It was a day of disappointing weather, but not the good kind of disappointing. The kind of bad weather that a photographer like Mike Drew would normally relish had failed to materialize to its full, dramatic potential on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
A Tepid Start in the Foothills
A light rain was falling across the foothills from Diamond Valley south to Longview, but it began to taper off as Drew approached the Pekisko area and the historic Bar U Ranch. While a photographer might usually welcome such conditions, this day offered a blue mist that hung over the hills and filled the valleys, yet it wasn't substantial enough to create the striking scenes he sought. The rain was too light to be meaningful, and the mist merely cast an unflattering hue over the scenery without adding depth or mystery.
Driving slowly across Pekisko Creek, Drew stopped to assess the cottonwoods in the valley, but they failed to present an interesting subject. Near the Bar U Ranch, the scene was similarly lackluster. The conditions weren't wet enough for water droplets to form on the manes of horses near the ranch, and the mist dulled the subtle colours of the cottonwoods along the creek.
Southward in Search of Atmosphere
Pushing further south in hopes of finding more pronounced weather, Drew noted the rain had completely stopped past Pekisko, and the mist had thinned. A brief stop by Stimson Creek yielded a minor photographic opportunity with cattle standing on the tan-coloured grass, a small improvement over the earlier scenes.
The journey took an interesting turn with the discovery of a remarkably engineered beaver dam. This structure was unusually straight, unlike the typical curved dams built by beavers. Its top was perfectly flat, devoid of protruding sticks or excess mud. A small notch lined with vibrant red willow twigs at the centre allowed the creek's water to flow gracefully over the top, showcasing exceptional animal craftsmanship.
Wildlife and Aerial Perspectives
Continuing to follow Stimson Creek past the dam at the north end of Chain Lakes and up the valley to the west, Drew found older, less pristine beaver dams but was rewarded with the sight of a muskrat enjoying a meal. With the rain gone but mist still lingering, he launched a small drone to gain a higher perspective.
From this elevated vantage point, the landscape revealed its full character. The drone captured the convoluted path of the creek as it wound through the valley, with ridges fading into the misty distance. Cattle trails crisscrossed the creek, and the brown, nearly orange grass provided the only splash of colour in the muted November landscape west of Nanton, Alberta.
