wind ...

~William Shakespeare

Yes, call this abstract or call it out of focus but trust me, if you were anywhere in Alberta, Canada last night and early into the morning, you know exactly what was going on!  I think most of us, at one point or another, woke to that howling, COLD wind!  After listening to the wind and dreaming about the wind and fearing everything in the yard had blown away ... I awoke to a windchill of -42C!  Brrr!  Oh well, the kids didn't have school, their Dad was home and we enjoyed the day ... INSIDE with the fireplace burning!  

A Twist on Winter

The sun shone bright again today and with that, I decided to play with my IR Filter!  Winter is certainly not the best time for taking IR images but I thought 'what the heck!'  I LOVE IR Imagery ... otherwise known as 'infrared' imagery.  There is a science behind it and I have much to learn!  This was my first attempt at it and it's nothing spectacular, that's for sure.  However, here's hoping I can figure it out before spring arrives!

Glistening Under the Moon

Moonlight is sculpture.  

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Ah ... if you headed outside tonight, you would've enjoyed a wonderful night ... at least in this part of the world!  It's -14C but there was absolutely no wind and all I could hear was the squeaking of the snow under the horses and cattle's feet as they milled around their feed!  The coyotes must have worn themselves out howling under the full moon the night before!  I love how the snow glistens under a full moon in the winter!

Early Morning

Every morning is a beautiful morning. 

~Terri Guillemets

I absolutely love watching an early morning sunrise.  There is something to be said about watching the sun peer over the horizon and slowly drench the shadows of the landscape with its rays of warmth and light!  I enjoy watching the sunrise at the best of times but I must admit it is much easier to admire them during the shorter days of the year.  It's hard getting up at 4:00am and heading out into the mosquitoes!  The 7:00-8:00am winter sunrises with a cup of coffee in hand and no bugs has its perks!

Fresh Horses

The sun remained and the horses were feeling very 'fresh' on this beautiful, Friday afternoon!  Have a great weekend everyone!

You Do What Ya Gotta Do!

The wind stopped blowing and the sun returned and 'Rosie' took it upon herself to clean out her nostrils!  Haha ... I guess you do what you gotta do!  What choice does a bovine have?

Blasted Wind!!!

Ah yes, that blasted wind has been howling again all day and with the blowing and drifting snow ... that windchill has a BITE!!!  We've already endured 3 months of winter but somehow I think we've got at least a couple of more months of winter to tolerate!  All I know, is that on these cold, grey, bleak days its hard not to dream about 'greener pastures!'

Perched

Chests puffed and beaks buried ... even the Rock Doves (Columba livia) ... aka domestic pigeons are trying to keep warm these days!  I think it was only -15C today but the breeze certainly has a bite to it!  Snow is in the forecast ... and if it's going to stay overcast and grey, it might as well snow!!

Those Winter Sunsets

The sky is that beautiful old parchment in which 

the sun and the moon keep their diary.  

~Alfred Kreymborg

With mostly overcast skies throughout the day, I couldn't resist taking in the setting sun! I know ... another sunset!  However, nothing quite compares to the warmth of its glow on a January day!  

Brisk ...

A light dusting of fresh snow and a bit of wind through the night certainly 'cooled' things off!  However, today was not that bad of a day!  It was certainly 'brisk' at -20C this afternoon but the sun was shining and the snow was glistening!  I love how the wind leaves behind a small sea of snow waves!

Winter Karma

Did I think and write that 'spring' word recently???  Haha!  Even going as far as that will find 'Old Man Winter' reminding you that winter is still here!  Yes, after spending the day in a hockey arena with the boys, 'Old Man Winter' reared his head and gave us a fresh dusting of snow and added a miserable wind that will take the temperatures down to -38C overnight!!!  So, here I sit in front of my fireplace ... where it's toasty warm!

Spring Is In The Air ...

... At least for today that is!  Wow, this is January?  Sweet!!!  Hmm ... I best not say that out loud!  Yes, we enjoyed another glorious, spring-like day!  The water was dripping, the roads were getting sloppy and the snow is 'shrinking!'  A great way to end the work week!  Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Enjoying the Heat Wave!

We still have plenty of snow but it has certainly settled!  I'm not certain what the high temperature was for today but I do know we at one point were at least +3C.  We'll enjoy this January heat wave while we can ... I think it's supposed to get very COLD again!

Mr. Attitude!

Meet Mr. Attitude ... 'Max!  The boys found him a few years ago as a wee kitten stranded in one of our trees in the middle of January, hours before a bitterly cold snap returned. Hmm ... perhaps it's the memory of that weather that found him leisurely 'window hunting' from our bed on this January, +4C day!  Is it a coincidence that the weather has turned colder and it is now snowing tonight?  Despite the devilish lil' horns that magically appear on the top of his head ... DAILY ... those pale green eyes get us every time!

A Beauty of a Day!

Ah ... it was +3C before the sun rose this morning and we reached a high of +6C by this afternoon!  The water was dripping and the birds were certainly chirping!  As the sunset and we bid this January day farewell, it remains above freezing!  It was a beauty of a day!

Winter = Snow, Snow = Winter!

A bit of snow, a bit more snow, and still snowing.  My level of enthusiasm to head out into the great outdoors with my camera today equated to the same enthusiasm most people have with the arrival of a 'Monday!'  I guess the snow and Monday truly went hand in hand today!  The bonus, they are calling for freezing rain overnight!  That should make things interesting!

Those Winter Days ...

Ah ... so here it is, Sunday!  The sun shared it's gleam ... momentarily, a few flakes fell and the remainder of the day was a bit on the overcast, blah side.  However, with each winter day that passes, spring is a day closer and although the days are still very short, they are becoming longer!

Who's Afraid of the Dark?

The forgotten wonder of the 'night sky!'  Even at midnight and -24C ... it forever amazes me!  I often question how many people really do look up and watch the night sky anymore?  In my humble opinion ... not near enough!  So many of us are lost in the lights and don't escape them or give ourselves the opportunity to savour the natural wonders that surround us.  Personally, I could sit outside at night for hours, night after night and still be in complete awe of the universe!  I'll blame my parents ... we would sit out for hours with them when we were kids and count satellites, shooting stars, name constellations, etc.  And yes ... I drag my boys out to look at the sky!  We're not afraid of the dark!

A Good Winter's Day

Well, the sun was out, the wind wasn't howling and I didn't have to dig anything out of the snow!  That certainly makes it a good day in my books ... even if it's a bit on the 'fresh' (-24C) side of things!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Stuck!

I will admit ... this is an older photo but it pretty much sums up my afternoon!  Oh trust me, I did have my camera with ... but with each shovel of snow, my enthusiasm to document my 'Stuck' grew weary!  The only difference between this stuck and today's 'Stuck' ... it was on a different part of the road, in harder, deeper snow!  I love my car for the most part but on those days when the prairie wind blows and the snow drifts, my car becomes my enemy.  I am not a fan of digging out the entire under carriage of the family wagon!

Golden

It was truly another gorgeous day!  After the kids returned from school, we enjoyed the golden warmth of the sun, while taking our hounds for a walk.  However, the clouds were moving in from the north west ... snow flurries were predicted for tonight and as I quickly glance outside ... the snow flurries have arrived!

Just a Quick Stroll

As life returned to 'reality,' I did manage to escape for a quick snowshoe stroll!  Nothing too wild and crazy ... just a quick snap of my "Wobbly, Nobbly Woods" and some rose hips!    Wow, the rose hips are getting picked over.  It was another beautiful January day!  How often do we get to say that during the month of January?

Winter Cattails

I love the 'poof' of cattails in the winter!

As the Sun Sets ...

The harsh reality that the holidays are over is beginning to set in.  As a family, we had a wonderful holiday season with our kids and as their Mom, I'm not quite ready for us to return to the daily grind.  I love having my boys at home.  Their boundless energy and non-stop chatter and laughter is heart warming to me.  However, routine is a good thing and I guess it's time to return to that ... DARN!  So, after watching the sunset, it was supper, our Sunday 'Walt Disney' family movie ritual and early to bed!  Tomorrow is a new day!

The Power of Wind

Approximately 50km NE of us lies what is now known as Alberta's newest and largest wind farm.  The Village of Halkirk, is now home to 83 wind turbines, generating 150 megawatts of power.  It is definitely 'different' seeing these beasts tower over the landscape.

Reaching for the Sun

If you truly love Nature, 

you will find beauty everywhere.  

~Vincent Van Gogh

Even in the winter, there is beauty in a prairie forb!

The Setting Sun

Although January and February have a tendency to be our coldest months, they also produce some of the most amazing colourful skies!  I love sunsets during the winter months!

A Sliver of Moon Light

Good intentions that slipped quickly behind the clouds!  With all of this snow and the moon moving into it's last quarter, the nightscape is beautiful.  My plan was for a series of night shots.  However, the clouds had a different plan!

Blasting in 2013!

One way of ringing in the new year ... launching your 'ROCKET's!'  We actually celebrated New Year's in Calgary with the boys Aunt and Uncle and friends, so the rockets were a 'pre-New Years activity'.  The weather has significantly warmed up, so nothing quite beats snacks, chinese food, a bon fire, roasted marshmallows, smores, a few beverages and games!  We hope you all had a great day and wish you a very happy New Year!  WOW, I still can't believe it's now 2013!