February in Central and Eastern Alberta
Folks - Here are some scenes from Central and Eastern Alberta over the past few weeks.
1. Fort Island through snowfall. This island in the North Saskatchewan is downstream from our house about 4 miles. Alexander Mackenzie, the explorer who opened up much of this part of the continent, opened a trading fort, called Fort D’Lisle,with his XY Company, on this island in 1799. The Hudson’s Bay Company and Northwest Company opened up posts on either side of Mackenzie’s, on the island. On the left (north) side of the island, about half way down, is a brass plaque on a cement marker, which tells the story. One can reach the island by canoe in summer, or over the ice in winter. This photo was taken from the Myrnam bridge on February 5.
2. Night Shift on PD-238. This photo was taken at 4 am, on February 14, just north of Wetaskiwin. Current temperature was -29C (-20F), with a wind chill of -40C/ -40F. The two crew members were working to lay out the flare line, when they paused to look at me. The steam is due to working with water in such temperatures. Rigs use boilers for steam to keep lines from freezing up.
3. Morning hoar frost from our kitchen window, February 24. Temperature -20C/ -4F.
4. The view over our hayfield. We have more snow this year than for the past decade, and the spring run-off will be welcome. Taken from our lane, February 24. Temperature -12C/ 12F. If you look close, you might see the sparkles off the snow in the foreground.
5. Clearing a fresh snowfall on our lane, February 24, using a tractor mounted snow-blower. Annie got this photo of yours truly (wearing sporty action-colored touque) in action about halfway up our lane. As a note, one should remember not to throw snow against the wind….
Enjoy, Jim Szpajcher
