Photographing Raptors

November 30, 2016 in Photography, Wildlife

I've now had a chance to photograph raptors on two different occasions, and I'm hooked. Seeing these large, beautiful birds up close is an amazing experience, and I know I'll be doing it many times. These birds reside on a raptor conservancy in southern Ontario and many were raised there. Some have been there for years, mating and raising their young. Birds on site for rehabilitation and eventual release back to the wild are kept from the main group and are not available to photograph, their contact with people kept to a minimum.

Eagles are large. They are strong, powerful and majestic. These images of the Bald Eagle were taken in different locations on different days.

Those eagles are impressive, but it was the owls that really captured me. Like the eagles they are strong and powerful, but they also have expressive faces and beautiful markings. I had an opportunity to see a variety of owls, each different in its own unique way.

The birds know their handlers and respond to them. And the handlers treat them with care, kindness and respect. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement. The birds are given safety, security, shelter and food in exchange for a life that is less free. They are well treated. They could fly away each time they're released, but they don't.

The hawks and falcons are smaller and so very fast. Photographing them is an even greater challenge.

I'm not a bird photographer and I struggled to get the settings right. I took a lot of shots and finally started to get the hang of it. But there's a lot to learn. And sometimes I just put the camera down and simply watched these beautiful creatures.

I'll be looking for more opportunities to photograph raptors. And in the meantime I'll learn as much as I can about them.

A Home in the Cemetery

October 12, 2016 in Photography, Nature, Urban

Woodland Cemetery in London, Ontario, is both old and modern. Established in 1879 and occupying over 100 acres of woodland it houses more than 50,000 graves. The place is beautiful, with an older section of large and lovely tombstones going back to the Victorian and Edwardian eras. There is a dedicated area for veterans, marked with identical stones laid out in rows that is deeply moving. It is also the home of a family of deer.

The deer are what initially drew me to Woodland. I thought perhaps it was simply an urban legend, not really believing deer would choose to live in a populated city space, and I wanted to see it for myself. The deer are definitely there, in a group that averages twenty-five or more. And over the past three years I have gone back many times.

These are white-tailed deer. They are reddish brown in spring and turn a grey brown in fall and winter. The females become pregnant in late October or early November and the fawns - anywhere from one to three - are born in May or June. The stags regrow their antlers every year starting in late spring and shed them between January and April of the following year. Their antlers can vary in size and number of points; larger antlers are a sign of maturity, health and vitality. Apparently the shedding of antlers is not painful.

The deer wander throughout the cemetery and in and out of the ravine at the back, but they seem to prefer the older section. The stones are larger, the trees more mature, offering more shelter. It's a beautiful space and I like to imagine the deer sensing the peace and aesthetic of this particular part of the cemetery.

Old tombstones at the edge of the ravine

The grounds are well kept. The gravestones are cleaned periodically, and restoration is an ongoing process. Some stones have fallen, some are broken or cracked, and many lay buried under accumulated dirt and grass. Recently three students from Western University were hired to unearth, clean and repair more than fifty of these Victorian-era tombstones. An impressive project, not only honouring the dead but providing us the living with more beauty and a greater sense of the history of the area.

The deer, while not domesticated, have become accustomed to people. They will run off but often, if you're willing to wait, they'll remain close by, letting you see their expressive faces, the fur in their ears, their lovely coats and impressive antlers.

I return often, seeing this family of deer in each season. In spring the babies are born, in fall the changing leaves seem to enhance the colours of the deer themselves, and in winter seeing them against the snow in that soft winter light takes my breath away.

There is something special about a group of living sentient creatures residing so comfortably among those who are no longer here. It adds something unique to Woodland and I like to think the deer feel it as well. A mutually beneficial relationship.

The Port Huron Float Down

August 23, 2016 in Photography, Life, Urban

This is an annual event that's been taking place on the third Sunday in August for 39 years. It starts in Port Huron, at Lighthouse Beach, just north of the Blue Water Bridge and across the river from Sarnia. Participants "float down" the St. Clair River to Marysville, 13 kilometres downstream.

It's unauthorized, unsanctioned, unregistered, unsponsored, and gets the media and some people agitated. But it's a lot of fun. A boisterous and joyful event - playful, quirky and over the top in its sense of delight and adventure.

So what exactly happens in a "float down"? Vast numbers of people gather on the shore at Lighthouse Beach with an amazing array of flotation devices. All sizes, shapes and colours. Some floating alone, others tied together in a group. And smaller groups enter the water on the Sarnia side. The participants are happy, laughing, busy putting their flotation devices in the water, loading their coolers on board (food and drink a necessary part of any serious adventure), and getting their oars in place.

Gathering at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron

The event starts at 1:00 p.m. All motorized shipping and boating traffic along the St. Clair River is shut down between 12:00 and 8:00 p.m. which is annoying to some. The only motorized boats permitted are those belonging to the Police and the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards. This tanker, the Radcliffe R. Latimer, was the last one under the Blue Water Bridge, pushing hard to get out of the river and into Lake Huron on time.

Recording his adventure - at least the start of it.

Moving down the river on the American side

In our excessively monitored, regulated and rule-driven world of today I find the whole thing wonderfully refreshing. Where else can you see thousands of people in hundreds of brightly-coloured flotation devices doing something as bizarre as floating down a fast-moving river that is also the boundary between two countries? Just thinking about it lifts my spirit.

But the river does move quickly. And the prevailing winds tend to push the floaters over to the Canadian side. In most years a hundred or so American citizens end up on the Canadian side, usually without a passport or any other identification, with no way to get back. They have to be "rescued" and transported back to their own country. This year the winds were unusually strong and a record 1,500 needed "relocation assistance", being bussed back home with a police escort after being "processed" on the Canadian side. It does take effort and resources but, as everyone knows, we're a friendly country and happy to help out.

It was a great day. Good weather, blue skies with lots of beautiful August clouds, and the always incredible blue water of Lake Huron. Just a bit too much wind. A scene of wondrous adult play. Perhaps it is foolish, and probably a bit risky, but there were no fatalities, just a few minor injuries, and some participants who ended up cold and wet on the wrong side of the river. But in a world that at the moment is darker, nastier, and more fear-based than anyone needs, the Port Huron Float Down is a happy, joyful and playful event. We could use more of them. I'm already looking forward to next year.

The Challenge of Summer Photography

August 11, 2016 in Landscape, Nature, Photography

A hot summer. Mid 30's most days. Beyond a couple of fierce and impressive thunderstorms in early spring there's been little rain. The light is harsh and contrasty. Sunrise is early, sunset so late, and lots of strong unappealing light in between. Those beautiful intense greens of spring are gone and most vegetation is dry and dusty; in full leaf but no longer fresh and vibrant. The lake is high, higher than it's been in years and there's little beach. The kettles at Kettle Point are completely under water and the loss is deeply felt. Perfect weather for camping or cottage life, or even being at home enjoying food on the patio with friends. But not so good for photography.

I haven't taken many images this past month. The camera hasn't been out much. The beach I love - wild, empty, with loud crashing waves - is now decked out for summer. Loads of people, each group using umbrellas and beach chairs to lay claim to their staked out piece of sand. Boats and Sea-Doos racing across the water at full throttle, making a different kind of lake noise. But it's summer and this is a beautiful beach: sandy, shallow for a long way out, safe, clean, with waves for the kids to jump and play in. People love to be here. And that's a good thing.

I walk the beach often but in summer I seldom take a camera. But today it came with me. The beach is narrow, much of the dunes have been washed away, but there were clouds in the sky that made for interesting lighting. So I took some images, letting myself get lost in the place and the moment.

Summer Clouds and Children Playing in the Lake

Dune Grasses and Trees seen from the Lake

I was waiting for a sunset shot to fill out the day but as it often does the sun got lost in cloud in its final hour. A group of people were still playing in the water and the sky and lake were interesting shades of blue and pink so I took the shot. A different kind of beauty.

It's harder for me to find the beauty I search for during the summer months. It doesn't mean it isn't there. I simply have to look for it in a different way.

Technology, A Smartphone and Final Conversations in a Nursing Home

July 05, 2016 in Photography, Life

My mother passed away three days ago at the age of 92. She spent her last eight months in a nursing home, confined to a wheelchair following a fall that left her unable to stand or walk. She had very little sight, was legally blind and, like many her age, suffered from dementia. But this is not a sad story. Rather it's one of wonder and unexpected transformation, a gift to both her and her family.

All her life my mother was driven by anxiety, fear and a deep distrust that coloured everything. There was a harsh edge to all that she did. Why that was so doesn't matter; it's what happened over these past eight months that's important.

Her first two months at the nursing home were difficult. She was recovering from surgery, she didn't interact, didn't participate, and cried a lot. But the care was excellent, the staff kind and supportive, and she slowly settled in. But visiting wasn't easy. She remained flat, negative and despondent. And what to say, what to do? Push the wheelchair around the facility? Ask if she enjoyed breakfast or lunch? Time passed slowly. Conversation was bland, lacking any real meaning.

And then we hit on something that made a difference. We started using my smartphone. It started out simply enough. A phone call to people she could no longer visit. A few pictures to send to her friends and family. From there we moved on to short video messages. She found it enjoyable and became animated and energized as we talked about who she wanted to phone or do a video for. It turned out she liked being "on camera".

The Internet got us to the next level. Anything I thought she might be interested in we used the phone to search for information. We learnt a lot about red foxes and sandhill cranes. And we listened to the sounds they make on YouTube videos. She was fascinated. And she thought that having access to anything you want to know in just a heartbeat is magic...which of course it is. Those first searches on foxes and cranes became a turning point. She would think about what she'd heard and would often talk about it the next day. And she'd think of other things she wanted to know about for the next visit.

My mother loved birds, always fed them, and knew a fair bit about them. She certainly knew a lot of their calls. There are many bird apps for a phone. In addition to pictures of each species, these apps have recordings of birds singing and calling. When we talked about any bird we then listened to the sounds. Once when we were sitting outside she heard a red-winged blackbird. When we played the call on the phone the bird answered back. She was delighted - clapped her hands, laughed, and said "do it again". We sat out there talking to that red-winged blackbird for fifteen minutes. After that, she would remind me to be sure to bring that "gizmo" (my phone) with me when I came.

Memory loss and dementia are strange things. As with most older people, my mother's long-term memory was somewhat intact. When she would talk about something that happened long ago - her memories from the war, or from her first job at fifteen - we would look it up. That company she went to work for in Hull, England, was established in 1840 and there was a ton of information on the Internet about it: its history, social justice philosophy, products, and manufacturing sites. She couldn't see the pictures but when I read the street address of its main site she remembered going there. And she remembered some of the products - Brasso, Dettol - from her days on the assembly line. It pleased her to hear that the owner had a strong sense of responsibility towards his employees. From there we found a blog called "150 Facts About Hull", her home town. As I read them they were real to her; she could take in the information because she knew the place, she'd grown up there.

On some days the dementia was dominant. She would talk about places she'd just gone to on the bus, towns in England that she'd visited, a wide variety of stories. It didn't matter if these "events" weren't real. We'd still look them up and often, to my surprise, these places did exist and some of what she'd described - the Cathedral in the town of Beverley - were right there on my phone.

We found pictures of the house she grew up in all those years ago. And so much more. And through the "magic" of that smartphone we were able to have interesting and meaningful conversations, something that just wasn't there before. Sometimes, when it was time for me to leave, instead of being sad she would ask me to take her back to her room because she "had lots to think about". It was lovely.

During the last six months of her life she became calmer, happier, and more content than I'd ever seen her. The anger and harshness was replaced with an appreciation and gratitude for what she did have at this late stage of her life. Her conversations were no longer bitter. She expressed love for her family, and thanks and appreciation to the staff for their care and kindness. She was liked by the staff and the residents and I believe she found her place there.

I had a troubled relationship with my mother. The time we spent together in the nursing home helped us both. With the assistance of today's technology we did find things to talk about. We were able to have meaningful conversations which enabled our connection to deepen. We could both finally see the other. The day before she passed I was holding one of her hands in both of mine. She slowly took her other hand out from under the covers, put it towards me with her palm up and hand gently closed and said, "I have a gift for you". What is it Mum?" "All my love", she said, "and I really mean it."

She passed peacefully. She simply stopped breathing. She had said the day before that she felt she might be close to the end. I asked if she was afraid or had concerns. She said no, none at all. And then she added that if she did go we were not to be upset. She'd had a long, full life and was ready to leave. And that was another gift.

To be with someone at the end of their life is a privilege. Meaningful conversations draw us closer together, they are important and are worth striving for. But it's not always easy to find things to talk about. My cell phone turned that around for me and my mother. We all have cell phones. How else might we use them to enrich our time with others?

The Intense Greens of Spring

June 12, 2016 in Photography, Nature, Landscape, Spring

In Canada the winters are long and we wait for spring with much anticipation. And, after all that waiting, our springs are short with not enough time between the first hint of green in all its lovely shades and the harsher hues of summer. This year the spring colours seemed more striking than usual. These images were taken in Grey County, just below Owen Sound, the last week of May. Spring had arrived and green was everywhere, vibrant and intense.

I was going back to a place I'd visited last year to see if the colours were the same, to hopefully improve on the images I'd taken then, and to find some new locations.

Walters Falls and the Bruce Trail

Walters Falls is a small village named after the pioneer John Walter who established the first sawmill there in 1854 using the power from the falls. The falls continue to provide power for a gristmill today. Walters Falls is the only double waterfall in Ontario. The Bruce Trail - an 885 kilometre trail that runs from Tobermory to Kingston, following the Niagara Escarpment, and one of the few UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves - runs through the area.

Branch abstracts amid the moss and stones

This image of the falls was taken last year. Unfortunately the water was exceptionally high this year and access along the river to the falls wasn't possible. Disappointing as photographing the falls again this year was one of the reasons for the trip.

Double cascading waterfall at Walters Falls

Trees and a Small Brook Along a Country Road

How to find places to photograph? Never easy, especially when you don't know the area. And harder to find scenic imagery in the middle of the day. These shots were taken mid-afternoon in bright sun. But the greens were lovely and waiting for a bit of cloud cover helped, as did using a polarizer.

Trees and dead branches in the flooded marsh

Bognor Marsh

Another place visited on last year's trip. This time not so easy to photograph. The light wasn't good and finding a decent vantage point to shoot from was tough. Another reminder - not that I need one - that nothing stays the same, change is constant, and I need to stop and get that shot when the light and the composition are there because waiting to come back for it often doesn't work. These are two images from this year that I did like.

A couple of days travelling in Ontario with a friend who's also focused on photography is always a good thing to do. I see new things, revisit a few places I've been to before, make mistakes, learn a bit, and come back home rejuvenated and energized. I'm now thinking about where to go next.

Toronto … a City I Love

May 23, 2016 in Photography, Urban

Toronto is a city I love, I've lived there more than once. And when I'm not a resident I'm often a visitor. I know the city well but believe I see it better now that I'm not always there. On my frequent visits I spend as much time as I can wandering around, seeing what's different - and it's always different. And I usually have a camera with me. These images were taken mid-May over a couple of cold and rainy days.

Toronto Courthouse and the McMurtry Gardens of Justice

Despite being the middle of May, there was both rain and sleet the morning I took this image, and the streaks of rain are visible.

Osgoode Hall and Old City Hall

Some of the Older Places ...

The Rex Hotel, both a hotel and a well-known jazz and blues Bar on Queen Street West, looking somewhat small and surrounded by larger newer buildings.

The Brunswick House - known as The Brunny - was a restored 1876 tavern popular in Toronto for both drinks and music. It closed on March 31 of this year. A building of character but no longer open. Rexall, a pharmacy, will be taking over the space for its flagship store. The building is protected as it has a heritage designation. Rexall will be doing further restoration with plans to open some time next year.

Another Toronto flagship that's closing - Honest Eds on Bloor. A huge place that takes up more than a city block. It's been around forever but the last day for bargain shopping will be December 31st of this year. There is a proposal for the building, along with adjacent buildings called Mirvish Village, to be redeveloped into rental apartments, a permanent public market and retail space that would be divided into small units similar to the the existing storefronts on Bloor Street. If the project goes forward as planned it could be a nice addition to the neighbourhood. But many will miss this icon.

Kensington Market, another popular shopping area that's been around forever. Development keeps pushing up against its boundaries but so far the Market - with a lot of support from the community - has survived.

Toronto Streetcar on the Queen Street Viaduct

Streetcars, the Red Rockets, run on many of the main streets in the city and provide a fast and convenient way of getting around. The Queen Street bridge with its famous sign has been well photographed over the years.

The Ismaili Centre

A recent and beautiful addition to Toronto is the Ismaili Centre, built on the same grounds as the Aga Khan Museum, opened on September 12, 2014. The building and it's reflection are both striking and peaceful. It's simply lovely.

Toronto has much to offer. It's a city with many distinct areas, each with its own character. It's an easy city to walk with lots to see just about everywhere. These two days, taking pictures and spending time with friends, was a real treat. I'll be back soon.

Nesting Sandhill Cranes

May 06, 2016 in Photography, Nature

Sandhill Cranes are large birds, 4 feet in height with a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. The head is white with a bright red cap, the beak is black. The body is predominantly grey but the reddish-brown hue they often take on comes from the mud they use to preen their feathers. They winter in the southern United States, Mexico and Cuba and come north to breed. Sandhill Cranes can live for 20 years or more. These images were taken in southwestern Ontario over 4 days from April 30 to May 3, 2016.

Sandhill Cranes mate for life and they stay with their mates year round. Their habitat is freshwater wetlands, marshes and river basins. The nest is large, built in watery areas, and constructed from reeds. Two eggs are what's normally laid; sometimes there's just one, but rarely three.

Both parents take care of the nest, and both sit on the eggs. The male is always close by, scanning the environment. The eggs take 28-32 days to hatch.

Watching the eggs.

The first chick is born. It is able to stand and move around almost immediately.

Checking the newborn and watching the second egg.

Resting in amongst the mother's back feathers while she sits on the second egg waiting for it to hatch.

And now there are two...

Proud parents

A Canada Goose wandered by and stayed for some time. The parents remained relaxed and unalarmed which meant the goose posed no threat to them or the chicks. At other times, when birds flew overhead or noises alerted the cranes, they became extremely alert and very vocal.

Hovering over the chicks while the other adult looks on.

The cranes have now left the nest, the parents moving their chicks to new places, where they'll start them on their journey to independence. The chicks are able to survive alone from the age of two months, but usually remain with their parents for about nine months, migrating south with them in the fall. Around two they will start looking for a mate of their own and will start breeding anywhere from the age of two to seven.

Sandhill Cranes are beautiful, majestic birds. It has been a great pleasure watching them over the past four days and I'll be looking for them again next spring.

The CN Tower by Night and Day and a Reflected Surprise

April 18, 2016 in Photography, Urban

Last week I had an opportunity to photograph Toronto's CN Tower from a vantage point not available to many and to do so over a period of several hours. I took a lot of images that night and through into the early morning.

The first photograph was taken shortly after midnight and and includes both the moon and part of the Rogers Centre. The CN Tower is lit up, as are the buildings and the Gardiner Expressway. The city is vibrant, interesting and full of life.

Toronto's CN Tower, the Gardner Expressway and part of the Rogers Centre

These next three images were taken from the same vantage point at different times. The first shows a similar image to the previous one, but without the Rogers Centre and with more of the newly-constructed Sun Life Financial Tower. Although the CN Tower is prominent, it becomes less so as the sky lightens. I've shifted the focus more to the Sun Life building and the reason I did that becomes clear in the last shot.

I like the night shots of the city. Toronto is vibrant, and changing all the time, with new construction everywhere. But I find the image that really delights me is the last one. Morning has arrived and with it a glorious and unusual view of Lake Ontario and the Toronto Islands. Remember…this shot was taken looking north and west; the lake is to the south. This lake view is new, it didn't exist last year. It's a reflection in a building that's still under construction. This building may block part of the view of the city as you look north but to my mind it's given back something better - an interestingly lit building at night and a spectacularly different shimmering lake by day. Beautiful.

I'm delighted and grateful that I was able to see Toronto in such a special way and that I had the opportunity to photograph it.

The Northwest Passage

April 10, 2016 in Photography, Landscape, Nature, The Arctic

Six months ago I travelled through the Northwest Passage with Adventure Canada on a journey that took 16 days and covered more than 5,000 kilometres of Arctic waterways. My reason for going was to see a remote part of my own country and to fulfill a long-held desire to see icebergs.

We started from Kugluktuk, formerly known as Coppermine, travelling east and north through the islands, straits and bays in the Canadian territory of Nunavut and then across Smith Sound and Baffin Bay to Greenland.

Each day we left the ship on zodiacs to explore the land and visit historic sites and communities. On board, talks and presentations were given by experts in their fields designed to give us a sense of the history and current reality we would encounter on the land. There was so much to see and hear it was hard to take it all in.

The first community we visited was the hamlet of Gjoa Haven, the only settlement on King William Island. There was a guided tour through the town and then a cultural presentation in the community centre.

Sailing through Bellot Strait, a narrow passage only 2 km wide and 25 km long, with sharp rises on either side, that is locked in ice for much of the year was remarkable. The strait separates Somerset Island on the north from the Boothia Peninsula in the south. The opening to the strait could be seen for quite some time. Standing at the front of the ship watching us draw closer was a slow and peaceful experience.

Fort Ross

An outpost of the Hudson's Bay Company, no longer in use, and left as it was. Looking at the buildings, so small on the land, it was hard to imagine people living there year round.

Arctic Willow, slow growing and very old

Beechey Island

Large, desolate, haunting, with graves and the remains of a settlement.

Walking along the edge of the island approaching the Franklin settlement at the far corner.

Devon Island, Croker Bay and Glaciers

Grise Fiord

Grise Fiord on Ellesmere Island is Canada's most northern civilian settlement. It has a population of 130 people. The community welcomed us warmly, sharing stories about their lives and their culture. It was a privilege to be there.

And the Icebergs…..

They were everything I'd imagined them to be. Majestic, mysterious and beautiful.

This Arctic journey was everything I'd hoped it would be. I learned so much - about the far north, the land, its people, and the challenges that come with living in such an isolated and harsh climate. It is also strikingly beautiful and easy to understand why the people who live there are so attached to it. The icebergs were just one part of that beauty. I gained much from the trip and plan on returning to the Arctic next year.

Sunrise on the Bruce Peninsula

March 28, 2016 in Photography, Nature, Landscape

These pictures were taken a couple of years ago during a trip to the Bruce Peninsula. I came across them recently as I was going through some of my older images. I remembered how frustrated I was with the challenge of making strong images in light that didn't always cooperate. When I got home I found most of the compositions just weren't compelling enough.

To get to the sites before sunrise meant getting up at 4:00 a.m., driving for 30 minutes and hiking into the forest in the dark to find a spot that looked like it might work. Then set up the camera and tripod, and wait to see what the light would bring.

This shot was taken at 5:05 in the morning half an hour before sunrise.

These were taken thirty minutes later at the same place. The first shot includes the sunrise and I like it for that reason. The second version, with a stronger foreground and more detail on the right side, taken just two minutes later, is more striking but the sun had risen and disappeared behind a cloud. Had I looked more carefully, been more thoughtful as I composed the images, I would have been able to get a single shot that included both.

A different location, a different morning, but still on the Bruce Peninsula. The sky was hazy and the sunrise obscured: light is either there for you or it isn't and you just have to get the best shot you can with the light you're given.

Going back through older images is a good exercise. It was possible to see when I didn't have the camera settings quite right or where compositions could have been improved by moving just a little. Learning is a continuous process.

First the Afternoon and then the Evening

February 25, 2016 in Photography, Nature, Urban, Winter

Morning and evening light are usually the most striking but in winter it's possible to get lovely images even at mid-day. Winter light is softer, more delicate, less contrasty. My son was visiting and he wanted to get out and take some photographs so we headed out just after lunch. That's not a time I'd normally think to get out with my camera but I was pleasantly surprised. Our first shots were of thin ice on the lake that I found quite striking.

Ice and Snow-Covered Rocks on Lake Huron

We travelled on to Sarnia, stopping in Bright's Grove to see what the lake looked like from there. Lots of moving floes of ice along the shore, and a nice contrast between the sky, water and trees.

From there on to Sarnia to see the ice moving from Lake Huron into the mouth of the St. Clair River. The river flow is fast and the ice moves quickly. The lighthouse and buildings on the American side of the river provide an interesting background.

And then back to where we started to see how the light might have changed in the late afternoon. We liked what we saw and stayed until sunset.

It was definitely getting colder but the light was changing all the time. So we stayed and got lovely sunset light hitting the trees, the two at the edge of the lake and the cluster a little further out.

A great time enjoying the beauty we found everywhere. Hours slipped by as we got lost in looking, seeking out images we thought were interesting, and then setting up our cameras to get what we hoped would capture what we felt and saw. A lovely day with my son Scott - energizing and restorative.

Winter's Trees

February 19, 2016 in Photography, Nature, Winter, Landscape, Black and White

Trees have a different look in winter. Stripped of foliage their shape and structure becomes visible, less flowing, more architectural. Standing in fields or by the side of roads and outlined by winter light they add a lot to our winter landscapes. I can identify many trees by their leaves, but far fewer once those leaves are gone.

A willow tree, standing in the snow with its fine branches flowing in the breeze. Full of grace and beauty.

These two majestic trees sit in the middle of a farmer's field. In the summer they are surrounded by growing crops, usually soybeans. It's less efficient to harvest around them but the farmer has decided to allow them to stay. It's a gift to the community and to all who travel past them.

Each tree is different. Some grow straight and narrow, others - like the willow - retain their flowing look without their leaves. Some can be found in clusters, others alone. Winter is nearly over and soon these trees will take on their spring and summer finery. But until then I find much to enjoy about their winter look.

Seeking Inspiration

February 13, 2016 in Photography, Nature, Winter

From October through to the end of January I took no photographs. I was uninspired and had no motivation. Life was full, there were other things going on, but little creativity. I believe we need to create to feel alive and present in the world, and that was missing for me. Early this month I felt that shift, partly through effort, but partly - I think - because life sometimes just ebbs and flows, moving to its own rhythm. Whatever the reason I'm back out with my camera.

The Pinery

A day in The Pinery, a provincial park close by. It's early February and there's no snow. The day was warm, the birds happy to be fed, and the colours more like fall than winter.

Deer in the Cemetery

A family of deer in an old cemetery. They live both there and in the ravine below. They are beautiful. It's peaceful just to be around them. They're not always visible but when they are it's a real gift.

Winter Beauty

I'm drawn to the colours of winter. And the wonderful soft light. I find it magical. These images were taken just before sunset two days ago at Kettle Point.

It's good to be back outside, seeing the beauty in the land around me, and getting lost in the making of photographs. It feeds my spirit. I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed taking them.

The Canadian Rockies

August 07, 2015 in Photography, Nature, Summer, Landscape

I recently spent a week in the Canadian Rockies with my son Scott. Seeing and photographing this part of Canada was something I'd wanted to do for a long time. The scenery is spectacular: snow-topped mountains, turquoise lakes, evergreen forests, all so beautiful it takes your breath away.

Sunrise conditions at both lakes wasn't ideal but walking the trails at the edge of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise was a great way to spend a few hours.

Lake Louise with Chateau Lake Louise in the background

The poppy garden at Chateau Lake Louise

On several days backgrounds were obscured by a haze from forest fires that had been burning for some time. Images on those days lacked punch.

Although the weather wasn't ideal the trip was a success. Simply being there, surrounded by impressive scenery on a major scale, stopping often to take it in more deeply, was more than enough. And knowing it's my own country made it all the more special. Having a camera focuses my attention and helps me see more clearly. I will go back, and I will take more pictures, and perhaps the weather conditions will be more favourable. Sharing this trip with Scott was a delight.

Colombia Photo Contest

May 06, 2015 in Photography, Urban

I recently found out that two of my images from Colombia had placed first and second in a photo competition. That was certainly gratifying but the greater value came from thinking more deeply about the commentary for each image - both my own and that of the judge - and about what I found important in each scene.

The images are very different. One, the street scene in Medellin, is what I would call a "story" image. The scene caught my eye, I found elements within it striking, and felt compelled to photograph it. The street was busy, I was with a group of people, and there was little time to take the shot. The other, a cathedral rooftop in Bogota, is a "beauty" shot. I'd looked at this scene many times from my hotel room. I'd taken other shots on other days when the light was different. I'd spent time thinking about the architecture, the beauty of the building, the challenge that is Colombia, so I knew this scene. When the light was right I carefully took the shot - a premeditated one, if you like. And very different from the one quickly taken on the street. But I wouldn't have thought much more about it had I not been asked to provide a commentary for each image.

My commentary: "This picture was taken in Medellin, the morning we were walking around the shopping district. As we crossed the intersection to walk down the street I saw this man sitting there and felt compelled to capture him. There were several things that drew me to the scene: (1) The fact that the cart was empty. Was he waiting for a load of something to be delivered, had it just been taken, what was it? (2) The cart itself: homemade, sturdy, made of found materials, looked like it could carry a load; multipurpose, indicative to me of the industriousness and versatility of the Colombian people. (3) His physicality. He looked in shape, somewhat muscular, with a face that looked as though it had seen a lot, yet his pose was calm and purposeful; a worker, not a vagrant. (4) The background. The blue colour caught my eye, and it toned with the colour of his jeans. The graffiti was simply a part of Colombia, being everywhere."

Judge's Comments: "Right away, the composition of: blue wall, man, and trolley, captured my attention. Further in, the story between these three elements grabbed my curiosity. Inevitably, the expression and posture of the man drew me into this photo. His intent glance at what he must be observing, where he came from, and where he'll go opens an entire story beyond this single moment the photographer was able to take. The fluidity of this process has me fixated amongst the many beautiful photos taken for this contest."

Looking back at that moment I'm sure I wasn't consciously aware of all those elements that caught my attention. Many, I believe, were coming to me in a variety of ways. Street photography is fast, it has to be. And I don't know that it's possible to be aware of all the reasons a shot feels compelling at the time you take it. But the more we do it the better we get. I think it must become a more intuitive, semi-automatic process, drawing on practice - a way of looking, that gets better with time. And I hadn't thought about this - and I think it deserves more thought - until I was asked to explain what drew me to that scene and that particular moment.

My commentary: "The cathedral rooftop in Bogota was taken from the window of my hotel. It was the beauty of the architecture that got me on that one, combined with the lovely colour of the building in the perfect late afternoon light. The dark brooding clouds in the background seemed an ideal backdrop for the complexity and darkness of Colombia, and for me added a lot to the scene."

Judge's comments: "The depth and detail of this photo stopped me in my tracks to take in the grandeur of this church, with its graceful architecture and weighty presence. You can almost feel the sun hitting your back and wind carrying the storm away."

This image was a "conscious" one, fully thought through and carefully put together. Very different from what was going on in the creation of the Medellin street scene. I want to understand more about the unconscious, intuitive aspect of image making, about how the eye sees and the brain processes. I look a lot, and I believe I see a lot, but it's clearly more complex than that and I want to know more.

Beauty, Change, Loss, Regret

April 16, 2015 in Photography, Nature, Landscape

Kettle Point is a beautiful and unique place, one of only a few spots where kettles - or stone concretions - are found. These rocks that "grow" were created millions of years ago and most years can be seen as half circles of various sizes rising out of the waters of Lake Huron shore at Kettle Point. They are formed by mineral precipitation around a nucleus, with each layer visible in a broken or split kettle. The ones at Kettle Point are called cannonball concretions.

Lake levels were unusually low in 2012 and 2013, the lakebed in Kettle Point dried out and many more kettles were visible, along with the beautiful shale from which they emerged.

As the lakebed receded, kettles that had been hidden for many years became visible. Some were just emerging, popping up from the shale around them. Others were large, magnificent structures. Some were broken, their circular structure visible in the pieces. They are natural creations and they are beautiful. The external banded markings show the water levels in different periods.

Large Cannonball Concretions, April 2013

I returned time and time again to walk amongst these ancient stones. I sat with them and I photographed them, and felt grateful for the beauty of our natural world.

While the lake was extremely low in 2012 and 2013, the lowest in several decades, water levels in the Great Lakes are cyclical; a return to a more normal level was likely.

The winter of 2013 was long and cold with lots of snow and no mid-season melt. Lake Huron froze early and stayed frozen. There was no loss of lake water due to evaporation and in the spring of 2014 the water level was high. The kettles became submerged once more. This past winter saw the same pattern as the prior year and as the ice leaves the lake the water level remains high.

There are now no kettles to see. A loss for sure. Where once there lay a field of emerged and partially submerged kettles there is now only water.

How long do we have to wait for the kettles to return? Will they return? We don't know. I feel a deep sense of regret. I wish I'd spent more time there. I wish I'd made more images. I wish I'd been there more often in the early morning. I've learned a lot watching the kettle landscape change. Change is the only constant. I know that, and going forward I will stay with beauty where I find it, allow it to energize and fulfill me, and use it to further my photographic journey.

Abandoned Farm

April 06, 2015 in Photography

I came across this vacant farm and wondered about its story. Did the owners leave because they became too old for the rigours of farming? Or was the farm no longer viable in today's more industrial type of farming so they sold up and moved to town? I'll never know, but what I saw was an abandoned farm, no longer used, run down and falling apart. It spoke of a time gone by and I felt a sense of loss.

As I moved closer several turkey buzzards flew from the upper level of the house and the large barn. They were roosting there which added further to the sense of desolation.

The corn crib is empty but the fields had been planted and the corn harvested. So perhaps the farm was sold and the previous occupants are now settled into a new life with money to enjoy it. I hope that's how the story played out.

Migrating Tundra Swans

April 01, 2015

Tundra Swans in Western Ontario is a sure sign of Spring. Each year thousands of these large, magnificent swans make the 4,000 mile journey from Chesapeake Bay to their summer home in the Arctic. They stop twice to feed and rest on their northern migration - in Western Ontario and then in the north of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The migration occurs over three to four weeks in late winter and early spring. The journey is hard and according to the National Geographic only the strong will survive.

These swans are large, with a wing span of more than six feet. They are also known as whistling swans for the sounds they make. They can be heard long before they're seen.

The swans with brown colouring on their heads and neck are last year's young. They remain with their parents for the first full year of their life and one complete migration cycle.

A family of four tundra swans. The parents are at the front and rear and the two born last summer are in the middle.

Lake Huron Remains Frozen

March 25, 2015 in Photography, Landscape, Nature

It's the last week of March and Lake Huron is still frozen all the way to the horizon, as it has been for several months. The early ice cover, heavy snow and a late melt means higher water levels and a smaller beach area later this year. Lake levels were high last year and are now likely to be even higher, leaving much less beach for people to enjoy once summer comes.

The beach is completely frozen. The blue in the foreground is reflected colour from the sky, not water. But the ice is thinning, temperatures are forecast to be above freezing next week, and the lake will start to open up.