Wide open spaces that go on forever

Despite the fact that I've lived here for 35 years, I am still in awe of the hugeness (is there such a word?) and variety of scenery in the province of Alberta that I call home. It seems that wherever one goes, the land and the sky are endless. This is just a quick shot of one of the gravel backroads that I occasionally go along, either by myself or, as on the day of my photo, with friends. A short drive SE of the southern edge of Calgary brings you to this kind of landscape - flat farmland, dotted here and there with farm buildings and homesteads. It looks as if you'd find no, or little, wildlife, but recently, we've seen Snowy Owls, Short-eared Owls, Long-eared Owls, Great Horned Owls and what I believe is a Dark Phase Gyrfalcon. Amazing that such a barren looking area can hide such treasures! Taken on 24 December 2013.