Storms Across Saskatchewan

June 26th 2012, will be remembered as a day of violent storms across Saskatchewan.  The weather had been growing hot and humid for two days.  Storm chasers from the U.S. and Canada were converging here for what seemed like it would be a definite event.  They were not disaspointed.  Storms began springing up on the 25th and the predictions were that the 26th would be the big show. 

We knew our area was going to be hit by a nasty storm by late in the day.  The storm had spawned a tornado a few hours before it reached us near Regina but the cell had thinned out luckily.  It was a super heavy rainfall and heavy wind event that last about 15 minutes when it finally ran over us.

I'm not really a storm chaser so I left my camera at home when the storm was coming.  My wife and I drove into Regina to get a bite to eat and we watched the storm pass over.  Once it passed us, the most amazing mamatus clouds appeared all backlit by the sun.  Huge numbers of white puffy clouds!  I had never seen this many together in one place.  I was a little annoyed at myself for intentionally leaving my camera at home.  But we were headed east to go home and I could likely pick it up and get a shot or two.

So we hurried home and I grabbed a camera and we went out to find country road to shoot the trailing edge of the storm as it left the area.  This great little farm near Balgonie, SK appeared and the storm edge near it created a fabulous image.  I'm so pleased that I did get something out of the storm.

Enjoy...

Brent

On The Edge

All Aboard!!

I love trains...  Modern trains, old trains, it doesn't matter.  I just love to travel on them.  Sadly since I moved out to the prairies, there are no comuter trains, excursion trains or corridor trains like there were in Southern Ontario.  It's been years since I have been able to travel on them and I miss the experience.

I was fortunate in 1996 to spend three weeks traveling around Canada on VIA Rail's wonderful transcontinental train.  The memory of being lulled to sleep by the soft clicking of the train's wheels over the rails is still with me.  The whole experience was romantic compared to air travel.

I recently learned that there was a small excursion rail line in Winnipeg that was only a few hours drive away.  So off Heather and I went to try and photograph the oldest running steam locomotive in North America.  We spent most of the day outrunning the train, stopping our vehicle and jumping out to shoot it as it steamed past us.  What a fantastic way to spend the day shooting.

The train stopped for about 90 minutes where it was turned around.  During the short layover, the engineer invited folks into the cab of the engine.  I happy to accept the offer and was even able to photograph the open door to the firebox on the engine.  What a neat experience.  Here are a few shots I hope you enjoy.  Just click the pictures to see the full image.

Brent

 Evening Run

 Pulling Out

The Fire Box

Northern Lights

I have always been fascinated by the Aurora when it happens.  Yesterday several e-mails came my way indicating that last night would likely provide a terrific show in our area.  So I fired off an e-mail to some friends to see if any of them were up to chasing the show.  Only one of them had the time last night, but that was encouraging enough to head out and see what might happen.

I had been at the elevator in Stoney Beach, SK a few years ago and thought it might be just the right spot for doing Aurora shots that included of course, a prairie sentinel.  I had been itching to shoot here for several years now.  Happily the heavens did not disapoint!!  Here are a few shots of the show.  I hope you like them.

Brent



The beauty of the Southwest

I apologize for the length of time between updates to this BLOG.  Still having a regular full time job takes a toll on my time.  But now as I get close to retiring from that job, I will have time to keep my friends in the know about what I have been doing.

We recently came back from a trip to the American Southwest.  Although I know there are things right outside my door to photograph, I love returning to this area as often as I can.  The images from there do not sell well in Saskatchewan sadly, but the visit is good for my soul.  If the images only adorn my walls, that's ok.  I can only say that people are missing out on some stunning imagery.

We made our trip to partake of a hike in an area that is difficult to visit.  It is only difficult though because it is a protected area and the process for getting a permit is honestly a luck of the draw deal.  The permits are allocated by a lottery process and only 20 people per day are allowed into the area.  Known by its popular nickname "The Wave", this area is breath taking to behold.  We were truly blessed to have friends that got the permit and thoughtfully included our names on the application.  Many photographers have been to The Wave now, but it still needs to be on anyone's Photographic bucket list.  To stand where so few will ever go is uplifting to say the least.

It was all worth it though!  Have a look.

Just Returned From Oregon

OK, maybe I have been back a few weeks, but work for shows has kept me busy.  My wife Heather and I spent a terrific week photographing in Oregon.  The primary goal I had was to visit the Portland Japanese Garden and capture some pretty fall colours there.  Having seen photos over the years of the Garden, it has always been high on my list of places to visit.  We visited nearly every morning.  Usually there was a nice light fog in the garden at opening that provided just the right touch to keep everything moist and saturated.  Wow!!

For professional photographers... or anyone that plans to sell photos they make there, you must take out a Photographer's membership at the garden.  So $150 later, I had my membership and was able to capture some fantastic images.  I hope you like them.

Northern Lights

I was at an art show in Yorkton, SK this past weekend.  After setting up the show, I was headed to the campground I planned to stay at.  However, I noticed a flicker of light in the sky and realized that the Northern Lights were making an appearance.  Not just any appearance though.... A GRAND appearance!


I drove out of town and found a grid road that I hoped would provide some interesting foreground material for the show.  However, I found nothing but fields.  So rather than risk missing the show, I pulled over and began shooting.  There was also a full moon so often the fields were quite well lit which is unusual.


Each exposure was only 6 seconds long.  Taken with a 24mm lens opened up to f2.8.  My ASA was set to 1600.  All I could do was think WOW!!!


Brent

Fire Dance

Fire In The Sky

Stellar Mist

Another day another storm

My wife and I were on our way home from the gallery Sunday night when we had to pass right through an ugly storm.  Lots of rain and heavy hail.  So heavy we had to pull off the road and wait for things to pass over.

As we drove away towards the clear skies ahead, I told my wife to keep watch behind us for a rainbow.  The conditions were right since the sun was now out and if I turned to face the storm, the sun would be behind me.  A couple of minutes down the road, Heather got real excited that a rainbow had appeared.  So I pulled off onto a grid road and positioned myself to see the rainbow with some wind turbines that were built in the Moosomin area last year.

Wow!!  Definitely the nicest rainbow I have ever photographed.  I hope you like it!

Brent