Friday, July 10, 2009

Photo-Finish Friday -- Alberta Sunset

Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park

Alberta has beautiful sunsets. The further north one goes away from the mountains, the longer the sunsets last.

It is a peaceful time of day. Life winds down for most of us while the night creatures stir. At the lake loons call, coyotes sing, and the lake empties as birds return to their nests.

In Elk Island Park the sunset was long and easy. We set out in our canoes after 10 p.m. and returned to shore just before 11 p.m. Here, the sun hides behind a cluster of spruce trees on at the end of its journey.

13 comments:

David Cranmer said...

"Alberta has beautiful sunsets" is a understatement. Stunning shot. And you "set out in our canoes..." My goodness you're living the adventure up there.

Miz said...

Ive never been to Alberta.


wondering if your life is as serene as I imagine it to be,

Miz.

Crabby McSlacker said...

How beautiful!

And canoeing at 10pm sounds like quite an adventure! Glad you didn't fall asleep out there! (I tend to conk out by then...)

the Bag Lady said...

Oh, cousin, that photo is gorgeous! So peaceful.

Personally, I love the long twilight hours up here.

Leah J. Utas said...

David, thanks. It's wonderful to be able to go out so late at night and still see. Sunset is a magical time.

Miz, serenity is where you find it. I'm lucky that it's easy to find here.

Crabby, thanks. It's easy to stay awake outdoors on the one hand, but to glide in a canoe at sunset would make for a magnificent sleep.

dfBag Lady, I am proud of that pic. I could gaze at it all day.
I love the long twilight,too, although we don't have it to the same degree here. I miss the Fort for that. It's "The Land of Midnight Twilight" there and yours is even longer.

Hilary said...

That is SUCH a beautiful image. I can only imagine how incredible it would be to drift along, watching a sunset well into the night. Thanks for sharing the photo and the thought.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you, Hilary. It was a spectacular evening, and my pleasure to share it with you.

Barbara Martin said...

Beautiful photo. Leah, you forgot to mention the sun is up early in the mornings at 4 with a nice dusting of pink in the sky.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you, Barbara. You're absolutely right about the early rising.

Reb said...

Beautiful photo Leah. I love our long twilight hours too and being on the lake must have been so peaceful. Except for the mosquitoes.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Reb. There weren't that many skitters.

Nancy said...

I loved Alberta on our visit last fall. I have the most amazing amolite necklace, that everyone always asks about, which only comes from Alberta.

Leah J. Utas said...

Ammolite is beautiful, Nancy. Glad you've got some to enjoy.