“You might think this is just a blank card, but to me, it’s a piece of art that you are sharing. Sandi has the ability to capture emotion with her unique perspective and frame of reference which inspires joy and happiness when you look at her cards.”
“I love giving a beautiful card with my own inspiring message on the inside. These are perfect for sending out to those you love for all special occasions.”
“Lovely, unique, high quality cards showcasing the beauty of the local landscape. A wonderful way to brighten some’s day, or to frame and keep.”
*Printed in Canada on FSC certified archival paper, manufactured responsibly with a reduced effect on the environment.
Whether on quiet country walks, in our farmyard or on a favourite trail, my camera is always close at hand. Documenting and sharing moments in time from our family farm in rural Manitoba is an integral part of my daily life. More images can be found on Instagram @sandiknight.
Florals
From our farmyard, the open prairies, rural roadsides and a friend’s garden, these captures represent the beauty and joy flowers of all kinds bring to my life.
“After the rain” ~ apple blossoms“Lean on me” ~ sunlit tulips“Slowly, softly, spring arrived” ~ Prairie Crocus“Hello neighbour” ~ sunflower“Spring on the prairies” ~ Prairie Crocus“If I were a flower, I’d want to dance” ~ Cosmos“Summer Party” ~ Coneflower“Limelight” ~ Hydrangea“Unexpected blossoms” ~ wild plum“Roadside beauty” ~ Yellow Lady’s Slipper“Small but mighty solar panel” ~ Prairie Crocus “Grow your own way” ~ Black-eyed Susan Vine
Sunsets
I will never tire of praire sunsets. They breathe life into the sky and bring a calmness to my heart. I love the every changing skies, wide-open spaces and peacefulness of watching the stunning transformations at the end of day.
“Wheat dance at sunset’ “Beauty does not require perfection”“Prairie Love’“Sunset on history” “Sunset magic”“Simplicity”“Prairie perspective”“Colour outside the lines”“You’re not alone”“Hopper full of gold”“Change is in the air”“Prairie Silhouette”“Unruly line-up”“Canola catching the sun”And the sky whispered, “Be still”“Brilliance”“Sky writer”“Resilience”“A dance with light”“Endlesss possibilities”“Twilight twirled her brush”“Hope is on the horizon” ~ winter sunset
Birds and Butterflies
From endangered species like the Red-headed woodpecker to the common American Robin, our farmyard is visited by over 80 species of birds yearly. With milkweed abundant on our rural roadsides, monarch butterflies also find our area a welcoming habit which is enhanced by flowering native trees and a diversity of flowers in my garden. These are some of my favourite captures to date.
“Knock on wood” ~ Red-headed woodpecker“Pause a moment” ~ Ruby-throated hummingbird“Stopping by to say hello” ~ American Robin “Land softly” ~ Monarch butterfly“Move to your own beat” ~ Monarch“Winged beauty”~ Monarch butterfly“Believe you can” ~Ruby-throated hummingbird
Crops
Canola will always be the star of the show on the Canadian prairies, but wheat, alfalfa and sunflowers also make appearances on this card series.
“Dancing in the breeze” ~ canola“Almost ready for harvest” ~ wheat“Beauty and the Beast” ~ canola and mammatus clouds“Blowin’ in the wind”~ alfalfa blossoms“Country roads are golden” ~ canola in bloom “Always face the sun” ~ sunflowers
Autumn
The best season! Cool mornings, warm days, trees dressing into their vibrant hues, leaves letting go and dancing downward. From our farmyard, my favourite trails and parks these are a few on my most-loved captures.
“Wander a while”“Magic morning light”“Whitemud River reflections”“The Collection”“Reach for the sky”“Autumn Bliss”
The Lake
Our farm is near Lake Manitoba so a trip to it’s shores is always a welcome reprieve in the summer.
“Tranquil lakeside moments”“Dog days of summer”
Winter
Oh the beauty of winter! Snow, hoarfrost and rimefrost magically transform the landscape. Harsh winds sculpt beautiful snowdrifts, and the light and skies are enchanting!
“Stardust”“Drift away”“Simple wishes”“Winter Wonderland”“Peaceful winter morning”“Snowy sentinel”“Let it snow’“The best way to look is up”“Wrapped in white”“Country contrast’“Welcome to Narnia”“Beauty in every season”“Beauty does not require perfection”“Embracing winter’“Unruly line-up”
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as the autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne
“There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of the wind.” — Annie Dillard
Winter arrived just before Halloween in Manitoba this year. But in 2016, fall lingered long into November before giving way to the cold and snow. Photo memories of November 26th took me back to that incredibly gorgeous day when the sun called.
Cloud-cover had reigned for over a week and I was in sunshine withdrawal. So as I sat having my Saturday morning coffee, watching the sky brighten to the east through the trees, I knew my plans for the day would change. Even my second cup of coffee would have to wait.
I didn’t hesitate to set aside my long ‘to-do’ list. The dog and I headed out into the crisp, quiet morning air and walked to the end of our lane to catch those first beautiful rays of sun. This day was meant to be embraced and enjoyed — outside, not in the house.
“The poetry of the earth is never dead.” – John Keats
As we strolled though the yard, I was reminded why I am always reluctant to pull out my flowers once they are past their prime. Their beauty evolves with an elegant melancholy as the growing season draws to an end.
Everything glistened and seemed to come to life as the morning sun glinted off the light dusting of frost which had ‘painted’ the landscape overnight.
But as the temperature rose, the frost dissipated. The winds were calm and the sky oh so blue! Country roads were calling and I wasn’t about to decline the offer of taking in the beauty right out my backdoor.
Willow branches were vibrant against the bright blue sky.
Wild rosehips added a punch of colour in the ditches.
Nature’s art is everywhere! A milkweed seed-head looking rather duck-like!
Who doesn’t love a lone tree in the middle of the prairie?
A lone Hawthorne tree on the edge of our old cattle pasture. Can you tell the prevailing winds are from the west? And is it just me or does the outline of the branches appear to form a heart?
‘Hay’, check out that sky!
My trusty side-kick, game to wander through the old pasture.
Sunset through the trees along our lane.
That sunny Saturday ended up being our final farewell to fall last year. A balmy, unseasonal +8 Celsius day that ended as striking and beautiful as it started. A day I’m grateful I stopped to enjoy. A day which reminds me to always listen when the sun calls…
Stark against blue prairie sky a threadbare tree stands out. A few dogged leaves hold fast unwilling to give way to winter. They remain united with branches, creating striking fall silhouette.
I didn’t hesitate to set aside my long ‘to-do’ list. The dog and I headed out into the crisp, quiet morning air and walked to the end of our lane to catch those first beautiful rays of sun. This day was meant to be embraced and enjoyed — outside, not in the house.
Sandi Knight 