Terri Mappin Photography

So Spring has officially arrived on the Canadian Prairies and with that 'Old Man Winter' said "take that!"  Our first big spring snow has once again blanketed this dull, brown prairie!  The arrival of Spring marks the end of my 4th year of Seasons 365 and the end to my 365 journey!  365 projects are indeed a challenge ... trying to grasp the task over a 4 year period was certainly a test and one that I truly loved.  However, another 365 is not in the works.  Instead, just my photographs!  They might be daily, they might be weekly or perhaps biweekly!  Nonetheless, I will still be sharing images from my little piece of the prairie and hopefully a few more creative takes on landscapes, wildlife and prairie life!

Thank you so much for following along ... I hope you will continue!  

Wishing you all a fantastic Spring Or if you are from the Southern Hemisphere ... 'Autumn!'  

Wintery Hues ...

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. 

~Henry Van Dyke

Aaaaah ... Spring!  Yes, it officially arrived with cloud cover, cool winds and snow flurries!  Henry's quote rings true more often than not!  The hues of Spring have been temporarily put on hold, while those Wintery hues hang on for just a bit longer!  

Happy Spring Everyone!  

Dog Days of ....

 ... Winter!!!  Yes, the official LAST day of WINTER!!!  Our sweet Girlie-Girl was more than happy to celebrate the day romping through the sloughs, fetching her stick!  Spring has certainly sprung ... and it sprung EARLY!!!  

A St. Patty's Dance!

These are only "snippets" of the incredible Aurora show that danced in the heavens all week!  You truly had to witness this display of aurora borealis with you own eyes!  Although I missed the initial dance earlier in the week due to cloud cover and snow, the aurora pulled out their best dancing shoes and one of their hottest choreographed numbers not only once BUT twice for St. Patrick's Day!  I captured the first images in the wee hours of March 17th staring around 1:00am.  The 2nd big number began around 9:30pm on the 17th!  I have to say, it was certainly a performance I will never forget!  

I tried several times to pack my gear and head in sooner but the mesmerizing dance of the aurora kept me standing there ... in complete awe of such a magical sight!  I hope you enjoy these "snippets!"  

Cattails and Periwinkle Blues!

It always amazes me how the buttery yellows of the faded and bleached cattails, grasses and stubble can dance against the periwinkle and deep, ever changing blues found as the snow melts into the sloughs and dugouts across the prairie!

Sunrise Shades

I'm so glad my window looks east into the sunrising.... It's so splendid to see the morning coming up over those long hills and glowing through those sharp fir tops. It's new every morning, 

and I feel as if I washed my very soul in that bath of earliest sunshine. 

~L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I love that quote and although my eastern sky has long rolling hills dappled with Trembling Aspen groves instead of fir tops, its true ... the sunrise is new every morning!  It's a treat to start each day glancing out over that wondrous prairie, with a coffee in hand, listening to the hustle and bustle of our boys and watch the amazing and fast past changes of colour and light!  It's a new painting everyday!  

Anticipation ...

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. 

~Charles Dickens

When the sun finally surfaces from behind the clouds, how can one not pause and soak up those warm, glorious rays?  Spring officially arrives on March 20th and I am not alone in counting down the days!  Although March and April tend to bring some of our biggest and wettest snowfalls ... I can't help but anticipate SPRING!  It's hard not too when even the Trembling Aspens seem to be anticipating it's arrival!

And after a day of chasing the promise of ground squirrels surfacing, sloughs and mud to swim and roll in ... laying on the deck, soaking up those warm, delicious rays, is the perfect place for a NAP!  Spring is in the air!

Northbound ...

Well ... it would appear Honker 1 and Honker 2, in Spring-like fashion, have arrived home!  It seems early but I won't argue with them!  Yes, they took me by surprise this morning (scolding me, the dogs and the cows as they did their ritual low, pasture 'fly-by') BUT I still managed to get a quick snapshot of them before the settled up north in the pea stubble!  The Canada Geese have certainly been 'northbound' for the last few days ... hmm, it would appear spring migration has begun!

A Few Days ...

Friday, March 6, 2015:  

The last of that Full Moon rising up behind the trees ...

Saturday, March 7, 2015:

Our oldest competing in the District 4-H Public Speaking Competition.  He did an amazing job, placing 1st in Junior's.  He's now off to the regional competition.

Sunday, March 8, 2015:

Triple Trouble ... !

Monday, March 9, 2015:

A glorious sunrise to kickstart a beautiful spring-like week!

Our 'Old Guy' enjoying the mild morning!