Fall-Winter 2007
The Power of the Prairie Sky
The great plains of North America cover a vast expanse of the American Midwest and stretch up into Canada’s prairie provinces. I make my home in this northern tip of the plains, about 200 miles, the way the crow flies, from the transition to the northern boreal forests.
For me the prairies are symbolized by endless horizons and unobstructed vistas, and by the sky that fills fifty percent of that view. That sky is sometimes calm and sparkling blue, other times powerful and menacing, but is always changing and full of surprises. I’m in awe of the prairie sky, whether spellbound during an incredible sunset, capturing the nuances of the earliest light of the day or finding shelter during a storm. I feel privileged to experience our vast expanses on a daily basis, and strive to capture these impressions.
The images here are a small selection of my attempts to capture that grandeur. All of these images were made with an extreme wide angle panoramic camera.
Click on photos for enlargements.
Fall colours, Qu’Appelle Valley
Carved by receding glaciers, the Qu’Appelle valley is one of the most significant features of the prairie landscape in southern Saskatchewan.
Grain Elevator, Wadena, SK
More than forty percent of the cultivated land in Canada lies within the borders of Saskatchewan, land that was once entirely native prairie grasses. Nothing symbolizes the colonization and cultivation of the land more than the ubiquitous grain elevator, an intermediary in the movement of grain from the field to dinner plates around the world.
Storm Clouds, Vibank, SK
Storms can be seen approaching for miles, the air charges with electricity as they draw near. Incredible to watch, they occasionally spawn tornados and become destructive.
Rainbow
Beauty follows the passing storm. The soil is recharged with moisture and the air smells wonderfully refreshing, mother nature displays her true colours.
Reflections, Lake Oyama
On calm days the reflections of gentle clouds merge seamlessly with sky and sparkle in the brilliant blue.
Cloud Patterns
Looking up over a ridge of gravel, I couldn’t resist capturing this image of the cloud patterns spanning the sky.
Text and photos copyright © 2007. Allen Lefebvre. All rights reserved.