January 2018 in Edmonton was not very snowy but finally in the last week around 15cm fell. This snow freshened up the landscape, smoothed out the bumps of ice on the river, and inspired me to get out and explore (especially down by the river).
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In this post, I countdown my 10 favorite photos of Edmonton* that I took in 2017:
Number ten:

Convention Centre
9:

Churchill Square
8:

Dawson Park
7:

Edmonton City Hall
6:

North Saskatchewan River by Dawson Park
5:

Rowland Road
4:

108 Street
3:

ATB Tower
2:

Dawson Park
and finally my favorite (at the moment) for 2017:

Forest Heights Park
*I should further qualify that these are from just among the photos I took with my DSLR and each has some recognizable Edmonton viewpoint.
Bonus, a few other photos that made the shortlist (but not Top 10):
Mid-October in Edmonton – we are past the peak of autumn foliage color and in fact a good swath of the river valley has taken on the grey color of bare trees. However there are still a few trees fulled enrobed in gold or red and a few (somehow) holding onto green leaves. What I like best about this season though, is how my senses get attuned to more subtle colors. I see and appreciate things besides colors (like lines and textures) which I would not have even noticed just a few weeks back.
Here are a few photo taken while I was out walking in Edmonton’s river valley (in Dawson Park) on the morning of 2017 October 16th.
Te first day of October 2016 was gloomy, wet and cool (see part 1 post) but on Sunday October 2nd, the sun was out, shedding a whole new light <groan> on the autumn beauty in Edmonton. Here are a few shots from that day:

Houses on the North Saskatchewan River bank on the east end of Jasper Avenue

“Red Kayak” – some enjoyed the beautiful day on the North Saskatchewan River

Path in Dawson Park

“Path and Puddle”, in Edmonton’s River Valley

The north bank of the river valley (over the east end of Dawson Park)
It was only May 1st, in this year of early spring (and even earlier summer-like weather), but there was already a bit of activity on the North Saskatchewan River in central Edmonton on a lovely Sunday afternoon:

Coming Around the Bend

Wavemaker

Yellow Canoe Under Dawson Bridge

Little Island

Kayaks
Here it is, the end of February. Even though its been a mild winter in Edmonton, spring can’t come soon enough. Although there are another 3 weeks until the equinox and being Edmonton I wouldn’t rule out a major snowfall until, say mid-May, the changes in the last week are encouraging: the snow is receding and grass is showing, sidewalks are drying, the river ice is getting soft and melt water is running down the streets.
Here are the signs I saw this afternoon:

The North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton in Late-February

The river ice softening around the Edmonton Queen

Puddle-filled back alley

The river ice breaking up

The seasonal end of the outdoor rink
Fitting for Valentine’s Day 2016 in Edmonton, this huge declaration stomped in the snow on the frozen surface of the North Saskatchewan River:

A Couple of Muttart Pyramids

A Place for Two in Cloverdale

Who Needs Roses Red

A Couple Strolls
A walk this afternoon (2016 February 6) through the river valley, revealed a few perspectives of Edmonton that I usually don’t see. For the record, it was a beautiful afternoon – mostly sunny with temperatures well above seasonal averages and well above zeros. There were however very gusty winds and I was worried that if I was standing on ice (of which there was a lot) when a gust peaked I could have gone sailing. Alas I found good footing at the times of the worst of the winds, so no falls and photos that I am pleased with:

Stairs through Louise McKinney Park

Under the Low Level

Under the James MacDonald

Walterdale Bridge Replacement Construction

Skyline, Park and Frozen River on a February Afternoon
Watch for an upcoming follow-up post for more Edmonton photos taken this afternoon.
The last day of 2015 and a beautiful day it was. After a couple of weeks of cool seasonal temperatures, December 31st featured the relative warmth of temperatures near freezing and sunshine – a bright, low-in-the-sky sun and blue skies. It was a great day for a walk in the river valley.
Here is a bit of what I saw as I wandered around the Buena Vista Park area:

Red Berries Against a Blue Sky

Winter Sun Through the Trees

Road Through the Trees

Winter Color

Contrasts

Bridge Over Ice and Water
Edmonton has been called River City and I do like that nickname. Even though many or most cities and towns developed around rivers (or other waterways), I do have to believe our river is special – it is more defining of the city. The valley is deep and sharp. It doesn’t sneak up on you like other places. Here, you know when you have dropped into or climbed out of, our river valley; and when you are in it you can often forget that you are in the City itself.
I am always happy when I see our river getting a lot of use and appreciation. So last Saturday (2015 October 10) seeing lots of boats on the river (not to mention the beauty of the autumn colors), brought a smile to my face.