A touch of filter was added to this image in post-processing. I should add that the middle elevator is, in fact, orange, not pink as captured by my camera!
Yesterday, 20 June 2024, Summer Solstice, I spent several enjoyable hours driving the backroads SE of Calgary. There were three or four areas or locations that I wanted to revisit, mainly old barns. I hadn't really thought about getting as far as Mossleigh, but with a sky full of clouds, it seemed the right kind of day to photograph the three beautiful old grain elevators.
My day started off with a spur-of-the-moment stop at two of my favourite old barns. Just a quick few photos and off I went, driving further southwards. Once I left the highway, I was free to explore quite a few of the rough, gravel back roads. It was a good feeling knowing that I had finally got my winter tires taken off my car the day before, plus an inspection of my vehicle.
One road I drove along had such a great variety of birds, including a Swainson's Hawk, that stayed on its fence post just long enough for me to get two shots through the windscreen, which, as usually happens, with an unpleasant greenish tinge. Most Swainson's that I see tend to stay around longer. Other birds seen along this road were several Eastern Kingbirds, including one that was actually perched in a tree, not on a fence post or balancing on barbed-wire. I was happy to see a Western Meadowlark, too, especially as it stayed for a while. The best sighting along this road was when I noticed a teeny white speck on the fence way down the road. Couldn't tell what it was until I zoomed in on my camera. To my delight, it was a Loggerhead Shrike. I knew that it would fly off if I got anywhere near to it, so I made do with a zoomed shot.
A quick stop at a favourite location of mine turned up a Yellow-headed and a Red-winged Blackbird, plus a few more Eastern Kingbirds. Only saw two Vesper Sparrows all day.
Hoping that the sky would not change too much before I eventually reached the hamlet of Mossleigh and its row of grain elevators, I enjoyed taking a few photos of these impressive oldies.
An absolute favourite old barn was my last stop before heading home. The clouds were less impressive by the time I reached the spot, but at least there were a few white ones.
Our weather forecast for this afternoon, 21 June 2024, is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the city, including large hail. Really hope this does not happen! We are still under serious water use restrictions, not expected to end any time soon. The first day of the disastrous water main break was 5 June.
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