If you've been a reader of this blog over the last few years, you may have noticed something different in 2019, that is to say that I hardly posted or wrote anything. 

Oops. 

Sometimes real life has a tendency to get away from you, between the high stress of real world obligations, more than our fair share of tragedies and a super lame bout of pneumonia (totally missed out on the nice shoulder hiking season), this year was not exactly condusive to creativity.  I know that my mental health suffers when I don't set aside time to be creative, and I'm working hard to make sure I can take time for myself to get out to the forest with a camera and a notebook. 

That's not to say I wasn't busy with photography this past year, in fact, I spent the first several months of 2019 hard at work to bring the Where in the World is Llisa Bastard project to several parks as one day pop up installations (A big thank you goes to the City of Calgary and Resolve Photo for their part in realizing the project)  The pop up galleries were a wonderful success (as long as the wind, snow, rain and hail stayed away...)  Finally seeing park goers discover that their afternoon jog or picnic in the park had coincided with a dozen or more prints scattered through out the park and seeing their surprise was a definite highlight for me this year. Each print was accompanied by a piece of trivia either about the park the installation was in or about the location of the photograph itself, so as an added bonus I have become well versed in some seriously useless knowledge. I am a hit at parties.

Nice day if you don't get stuck in a freak blizzard...

Another highlight of the year was my annual backpacking trip, this time my friend Mel joined me on a 55 km trek through the Banff backcountry towards the end of September.  Not only were the larch trees absolutely gleaming over the 2 mountain passes we hiked through, but the snow was kind enough to hold off until the last day during our hike out. One of the locations we hiked through (which shall remain nameless) was so stunning it brought us both to tears.  Relevant to note that the view also brought the pair of hikers coming up the trail behind us to tears too, so I know it wasn't just us being weepy.  I'm already scheming for next year.

Living dangerously in the middle of the lake...

I felt like I had to ask these old larch trees permission to enter

But you don't want to hear me talk to you like I'm writing a Christmas card back home, you're here for the photos, so without any further rambling, here's a selection of some of my favourite moments from 2019.

From my birthday party, where I sneak away to go sit in a snowbank by myself.  I know how to get wild.	Canmore Three Sisters - not pictured, my friend and fellow photographer Monika Deviat and I chowing down on pastries.
First vacation to Vancouver Island, made poor Mr. Bastard stop at every waterfall within a 1000 km radius...	Taken at our friend Stevil's memorial show.

Cramped quarters for photography, but one of the most fun hikes I've done. Creepy dog was less enthusiastic...

When the weather conditions finally line up with your vision - on a weekend

Epitome of Summer

Puppy bum. (Creepy dog watching the ice climbers)

I know I said I wasn't going to make this sound like a letter home, but I will anyway.  Thanks for your support in 2019,I hope you have a happy & safe holiday season!