Happy January Everyone,

It has been awhile that I know. I gotten busy in my personal life and just didn’t have enough time to write a New Years Blog. First off, some changes are coming to the blog and the website. Although I was doing my best to update the blog weekly, I found there were some times I just could not do that. So this year, in 2026, New Year New Changes. The blog is going to be updated once a month and depending if I have something going on, twice a month. So what is new? In this blog going to share my updates on my work but I will also share my top favorites from the year of 2025. Let’s get started shall we?

What’s New?

So I do not know when the last time was that I went out. I haven’t gone out much this month due to being sick with a very bad cold, very cold temperatures came in for weather, and just even miserable weather in all. I haven’t gone to one of my favorite places all month, Elk Island National Park even. This is mainly due to just being busy in my personal life but also due to some very icy conditions on the roads that made our roads not desirable for travel. I do hope to go to Elk Island lots more this year to get the Bison in the snow and so much more. Perhaps this weekend I will go, we will see. It is hard to say as there is so much I am doing and preparing for February.

In fact the only real big thing I done this month is the Edmonton Pet Expo. I got to help out with work on taking pictures of all the different animals, vendors, and the activities going on. That was an experience all on its own. An experience that I would gladly do again even as just a photographer for the whole event on my own. That is really all I have been able to do this month for Photography. Like I said, I been busy. So in this blog I am going to share some of my best opportunities at the Pet Expo and my favorites from the past year for Landscape and Wildlife Photography.

Walk The Rails

There is something about pictures of being on railroad tracks and even walking along the rails but did you know that this is actually quite dangerous? Yes you risk being hit by a train especially if you can not tell the signs of an approaching train. The whistle is not the first sign you would actually notice unless there is a few crossings in between. In fact, if you are ever crossing a track by foot, place your foot on the rail or even if it is safe to do so, put your ear to it. You will hear the train on the track through the rail even from a distance but you will also feel the vibration through your foot if you place it on the rail. Now I am not saying walk the tracks, in fact I would stay off them if I were you. The picture above is one I took while on a roadtrip and I took it from the car. Do you want to know some facts on why you should stay off of any train tracks? These facts are from the CN.CA website itself. Link is in the CN RAIL after Fact #1.

Why is it unsafe to walk beside or on the tracks?

It is illegal and dangerous to walk on or along a railway track. In Canada and the United States, railways are private property and individuals trespassing on railway tracks or property can face arrest and receive fines. You could also lose your life or a limb while trespassing.

CN RAIL

Can You Cross The Tracks Quickly As A Shortcut?

Short answer: No!

Railway tracks should only be crossed at designated, authorized crossings. Crossing tracks at any other location is considered trespassing which is both illegal and dangerous.

Can I Film Or Take Photos On The Railway Tracks?

As a general practice, unauthorized photography or filming on railway property is prohibited as it dangerous and illegal. A picture might be worth a 1,000 words but no snapshot is ever worth your life.

What To Do If Your Car Gets Stuck On The Tracks!

If you ever get stuck at a crossing exit your vehicle immediately. Remain outside of your car and call the emergency number (1-800-465-9239) located at the crossing.

Why Do Trains Whistle?

While we understand that whistling may be disturbing at times, federal regulations in the US and Canada mandate whistling at all public crossings. Train whistles are safety devices that alert motorists and pedestrians to the presence of an approaching train and warn trespassers away from the rail right-of-way. Locomotive engineers follow a detailed set of instructions that outline when a whistle must be sounded and the whistling sequence to be used. Train crews will also use the whistle if there is a work project in the area to notify the work gang on or near the track that a train is approaching.

In certain circumstances, a particular crossing may be exempt from whistling requirements.

To learn more about whistle rules click here.

Title: Ride The Rails
Taken: November 27, 2025

Tips to “BE RAIL SMART”

Stop a safe distance from tracks and crossings.
Look both ways to ensure trains are not approaching.
Listen for approaching trains.

How can you help?

Say something! Save the CN Police phone number and call if you witness any unsafe situation near the railroad: 1-800-465-9239.
Act as a role model around trains and tracks.
Share rail safety tips with your family, friends, colleagues and community.
If you live in a CN-served community email CN Safety to organize a safety presentation in your local school.

Title: Until Frozen
Taken: November 27, 2025

Last Landscape Time I Been Out

November 27, 2025 was the last time I was out on the road taking pictures of the landscape. I really should go more often but the weather just was not the greatest for it lately. Either freak blizzards where it was not safe to drive, to icy, or the light was just not right. Sometimes it was that the mood was just not right either.

There is this small creek though by my town and the picture above is one of my favorites of it. It wasn’t snowy yet, frosty with some fog only but this bend is one of my favorite spots to visit to view this creek. It is quiet, secluded, but also a different perspective of the water. You get both directions at this location and with the right lens, you can capture the whole thing. It is well worth the visit and it was well worth the little trek down to the edge of the water for these photos.

Title: Let The River Freeze Over
Taken: November 27, 2025

Title: Christmas Gnomey
Taken: December 31, 2025

Glow - Edmonton

Glow has been coming to Edmonton, Alberta for awhile now. I only been once a few years back and had the opportunity to visit it again this year. It is amazing on how it has a different theme each year and different set-up for lights. The first time I went was Nations and secretly, that is still my favorite time yet. Personally cause I loved the England set-up for the lights. This year was mystical and fantasy which was still amazing. I love the little gnomes placed all around the event and there were some pretty outstanding light displays like a giant fox and a very giant owl. That owl had us coming back to it each time around. We were just in awe of it. It was truly a show stealer for sure.

Glow Edmonton is a premier indoor holiday festival running from Nov 27 – Dec 31, 2026, at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. It features over 100,000 sq. ft. of themed light gardens, interactive displays, and a "Merry Makers Market". The event includes live performances, food trucks, and visits with Santa, making it a popular, all-ages, weather-proof attraction.

Title: What Does The Fox Say?
Taken: December 31st, 2025

Key Facts About Glow Edmonton:

Location: Edmonton EXPO Centre, 7515 118 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 0J2.
2026 Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2026.
Theme: "The Enchanted Forest" (2025/2026) featuring light tunnels, giant trails, and interactive displays.
Family-Friendly Activities: Includes a scavenger hunt, glowing mini-golf, and a LED dance floor.
Entertainment: Features daily live stage performances and character meet-and-greets.
Amenities: Features a licensed bar, festive food vendors, and a holiday market with local artisans.
Tickets & Pricing: General admission starts around $23.99+ for adults, with free entry for children 3 and under.
Parking: The Edmonton EXPO Centre has 3,800 parking stalls available.
Social Impact: The event has raised over $100,000 for local charities, with proceeds from the coat check going to community organizations.

My Top Photos of 2025

Title: Purple Heaven
Taken: January 19, 2025

Title: Saturday Morning Meet
Taken: February 15, 2025
Wildlife: Moose (Cow - Female)

Title: Agriculture Under The Stars
Taken: February 27, 2025

Title: Masculine Male
Taken: March 25, 2025
Wildlife: Plains Elk

Title: Two Heads Are Better Than One
Taken: April 13, 2025
Wildlife: Canada Geese

Title: Step And Stomp
Taken: May 5, 2025
Wildlife: Yellow Legs Water Bird

Title: Taking Aim
Taken: May 23, 2025
Wildlife: Great Horned Owlette

Title: Oncoming Storm
Taken: June 2025
Animal: Cow

Title: Mama Coyote
Taken: July 5, 2025
Wildlife: Plains Coyote

Title: Creepy Crawly
Taken: August 9, 2025
Some kind of spider, don’t ask me which kind. My guess is a Jewell Spider but I did not want to get overly close with it as I have a fear of spiders.

Title: Crack In The Sky
Taken: August 18, 2025
Last photo taken with Canon 80D. First time storm chasing.

Title: Down To Level
Taken: September 10, 2025

Title: A Nice Rub
Taken: October 16, 2025

Title: Chewy The HIghlander
Taken: November 3, 2025

Title: The Tunnel of Mobile Dreams
Taken: December 31, 2025

Thank you for being here on my photography journey and following my work on Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, and here. Y’all support means so much to me so thank you so much. Please do not forget to subscribe to my Newsletter and I promise to send a monthly update each month.

New Year New Site