Winter Shopping!

We spent this final day of February shopping!  Shopping for Hereford Bulls and Hereford Heifers!  You can't beat them (in our opinion)!  I'm excited to get our new boys and girls home!  

A Little Family Winter Fun

A bit of fresh snow from a few days ago, a bit of sunshine and the big hill in the hayfield closest to home always makes for some quick family winter fun ... even after school!  

Oh, Those Power Poles ...

Do you ever feel like you've driven the same stretch of highway so much that you can tell everyone how many power poles there are ... ???

The City Mouse, The Country Mouse and Their Winter Treasure Hunt

Although it might seem like I fell off the radar for a few days, the truth is my fellow photog friend from the city came for a visit.  With camera's in hand and snowshoes strapped on our feet ... we spent the entire weekend seeking out prairie treasures!  

From old equipment, historic buildings to abandoned farm yards and roads less travelled ... it was amazing what we found! 

Dreaming of Spring ...

Since 'Spring' isn't ready to arrive and colour my world ... I'll add the colour and dream of Spring!  

Diamond In the Rough

When snow falls, nature listens.  

~Antoinette van Kleeff

It was a mixed bag of weather today.  Overcast, dull and grey, flurries, moments of sunshine and fog.  However, despite my 'spring fever' syndrome, I was determined to find some cheer from another long winter's day!  Snowflakes!  Yup, little tiny snowflakes stuck to tree branches!  I know ... but snowflakes are amazing and if there was going to be a diamond in the rough ... snowflakes were it!

Empty Nest Syndrome

No ... not that kind of empty nest syndrome!  I'm referring to the February winter blues on a cold, dull, grey winter day!  The kind of day that makes you miss the song birds and  flowers and the sweet smell of spring!  Perhaps I am suffering from a bit of 'spring fever' today!

The Great Hawaiian Escape

Hmm ... to think I have relatives that have the nerve to ATTEMPT escaping an Alberta, Winter!!!

And better yet, send me their pictures from Hawaii!!  

Now, I won't mention the Albertan's who permanently live in Hawaii (Yes D ... I'm talking about YOU!  Haha!) but I will mention my DAD & Flory!  You two can run but you can't hide!

Welcome back to Winter!

YUCK!

To say it was a beautiful February day was certainly an understatement at times today!  After a fresh dusting of snow, wind, blowing snow and mild temperatures that hovered around the 0C mark ... the roads were a sheet of ice!  Needless to say, we stuck close to home!

The Rise of the Weekend

As the sun rose on the eastern horizon this morning, we knew our busy weekend had arrived!  For those celebrating the Family Day long weekend ... enjoy everyone!  

Vantage Point

Why is it that I never have my 300mm lens when I need it?  Then again, why is it, that a "Nikkor Lens Fairy" hasn't sent me my dream AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 G ED VR with a 2x teleconverter???  Hahahaha ... Friday humour!!!  Well, as luck would have it, this female, Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) decided to perch herself up in a tree not too far from me while I was out for a Friday afternoon stroll with all of my boys and my lil' 85mm lens!  LOL!

Many people refer to this 'sensitive' species as a "Prairie Chicken" and you certainly do a double take when you see a chicken-like bird sitting high up in a tree!  The Sharp-tailed Grouse is a native game bird that one tends to encounter when small flocks of them burst into flight from long, thick grass.

During the summer months, the Sharp-tailed grouse have a diet made up of insects, seeds and grasses.  In the winter, they focus their diet on buds and berries!  Perhaps this grouse was checking out the rose-hip patch just below her!  Grouse 'snow roost' during the winter months and are very well equipped for our winter climate!  So there you have it ... Sharp-tailed Grouse lesson 101 on a Friday!  Have a great weekend everyone!

Be My ...

The eskimos had fifty-two names for snow 

because it was important to them: 

there ought to be as many for love.  

~Margaret Atwood

Hoping each and everyone of you had a special day surrounded by loved ones!  

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!  ❤

Oh That Drifting Snow ...

If you're not from the prairie,

You don't know the wind,

You can't know the wind.

Our cold winds of winter cut right to the core ...

~David Bouchard

The sky was blue, the temperatures were mild ... but the WIND was wild!  Thank goodness the temperatures were as mild as they were (-1C) and it wasn't snowing!  The roads are a mess as it is!

Winter in Black and White

The whole point of taking pictures is so you don't have to explain things with words.

~ Elliot Erwitt

Another beautiful, mild February day!  Hmm ... I hope we don't get 'payback' come March!  

A Winter's Monday

The day somehow came and went but before the sun completely disappeared, the boys and I managed to take the hounds for a walk!  On our way home, I caught 'Ri-Dog' pondering life at the top of the hill!  My response was 'look at that moose of a dog's legs!'      Thank goodness he has an adorable personality, he truly is a bit of a moose!

A Winter's Day ... Scouting!

After the wind howled through the night, the boys, their Dad and myself headed up past Shooting Lake for a day of Winter Cub Scout activities! 

Brr ... I found it a bit cold (but I will admit ... my fingers are wimpy in the cold!)

The kids had plenty of fun snowshoeing, they cooked their own meals on their own homemade heat sources, learned about tying knots, building shelters and gained some great winter camping/winter survival tips throughout the day!  

There might have been a few cold fingers at the end of the day but I think they also learned the importance of dressing appropriately for the conditions and how to appreciate a good cup of hot chocolate at the end of the day!