In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb As the snow continuous to endlessly fall over these past couple of days I have had the above poem playing in my head over & over again. This winter, my first winter, in the Northern Prairie has been an interesting adventure as I experienced winter like I rarely have before. Firstly, this is the second winter where the warming effects of El Nino have been extreme enough that I truly have seen the "benefits" of the warming temperatures, & will remember them for years to come. Secondly, I have gotten familiar with the beautiful winter phenomenon of a Chinook wind. Who knew for the this prairie girl the answer to finding a milder winter was in fact going North?! A contradiction, but one that has proven true in this move... or at least for this winter season. With these milder winter temperatures I have been finding myself out enjoying the outdoors a lot more than I usually do. My inner hibernating bear is a little upset, but come next winter I am sure she will get all the sleep she needs as we move back into a regular winter cycle. This getting out has been an excellent opportunity to explore my new home as I develop my new routine, which includes finding my favorite spots to wander & let my puppy run wild. It's beauty has not stopped producing amazing views as I explore in the depths of winter. The Northern Prairie has been an amazing new home to me, & I often forget how far North I am actually living, or the fact that I am living within British Columbia & not in my beloved forever home province of Saskatchewan. The amazing sunsets, & paths amongst fields, have me feeling like I never left home. It has made the transition to the Great White North a lot easier. Then I have moments, that are a quick drive away, that remind me that I have very much left my beloved provincial home far behind. One weekend this past winter I got to enjoy a quick jaunt to Liard Hot Springs. On the way there I got to check another species off my list, the Stone Sheep. It was amazing to catch a sight of these Northern dwelling animals, & I loved that I got to catch a glimpse of their babies. I fell in love with this very interesting animal. It was neat to actually drive amongst the mountains on this trek, & enjoy the unique geography that created the area. The Hot Springs themselves were a truly amazing piece of nature to behold, & I can't wait to go back to experience them some more. It was definitely one of the neatest places I have ever been during the winter. The mountains, the landscape, the plants & animals, all combined with the experience of swimming in hot naturally occurring water in the middle of winter with beautifully delicate frost hanging from the trees is not something I will ever forget. Something that I will definitely head back to next winter when the cold chills me to the bones... however, I will remember to pack better to keep myself warm after a dip! This winter has been an amazing adventure, & I can't wait to see what the next season has in store. Tomorrow when I wake up I only hope that I will get to explore all the new fresh snow that has fallen in better weather conditions, & let my puppy run through it all. For a person who admits readily her distaste for winter I am strangely growing a new kind of fondness for the season. The adventures that are possible, & the things I can't wait to do the next time this season comes around, has me excited. Though my inner bear rumbles upset at the prospect of losing yet another promised seasoned of sleep. I guess it will be a challenge learning to balance the two sides for I truly enjoy winter for it's quiet, rejuvenating, beauty. So, don't get too excited to see me turning into a winter crazy girl. I don't know if I will ever wear the "Northern" badge fully, as I do love my winter hibernation a little too much. “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss
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As Christmas season is upon us & I get ready to visit with my Saskatchewan family, my thoughts drift back to my "Last Saskatchewan Summer". As I moved away & now carry a very blue licence I can't help but think back to the amazing landscapes I left behind this year as this year winds down. I was blessed to have such an amazing summer to be my "Last Saskatchewan Summer". I take solace in knowing that it will in fact not be my last summer in Saskatchewan, & looking at these photos just makes me eager to start planning my vacation time (Sorry, Range Boss). I started out this summer/spring, with my usual walk for wildlife. If you recall from my previous, & sporadic, posts on my walk this year was all about the birds. I saw so many birds every time I stepped out of my house, & I took extra notice of these beautiful creatures. See, most of the time like most Saskatchewan residents I take them for granted. I am not what you would call a "bird person", so I don't tend to go out of my way to see them. However, with the knowledge that I wouldn't be spending another summer day in and day out, everyday, back in this feather filled province I seemed to pick them out. In Saskatchewan, we are blessed to have a home filled with not only a high number in variety of our feather friends, but also in sheer population numbers. This was something during my time at university that I took notice of, as I found during my homework of "bird watching" the numbers in British Columbia's north bird population to be a terribly disappointing while away at school. The numbers we get to see fill our prairie skies are something to always be thankful of. This summer I found myself living within Regina's city limits & like a good Regina resident I spent a lot of time wandering the edges of the Wascana (both lake & creek). Wascana Park, & trails, were amazing spots to run away to from the city streets. The beauty found in the valley, along the water, & hidden beside the paved in city trails was a place my mind could go to to rest. The sunsets, the animals, & all the plant life I found living in these areas were a treat. Definitely one of Regina's best assets is the beauty that is held within the Wascana. Of course, like every summer I made sure to make some time for my fishing rod. Not nearly enough, but I still found myself pole in hand on a lake's edge. From the beautiful Last Mountain, to Buffalo Pound, I enjoyed taking in some new fishing spots. The sunset over the beautiful lakes is always a great sight to behold, & the moment is made even sweeter when you notice a fish fin waving in the distance. However, being able to visit one of these fishing spots on horse back was just the cherry on top. This summer was not a summer to forget, & delivered in Saskatchewan beauty like none-other. The stormy skies that took too long to get there for the summer were well worth the wait. The stormy skies colored the Saskatchewan skyscape with an amazing assortment of colors & clouds. There was Northern Lights, & flowers bursting to bloom all summer long. Everything I could have asked for as I sat down to enjoy the Saskatchewan landscape. So much color, & so much vivid life. I am very excited to share even more of my views from the summer. This little snippet, shows only the beauty I was able to capture in my walks, drives, & quick fishing ventures into the province for the summer. There is much more to my "Last Saskatchewan Summer" & this is only the beginning of the story... setting the stage if you will. As I step into this new year, & to share my new life, I first will recount the world I left behind. Giving thanks for its beautiful bounty, & the honor the life that gave me the solid base I needed to take the next step I am taking. I will always be proud of my "Made in Saskatchewan" roots, & this last summer was a perfect climax to the amazing life that I found in my birth province. A moment in time separated by a year and over 1000kms... Last year at this exact same time I was taking a walk down a country road while listening to the song I'll Be Fine by Erick Macek. As the song played in my ears & I watched the sun set I had this calming moment of peace (top photo). I knew within my core that a chapter was closing with that setting sun. That my life was about to change in a way that I didn't know how. I just knew. Its like Mother Nature whispered it to me through the wind. Last night as I took my puppy for a walk down my favorite country road I watched the sun set in a glorious array of colors (bottom photo). I felt a piece of my soul fall into place & I knew I was "home". Two country roads. Two sunsets. Exactly a year apart. Over 1000kms & different latitudes apart. My life came full circle. A new chapter has begun & I can't wait to see where it takes me. "Colors they change in instant[...] My chapter is closing, something tells me that I may just like it; I know this is my time [...] I know I keep in mind that I may find a better a life a head this time; I don't know why but I hide my pride; still I wonder if I am losing my mind; or am I blind not to see the time; either way I know I will be fine" - Erick Macek, I'll Be Fine So it is October 15... October is half way over! I can't believe how time has flown in the last 5 months. It seems to move faster every day. As I watch the landscape change around me in my new home I can't help but think back to my old one. October in Saskatchewan hast to be one of the "warmest" time in Saskatchewan. It's certainly not due to the weather on the gauge, however it's due to a much different reason. The way the colors turn in October in Saskatchewan make you understand warmth, not blazing heat but true comforting warmth. Each leaf, blade of grass, and flower finds itself in transition. All the green bursts of summer start to calm down, and are replaced by hues of gold, yellow, brown and red. As they transition from bursting with summer growth to saying good-bye before the winter's cold breeze blows through. It is one of the most glorious times of year. It's nature's climax for the year, signalling the end of the great symphony of a growing season. This transition happens slow as Mother Nature attempts to hold on to the green, as hard as I hold to the hope of a delayed winter. The wind finds a certain chill to it as it brushes across the landscape. It is more crisp than it's summer counter part. Warning of what is to come in the few short weeks ahead. Anytime spent down by a Saskatchewan lake will show the truth of what is come as waves crash on the shore. Though the air may be crisp, and speak of what is to come, fall is a kind season. As fall takes care that as you go to bed with the sun, on those days that are starting to get shorter by the moment, that you think of fond warm memories. As during fall, and the month of October, the golden hour takes on a special sweet glow. It's not as blazing as the summer, but instead softer in its hues of hushed gold, and soft pinks. As the sun sets on skies filled with harvest dust the light catches just right. Giving rise to an amazing "rose colored" landscape. One that warns of the cold night ahead, and chases you inside with a soft kiss. As I enjoy my new home I am introduced to a new fall as things at this latitude hugged against the rockies happen a little bit differently from my home in the Qu'Appelle Valley. As I get adjusted to this new interpretation of fall I think back to the days that signaled a harvest complete, and the "calm before the storm". Very fond memories of taking in that last bit of heat before winter drops her cold coat of shimmering white on the world.
Fall in the Saskatchewan prairies is something truly unique onto itself. One thing I am glad to have spent many years appreciating, with the most important years being the last three falls I got to enjoy. I can't wait for next fall as I know I will visit during that precious time. No fall captures my soul quite like that Saskatchewan Fall. It's truly one of a kind, and I am proud that its beauty is a part of me (even if it is only in my memories). As we experience cold temperatures for the last few days here in Saskatchewan we get back to our regular winter programming. We had a beautiful run this winter with a surprise spring in January, but now as we start February we have frozen back into winter. As a person who is hibernator in winter these cold temperatures mean I am confined to my house wishing for warmer weather again (however, secretly thankful to have the cold weather to blame so I can just have time recharge). This time inside is allowing me to get through some photographs I was unable to get through this busy fall. This means I am finding all these wonderful warm photographs of fall on the Saskatchewan landscape. I have written about the beauty of Saskatchewan fall and the great colors on the landscape many times. I have a sort of obsession with the Saskatchewan fall, and the beauty of harvest time. I can say I know where this obsession developed from, and it can be traced back to the idea "you don't know what you have until it’s gone". Spending every fall for 6 years in Northern British Columbia made me crave the prairie fall. It was always hard going back to school knowing what I was missing out on, and would not get to see. The 2 trips I made back during those 6 years were not enough to quench the thirst I had to see it. For 6 years I watched the cottonwood trees turn gold amongst the conifers of the Northern British Columbia landscape, and I dreamed of home. I walked hallways where the sight of rain, or a sunny day, passed without much of a notice beyond what it meant for recreational play. It did not cause panic, nor excitement. People weren't in tune with the weather and watching the skies, though I admit it would be difficult to do past the height of trees. I spent time with lovers of nature, and people who were obsessed with being out in it. However, they were not in tune with the season in the way I had come accustomed to. They were in tune a different way, and watched it come and go with an appreciation for the beauty it brought. Whether it rained or shined, did not affect the work they had to do. So they did not watch for it, or get upset by the weather changes. It just changed, and they adapted to it. Amongst the beauty of the changing forest I felt alone, and disconnected. The buzz of the harvest season I had come to love was not in there, and I could not feel it. No one was there talking of combine parts, grain bushels, and businesses were not affected by the weather. Businesses were not left quiet, or overrun, depending on the weather. They just moved as usual, like any other time of year. Peers were not rushing home on the weekends to hop on the tractor, and coming to school tired after working in the fields all weekend. My peers were free to enjoy the hunting season, or hiking trails, that suited their fancy to break up the stress of studying. I felt out of touch, and it took a few years before I adjusted to the new seasons that I experienced. On the "outside" they were the same, but the on the inside they were worlds apart. This past fall was the third fall I have experienced back in my home province and I still find myself obsessed with the season every year. August is my favorite month as that's when the buzz of harvest begins to grow, and the landscape begins its change. In September this buzz overruns my system, and in October the buzz turns to one of panic as people want to get harvest off before the frost hits to hard, or snow falls. I drink in all these sights with a craving of that of a person who has been wandering a desert without water.
Each of the 3 falls I have experienced have been unique on themselves, and have shown me different landscapes within my beautiful province. Each and every fall I have found myself thankful for being able to take them in. This is the reason this blog becomes over run with fall photographs. I no longer take this season for granted, and enjoy it with every ounce I can. I pray for long, good weathered, falls. I run out to capture every piece of it I can, in a desperate attempt to make up for what I have lacked. On these cold winter days, when the skies are darker, and I find it hard to be cheery. I look back at these fall photographs to remind myself that no "fair weather" winter is worth losing these fall landscapes. I will bear the cold, and wind, that pushes on the prairie persons mind and makes us question "why do we live somewhere where the air hurts our face?". We all have our reasons why we stay, and the beauty of a Saskatchewan fall is why I stay. My heart will always be here amongst the living skies of Saskatchewan, and my buzz will be found amongst the harvest landscape. My Monday's this past summer were spent on the hill of Sabre Quarter Horse Ranch. Upon this hill within the series of hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley I learned each day how to push myself harder. I learned the humbling beauty of developing partnerships with amazing animals. I got to enjoy taking in the sights, & sounds that come with the open pastures & horse barns. One evening after my lesson time I decided to head out on foot to get a little closer to the grounds I have come to appreciate dearly. While out walking I found many beautiful blooming native plants in this last flowering, as September was around the corner. I found tons of purple decorating the landscape as it does at this time of year as blazing stars and asters come into their "wildflower season". I also saw spots of yellow as goldenrod joined it's friend the aster in this final blooming, along with the coneflowers slowly losing their petals as they finished their season. Wondering the tops of the hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley from the Sabre Ranch vantage point at sunset was a beautiful experience. My mind drifted from the pleasant thrill of finding the thriving native wildflowers, to my day dreams of futures to come. I drank in the beauty of the valley, & let the wind wash over my worn out body. I let myself be awe of the natural beauty that was to beheld among the rocks. I wondered as I sat on them how they found their way there, & was thankful for their placement as it gave the perfect perch to take in the views. As the sun ducked low underneath the clouds I made my way back to my truck. Between the yellow washed skyscape a little speckle of red caught my eye. I stopped, turned left, & there in a tree near by I found evidence that fall was truly coming. The first sign of the leaves turning was the evidence in front of eyes. What was once green was now red. I smiled to myself, & continued onto my truck. While I made that drive back to town along my "detour" route I took extra note of the fields that passed by my truck. As the sun dipped lower washing them in yellow, orange, purple, & pink hues I knew what I was seeing. My favorite season of the year had come... Harvest was here! The crops were ready to come off. The combines, & swathers, would soon speckle the landscape to get the crop off before the cold. As the sun set on that day, the crops were setting themselves. The crops were ready to be harvested. Fall in Saskatchewan was truly upon us, in all its amazing colors! Always Keep DreamingThis summer was a wet one, & with that came a lot of mud! This gave me plenty of great opportunities to get my feet dirty this summer. Now to most, hiking around in flip-flops seems like a bad idea. However, for myself I adore the feeling of mud between my toes & so I love the chances I get to feel it between my toes as I wear my flip-flops. Sure they break on occasion, which leave me walking barefoot, but nothing could replace the feeling of that Saskatchewan mud in between my toes. With the summer colors coming through on the landscape, & the water that accompanied these colors, there was no lack of amazing photographic opportunities. I felt so lucky this summer to get the chance to witness how flooding can change a landscape, & watch the floodplains of the Qu'Appelle Valley come to life. To see this natural "washing" of the landscape is an immediate reminder of the strength that water can hold. It is also a stark reminder that as we develop as humans on the landscape mother nature will always have the last say in what happens, & when it is time to "take a bath". The areas surrounding the water were alive with color, & movement, as animals & plants enjoyed the fresh green foliage drenched in the summer sunlight. The mud left clues as to whose feet have graced the landscape before I came, & some tried to hide their presence as they attempted to blend into the landscape. The landscape that surrounded the flood plains were alive with color as well, as the agricultural landscape did what it does best... grow. Yellows of the canola fields brought forth a yellow sea that reflected the golden glow of the summertime sun. The cattle, & other animal neighbors, that grazed on the range land looked very pleased with the abundance of green foliage that surrounded them. As the landscape turns to be blanketed with its sheets of white I find it is always comforting to look back at the warmth in these summertime pictures. Pictures that remind me of what is hidden under the snow, & that even though first it will get colder, there will be these colors to treasure this following year.
The colors of summer are always an amazing treat. There is something comforting about getting to watch that sky turn brilliant orange, pink, & red while enjoying warm weather. There is so much color in the skyscape in the summer it is hard not to be distracted by it all. Then on top of the sky it is the landscape that keeps changing throughout the summer. As wildflowers bloom, & now the fields are turning color. It is so amazing to watch a canola field come into bloom. The seas of gold I get to now witness come & go from the landscape never stop to amaze me in the brilliance of yellow they display. Oh summer, how beautifully distracting you are as Mother Nature continues to change your colors. It is amazing how Mother Nature can keep us guessing what we will see everyday as she works to add changes in the colors we get to see. With the warm weather, & plentiful landscape we aren't the only ones to be out enjoying it. All the critters that spent so much of the winter hiding away are now out exploring & soaking up the sun along side us. If the colors weren't distracting enough the added element of catching all of Mother Nature's beautiful creatures has just increased the pressure on a person to enjoy those sites rather than doing actual work.
The sites, sounds, & colors is why summer is a time not made for work but enjoyment. Mother Nature has designed it that way. She has given us a reason to really break from our lives, & give us a moment of rest before all the work begins again. So take a break, & soak it all up. As we know all to well in the prairies, this beauty is not around nearly long enough. Which perhaps is part of its beauty, making summer so bittersweet. Wildflower chasing is probably one of my favorite past times. I am addicted to their fragile color & the urgency in which they need to be captured since their color only lasts a short time as they bloom. My spring & summer are divided into their own special "seasons" that revolve around the blooming & the colors of these flowers. I am now in the height of the peak of the wildflower bloom, & am transitioning into the final blooms. Seed pods are showing on the early bloomers, & starting to show on mid bloomers. The last colors are springing forth each time I travel down back roads. My time spent wandering down back roads to find these flowers, usually greets me with some other fun faces to enjoy. One of my favorite places to wander is my Grandparents farm, which always comes with a golden, smiley, & excited walking partner. The farm also provides time spent with the farm feline family, which sometimes gives me an opportunity to catch great "family" photos. Seeing all these faces, plus all the green & the plants, is one of the great gifts that summer brings me. This year was a great year as some, that had not previously bloomed for a very long time, decided to show their face. Sometimes wildflowers can stay in seed form for years waiting for appropriate growing conditions to spring forth in. One of those characters I got to see this year is the beautifully pink Red Paintbrush flower. This has to be one of my favorite wildflowers as it is uniquely beautiful, but also so incredibly soft to the touch it is hard to believe it is indeed a wildflower.
I am so lucky to live a life in which I get to experience all this natural beauty that Mother Nature has to offer in this great province. Some people ask me why I don't leave much on holiday's in the summer, & truth be told it is because I don't want to miss this beauty. I should however, maybe add a few holiday days in in which I just send myself out to random locations to go chase wildflowers. Maybe next summer... Maybe next summer. This summer though I am going to take time to appreciate my new home. On June 21st in the wee hours of the day we welcomed in the new season of Summer. It is officially here, & everyone is excited for all the summer memories they know they are about to make. As we approach on the end of July I can't help to think how much of that summer is already past. I reflect back to how I enjoyed that first glorious day of the warm summer under a rainbow sky. I took a little drive, & had myself a little walk. I took in the beautiful golden hour as it washed over the Qu'Appelle Valley. I took in the warm tones & animal surprises Mother Nature had in store for me. The beauty of the Saskatchewan Skies & the Qu'Appelle River Valley to this day do not cease to amaze me. The tones & colors, so vibrant & rich, that decorate a unique landscape always make me catch my breath. I am very thankful that as each time I ask Mother Nature for the chance to experience the amazing views that can be experienced in this valley she is kind enough to oblige. That night I was extremely lucky as I not only caught a glimpse of two Moose calves, but I also got to catch the site of my first elk in the valley.
I ended my adventure that evening as the last of the setting sun closed on the valley by taking in a common scene in the valley, cattle in a pasture. I love watching the calves of the year explore their world. They are truly some of the most adorable creatures that I know. I count the days till when I will get to have this experience with cattle are indeed my own. Till then I will enjoy the faces I get to watch through the fences. |
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