BT Edmonton Blogs

Roll out your favorite photo!

Many miles travelled, now at rest.    Just looking at Shane’s photo conjures up sights, sounds, even smells of the old west.    Some rode the stagecoach in style, others braved the ruts in the road with their wagons hauling wood, feed, and young ‘uns!    There were mud wagons, coal wagons, ice wagons, farm wagons, ahem – beer wagons, and carriages.   One can only imagine the miles of trail endured by that one wagon wheel!

DID YOU KNOW?    History of Alberta shows that settlers who came in the mid 1700s would have seen our First Nations People on horseback.    As the fur trade increased between the settlers and First Nations, so did the need for pack horses and then eventually Red River carts and wagon trains.

WHETHER YOU CHOOSE THE LONG DUSTY TRAIL OR THE POPULAR PAVED PATH, REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR CAMERA.    SEND US ANYTHING SHOWING MOTHER NATURE OR HER CREATURES, THEN WATCH FOR IT ON  BT AND THIS BLOG!

Pretty as ...

I think this bird has a crush on Betty Jo – it sure is showing off!    “Pretty as a Peacock” in Panama!   It was a trip planned with dear friends I have know since high school - for our 40th birthdays this year.   The peacock hung around every day right outside our room!   We were there the end of February and it was 33-42 degrees.   Just the perfect temperature to forget about our Canadian winter!”

DID YOU KNOW?    “Peacock” is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes, but only males are peacocks.    Females are peahens, and together they are called peafowl.    And wild peafowl often roost in forest trees and gather in groups called parties.    The tail feathers actually grow out of a peacock’s back.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU INTERACTING WITH THE LOCALS – AT A SAFE DISTANCE OF COURSE.    ONCE YOU HAVE CAMERA CAPTURED YOUR CREATURE SEND IT TO US AND WATCH FOR IT ON BT AND THIS BLOG!

Viva Las Vegas!

Fluffy cotton balls in the sky – otherwise known as fair weather cumulus clouds.    Peering out the aircraft window is Darlene:  ”The flight was great – nice and smooth.   We flew to Vegas March 28th, and were there until the 31st.   The weather was awesome, in the mid to high 20s.   I went with my sister and her two kids, so not only was it great for some sisterly bonding, but fun was had by all”.

DID YOU KNOW?    A cloud is a collection of billions of drops of water or ice.    When the drops cling together and get heavy enough, they fall to earth as rain, snow, sometimes hail.    Fair weather cumulus clouds have a lifetime of anywhere from 5-40 minutes depending on temperature and wind.    Not all cumulus clouds become thunderstorms, but every thunderstorm begins as a cumulus cloud.

TAKE A GAMBLE, SEND US YOUR VACATION PHOTO AND MAKE A BET THAT WE’LL PUT IT ON TV AND THIS BLOG.    UPLOAD YOUR PHOTO TODAY!

OK everybody, stand up and take notice.   Wait, I can’t believe I was that insensitive.   Not everyone ’can’ stand up.   There are many people with mobility issues who face difficulties everyday because they face barriers of all kinds.   That is why I am proud to support my friends at the Canadian Paraplegic Association for CHAIRLEADERS.   You see the CPA issued a challenge and invited me to go through my work day in a wheelchair.   Easy?   No.   Am I glad I did it?   Yes.   Most doorways are too narrow and are ruthless on knuckles.   Doors are h-e-a-v-y and some sidewalk ramps lead you right into traffic.   Zachary Weeks from tne CPA explains the importance of making more places accessable, and barrier free!

You and I may not be involved in the construction of barrier-free buildings, parks, or rec centres, but we can help build a more accessable future.   Here’s one last look at part of my work day as Weather Specialist for Edmonton’s BT.  For those who have mobility issues, my committment to help will go well beyond today.

Please visit the Canadian Paraplegic Association’s website for more information  www.cpa-ab.org    OR  call  780-718-3188.

Super! Moon!

You have to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good!    Just ask Kyle.    This is a super shot of the Supermoon!    It’s brighter than usual and even closer to us Earthlings.    The reflection on the North Saskatchewan River is brilliant.

DID YOU KNOW?    The full moon on Saturday, May 5, 2012 was the closest and largest full moon of this year – we even gave it a nickname: “Supermoon” .. here’s why.    The moon always follows an elliptical path around Earth with one side (”perigee“) about 50,000 km closer than the other (”apogee”).    On Saturday the “perigee” happened at the same time as the moon was in its full phase, so we were treated with the moon that appeared 30% brighter and 14% larger that other full moons.                 
You’ll have to wait until next year to see the next Supermoon .. and when you do, send us a photo like Kyle did.
The average distance from Earth to Moon is 384,403 km (238,857 miles).
2013 June 23rd – the moon will be 356,991 km away.
2014 August 10  – the moon will be 356,896 km away.
2015 September 28 – the moon will be 356,877 km away.

OK EARTHLING, IT’S YOUR TURN.    SUN, MOON, PLANT OR ANIMAL – THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE SUGGESTIONS TO SHOOT AND TO SEND.    MAYBE TOMORROW WE’LL BE GAZING AT YOUR VERY OWN FRESH AIR PHOTO.

If you are a FOLKIE – Great!  If you are a fan of ROCK , INDIE or COUNTRY - Awesome!   If you enjoy listening to live music under wall to wall sunshine then come with us to HAYLoftAcres.

SpringtimeinAlberta is THIS Saturday, May 12th at HAYLoft Acres.    Gates open @1pm.    Opening Act is Marv Machura @3pm – scroll down for complete sched.    HAYLoftAcres is located on Range Road 224 between township roads 522 and 520.    Click here for DIRECTIONS that start at Southgate Mall:

http://hayloftacres.blogspot.ca/2010/03/directions-to-hayloft-acres.html

See you there!

3pm  =  Marv Machura – Solo Acoustic
4pm  =  Puremud – Original Rock
5pm   = The Ruminators – Classic Rock
6pm  =  Shane McLaren – Solo Acoustic
7pm  =  Tragic Treasures – Folk Rock
8pm  =  The HeartAcres – HillBilly Rock
9pm  =  What’s the name of your Band??!!! – Original/Classic Rock       The Music never stops, featuring:  Rob Taylor, Scot Morgan, Mary Rankin.

Founder Uwe Wodjak says it best:   “You, a lawn chair, a Yellowhead beer or some wine, sitting on a sunny hillside, gnawing on a hot dog, watching many of our finest bands and saying “eehhaaa” or “Yahooo”.

Tickets only $20.00 -if you want to secure yours before you get “there” – go “here”:   www.marvmachura.com

Shell we enjoy the sunset?

This breathtaking shot is in Central America.    Stephen re-creates the moment:  “This is the beach at a little fishing village of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua.   I had a normal point and shoot camera on sunset setting and placed the camera at beach level to get a close up of the shell with the sunset and ocean in the background.   Much to my surprise when I got home and looked closer, there is an eye inside the shell!”    I see it too!

DID YOU KNOW?    Jiquilillo is pronounced Hik-Wee-Lee-Yo.    It is a remote fishing village, with no tourist “industry” giving visitors an excellent opportunity to see authentic Nicaraguan life.    6 years ago Don Montgomery a Canadian school teacher left Kamloops for a backpacking adventure in Nicaragua.    He fell in love with the people of Jiquilillo and has made it his second home.    Click on the link for a trip to Monty’s Beach Lodge and Surf Camp.    When you stay there you will help the local community with healthcare, education, social programs, or simply just help enrich peoples’ lives .. and maybe even your own.    

http://www.montysbeachlodge.com/

Your beach awaits

Rascally Rabbit!

It’s a family affair – to photograph a hare!    Mom Laurie in Leduc has 2 awesome kids.    Emily was the first in the family to send us her kodak moment - a Robin.    And now it’s brother Michael’s turn:  “We have a rabbit that spends a lot of time in our garden every spring and summer.   Ever since Emily’s ”robin” aired on BT - Michael has been on constant watch for the rabbit so he could get a picture of it for the Fresh Air Photo“.

DID YOU KNOW?    White Tail Prairie Hares love it here, thanks to the urban forests and gregarious gardeners.    If you see what you think is an abandoned baby rabbit (a kit or a kitten), do not “rescue” it, leave it where it is.    Mother hare (a Doe) has left it there on purpose and here’s why:  If they were  always in one group, they would be easier to detect by predators (they can’t out run a predator yet) and mom could lose her whole litter.    Dispersing her babies just makes sense.    If you think a baby is in danger & must absolutely move it, make sure you rub your hands in grass or dirt  before handling so you don’t transfer hand creme or perfume (human scent).   Here is a website and phone number to call if you find an injured hare.    Edmonton Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (780) 914-4118.     www.wildlife-edm.ca

IT CAN BE A GROUP EFFORT OR A SOLO STINT.    WE OF THE FRESH AIR PHOTO NATION ARE WAITING FOR YOUR PHOTO – SNAP AND SEND TODAY!

Climbing to Cavell

Chris was on an adventure – taking him to higher elevations in Jasper National Park.    While keeping to the designated trail, he would have experienced the Angel Glacier and Cavell Meadows while doing the Mt. Edith Cavell hike.

DID YOU KNOW?    This hike that Chris took to the Cavell Meadows is a Jasper favorite and if you want to go far enough, is an endurance test.    But as you can see in the photo below – it’s worth it!    The circuit is about 8.5 km and at times feels like you’re leaning into the climb.    The angel shape is clear below … hence the name Angel Glacier.

PLEASE KEEP TO THE DESIGNATED TRAILS AND KEEP YOUR CAMERA HANDY.    ONCE YOU HAVE CAPTURED THAT KODAK MOMENT – SEND IT TO US AND THEN WATCH FOR IT ON BT AND THIS BLOG!