Monday, October 18, 2010

(Day 291) Between friends

It's not a well-known fact that America's largest trade partner is Canada. Billions of dollars worth of goods cross the border between the 2 countries each month. And Americans and Canadians seem to like each other's countries too -  in July alone this year, 1.7 million Americans visited Canada, while 3.8 million Canadians visited the United States. The border between the 2 countries is the longest undefended one in the world - 8,891 kilometres (5,525 mi), including 2,475 kilometres (1,538 mi) with Alaska, although there is, of course, significant border security. Almost 200 years have passed since a shot was fired in anger across the border.

We are fortunate to live within a 20-minute drive of the border. Since I was near the St. Lawrence River today, I went to see one of the border crossings.

(70-200mm  f22  1/25 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f22  1/13 sec  ISO200)

28 comments:

S. Etole said...

good neighbors ... so thankful for that

Alexander DeLarge said...

Interesting information, beautiful pics! Greetings from Argentina.

darlin said...

Wow, you are so close to the boarder. I'd love to live so close and be able to go into the States for an afternoon just to shoot photos, shop, lunch or whatever. I found your facts to be very interesting and it is awesome to have such fine neighbors, 200 years is a very long time to keep the peace and I hope that we continue on this way for another 1000 years!

I love your photos, your perspective makes something like this very intriguing instead of just another boarder crossing.

Julia said...

Good thing you didn't get questioned about why you were taking pictures there!!!

Rick said...

@S. Etole - thank you Susan - so true, both ways !

Rick said...

@Alexander DeLarge - thank you Alexander ! Greetings also from Canada !

Rick said...

@darlin - thank you Darlene (just for the record, I shot these from the Canadian side). I agree that having great neighbours is a blessing - we have lots in common.

As for perspective, I`ve learned a lot by doing this project, and from fellow photographers. I`m indebted.

Rick said...

@Julia - LOL ! The thought certainly crossed my mind ! Thanks for dropping by.

Dawn said...

VERY lucky you are to live so close to the border! I would go over every day for my groceries:))
(And my favorite: Red Vine Licorice::))
Great shots!

Leovi said...

Very beautiful composition with lines and curves, I choose the top by these lines (columns) in ascending scale. Greetings

becky said...

Canadians are just cool, that's all there is too it! I'd love to spend some time in your country someday...
Years ago, I walked across the bridge into Canada near Niagra Falls, does that count? Isn't it funny though, how we always like to visit where we don't live?

marty said...

Ouh, j'ai cru que tu étais retourné sur
saturne sans moi !!!! it's cool to live
there !
plein de bisous français !!

Scott Law said...

Now those are some interesting facts to go along with the interesting photos. I've been into Canada a few times and I too like that we are good friends.

Costea Andrea Mihai said...

beautiful presentation! best regards

Unknown said...

Yep, very fortunate *Thumbs Up*
If only it could work like this in other parts of the world *Sigh*
Keep up the peace until eternity, maybe other nations might start seeing the US & Canadian borders as potential peace idols ;-)

A thin line separates LOVE from HATE: "Why do others hate and make wars is still a massive riddle to me!" . . . but, well . . . we are the small individuals . . . there are bigger brothers who are surely profiting from all of the chaos reigning here and there :-/

I see that you used your 70-200mm lens :-D

Greetz,

Joseph

Lisa said...

I saw last winter fist hand for me how we work together with our neighbours in the US on boarder control in the Airports. They are fast and effect and work together. Mind you I didnt like being flaged for a search but better safe than sorry should someone dangerous get thought. I had to take so much off , empty my purse . They too my camera and were so gentle on both sides. I was grateful yet when I crossed the boarders from Mexico in to the Us and then home to Canada once back on our Soil..I cried. I wrote you a blog and I love love your images her. Nice angle and light.

Rick said...

@Dawn - thank you; we do take advantage of closeness to the border for shopping - but not for groceries ;-)

Rick said...

@Leovi - thank you; beauty in structure.

Rick said...

@becky - good neighbours make for peaceful living ! Yep, a walk across to Niagara Falls counts (it`s beautiful there !).

We always say that too about people who visit this area - sometimes it takes visitors to remind us of the beauty that surrounds us !

Rick said...

@marty - don`t you just like being `out of this world` sometimes ;-) Enjoy yourself out there !

Oh, and I think that those bisous français sont le mieux ! ;-) - on this planet !

Rick said...

@Scott - thanks Scott. We have our differences occasionally but what we have in common far surpasses anything else !

Rick said...

@Costea Andrea Mihai - thank you Costea !

Rick said...

@CarreraCaballo - so true. I`ve been to several `foreign` countries and I find that people are just people, everywhere - with fairly common ideals and goals. Of course, there`s always the 3% criminal element - and politicians. I wonder if there would ever be any wars if there were no politicians to start them !

(love that lens !)

Rick said...

@Lisa - you`re so right Lisa; I`ve crossed the border at least 12 times this year and have never had a problem; if you have nothing to hide, there is no concern. I`m glad they are as thorough as they are.

Thank you for your visit and kind words.

Katherine said...

Wow..lucky for you that you live so near the border. Great photos Rick and some very interesting facts too! Hope all is well,cheers K.

What Karen Sees said...

I have been to Canada several times and am always blown away by the breathtakingly spectacular scenery. I would so like to spend more time in your beautiful neck of the woods!!!!

Rick said...

@Katherine - thank you; yes, we certainly take advantage of it.

Hope your week is going well !

Rick said...

@Karen - yes, there are certainly beautiful places here - and I also think the US is blessed with many (Utah being one !). This neck of the woods was so beautiful in the fall - I hope to revisit the Jones Falls area in winter - should also be beautiful.

Thanks for stopping by Karen !