“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.” – 
William Shakespeare

“No truer words bin rit.” – Ian Cobb

May is the month when we fully emerge from our winter coats – when we shed the clasps of limitation that keep us from most of our favourite things.

The promise of summer blooms as our world greens and the shimmering white of the high country pales, leading to June’s often-awful freshet, such as what we’ve been witnessing in the region, and in Alberta, this past week.

The days grow noticeably longer in May, making room for photographers to seize the light; it is time for us to get out and about and to record the bloom of life in the Rockies.

But May, as Shakespeare wisely noted, can shake the darling buds of May.

“What potent blood hath modest May,” observed
 Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“But winter lingering chills the lap of May,”
Oliver Goldsmith added in what must surely have been a fit of Shakespeare envy.

May’s bounty also lends power to the human heart – injecting us with hope and appreciation and awes reborn.

“It’s spring fever… You don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” wrote
 Mark Twain.

The month of May was a lucky one for us as shooters. Visits to the Columbia Valley were gratefully accomplished under the glory of deep blue skies. Wanderings around Cranbrook were also enjoyed in sun, as were visits to Fort Steele. Unfortunately, trips to the Elk Valley harkened Bard William and the shooting was poor.

All in all, May was more Twain than Shakespeare this year.

Capping the month was a surprise encounter with a badger and two cubs east of Cranbrook.

Also, thanks to Jim Webster of Kimberley for his stirring shot of the oxbow on the St. Mary River.

Please click on images to enlarge them. There is button at the lower right (with the slug name of the photo) to click to advance the slide show.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW and

Carrie Schafer/Through My Eyes Photography

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