Alberta was long considered a have-not province until the discovery of oil at Leduc in the 1950s changed that. Today, fossil fuels make Alberta a wealthy province, providing much of the province's employment and allowing Alberta to be the only province in Canada without a provincial sales tax. While many of the corporate offices of energy companies are in Calgary, major refineries are found in and near Edmonton, especially along Refinery Row, shown here, in Edmonton's east end. Alberta's petroleum wealth is guarded jealously. Albertans still seethe with anger when reminded of the federal government's National Energy Program in the early 1980s, which many believe drained the province of multi-billions of dollars in wealth. This picture was taken Boxing Day morning.

Candy Cane Lane

We used to live 2 blocks from Candy Cane Lane while I was growing up. Last night, I was driving my mom home and we had an opportunity to go down CCL again. My mom doesn't get around much and she really enjoyed seeing all the lights. Here is one of the houses. I need to go back when I can setup the tripod and get some clearer shots.

Lucy 34, arrived in Edmonton on May 19, 1977. She has arthritis, but does OK with her medicines. She is well behaved and participates in stimulating activities once or twice a day. Lucy paints on a regularly basis and her pictures are at show in Edmonton. Just recently the zoo rejected plans to send Lucy to Tennessee. This was a recent picture honouring Edmonton's special friend - Lucy.

Muttart Conservatory

I took this picture the night a blizzard moved in. It was -25C and snowing, which is why the cloud cover turned out so light. Muttart just put in new lights this year that change colours.

Xmas House

Here is the totally insane Christmas House up on 97 Street and 142 Ave. This guy must have a million lights in his setup. I have a Christmas Lights gallery up at my webpage
http://photomarkonline.smugmug.com/gallery/6795770_xFPMn#434268389_ggof7

Now I remember why I like photography. It's not just a picture that I've taken, it's a special part of life. Last friday I was going to go out to Morinville to do some fireworks pictures - cool. What happened was... perfect. I jumped in my truck to head North accompanied by my very special girlfriend - just the two of us no kids - bond time. Just outside of Namao we noticed the sky darkening and were amazed to see it moving. About a thousand+ birds (maybe small ducks) were flying around just over the treeline all around us, Wow! Then as we turned off to go west we saw a deer just over the fence in a field beside the rode. It took off as soon as I hit the brakes. Note: make sure your camera is always ready to shoot - you don't always get a second chance. So now we get into Morinville, the main road was blocked off and we had to park off some side street. When we got back to Main street a Santa Claus parade was going on. Lighted floats, candy throwing paraders, kids and of course Santa. Then Santa turned the Christmas lights on in the park across the street and finally what we came for. Fireworks, great big incredibly beautiful and long show. Much much better than the ones in Edmonton (a million+ huge city). A quick hot chocolate after and then we called it an evening. A great evening. You don't get all that watching TV.

To check out the other pictures go to:
http://www.photomarkonline.smugmug.com/gallery/6708582_qRu6g#428334218_LZnM8

Winter Sunshine

Seems like most of my posts have been darker night shots. While the sun does go down around 4:30PM and doesn't come up until 8:30AM we do get a lot of sunshine. It isn't even that cold out yet so I better get some outdoor shots while my fingers aren't frozen.

Friday night drive home. I wanted to get a picture of the new Christmas lights on the Muttart Conservatory (the pyramid buildings). The lights change from blue to green to red, but tonight they seem to be stuck on blue. Also the Telus building which has the flashing Christmas tree lights going up the entire 33 floors. This was the first of 6 shots and the only one that wasn't blurred - and this was the only pic that I took hand held. Go figure.

Run it's a cougar!

Watch it! You’re crossing paths with a Mountain Lion and her cubs. Do you think these big cats are a threat to your life! Think again! Flip the pictures in our Rogues Gallery – you‘ll be surprised to find out who’s the most dangerous animal in the mountains. Cougars are my favorite animal. Does anyone have a zoo they have been to with cougars?

Royal Alberta Museum

Expertly laid out, this 18,500-sq.-m (200,000-sq.-ft.) modern museum displays Alberta's natural and human history in three permanent galleries. Wild Alberta, the museum's new permanent exhibit, represents Alberta's diverse natural history with astonishingly lifelike dioramas and interactive displays utilizing computers, microscopes and other hands-on tools. The Gallery of Aboriginal Culture tells the 11,000-year story of Alberta's First Nations inhabitants, incorporating artifacts, film, interactive media, and Native interpreters. The Natural History Gallery has fossils, minerals, and a live-bug room. Maryann and I took the kids and we all had a blast running around killing the morning.

For more pics of Royal Alberta Museum copy below
www.photomarkonline.smugmug.com/gallery/6641802_Hk5YA/1/423769519_2kbY5

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Edmonton by Moonlight

This picture is from the middle of Capilano Bridge just after the previous one was taken. Trucks were shaking the bridge, my hands were frozen and the camera wasn't taking pictures when I pushed the button. I am amazed anything came out of this shoot. A little pp with sharpness and colour - oh and yes I added a full moon as well just for some balance.

Edmonton Sunset

Last night was my first night shoot. I parked off Capilano Bridge and went out in the bitter cold to do what I thought would be a couple quick sunset pictures. Well in the dark you can't see the settings or why the camera wouldn't focus properly. And your fingers don't work so well when they are frozen. Out of 30 or so shots I got 2 that would pass. So here is the earlier of the two from up the hill. I even caught the CN tower lights on.

This is again from the Bright Lights on the Square opening ceremony. This is looking toward City Hall. It was designed by Edmonton architect Gene Dub and opened on August 28, 1992, on the site of the former City Hall. In the background it Edmonton's tenth tallest building the CN Tower.

Bright Lights on the Square

This is a picture of the lighting ceremony for the Christmas lights in Edmonton. It was taken at Churchill Square. The tree is an 80 foot Spruce from the Whitecourt area (northwest of Edmonton). Unfortunately none of the fireworks pics turned out - new camera - settings error. I did like the colors in this one though.

Snowy Bench

Snowy Bench

After the first snowfall of the year, I was out patrolling South Edmonton in my truck and came across this lonely bench covered in snow in the Mill Creek Ravine Park.

First Snow

Rememberance Day - First Snow

After waking up late and scrambling in to work, I didn't have to work. So off to do some pictures in the snow. it was a beautiful morning and I spotted these great snow covered trees in Forest Heights Park.