Dim your Headlights

I've already dimmed mine, but how often does it happen that the oncoming vehicle has to blast you with their high beams just as they top the rise before they decide it's time to dim them. It's usually rather obvious that there is an oncoming vehicle especially if it's foggy or dusty. Just my little rant - sorry.
[Canon 5D, Tamron 300mm f2.8+2x]

John Deere 568 Round Baler

Another image from the other night in Red Deer County. I'm not sure which model of tractor it is.
[Canon 5D, 70-200mm f2.8L]

Alberta Gold

This image was made last evening while touring around Red Deer County. It looks like a small rig, but I have no idea if it is a service rig or one going for the gold.
[Canon 5d, Tamron 300mm f2.8]

Nightfall - Red Deer County

Another image from last night. This time a bit on the interpretive side. I simply pointed the headlights of my car across the field and made a two minute exposure. Simple as that. I really like the way the cloud shapes echo the swaths. A little bit of fog moved in as well.
[Canon 5D, 24-105mm f/4L]

Autumn - Red Deer County

Autumn is definitely upon us, as the warm hues of the harvested field attests to. I was out photographing in Red Deer County tonight and captured a murmuration of starlings(I think) passing near this farm. No joke, that is what a group of starlings is called!
[Canon 5D, 70-200mm f2.8L]

Harvest time

Yes, it has been too long of a break between posts. I've been real busy shooting stock images again for Lacombe County and of course harvest is going in full swing. Then, of course, there is all the editing work to be done and some more city images as well. Oh yeah, I am still working full time and putting in a few hours of volunteer time too. Whew!! Can't wait for indoor soccer season to kick off then I can add in some chauffeur time as well.

Enough complaining already - it's all good!!!

Doesn't this image just make you start feeling itchy. The amount of dust is just amazing. I turned the fan in our car on today on the way back from work and all the dust that got into the car last night came flying out the vents. Laura was none too pleased with me!!
[Canon 5D, 70-200mm/2.8L]

Canadian Pacific Railway

When I was a kid of ten my family moved to Rosedale, in the Drumheller valley, and for quite a few years literally lived across the street from the main CN line running from Calgary to Saskatoon. The trains coming from Calgary used to sit and wait on a sidetrack right in front of our house for the oncoming trains from Saskatoon before proceeding, sometimes for hours. They would idle quietly and every now and again drop a car off on the siding by shuffling back and forth. Eventually a big freight train would come thundering through town shaking our house, with their horns blaring, pulling heavily laden cars full of prairie grain heading for the coast. Once it had passed, the big diesel engine of the train that had been waiting, would grumble to life with a low growl as the engines strained to pull the massive weight stretched out behind them. On some summer nights with my bedroom window open and with just the right wind and weather conditions, you could here the train rumbling slowly along for at least half an hour as it climbed out of the 400 foot deep Red Deer river valley.

This image is neither the Drumheller valley or a CN train, but I like it. This is one of CP's AC4400CW engines made by GE and was delivered to CP in 1998. This guy has a massive 4400hp engine, weighs in at 415000 pounds, and can hit almost 113 km/h. It has just arrived in Field, B.C. after coming down the BIG hill from Lake Louise and passing through the spiral tunnels.
[Nikon S3]

Lorette Ponds

Another image from Lorette Ponds. This time a colour image showing off the rich and vibrant green tones of the algae growing in the ponds. The texture in the stones really contrasts nicely with the ambiguity of the green algae. I stitched together 7 images to make the panorama.
[Canon 5D, 70-200mm/2.8L]

McDougall Memorial United Church

Another image from our trip south. This one made on the Stoney Indian Reserve at Morley, Alberta. The church, which overlooks the Bow River, was established in 1875 and named after George McDougall. This church is the second oldest building in Alberta still standing on it's original frame. Another image done in the 5:8 ratio.
[Canon 5D, 24-105mmL]

Kananaskis Country

We decided to take a spur of the moment trip into Kananaskis Country last night. We got as far as Cochrane in the evening and this morning headed into the mountains. This image was made at the Lorette Ponds immediately next to Highway 40 which surprisingly enough is immediately behind the trees. I have also tried a new format in a 5:8 ratio. I really like the dimensions and can see myself working more with it in the future. Unfortunately this image has a technical issue and can be printed to a maximum of only 20 inches across. I would love to be able to res this one up to a really big print. Just a good excuse, I suppose, to go back and visit again!!