BLOWING IN THE WIND

A very big factor in my choice to live in the most northern reaches of western Montana was its proximity to Canada. When it comes to natural splendor western Canada has few peers. Alberta and British Columbia are cornucopias of sights that nourish the heart and soothe the soul. I go exploring the lands of our northern neighbor every chance I get.

It was July and I was on my way over to the Waterton International Peace Park. Waterton is in Alberta and is the Canadian side of Glacier National Park. Waterton is well known for its annual wildflowers. Glacier has beautiful wildflowers as well but I prefer Waterton because it never seems quite as crowded.

On the way, for some reason, I got the bright idea to stop and explore Crowsnest Pass in Alberta. I had driven through it several times but had never taken the time to stop and have a good look around. One of the things that delight me no end about RV travel is that you can stop just about anywhere whenever you feel like it. It’s a very self-indulgent way to travel.

What’s interesting about this photograph is that it was taken not in a pretty park or any other place you would associate with beauty. It was taken on a frontage road near an abandoned and crumbling brick building. I was just cruising along when I noticed this patch of grass that for some reason caught my attention. I stopped to take a closer look and was totally captivated.

I’m uncertain as to the exact variety of grass this is. I’m not at all good with plant identification. The photos never seem to look like my subjects. But I think this is some variety of wild rye grass. What so fascinated me were the gracefully bending tufts with their coppery tips. As luck would have it the afternoon sun was striking the tufts just right causing these common stalks, residing in this common place, to become things of uncommon beauty.

If my photography has taught me anything it is that you don’t have to go someplace special to find beauty in this world. It is all around us all the time if we but just stop and take a look.

What is beauty? What is beautiful? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind.