It's been some time since my last post.  With the shortest number of daylight hours happening through December, events at work and getting ready for Christmas, I have to say that my outdoor time was limited to the backyard.  It has been dark when I leave for work and dark when I come home so I have taken full advantage of my time off the past week and enjoyed as much outdoor time as I could possibly fit in.  

I like to do a year in review when December ends and a new year begins.  I take stock of new experiences and revisit my photographs from the past year and try to choose my favorites.

January 2015

I love the thick hoar frost on the trees after a foggy night.  As you walk on the trails you can hear it snap and crackle as the temperature changes.  Sunlight on the frosty branches make each sparkle like millions of diamonds.  That is my kind of 'bling'. 

April 2015

In April I was lucky to find the beaver family actively swimming in the pond at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre.  I watched in wonder as they fed on the reeds.  There is nothing on television that could have kept my attention for an hour like this reality show.

May 2015

May offered a spectacular light show.  The aurora was active and bright.  It provided me the opportunity to attempt some night time photography.  I spent a good portion of the evening under that amazing sky.  Mother Nature's light show is free for all those who watch the sky.  This was only the beginning of a very active year for the northern lights.  It got better as the year went on.

June 2015

I managed to travel to David Thompson country five times last summer.  Four of the five were camping trips.  The loons on Fish Lake west of Nordegg put on a show each time I was there.  I tried a new campground this year.  The Thompson Creek campground is the last one on the David Thompson highway before entering Banff National Park.  What a beautiful site and well maintained.

July 2015

When I stayed at Thompson Creek, I found the hiking trail on the north side of the highway.  It meandered along the creek through masses upon masses of fireweed that bloomed after the Spreading Creek Fire went through the area.  Rufous hummingbirds flitted from flower to flower and bluebirds sang from the bare branches.  The forest was once again coming to life.

August 2015

I had my own hummers in the backyard.  Each year I plant scarlet runner beans to attract the little beauties to the yard.  The nectar feeders were set out as well and I watched the action throughout the entire summer.   They arrived in May and left in September.  I was pleasantly surprised by a pair of Rufous hummingbirds that stopped in at the feeders in addition to all the Ruby throated hummers.

September 2015

September 2015

Autumn was spectacular.  A lunar eclipse had me watching this sky in September in addition to another beautiful display of the northern lights.

September 2015

The colors of autumn stayed for a number of weeks.  It was the most scenic drive home for days on end.  The beautiful hues were brilliant and caused me to drive under the speed limit just so I could take them all in. 

September 2015

September 2015

While walking the trails at the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, I had numerous encounters with the moose.  I was a familiar sight to them already.  They would look up when they heard me coming but continued with their browsing after they saw it was me.  I saw more tiger salamanders and garter snakes than ever before.  Each year I check my window wells daily during their migration time.  The salamanders fall into the wells and need me to help them out so they can continue on their journey to find a hiding spot before winter arrives.

November 2015

November brought another fantastic display of light in the sky.  The aurora moved in waves and circles in the sky.  As I stood in the middle of the yard, the deer came in from the forest behind my house.  I stood within ten feet of them.  The moment was magical.  That night was the most entertaining show that I had seen yet; not knowing that December would be even better. 

December 2015

 On December 20 the northern lights were out again.  I noticed them on my drive home from work.  This is one advantage to working late.  As the evening progressed the show became more intense.  I stood in the middle of the backyard and watched waves of light move and swirl across the sky. The deer did not show up but the wolves living at the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation area decided to provide some music for the show.  Their howls under an aurora filled sky was about as Canadian as it could get.  That was a night to be remembered.

December 2015

My little people stayed for a few days during Christmas break.  We skated on an outdoor rink, x-country skied and found a hill for lots of sledding.  The temperature was perfect to be outside.  It was a great way to end 2015.

The snow cover this year is minimal but there is enough for outdoor activities without having to keep the driveway shoveled.  I think that has happened only three times since winter began.  The warmer temperatures of late have been ideal for outdoor activities.  

It will soon be time to make my annual trek to the mountains.  I can partake in skating, skiing and snowshoeing here but there is just something special about having the mountains in view.

2015 was an outstanding year for nature experiences.  Here's hoping that 2016 will bring more of the same.