Lamont Grain Elevator

Lamont Grain Elevator, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

I remember doing a summer photo series on Prairie Giants aka Grain Elevators in and around Alberta. Course that was back when I was younger and all the elevators where wooden towers. Nowadays these are the new clean elevators of the future. Not as many, bigger but do they have the character of the older Giants of the Prairies?

Rust

101rust, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

There was a small VW auto show at Churchill Square last weekend. While there was lots of colour and shine this little rusty baby blue 1961 VW caught my eye.

Work of Art

101workofart, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Part of the DREAM facade in front of the new extension to the Shaw Conference Centre. Not sure if I would call it a work of art or not but its an interesting picture.

2009 Dragon Boat Races

dragon6, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Went down to the dragon boat races Saturday and saw some great action. Lots of color and great food too. Finals go on Sunday.

Capital Ex

summerfair, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Todays picture is from the archives, this one was taken at Capital Ex at sunset. I don't go on the rides but it looked like a great night for a spin... er swing.

Rigger

Rigger, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Rigger is one of the new trainees in the Edmonton Dogs With Wings program that provides assistance dogs to disabled people. I was lucky enough to go along for a walk with 8 of the dogs and two very busy trainers. This picture was taken after their training day was done and they were cleaned up and settled down.

tigerezoo

tigerezoo, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Had a chance to stop by the Valley Zoo in Edmonton today and one of the twin tigers was out in the sun watching some crazy guy race around outside his cage. At least it got his attention and I got a great picture.

48 Tallest Building

48 Tallest Building, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Another picture from the flickr.com 101 scavenger hunt. This is number 48 - The tallest building in your home town. For Edmonton, it is the 35 (or so) story high Manulife Building. Part of a major shopping/office complex it is a unique shaped glass mega tower.

Heritage Days - Scandinavian

1 Boat No Motor, originally uploaded by photoMarkOnline.

Servus Heritage Festival 2009 marks the 34th annual of this premier three-day showcase of Canada’s vibrant multicultural heritage. We will feature 62 pavilions representing over eighty cultures from all over the world. Sample culinary delicacies, see creative performances, shop for crafts, artwork, and clothing, or chat with people eager to tell you a little about their cultural roots and their present-day communities in Canada.

This was shot in front of the Scandinavian pavilion.

Snowbirds over Camrose

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. Yesterday I left work a little early and headed down to Camrose for a free airshow. The Snowbirds were in town for a 100th Anniversary of Flight demonstration along with Hawk 1. Hawk 1 is a Sabre jet that started Canada's flight demonstration teams from 50 years ago. It was an amazing show and a great start to Big Valley Jamboree. Here are a couple of photos from my day in Camrose.

Canada Day - Canada Place

Construction on this postmodern building began in 1984, after several land mark buildings were taken down to make room for this then Federally owned building. The most notable being the Historic Alberta Hotel. Canada Place opened for business in 1986.

Canada Place is 16 stories (74 metres) tall with an atrium that runs the entire length of the structure. When it was built, the building, which has won several architectural awards, boasted the largest amount of office space of any other structure in Edmonton.

Women In Black

We stand in silence for a world without violence. Wearing black we remember those who have died, are dying, and will die at the hands of violence throughout our world. Women in Black Edmonton was formed November 2001 and is part of an international peace network. All are welcome to stand with us, for all or part of the vigil.

Civic Roadeo

Today was a chance for civic employees and their vehicles to be put to the test. From what I was told you had to be accident free for the year and be under a minimum number of sick days to be eligible. After that it was up to your driving ability running through a tricky obstacle course. Not sure who won but everyone looked like they enjoyed the day off!

Berry Blossoms

The last of the blossoms for this spring are finishing and I had to get these gorgeous pink ones up.

Redtail Hawk

Here's another picture of my lunch companion. He was sitting on the hill overlooking the Whitemud Freeway and when he took off, I got lucky with a few shots.

Summer Begins

Everything has turned green in town this week. The sun has come out and the weather has warmed. This is Summer, I hope.

Subway Edmonton Triathlon 2009

This weekend saw hundreds of Ironman wannabes converge on Cornation Pool and west Edmonton to compete in a fun mini triathlon. The race consists of

• 1 km swim in Peter Hemingway Pool
• 26 km cycle on Groat Road
• 8 km run along Groat Road and Mackinnon Ravine

* see my flickr page for more photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photomarkonline/sets/72157618750211090/

Alberta Railway Museum

Had a chance to get out to the Alberta Railway Museum for its opening weekend of the season. Only downside was it was just starting to snow! In May! Had a lot of fun poking around and doing some pictures. Some great old trains and some great people to meet.

Good Golly

Here is a shot I took last fall. I just signed up for a demo of a program called Nikon Capture NX2. It is used for touching up pictures. Man does this work great. Take a look at the original below and see what a difference it makes.

Coronation Pool

The Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre (formerly the Coronation Pool) in Coronation Park

Getting Warmer

Driving back to work from lunch, I noticed some smoke coming out the U-Haul lot on the southside. Since I always carry my camera around, I decided to investigate. Workers next door said U-Haul were cutting the trucks apart and ignited their second fire in two weeks. The fire department squeezed a truck down the aisle and quickly put the fire out. Lots of smoke and some flames. My first 'news' shot with my digital camera.

JLS

Jonathan Livingston Seagull was a book about a young seagull's efforts to rise above the ordinary. In a flock where individuality is frowned upon, Jonathan finds himself a loner and an outcast.
After performing feats of tremendous courage and skill, Jonathan is expelled from the flock. This gives him the freedom to develop.

Is that the same with photography. I need to learn, but I would rather be with others.

Blue Wood

Since when did they start making the ends of all the wood blue?
As warm as it is today we don't have a blue sky, but who's complaining!

Griesbach Parade

In memory of Major General William Antrobus Griesbach CB CMG DSO (3 January 1878 - 21 January 1945) was a Canadian politician, decorated soldier, mayor of Edmonton, and member of the Canadian House of Commons and Senate of Canada.

In 1906, Griesbach was commissioned as a lieutenant in the 19th Alberta Dragoons. He was promoted to Captain in 1907

When World War I broke out, the Dragoons volunteered as a unit. In December of that year, Griesbach was promoted to Major assigned to command the 49th Battalion. He was able to recruit one thousand men in eight days in January, 1915. The unit served in various engagements, including the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Battle of Arras, the Battle of Passchendaele, and the liberation of Mons. In 1917, Griesbach was promoted to Brigadier-General and assigned command of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order twice and the Victorian Decoration for long service. He was also made a companion of the Order of Bath and a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. After the war, he was made Inspector General of the Canadian Army for Western Canada, and was promoted to Major-General.

Winters Last Punch

Edmonton woke up to a left over winter storm yesterday. A wet white blanket covered the city but a day later the sun was back and winter is hopefully gone.

LRT Drag Race

The Bay station has a futuristic chromed decor and 3 bright colorful seats. It looks like these two trains are on a drag race out of the station. Also notice the train on the left is made up of the old Siemens-Düwag U2 cars and the train on the right is the new Siemens SD-160 train.

The Mammoth Metal Monster

Scheduled to open in early 2010, the new AGA will be an 85,000 square foot innovative gallery that will allow us to present national and international exhibitions. It will be a premier presentation venue for international, Canadian and Aboriginal art, education and scholarship. The gallery in itself will be a work of art that will complement and complete the cultural precinct surrounding Churchill Square. The AGA was designed by Randall Stout Architects, Inc.

LRT Clareview

Edmonton was the first city in North America with a population of less than one million to build a modern light rail system. The route first started construction in 1974, and opened its first segment on April 22, 1978, in time for the 1978 Commonwealth Games. The 12.9-kilometre route starts in Edmonton's northeast suburbs and currently ends near the University of Alberta Hospital on the south side. Construction on the southern extension is under way. This is one of the older Siemens-Duewag U2 cars.

Taiga or Amba???

Yesterday was a great day for a spring stroll through the Valley Zoo. All the animals were out enjoying the sun, especially the Siberian Tigers. Well at least one of the twin cubs the zoo obtained last December. Not sure if this is Taiga or Amba but it sure enjoyed being outside playing with its toy.

Spring Excitement at the Zoo

It was a beautiful sunny day (just before another snow storm moved in) and all the animals were out getting some rays. It was even the first time I saw the Snow Leopards out (both!!) Here is the first of a few nice pictures I got today. A Peregrine Falcon shaken some sleepy winter blahs out of his wings. Great color on these beautiful birds.

Earth Hour 2009 Edmonton

"One hour's darkness illuminates our minds"

Although it was only an hour of darkness, it seemed like a beacon lighting our way forward. We have realized that all of us should do something to save the Earth."

I don't think Earth Hour was a huge success, but it planted the seeds of crisis in the minds of Edmontonians. We realize that if we don't take good care of the Earth, then human beings will have to live in harsh conditions beyond our imagination.

Emily Murphy (March 14, 1868 - October 17, 1933) was a Canadian women's rights activist, jurist, and author. In 1916, she became the first woman magistrate in Canada, and in the British Empire. She is best known for her contributions to Canadian feminism, specifically to the question of whether women were "persons" under Canadian law.

In 1927, Murphy and four other women: Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby, who together came to be known as "The Famous Five" (also called "The Valiant Five"), launched the "Persons Case," contending that women could be "qualified persons" eligible to sit in the Senate. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that they were not. However, upon appeal to the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council — the court of last resort for Canada at that time — the women won their case.

This statue is at 98 Street and about 144 Ave on the old Griesbach base. There is another statue of Emily Murphy in Ottawa, honoring the "Famous Five".

One last snowfall.

On my way out to Leduc to look at a new truck. Stopped at gateway park because I haven't got a digital picture out there yet.

Riding home in some sunshine the other day, maybe winter is loosening its hold. Snapped this picture waiting in lline downtown. I thought the buildings looked great together.

Foggy Morning

On my way into work yesterday morning and I have my camera but I haven't taken a picture for a couple weeks. Coming over the Capilano bridge the fog is heavy and just starting to lift. The sun hits the Manulife building in a blinding fireball. A great site to see but it wouldn't make a good photo so I keep driving. Hitting the industrial area on the south side the sun is fighting to break through above an abandoned field. Great mood scene but i keep driving. Some men working above the Nova building in the fog and hazy sun, again i drive by. Things start to get to me and I double back to the empty field. I wade through shin deep snow and get that moody shot. Hopefully I am out of that funk and I can start taking more pictures.

The Goalie

Canadas favorite winter pass time is Hockey. Here my son(16) makes a fabulous glove save (note the puck in the glove). Wether it is game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs or just another weekly game Canadian males are always into their game.