Happy New Year
I know that I am a little late to the post for welcoming the New Year. I had to think about it for a awhile as a lot had happened over the year. Many adventures, many stories, many lessons. All of which had created a year full of experience, love for what I do, and adventure that I want to continue. I have met some amazing people in my travels and in my career that share the same love for wildlife, for nature, and for the landscapes that surround us here in Alberta. So let me go back through the last twelve months, sharing some amazing stories and my Top 12 of photos, with a little extra.
First off, let me talk about some lessons and experiences I got to have this past year. These experiences have helped me grow in coming out of my comfort zone, have helped hone some of my skills that I possess, and most of all, have gave me a chance to meet some of the most interesting people in the community. These experiences gave me a chance to connect with the my team but also to connect with the community of Edmonton and surrounding area. So let me dive in by sharing from January 2024 to December 2024.
January 2024
Title: Mule-Y
Taken: January 1, 2024
The above image is not my top image for January. I have had some many great images from this month but I thought to share with the first image that I took of the year starting in 2024. I had taken a day drive out to my family’s lake lot with my mum at the time. The day was chilly one but it started out gorgeous enough. The sun was shining, the air crisp like the first lick of a popsicle that just hits your bones just right. Sure enough though here in Alberta, the weather can change on a dime without even a warning. The sky began to cloud over, the temperature dropping as a cold front began to set in. We were headed back to Edmonton and taking back roads as the light began to dim faster and faster and as we turned down this one road, there was a Mule deer standing there in the ditch. Mule deer are common in Alberta's diverse landscapes, recognized for their large ears and adaptability. They inhabit open woodlands, meadows, and agricultural areas, making them easy to spot, especially at dawn and dusk. Their behaviors include "stotting," a bounding leap to evade predators. Their diet of shrubs and grasses helps maintain habitat health. Photographing mule deer can be rewarding, as their curiosity and social structures create interesting interactions. Patience is essential; staying quiet and using cover can yield stunning shots that showcase their beauty against Alberta's landscapes. They offer endless photographic opportunities for both close-ups and wide shots. This photo started my journey of new chapters and experiences in 2024.
Title: Spirit
Taken: January 6, 2024
Number One photo of January 2024.
This photo of a horse is one of my favorites from January of 2024. It is quiet, serene, and completely tranquil which explained my mind frame entering 2024. A clear mind with a clear body, figuring out my path in the year and the opportunities that lay ahead. Like a horse, take it with a stride, standing tall and proud with a gentle mind. Be gentle with yourself, with your soul which is so pure and whole. Take that mindset, enter the year whichever year it may be, and keep that clear state of mind open. That is what I see when I look at this photograph. I see calm, I see quiet, and like all thought and worry has been cleared from the mind making you take in only the most important time, the here and now. What do you see when you look at this photo, Spirit? With that, we enter into February 2024 with January being one that is quiet and calm.
February
Title: Der Leckerbissen
Taken: February 16, 2024
Not the top photograph for February.
Those who know me know how much I love my dog. Winnie, who I got in 2019 is my companion through life even with her colourful personality. She is full of life and a comedic character and the photograph I caught that is shared above, is one of the most sharp and clear photos I ever got of her. Winnie never sits still long enough to get clear photos of her looking at the camera but this one day in February, the light was shining just right and she had her eye on the prize for being the perfect model. The prize being a fair sized Milk bone which she devoured in like a matter of seconds once she was free from the lens. Shortly after this photo was taken though, I put Winnie into the car and headed out towards the local National Park called Elk Island. It was there where I got my favorite photo of the month of the Plains Bison that roam freely in the Elk Island National Park.
Title: What Are You Looking At?
Taken: February 19, 2024
Top Photograph for February 2024.
Plains bison, also known as American bison, are majestic creatures that once roamed the North American plains in massive herds. These iconic animals can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand over six feet tall at the hump. Their dense, shaggy fur ranges in colour from dark brown to lighter tan, providing insulation against the harsh prairie winters. Plains bison are herbivores, primarily grazing on grasses, sedges, and other vegetation, playing a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem of the grasslands. Historically, they were a significant resource for Indigenous peoples, providing food, clothing, and materials for shelter. Today, conservation efforts are in place to help restore their populations and preserve their habitats, ensuring that future generations can admire these symbols of the wild heart of Canada.
This photograph I captured as the Bison began to roam closer to the road of the Bison Loop in Elk Island National Park. The snow soft and wet due to the unnaturally warm weather we have been having all winter in 2024. Tourists were gathered around to watch these magnificent beasts but with Bison being animals that roam in herds, Bison can become very dangerous. Park officials came around making sure everyone was behaving themselves, being safe, and not getting to close to the Bison. To many accidents happen when people do not respect the boundaries and space of wildlife. So as these Bison roamed closer and closer, my feet began to grow cold with ice due to the wet melting snow. As the Bison then settle in the field to graze the grass and bask in the warm setting sun, this one bull would not take its eyes off of me. It was like it was staring me down but not in a threatening way. I got the impression that it was keeping watch, guarding the safety of its herd and I this photo was one that screamed so much emotion. There was so much adventure and story that was not being told and I found myself all through 2024 coming back to this photo more and more often. It is one photo that continued to stay in my mind as we entered March 2024.
March
Title: A Cluster
Taken: March 2024
Top Photograph of March 2024
As I continued to learn and grow my skills in wildlife, I would find myself on many backroads at all times of the day. There was one day in March where the sun was beautiful in the bright blue sky and the temperature was a decent warmth to welcome spring. The little snow we had now melting into muddy puddles in the ditch on the side of the dirt roads of Alberta. The sun was beginning to set as we neared Vegreville, Alberta and we stopped on the side of the road to photograph something. For the life of me I do not know what it was but I then looked further down and saw the shadows from this cluster of trees being cast across the snow. Something about the picture was intriguing and I had to capture it . I played with my settings to get the light just right, to capture the life of just true nature. Landscape and nature was the first thing that got me into photography and it felt like I was going back to my roots. It was these roots that stretched into April and the rest of the year.
April
Title: Planning A Murder
Taken: April 2024
Top photograph of 2024
American Crows are highly intelligent birds known for their adaptability and social behaviour. These sleek black birds possess a distinctive caw and are often seen in groups, especially during foraging or roosting activities. Their omnivorous diet allows them to thrive in various environments, from urban areas to rural farms and woodlands. Renowned for their problem-solving abilities, American Crows can use tools and exhibit complex social interactions, including cooperative breeding and caching food for later use. With their striking presence and remarkable intelligence, these birds play a significant role in the ecosystems they inhabit.
I captured this photograph in Elk Island as we were driving around the Astotin Lake to the back half of the park. This crow was perched in a tree, keeping watch over its mate. Crows mate for life and they have an extremely incredible memory. You hurt a crow and its mate sees, there is no escaping the wrath that the mate may bring down on you. So I pulled out my 600mm lens and rolled down the window of the truck, of course making sure to turn the engine off so there would be no vibrations. Slowly I inched closer and closer trying all angles. I did not seem to spook this crow which was a miracle for me. Birds tend to fly off when you stop to photograph them. The feeling I got about capturing this photo truly sparked my passion even more for the wildlife route.
May
Title: Skyline Garden
Taken: May 2024
Top photograph of 2024
This photo I captured above is of the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton, Alberta. A stunning and mesmerizing botanical inside garden that truly shows the different plant environments around the globe. Now I captured this stunning shot while on my first ever Photo Walk for work and to this day I love this photo. I can not capture that same feel because it was not just the light in the sky, nor the colours around the garden. It is the coworkers that kept me company on the adventure and I was so happy that I went out. I won’t lie, I was debating on this day about going out as mentally I did not feel for it. In the end, even in the gloomiest time of days such as this, nature shows that there is always light and beauty at the end of the tunnel. You won’t believe it then, but this day was cloudy and rainy but the evening cleared to become this stunning sunset. To top it off, the Edmonton Oilers won their match in the playoff against Dallas that day which made the city become electric at the end of our walk which invited more adventures in June.
June
Title: Hiding In The Grass
Taken: June 2024
Not the top photo but leads to the top photograph.
I got word from a family member that there was a den of foxes in Cardiff, Alberta and that there was only a few kitts. At the time I only had a 300mm lens which makes getting the clearest shot a more difficult one. You do not want to get to close to foxes especially if they have a den going. I didn’t want to scare them off as I respect their territory and it was just serene to be around them.
Foxes are fascinating creatures, known for their cunning nature and beautiful, vibrant fur. These social animals typically create dens in secluded areas, which provide a safe haven for their kits. The kits, often born during the spring, are playful and energetic, exhibiting curiosity as they explore their surroundings under the watchful eye of their parents. Foxes are devoted caregivers, teaching their young essential survival skills, such as hunting and foraging. As the kits grow, they gradually gain independence, all while maintaining strong family bonds that are characteristic of these captivating animals.
Title: I’m Just A Pup
Taken: June 2024
Top photograph of 2024.
The photo above is taken when I invested in a 600mm lens of my own as I was previously using a family members 150-600mm lens. The day I got that lens, the stars were aligned. A sale was available on it making it an easy decision to invest in it. That evening as I was driving home with my new lens, I swung by the den once again and sat there as I watched the kitts play and the mom hunt for their dinner. This one kitt was a curious little feller but I didn’t dare get to close, respecting their space. He would dive into his den, pop out, then back in, and popping out again. A little game of peak-a-boo. This is still one of my favorite fox photos and probably will be for all of time. With this image clear into my mind, it set my challenge to capture more as I dived into July.
July
Title: The Handsome Feller
Taken: July 2024
Top Photograph of July 2024
This photo is of a handsome dog named, Max. A family friend’s dog that I captured photographs of while my friend worked on my car. The sun shining bright on Max’s coat, the breeze in his fur, the light shining in his beautiful eyes. Max kept his eye on his best friend, watching out for him and this photo I feel captures the true loyalty of a dog. This was not the first time I photographed Max and it was not the last. Max came to warm to me as his family helped with my car, keeping me company in the yard as he even played with Winnie. I wanted to capture his beauty, his warm colours in his fur that sparkle in all types of lighting. The soft browns, the warm yellows, and the creams and whites that just were like snow in the right light. I hope that you all enjoy this photo of Max as much as I do. It was the time with this family and my friends that started me on doing photoshoots.
August
Title: Sleep Under The Stars
Taken: August 29, 2024
Top Photo of August 2024.
Now the above night photo is not one of my best I have to admit that, but it is my first one I ever captured of the Milk Way which was extremely noticeable to the naked eye. I did not have my tripod with me, only a monopod. I hopped onto my quad, drove to the top of the hill of my campsite, stuffed that monopod between the foot stand of my quad as wrapped my legs around it, locking it into place the best I can. Of course you have to have a long exposure to capture the Milky Way and I did what I could with the little I had. With this not one of my best, it is one of my proudest. I learned a lot with this experience and I look forward to what I have learned to this years photographs of the Milky Way. Please continue to follow me on this adventure.
September
Title: The Spirits Came Out To Play
Taken: September 2024
Top photograph of 2024.
I subscribe to alerts for the Auroras in Alberta and when they will be active in my region that I am in. I got this alert early in the evening and I was skeptical on how active they would be. Yet I went out with my Mum and we sat at this field we tend to go to when we photograph the night sky. We waited and we waited and as we were about to call it quiets, that is when the magic happened. The sky opened up and let the spirits out to display their wonderful dance. It didn’t come from the North. No in stead the sky opened up right above with pillars of the Aurora’s being extremely noticeable. There was no sound but the nature around us, the quiet, the serene, the beautiful stunning spirituality of the whole experience. I wrote about this photo before so I won’t go into much depth. I just ask that you stop and admire it and tell me what you feel.
October
Title: The Times We Had
Taken: October 2024
Top photo of October 2024
October was a sad time for me as I had to say farewell to my noble steed. My Honda Accord lasted me 10 years and would have ran another 10 more if not longer. I took great care of her and unfortunately she got hit in an accident that ended her time with me. As the days were numbered before she was to be taken to her final resting place, I took one final ride, one final drive, and enjoyed one final sunset with her. I had to say farewell to something that has been through all of my photography adventures. She has been hit by a duck, took on some bush whacking adventures, and has gone across Alberta and back with me. I have been lost on roads with her, I experienced White-Tail deer race by, finger lengths away that you could brush them. She was surrounded by the Plains Bison in Elk Island where I got to feel of their hooves against the ground. The experiences I had in this car is by far the best I have ever had in my photography life. Boadicea, my newer car, has big wheels to fill. Farewell Milano.
November
Title: The Ledge
Taken: November 2024
Top Photo of November 2024
The Alberta Legislature, majestically situated in the vibrant heart of Edmonton, stands as a striking symbol of democracy and governance in the province. Its stunning architectural design, characterised by a grand dome and intricately detailed façade, beautifully reflects the rich history and diverse cultural heritage of Alberta. The Legislature not only houses the legislative assembly where important laws are debated and passed, but also serves as a welcoming gathering place for citizens to engage actively with their government. Surrounded by picturesque grounds and meticulously maintained gardens, the site invites visitors of all ages to explore its profound historical significance while enjoying the scenic beauty and natural charm that Alberta has to offer.
I went to Downtown Edmonton with a friend to showcase and share my favorite areas to photograph in our capital city of Alberta. The Legislature is one of them. The day was a gloomy one for light, chilly as winter made its way to the province. Yet visiting the Legislature was one of the best parts. The brick work, the architecture, everything about it that day was breathtaking. Getting to experience it with a friend was even better. I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I do.
December
Title: First Coyote
Taken: December 2024
Top photo of 2024.
December was a busy month for me which left very little time for photography. There was one morning where I woke up and I had to get out of the house. I packed up my dog, Winnie, and we hit the back roads in our area. We got to see White-Tail deer prance across the dirt roads, gallop through the fields, and it was something so majestic to witness it. As I was headed home with the fog clearing over the morning, I saw this beautiful coyote that had one full healthy coat. It disappeared into the trees but as I passed it came back out and took up residence on the road behind me before walking off. I captured this photo as it turned back for one last glance. My first coyote that I photographed ever and I managed to capture one I was proud of. I only hope that this is the start of a great adventure on more wildlife photography in 2025. This was a great way to end and wrap up 2024, a year of firsts, new beginnings, and new adventures. Here is to 2025.