Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Thank you! A big thank you to everyone who has supported me this year — actually everyone since 2008 when I embarked upon this exciting photographic adventure. There is more to come in 2011. Without your support my photography business and photographic inspiration surely would be hidden away as it was for years (decades). May you and yours enjoy a year ahead filled with energy, enthusiasm, good health, and many special moments with those you love.

“Go to the winter woods: listen there, look, watch, and “the dead months” will give you a subtler secret than any you have yet found in the forest.” ~ Fiona Macleod, Where the Forest Murmurs

“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.” ~ an Old Irish toast (those Irish surely have fine toasts and wishes).

Although this is my business photo journal, here’s the second installment for my new personal project, My Neck of the Woods, that I began last week. Since these photos were not taken this week, they are almost ‘out of date’ because of how much the surroundings have changed. Right now, instead of green trees, they’re mostly shades of yellow, orange, and some with a hint of red. This first one was taken about four weeks ago just down the road from my place along Highway 59. The yellow is canola in full bloom. Canola is a predominant crop in our area together with fields of barley. Some farmers attempt to grow wheat but our weather is not hot enough nor the growing season quite long enough. Most people take photos of the canola fields as the prominent subject; I chose to make it an accessory to the dramatic sky. I’m a huge sky watcher and this time of year we enjoy a great deal of drama in our skies.

With this installment of My Neck of the Woods I’m showcasing fields and skies. Next time we’ll move away from fields and skies. This next one was taken a few mornings ago as I was headed to town (Hythe) to check mail. I loved how the steam was streaming off the field so had to pull over and get a few pictures. This field was recently plowed and will sit fallow over winter, ready to be seeded in spring.

And I’ll leave you with a lovely bucolic rural scene. Again, the colours have already changed since I took this a week ago but I liked this so much I wanted to share it with you. Many farmers in our area raise cattle and even more raise bison. I’ll have to take some current photos of the bison to show you while I’m doing this little project to share with everyone. My husband and I eat bison because we can buy pasture fed bison instead of all the chemical laden, forced fed beef that is available in stores. We also buy locally raised cattle to feed to our dogs. You may have noticed in all the photos the thick bush in the background. Due to the thick bush and many swamp areas as well, there is a great deal of wildlife. The most common and abundant wildlife include mule deer, coyotes, moose, and elk (wapiti). In fewer numbers are white tail deer and fox, and the occasional bear. The most dangerous are definitely the elk but you also don’t want to come between a cow moose and her calf.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this second installment. I’ll bring more variety in #3. I’m hoping that what is ordinary for me, is of some interest to you. Thanks for stopping by again.

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Sometimes it’s best to let the picture do the talking.

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.  ~Andrew Wyeth

One kind word can warm three winter months. ~Japanese Proverb

It’s been a hectic and eventful weekend so far. I’ll spare you the mundane details but will share a tidbit or two anyway. Took our 6 year old Australian Shepherd in on Friday to be neutered. Poor guy. Our neighbour was arrested and I literally spent hours on the phone doing interviews with the media that afternoon.

What was left of the afternoon media scrum. CBC’s satellite still up. Missed the roaming helicopter.

That caused me to be late in getting my environment column in on time — first time ever that has happened. Speaking of my environment column, the newspaper that it originally appeared in has closed down as of year-end but they have another paper for the rural community and my column will be a new weekly feature in there.

For those living in my neck of the woods, watch for my photos to appear in future issues of Peace Country Sun newspaper. The first 3 images, including the one above, will appear in the January 15th issue. Let me know what you think!

Since I was feeling a bit of cabin fever, I decided to take a long drive and look for some photographic inspiration. Found several different subjects but Mother Nature provided me with the best inspiration.

“Observe the wonders as they occur around you.” ~ Rumi

One final note. As some of you know, I’m a strong proponent of setting and attaining goals. I’m not much of a resolution-maker and I do feel there is quite a difference between the two. This year I actually have made a few resolutions and am pleased to report that I’m well on my way in keeping those resolutions. The main one is spending far less computer/online time and far more time living. I can’t tell you how refreshing and invigorating it is to spend so much less time on the computer. I tried it in the past but my frame of mind was not where it is now. I’m thrilled to say I’m actually in love with this ‘found’ time I’ve been experiencing living real life by drastically reducing my online time. I think more of us should take this on. I’ve missed a lot and I plan to make up for it in 2010!

So what has been inspiring you lately? Or, have you made any resolutions or set goals? Are you embracing those goals/resolutions? I know you can do it!

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Don’t forget to add yourself as a fan on Facebook. Facebook fans will be eligible for some nifty rewards this year!

Some of you are anxiously awaiting my tutorial on how I make my designer envelopes — it’s coming but I just had to do this post first!

A trio of horses I spotted under the amazing Alberta autumn sky near Teepee Creek, Alberta

Driving to Edmonton this past weekend, it was a beautifully sunny Autumn day in Alberta. I took both of these on my way to Edmonton (along with at least half a dozen others). This is really a poor representation of our current weather but it was so enjoyable, I thought it demonstrated the difference to today’s reality. Today I had to shovel snow twice and just now my husband went out and shoveled again. I didn’t bother taking photos of the snow because it does not impress me — I really, really, really dislike winter. Instead I ironed, shoveled snow, drove the treacherous roads to pick up some milk and mail, and got cold and wet walking the dogs today.

“Taken at the crest of Highway 43 just heading down into Chickadee Creek, north of Whitecourt Alberta. Those yellow trees among the swamp spruce are tamarack.”

I’m beginning to get caught up somewhat so general posts like this will likely occur as winter burrows its way. No more hanging clothes on the line, no more single layers (from now on it’s dressing like the Goodyear blimp), and no more pleasant times outdoors. From now on it’s uncomfortable clothing and heavy winter boots, lots and lots of shoveling, more cold than I care to consider, and far too much time indoors. The one positive thing about spending so much time indoors for the next several winter months is that I will be doing some baking. I have a bowl of apples waiting to be turned into crisp and some frozen blueberries that are likely going to end up as pie. Oh and, of course, there will be many batches of cookies to come as well. This Saturday, being Halloween, I will be making popcorn balls — more for my husband than the rare trick-or-treater who may show up.

EDIT: I decided to go outside and take a snapshot so you’ll believe me about the snow.

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Diane is looking forward to capturing people through her lens whether there is snow or not! Just click on the contact tab above to get in touch! Let’s make some snowmen and get photos of the fun.