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Gina Blank

@photosbyginayeg.bsky.social

72 followers 49 following 170 posts

Wildlife, nature, and outdoor photographer, sharing my love of creation | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | she/her https://linktr.ee/photosbygina.yeg

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · Jun 2

What kind of photos do I shoot? What’s my creative process? Who’s my biggest inspiration?

Learn the answers to those questions & more in the #ArtisansCooperative's recent blog feature!

blog.artisans.coop/blog/artisan...

#JoinArtisans #YEGPhotographer #CanadianPhotographer #YEGArtist #YEGArt

Artisans Profile: Photos By Gina | Artisans Cooperative

This post is part of our Artisan Profiles series, promoting authentic artisans and their products. Artisans: get your store featured by joining our free Buy

blog.artisans.coop

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 21h

😍

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 21h

Well, look what showed up in my YouTube algorithm today; even as someone who has lived here over 20 years (and walking distance from the #YEGRiverValley for most of it), I didn't know some of these details. Worth a watch.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYK_...

#YEG #YEGParks #YEGDT #RibbonOfGreen

Exploring North America's LARGEST Urban Park

YouTube video by Urban Atlas

www.youtube.com

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 1d

Today, I'm thankful for my #garden. I grow flowers, herbs, fruits, & veggies. I spent the weekend cooking & preserving, and was reminded of how connected we are to the earth.
May I steward Her well in all seasons.

#Thanksgiving #Bloomscrolling #FlowerPhotography #CanadianPhotographer

Close-up photo of tulip petals, from one of my favourite tulips in my garden. The tulip is closed, and the photo captures just the right half, with some of the petals fluting out slightly. The petals are a variegated red and orange, and are covered with droplets from recent rain. The background is a soft green bokeh.

Close-up photo of an open sunflower, shot from just slightly below the flower head (I always have several in my garden that reach 8-9 ft in height!). The sunflower is positioned on the right side of the image, opening out towards the left. The background is clear blue sky.

Top-down macro photo of an iris. This vibrant iris has a variegated light purple centre with 3 petals, a middle layer pinkish-white petals, and the bottom layer has petals with yellow centres, burgundy edges, and dark purple veins--the unique colouring is why I added it to my perennial garden bed. A few small water droplets are captured in the middle of the flower, from recent rain.

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 1d

"An educated Alberta is a better Alberta." She is spot on. Quality public education is a human right--see Article 26 on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What we have in Alberta right now does not meet the criteria, and is not best practice. We can and need to do better. #ABEducation #ABLeg

Screenshot of Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It reads: Article 26 - 1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 2d

Creator* making this squirrel: "I'll take a little bit of the grey, and a little bit of the brown, a patch of black... ooooh and some speckles... et voilà!"

*Mother Nature, God, the Universe, your pick

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 3d

Today I am thankful to live in a city that is beautiful all year 'round. I live walking distance from Edmonton's beloved River Valley, and that feels like such a privilege.

#Thanksgiving #YEG #YEGDT #YEGRiverValley #YEGPhotographer #CanadianPhotographer #Stunday

Photo of Edmonton's Victoria Promenade lined with park benches, stretching from foreground to background. Cherry trees (or apple? Plum?) line the promenade behind the benches. On the closest bench sits a woman in a pink shirt and grey capris, looking into the distance. She is framed by out-of-focus clusters of cherry blossoms, as if the photographer is peeking through the tree to capture the photo.

The Edmonton skyline is visible in the background, with zinnias and sunflowers filling the foreground; the photo is taken from a low vantage point, so that all you see is the "skyline" of flowers, followed by the city skyline, under a mostly clear summer sky.

A River Valley nature trail in autumn, taken from a low vantage point. The trail is lined with trees and shrubs--the trees are angled such that it provides a golden autumn "tunnel." The leaves are in different shades of yellow, red, and rust; many are already on the ground.

A large, lone tree stands silhouetted in front of Edmonton's iconic High Level Bridge in the winter. The photo is taken at twilight, and is fairly monochromatic in shades of blue and black. The photo was taken using a lens ball, highlighting the tree and bridge in the clear orb, with the essence of each out-of-focus in the background.

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 3d

Yes, yes, and yes!

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 3d

Even the 30 kids 12 years ago is too many. Daycares are mandated to follow a ratio of 1:15 for kids 6-12yrs. Regulations are strict about this. But it's okay to have 1 teacher for 30 kids? Definitely not best practice. Not even 'good' practice, IMO. Thanks, #ABNDP for fighting for better.

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 3d

When I'm not taking photos, I work in education--our mandate is to support inclusive education for young children. The current working conditions of #ABSchools doesn't follow best practice, and doesn't support successful learning OR inclusion for children of any age.

I stand with teachers.

Naheed Nenshi @naheednenshi.bsky.social · 3d

Lauren, a high school social studies teacher, is putting it all on the line to demand better from the UCP.

Better classrooms.
Better support.
Better public education.

All for Alberta's kids.

Thank you, Lauren.

youtu.be/9rzo1jQC-VY

We called Lauren, a high school social studies teacher, to say thank you.

YouTube video by Naheed Nenshi

youtu.be

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 4d

It's #Thanksgiving in 🇨🇦, so I thought I'd share some things I'm thankful for over the next few days.

Today, it's these two. They're a daily source of entertainment & affection; any day I can smother them in snuggles is a good day.

What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments!

#Caturday

Close-up "head shot style" photo of my domestic short-hair, Holly, sitting loaf-like on my cranberry red couch. She has mostly tabby markings in grey, brown and black, except for her white front. She is long and lean. Nicknames include "Holly-back Girl" "Thing 1" and "Trouble."

Photo of my fully black domestic short-hair, Polly, sitting loaf-like on the patio table in my back yard. The background is full of sunflowers. Polly is so-named because she is a polydactyl, boasting 6 toes on each paw. She also has half a tail; her overall body structure, characteristics, and demeanour lead me to believe she is at least part Manx. She is petite and stout. Nicknames include "Polly Pocket," "Polly-doodle," and "Thing 2."

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Reposted by Gina Blank

Nature Conservancy of Canada | Conservation de la nature Canada @ncccnc.bsky.social · 4d

Look up: it’s World Migratory Bird Day! 🐦 During fall migration, dozens of species pass through Cap au Saumon: a 382-hectare protected area northeast of Quebec City that is part of one of the most important bird migratory corridors in eastern North America!

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 4d

My calebndars will be selling locally at:
* Le Marché Bohème - Nov 15 & Dec 6, Bonnie Doon Mall
* Under $100 Art Market - Nov 27-29, Lacombe PAC

#CanadianPhotographer #YEGPhotographer #ShopLocal #BuyLocal #LocalArt

Cover of a Photos By Gina wall calendar. Cover photo boasts a canola field under a clear, blue sky, with three red grain sheds in a row in the middle. The title of the calendar reads "This is My Canada - 2026 Calendar"

Back view of a Photos By Gina wall calendar, showing thumbnail images of each month: A wintry country road, northern lights, fishing nets in a coastal harbour, a bicycle art installment, tulips, mountain goat, canola field, maple leaves, Peyto Lake, a lighthouse, a cathediral, and the winding shoreline roads of Cape Breton.

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 4d

These beauties just arrived! Given current events here in Canada, it wasn't hard to come up with a theme for my 2026 calendars 🇨🇦

Available for purchase locally or via my online marketplace 👇🏻

artisans.coop/products/thi...

#CanadianPhotographer #YEGPhotographer #ShopLocal #BuyLocal #LocalArt

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#FensterFreitag
202 people in the past 2 dayTop-down photo of a stack of coil-bound wall calendars. The one on top boasts its cover photo: a canola field under a clear, blue sky, with three red grain sheds in a row in the middle. The title of the calendar reads "This is My Canada - 2026 Calendar"

Sample photo of the March image from my 2026 calendar--it is a photo taken looking along the wall of a shed (boat house?) on the shore of Petty Harbour, NL. Hanging scalloped from the wooden siding are several fishing nets. The ocean can be seen in the background.

Sample photo from the May page of my 2026 calendar. The photo is of several flaming orange and red tulips, interspersed with grape hyacinth; they were part of the Tulip Festival display in Ottawa, Ontario.

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 6d

Head's up the next time you're in the #Jasper area 👀

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Hikers can be citizen scientists in photo project documenting forest regrowth in Jasper | CBC News

Hikers in Jasper National Park are being urged to help with a research project on the Old Fort Point trail. Three posts were installed along the hike so visitors can log photos to track tree regeneration...

www.cbc.ca

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 8d

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6NW...

Forever-Canadian.ca because the only independence Alberta should have…

YouTube video by Lisab0923

www.youtube.com

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 8d

22 days left to reach 300k signatures. We can do it!

If you:
* are Albertan
* are over 18
* believe Alberta should remain in Canada

Click the link below to find a location and sign.

www.forever-canadian.ca/sign-the-pet...

Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk @lukaszukab.bsky.social · 9d

I had a fun evening yesterday with super dedicated #ForeverCanadian volunteers in Fort Saskatchewan.

Thank you for all your hard work!!!

To get the required 300,000 signatures, we will have to double down our effort for the next 22 days.

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

By navigating the both/and of so many human experiences; doing so imperfectly; yet, with a commitment to keep showing up to the conversation.

Because it was not okay; it was never okay. 9/9

broadview.org/stoney-nakoda-mcdougall-church/

#NDTR #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation

For Stoney Nakoda leaders, restoring this historic church reopens old wounds | Broadview Magazine

In 2017, McDougall Memorial United burned down. Chiefs say it should not be rebuilt, but others see its reinstatement as an act of reconciliation.

broadview.org

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

I noticed this sign posted on the fence of the memorial church, which hadn't been there in when I first visite last spring. Juxtaposed next to the building that was healing for some while wounding for others, I feel like it embodies the way we move towards full reconciliation: 8/9

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Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

In Canada, even before #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation was established, Sept 30 was named #OrangeShirtDay, to acknowledge, own up to, and make amends for the harm and trauma of #ResidentialSchools to Indigenous children and their families.

It was not okay; it was never okay. 7/9

#NDTR

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

Sometimes the reality check comes in building reconstruction, navigating differing perspectives in the process; renaming a sports team, regardless of sentimental value to white ppl; returning truth to history books; the discovery of 1k+ unmarked graves of Indigenous children who never came home 6/9

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

So as an adult, I think it's important that white people, and those of settler origins, are confronted with the realities of our past, so we can continue to move towards full and authentic reconciliation. 5/9

#NDTR #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

I stood there on Treaty 7, the same treatied land where I grew up. Unbeknownst to me as a child, residential schools still operated alongside my own (I was in high school when the last one was shut down). 4/9

#NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #NDTR

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

And yet, as someone with colonial ancestors, it's a painful reminder for me, too--but one I think is important. Because lest I forget the traumatic history and narratives my ancestors caused and perpetuated for so long. 3/9

#NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation #NDTR

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

The #UnitedChurchOfCanada is one of several denominations who operated #ResidentialSchools across Canada, attempting to erase Indigenous cultures, languages, & ideologies. Some Stoney Nakoda residents see the church structure as a painful reminder of traumas inflicted; rightly so. 2/9

#NDTR

Gina Blank @photosbyginayeg.bsky.social · 15d

This church is located in the foothills of Alberta. When I first visited it, I learned about the tension between residents of Morley and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation regarding its reconstruction, after it burned down in 2017 (article linked in last post of thread). 1/9

#NDTR

Photo of McDougall Memorial United Church near Morley, Alberta, in the area of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation. Two long wooden fence posts run along either side of the dirt trail that leads from the image foreground to the front doors of the small white traditional-style church building. In the background are the foothills of Alberta, dotted with yellow and green; a blue sky with a few small white clouds arches overhead.

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