A Drive in the Country for Thanksgiving

It was a beautiful Thanksgiving Monday. One of my favourite drives is south from Tompkins to the bench that follows through to the Cypress Hills. As you climb from the Trans Canada Highway you wind through farmland that gradually changes to ranchland as the land becomes more rolling and arid. Then it returns to farmland. There is a popular creek for trout fishing on the bench.

Most of the crops have been harvested. A few farmers are finishing.

This little mule deer was nice enough to stop and pose before jumping the fence and into the bluff.

Agricultural land developed for gas wells.

I can remember as a child helping my father plant trees supplied by the PFRA. They were planted to reduce wind erosion and increase moisture retention by trapping the winter's snow.

Sadly many farmers are removing the trees leaving wide open landscapes.

Idyllic country scene.

This slough was filled with ducks bobbing for food until I walked over to take a picture! Hunting season makes them a little skittish.

Pond without the ducks.

Lutheran church in Admiral, SK. Three churches like this in this tiny village in addition to other heritage buildings.

The modern day farm has a large farmstead. With the heavy grain and lentil yields many new bins have been purchased.