Milky way by Firelight

I live to get outside rain or shine. So it was really easy for my siblings to talk me into going camping up at Inverhuron Provincial Park. The area has a fairly dark sky, which makes it great for viewing the stars. I decided to step out away from the circle of light created by our camp fire, and get a shot of the milky way. One of the things I love about this image, is the interesting light and shadows cast onto the trees. Really contrasts well with the milkyway above. If you are in the market for a Ultra Wide lens, the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 lens is fantastic. If you shoot directly into a bright light source it will flare, and I might not shoot it at F2.8. Inverhuron Provincial Park

Beware of Rattlesnakes

During my trip to Alberta in 2012 I had some goals I wanted to accomplish. For this shot, I accomplished 3 of them: 1) photograph a beautiful old abandoned building on the prairies; 2) photograph a storm building on the prairies; 3) Found a rattlesnake (ideally photograph it). I was meandering down some roads in the prairies in Alberta that were definitely qualified to have the title of 'The Road Less Traveled', and this was one of them. With zero no cell reception, few people driving the road, long hike to any where makes it a tough spot should you get stuck. I did see more traffic on most of the trails I visited in Banf and Kananaskis. To me I hadn't discovered a derelict and abandoned old farm house, but a beautiful old building that was a window to the past. This building was different than some of the others I had seen. It was smaller, had more character and definitely looked like an early building that may have occupied someones homestead a few years after they got things up and running. The storm in the background to me was perfect. This house must have bared witness to years of struggle, hardships, and potentially strife. I almost always take a quick first shot. Just in case. Then proceed to plan the scene I want, and start experimenting with the shots after. I was enjoying the sense of depth the two remaining walls were creating by overlapping each other. I wanted to build on that. I wanted to show how it was missing 2 walls, and to do so I was going to change angles. As I was wandering through the long grass at the side of the road to get a better angle... thats when I heard it. I heard the tell tale warning of a rattle in the grass a head of me. So quickly retracing my steps, I leapt into the awaiting car. The old signage I had seen on the road for miles was 'Please Break for our Rattlesnakes.' It did warn me, it didn't strike, and it probably left as soon as I did. But I really didn't want to go back down and check.

A Relic of another Age

This is the old family farm. Unfortunately the barn is a relic, and has seen better days. It is apparently an old bank barn. You can still see the old ramp to the left. The meadow surrounding the barn is bordered by a creek, pond, 10 acres of woods, and some farm fields. Usually a large variety of birds, and animals. Past few years, a few Turkey vultures have been raising their young out of the barn. When I get outdoors at the farm, and start meandering down the old winding horse trails through the meadow this is the sight I am greeted with. I spend a lot of time in its shadow as I track and watch for Coyotes and Deer.

Running into the Sun

The new lines up by the Luther Marsh. I love wheat fields, especially with a sunset. The power lines, added an interesting change to it. I was hoping to photography some coyotes, and or short eared owls I ocaisionally see in the area.

Storm on the Prairies

I was meandering down Roads Less Traveled in Alberta, trying to get closer to a big thunderstorm in the distance. One of the things I was seeking while in Alberta was a storm on the prairies.

My Portable Blind

Welcome to Hoth

When I saw the rolling dunes of snow, and the way the light was playing off of it I realised I needed to get the big glass off of the camera quickly! I really enjoyed how the light was catching the little ice crystals in the air, as they were tossed and bounced over the rolling dune of snow.

The Horses are gone

The old horse pasture has turned into an open meadow. The birds that are present change from year to year.

A Rainy Day at the Escarpment

A Rainy day at the Escarpment Gotta love afternoon hikes in the driving rain. Of course rain gear for yourself and the camera gear is very handy! Of course weather sealed camera gear helps to! Wish my cell phone was weather sealed...