ICE ON WHYTE - PREPARATIONS

From last weekend when the temperature was a balmy -10!







The pagodas were built and the workers were preparing the walls.  A foot of fresh snow blanketed the pagoda roof-line and blocked the light from passing through the ice but created these great lit windows. It is minus 25 tonight or I would be down there capturing the carvers at work.

Looking Up At Ice On Whyte

I love photographing the last minute preparations  as the sculptors are putting the finishing touches on their ice sculptures.Add the morning sunrise providing backlighting and I think this is the best time to go to the Ice On Whyte festival.  The castle and pagodas are in place and the carving starts Thursday .  I believe that the judging happens Saturday morning.

This was Saturday morning at last year's Ice on Whyte festival.


Ice On Whyte opens 2pm  Thursday  January 13th this year. http://www.iceonwhyte.ca/





Ice on Whyte is the 2nd of a series of Family winter events that is the festival WINTERLIGHT.   It is great fun for family and photographer alike.  Check it out at.....

http://www.winterlight.ca/joomla/2011-events/winter-2011-events.html

Snow Day

3 days of snow forecast for Edmonton and we have a fresh blanket by the hour. I had a predawn trip across town today and on my way back home I checked out the Alberta Avenue area for suitable images for the weather. It was too early for the Deep Freeze Festival to be underway, I had to pass on the the garage sideboard advertising 'WINTERIZE NOW - $58' because of traffic so I went for a period building and lights.

I choose to shoot in black and white today because I felt it fit the weather, the age of the building and the light.

Remember Carol's rule: GET OUT OF BED!

Snow Drifts - Blown

From today's trip to Lloyd and back. High winds were blowing the snow across the fields and the highways. Coming back home, I had to try and capture the wind and sifting grains of snow.

I think this captures the mood. Thankfully the temperature was right around freezing so photography was bearable despite the wind.

A New Year's Hike - A Snack!

A beautiful day hiking at Elk Island calls for a fine finish. Nothing like roasting a kubi on a fire.

A Fine Day

Speed Skaters On Hawreluk Pond enjoy a crisp sunny Edmonton day.

12 Days Of Christmas - Running In The New Year

A healthy start to the new year as I completed my 5th or 6th Resolution Run.  I  have run this on New Year's Eve in Calgary followed with a leisurely supper with family but this year stayed in Edmonton and invited my neighbor and 1700 others to join in.  A great way to kick off a new year!

Well, this was my 12th Day of Christmas and the project has come to an end.  I have enjoyed prepping and posting this last week and a half.  I think I probably have an image or two for our 2011 Christmas card from the project.  I hope you have enjoyed viewing the images and perhaps will try your hand at a similar project.  I must say that I have gained new respect for those who manage to post a 'Picture A Day' theme.  I just don't think I have time to keep that scale of project going.  

Happy New Year to all!