Storm building clouds are always welcome during sunsets for they give such an amazing depth of color in the skies. You may wonder how I am able to catch so many beautiful sunsets, and I will tell you my secret is this.... it is all in the timing [and I cheat a little for I get to see this when I look out my window and it tells me when its time to start shooting]. You have to catch the light bouncing off the clouds at the right angle to get the glorious colors that make up a classic living skies Saskatchewan sunset. So on this evening, when I saw the clouds from my window hit this beautiful soft shade I knew it was time to get out there. After this sunset, however instead of just going home, my adventure was only half over. It was time to catch a glimpse of the super moon that was to appear that evening. The clouds again gave a helping hand to capture a creative image. The light of solstice was still around, and helped give me a good glimpse into the landscape. I decided to try for a shot of the moon in the landscape rather just a moon shot. That way I could compare its size in the night sky to another night, when the moon was feel a little less super. Unfortunately, due to our angle on the earth moon does appear less super here than seen at places closer to the boarder. Maybe one year I will catch a super moon in a more appropriate place, but this year I was happy to catch it here amongst the clouds & reflections. I hope you enjoy!
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And so the long awaited season is finally here... SUMMER! It came in beautifully. The sun was hit the landscape just right, and the storm clouds gave way just a little bit to let the light shine through. The best part though had to be while on my evening bike rides [because now I have added that to my activities, since it seems much more of a favorable summer activity] I found Yellow Ladyslippers blooming so pretty in the ditches. I was so excited to see them I almost through myself over my handlebars trying to stop for them! Something I haven't done for many a year, and reminded me that breaking on a bike takes some pre-thought. While stopping to appreciate these beautiful flowers next to the local airstrip I had to take in the beautiful wild strawberries, and other flowers I found. After my bike ride I hopped in my car, and was on the road to take in the beautiful Summer Solstice. I wanted to take in a beautiful sunset. The sun slowly setting looked amazing on the surrounding country side. While out exploring I happened upon some Ducks Unlimited lands that were open for walking.... so of course I had to stop and take a quick walk. I am sure glad I did because it was there amongst the beautiful wetlands that were being conserved for waterfowl habitat provided an excellent spot to catch a setting sun. The lands were absolutely beautiful! I am so thankful that we have so many different organizations working to protect habitats that are found in between all the farms on the prairie landscape. They help give a permanent home to the reasons that attracted many to the area in the first place. It is also another great example of how conservation and agriculture can exist side by side. I encourage everyone to get out and take a walk in these beautiful landscapes to take in the waterfowl, especially since this year marks Ducks Unlimited Canada 75th birthday!! Happy Birthday Ducks!! Just as the sun was cresting the trees I heard a very familiar, beautiful sound. The sound of coyotes enjoying the evening. However, that same sound I will admit sent me back to my car. I love the sound of their howls, but I am a bit a scaredy cat when I hear those howls at what I am sure was a mile away and coming from all my surrounding directions. So I decided to listen for a bit, but then let the coyotes enjoy the sunset in peace.... as I ran tail between my legs back to my car. However, this gave me the opportunity to explore the last rays of sun hitting the earth in different places. It also allowed me to stumble upon a very patient deer who was gracious enough to pose for a few shot for me. Then as the skies brought in their last pinks I enjoyed watching some ducks on a wetland next to a field and headed home. Well after 9 o'clock.... oh how I love the summer Solstice! As June winds down and the clouds wind up it always brings some very interesting weather. It is one of the signals that summer is here. The storm clouds bring rain for all the freshly planted things, along with tons of interesting skies to see in the evening. I tried my best to get some good shots of the storm clouds, but alas I never seemed to be quite in the right place at the right time. Though I may have missed the storm clouds, I did manage to find a few pleasant things. Like fresh flowers, and raindrops! Cheers for spring raindrops, and fresh plants!
The clouds in the sky made for an interesting backdrop this evening. They were large and fluffy, and were impressive to see. They carried with them the warning of the upcomming thunderstorm that hit our area a few days later, but here the rain & lightening were welcome. Yet another sign that summer has come upon us. We get to see the skies liven up with these clouds that dance across it. Another beauty that comes with June, and the promise of summer, are the lilacs that bloom all over. They have to be one of my favorite smelling flowers. One day, I will own a outdoor shower that has them that surrounds it. So in the spring when I am muddy from planting the garden I can rinse off amoungst the sweet promising smell. So much soft purple, and pink, color filled the landscape this evening. The fluffly clouds, and the setting sun, gave the colors that painted the sky. It it amazing to see so much of the landscape filled with the soft spring hues. Then I had a little vistor that joined me to take in the wonderful colors of the evening. It was a beautiful June evening.
And so begins another year of one of my favorite sporting events... Rodeo! I opened this spring season by taking in the Pilot Butte Rodeo. Those folks always know how to put on a great rodeo. I unfortunately only take in a day of this rodeo since I live away from this town. But even just one day is always a great day! Always worth the drive. The people who are apart of the event do a great job of putting on the event, and the clown always make for great entertainment between riders. The day was a little more challenging for all involved though. Though everything looks bright and sunny.. the day was not. The darker skies in the background, and the flowing bandana of the clown, give clues to that day. The day was very windy, and rainy. It rained off and on throughout the events, and at the end of the day I had to do something I never have before. I had to leave the rodeo early! The rain came down just to hard. But, considering the wind and rain the day for the most part was still a great success. Everyone worked their hardest, including the livestock, to get the job done. The horses bucked good, and the calves gave a great run. The wind challenged everyone in their events, but everyone pulled through. The pick up riders did an excellent job of getting all competators safetly off their rides. Even when it proved a bit a challenging. It really shows the amazing talent these men have for handling their own animals, and working with others. All in all it was a great day for a rodeo! Well done Pilot Butte!! I wouldn't have missed it for the world... though next time I will remember to check the weather report & bring my rain gear so I can stay in for the long haul, like so many I left behind in the stands.
The days are long, and the world is green. It's starting to look a lot like summer! As the fields are coming up, and starting to look lush everyone is pretty happy summer is here... including the ducks that are making the fields their squatting grounds. The water in the sloughs is bright and sparkling. All in all, these June days are pretty excellent. The sun kisses the earth, and you can feel the warmth of it well into the evening. Everything around promises of beautiful summer days. These days are to beauitful not to share. I can't help but think I am so very lucky to be able to live in a such a rural surrounding, and able to take in these wonderful views! Worth every bit of city life I am missnig out on. I had the pleasent surprise one Saturday afternoon of a visit from some very interesting visitors. Cedar Waxwings decided to over take our apple tree. I was so happy to be at home at the time this occured. This is because Waxwings tend to be quite the flighty bird. They will come in, and swarm a tree until they get there fill. Then when the tree has served its purpose they will pick up and move. Quite the gypsie way of living. They can be there for a day or, like in our case, just a few brieft minutes. Then they are gone. These birds are such a wonderful color, and I enjoy seeing them when I do. Since this was such a great moment I thought I would dedicate one blog post to the experience. I hope you enjoy the pictures! Things around here are starting to really open up. The next batch of flowers, both wild and domestic, are starting to open up fully to bring in the month of June. Some of my favorite flowers that open up June are fruit & cherry tree flowers. It makes me sad I only get to glimpse the beautiful flowers for a couple weeks and then they are done, but considering the beauitful fruit & cherries that come in after in the fall I can over look the loss of flowers. Plus, like most things in life, because the flowers are only around for a very short & special time it is what makes them so magical. Spring really feels like it is full swing as I take my walks these days, and see all the green around me. Fields that have been planted are starting to break through the ground. The second set of wildflower to bloom for the year are out in full swing. The bugs that accompany the plants are also out in full gear. Inspecting each plant as it flowers, and collecting the resources it needs from each plant so that it will survive, & reproduce. They are, in their own way, very beautiful and wonderful themselves. These little guys can be quite hard to capture for they flee as soon as you get close. Butterflies flutter away, and lady bugs... well they just drop away to hide amoung the plants. It is these skills of hiding, and fleeing, that keep them safe from their predators. Yes, these gravel roadsides are alive with changes and awakening of life that accompanies each spring. They are beginning to look very green, and lush. Water is so bright and sparkling, while reflecting the beauitful green of its banks. Everything is looking so very bright, and whispering promises that hopefully summer will live up to.
As the month winds down things around here are getting busy, and are transitioning. The early spring plants are starting to give way to the next set of spring blooms. The trees, and surrounding are greening up a bit more. Seeding in the area is getting completed more and more everyday. As June opened up I was kept quite busy the first few days with graudation pictures of a lovely young grad. It was so much fun to work with her, and her amazing giggle. You can see the beauty on her inside shine all the way to the outside. |
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