Merry Winter....what???? Am I Dreaming?

Well good morning to all!  How's your day looking?  This morning it looked like this outside:

Yes, that is snow.  Check the calendar.....September 8...what????

Yes, we were warned in a forecast that one day said snow, another day said rain. It was on and off. Apparently a rare event  for this time of year, an Arctic front has settled over the province and we are the not so happy recipients of fluffy white stuff.

At 6:30 am it is only 1 degree Celsius.  Barely above freezing.  

Areas west of the city from Fox Creek south to Sundre or so, a snowfall warning is in effect.  Aren't we all surprised to wake up to this and the cold.  Brrrr.  Letting the dogs out this morning was no treat!  Yep, I'm awake!!

The 7 day forecast, however, holds promise for more seasonal weather and temperatures.  (thank goodness.  I've been thinking the Okanagan Valley, Vancouver or Hawaii all look pretty inviting!)

The fireplace has been lit and I've curled up with a blanket on the couch, movie playing and two dogs on my lap.  Not such a bad way to spend a day.  (I worked night shift last night so today is a day of leisure and naps.  I'm not just taking a snow day,  lol.)

Hope you are enjoying a lovely day, this Monday.  My condolences if your day looks like this as well.

Photo taken by hubby this morning

This song was playing on the news this morning.  Love their sense of humour so I had to share it with you as well.  Enjoy a little Queen on this snowy day!  (Outside-In - A Winter's Tale)

And in the Background, Majestic Mountains

Taken Monday evening, the lake at Waterton Dam reflects both the clouds and the pastel hues of the Rocky Mountains in the background.  It was a beautiful warm summer evening in Southern Alberta.  

Sky Watch Friday
Weekend Reflections

Rocky Mountain Highs

It's hard to believe, but we've lived here 13 years without a visit to the majestic mountains of Jasper.  We found some time early this month and, honestly, I did not want to leave.  The following are photos taken three weeks ago during a trip to Jasper National Park, Alberta.

The cranberry white chocolate scone is scrumptious!!  You must also try their cheese loaf and an Italian loaf with bruschetta in it.  

The famous washroom walls of The Other Paw Bakery Cafe.  The last quote was that of Agatha Christie!  

We took the Jasper Tram up the side of a mountain and then hiked up a ways to get some stunning photos, including the panorama.

Above, the gorgeous Athabasca Falls and below, the Athabasca River.

Coming next, the Columbia Ice Fields.

I've joined the following memes with this post:

Weekend Reflections

Sky Watch Friday

Shadow Shot Sunday

Storm Watch Yesterday Evening

We set a record yesterday after the hottest most humid day of the year here, which felt like 43 degrees Celsius, and then our area received severe storm warnings.  Some areas to the southwest had tornado warnings, some received golf ball size hail.  We had wind gusts of up to 120 km/hr and as my husband and I settled in for the night, an unidentified object flew through the air just inches from our window.

This is the view looking out to the west/northwest as the storm came in.

(Above, left and below)

The sky had an eerie green cast to it which immediately made us concerned about the threat of a tornado.

The view looking east (above) and south east (right). The sky was darkened ominously by the clouds and you can see the ridge where the storm ended.  We received rain and strong winds but we were lucky. My son's mate had a tree break and fall on his car. Similar experiences were reported either from lightning strikes or the incredible winds.

Luckily, family and friends were unscathed and have some interesting photos to share.  

Today is a much nicer day.  High of 26 Celsius and a light breeze which feels absolutely divine.  The house is bearable.  I don't even have the ceiling fan overhead on.  That's the first time in days that it has remained off.  This is my kind of weather!  

Have you had severe weather in your area?

Later that evening, I received this photo:

my son's mate's car received $4000 worth of damages from this downed tree

June 20/13 Pincher Creek Dam and the Oldman River - the flooding continues

Holes' Branch Out

Last Saturday a friend and I were in the mood for a nice stroll on a sunny day so off we went towards St. Albert, Alberta to the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park.  The park is on the western edge of St. Albert and Edmonton, the Sturgeon River flows into Big Lake, while a nearby area is a wonderful marsh replete with birds, ducks and, if you're lucky, you'll see the swans!  (We didn't)

The Sturgeon River flows into Big Lake.  This bridge is one of the two planned to cross the river.)

 Big Lake is large and the water is incredibly blue.  A slight breeze that day made a jacket a welcome addition to the wardrobe but it was perfect weather for birdwatching, which is what we intended to do in addition to getting a little exercise.

As we entered the park we saw a kayaker who eluded the camera but the two in the canoe above seemed to be enjoying a leisurely row on the lake.

The above sign is near a wild life viewing area that overlooks the lake.  We saw Canada Geese, red-winged black bird, the coot, swallows, amongst others.  More photos to follow in the next post.

 Can anyone identify this wild flower?

Fire Ban for Province of Alberta and Slave Lake Update

The last time I posted a Slave Lake Update was May of 2011.  Here it is, one year later and there are still some people without homes to go to in this town.  As you may recall, Slave Lake was at the mercy of fires this time last year.  Several homes and businesses were burnt to the ground.  The damage was unspeakable.

Today, one year later, the town is rebuilding.  My husband's cousin is one of the contractors working in the town, rebuilding homes, rebuilding lives.  He tells us via word of mouth that there is a good two years of building to repair and replace what was lost May 2011.  

fire near Bonnyville, Alberta 

As of May 15, 2012, there are 52 fires burning in the province of Alberta, some set by man, whether careless or otherwise.  The worst hit, that I know of, is the area north of Cold Lake and Bonnyville.  Forest fire risk is extreme due to a drier than normal winter and spring, thus the province of Alberta has issued a province wide fire ban.  This includes forested areas from Waterton Lakes National Park in south western Alberta to north of Manning going east to north of Fort McMurray.

The fire risk is considered serious with ratings from high to extreme.   

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment said, “Unfortunately, most of the wildfires we are fighting right now appear to be human-caused and therefore were 100 per cent preventable. It is very important that everyone take precautions to avoid starting fires.”

Currently there are four fires burning out of control in central and northern Alberta, according to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

“It does cover an extensive portion of the province, but most of the province is rated high to extreme and that’s why it’s so encompassing,” said spokeswoman Whitney Exton.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/alberta/Fire+imposed+across+Alberta+leadup+Victoria+weekend/6620296/story.html#ixzz1vAlAYVAj

Sadly, that means that once again those who are camping in provincial parks this long weekend may have to do so without the joy of a campsite fire.  Fireworks are forbidden as well as portable fires.  Many municipalities and cities have put in place their own fire bans.  

Visit the Government of Alberta Fire Ban Site for information updates.

Report a Wildfire (Reporting Line Only)
Toll Free: 310-FIRE (3473)

Telus Mobility: #3473

Wildfire / Fire Bans Info: 
1 866 FYI-FIRE (394-3473)

Meteor Lights Up Night Sky Last Evening

Province on Fire - May 2011

Fires are raging across the province of Alberta, particularly in northern Alberta, which is heavily forested.  According to the news report this morning, the cause of wild fires is either man-made or nature made.  The newscaster today said there have been no known lightning strikes, thus indicating the fires; of which there are 115 currently, 36 of which are out of control. (as of Monday, according to Global News); are thought to be caused by man.

Most heavily hit are Slave Lake, Little Buffalo area, Boyle, Grassland, and Thorhild. The town of Slave Lake saw more than 7000 residents evacuated and more than 40% of the town has been destroyed by the fire.  Structures burned to the ground include the local library, town hall, churches and several homes.  There have been no casualities.

The following is a map of Canada showing the fire danger zones as of today, May 17, 2011.  The premier, Ed Stelmach, is cautioning people to be careful in their activities so they are not contributing to the disaster.  Off roading, quading, smoking, and unwatched fires are the most common human contributors to wild fires.

LOW Fires likely to be self-extinguishing and new ignitions unlikely. Any existing fires limited to smoldering in deep, drier layers.


MODERATE Creeping or gentle surface fires. Fires easily contained by ground crews with pumps and hand tools.

HIGH Moderate to vigorous surface fire with intermittent crown involvement. Challenging for ground crews to handle; heavy equipment (bulldozers, tanker trucks, aircraft) often required to contain fire.

VERY HIGH High-intensity fire with partial to full crown involvement. Head fire conditions beyond the ability of ground crews; air attack with retardant required to effectively attack fire's head.

EXTREME Fast-spreading, high-intensity crown fire. Very difficult to control. Suppression actions limited to flanks, with only indirect actions possible against the fire's head.

NIL No calculations were performed for this region.


Take care out there and may God bless those who've lost their homes and property in this disaster.  You can contribute aid by dropping off bedding and supplies at Citytv Edmonton on Jasper Avenue, and contacting Canadian Red Cross.

The number to call concerning evacuated relatives 1-800-565-4483.  Check CTV & CBC Broadcasts for further information.  Slave Lake website.

Watery Wednesday

Droplets of water gather on the window as I gaze outside at the snow which has been falling here off and on since Tuesday, November 16.  This photo was taken November 18 in the afternoon during a brief respite from the snow.  At moments the sun tries to break through and even a sundog appeared earlier while I was outside shovelling.  Tales say a sundog means a change of weather.  Does that mean colder or warmer, I wonder.  The forecast says colder.  I hope they are wrong.  Our lows are going down to -20 C and our highs are forecasted to be -11 C or so.  Normal high for this time of year in Edmonton is -3 C.  I think we are in for a cold snap.  An "Alberta Chiller" says the weatherman as he refers to the system which hit parts of our province.  "Chiller" indeed! 

What is everyone else contributing to Watery Wednesday?  Check here: http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

Moose on the Loose

 These moose were seen in the Cypress Hills area in southern Alberta. 

These photos were taken on two separate occasions and at different locations both in southern Alberta.  It is rather unusual to see them so far south as they are in abundance in northern Alberta.  I've even seen one in St. Albert trotting through a parking lot.  It is far more likely to see white-tailed deer, sometimes with fawn, in the city as they wander in from the ravines and outlying areas but certainly moose sightings are unusual but becoming more frequent.