Are we there yet ?

I have some favourite areas I like to go and visit, particularly when fall colours are at their prime. Yesterday I decided to go on a test drive to gauge how the Master's fall decorating was progressing, before I visit a few of my favourite places. I'll let you judge.

(these were made with an 18-55mm lens at f11, ISO200, and various shutter speeds)

click on image for a larger view

Sailor's Delight

This age-old saying proved true again recently as storm clouds were swept away to the east, illuminated by the setting sun. But you don't have to be a sailor to enjoy and appreciate a sunset.

This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

(70-200mm  f6.3  1/400 sec  ISO200)

click on photo to enlarge

(18-55mm  f6.3  1/1000 sec  ISO200)

Phriday Phun in Phall

I recall that Scott over at 'Just Used Pixels' used to post just-pher-phun shots on Phridays up until some time ago. I'm not sure if he's giving the concept a rest for a while, but I hadn't participated in several months. Today while I was having fun meandering out back with the photographic arsenal and Sasha in tow, that thought struck me. So, in addition to the pleasure of capturing some more seasonal images, I decided to create a few pher-phun shots. Hope you enjoy them too.

(all shots made with a 18-55mm lens at f22, shutter speed of 1/4 or 1/5 sec and ISO100)

click on the images for a much better view

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs ... Part II

As a follow up to my last post, I found some more signs in our yard of the impending and inevitable change of season. I've noticed that along our roads the colours are starting to become more vivid in the bushes and trees. I feel a photo shoot coming up soon to capture the blaze of glory with which God paints his creation before He lets it go quietly to sleep beneath a blanket of white. 

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.
(George Washington Carver)

(60mm  f8.0  1/20 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f10  1/40 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f11  1/15 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f7.1  1/25 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f7.1  1/200 sec  ISO200)

Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs ... Part I

It's true. Our thermometer registered 2C/35F this morning !

Despite our reluctance to acknowledge the changing of the seasons, the signs are everywhere. I wandered around the yard today looking for them. In fact I found so many, I decided to split the results into a couple of posts.

You might enjoy this whilst viewing today's photos.

[internet update: I don't want to bore you with the whole saga, but I'm sure my name is well-known at my ISP. Almost daily discussions take place between the ISP engineering group, field ops and level 3 experts. Fortunately (?) I'm not the only one in the area who suffers from internet issues. Several equipment problems have been addressed with the wireless tower, and this weekend (I'm told) a major component is being replaced that is supposed to resolve the issues. In the meantime I try to find periods when the connection is working in order to post and to visit as many of you as possible. Evenings are especially bad when it becomes almost completely unusable. I remain hopeful, although my patience is becoming razor thin. Postscript: I started this post at 7:00 pm ... it's now 8:05 pm; am going to remove a video I was trying to embed and just give you the link]

(all shots made with a 60mm lens with apertures ranging from f5.0 to f8.0, and shutter speeds of 1/400 to 1/60 sec)

Not forgotten

To all the heroes of 9/11
Who look upon us from highest heaven
Whose memories we'll ne'er forget
On whom the sun will never set.

Dedicated to all the men and women who gave their lives in the valiant rescue efforts of that tragic day. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13)

A glorious sunset followed by the rising of the full moon marked the closing of this day of remembrance.

(10-22mm  f8.0  1/50 sec  ISO200)

click on photos for larger image

 (18-55mm  f8.0  1/50 sec  ISO200)

(10-22mm  f8.0  1/15 sec  ISO200)

 (10-22mm  f5.0  1/20 sec  ISO200)

 (10-22mm  f6.3  1/13 sec  ISO200)

 (18-55mm  f6.3  1/2 sec  ISO200)

Dry enough for you ?

On my way to Ottawa today, I made a mental note of this creek which I'd passed before but hadn't had time to make some shots of. Later this afternoon I found myself standing on the mostly dry bed of this creek. A small trickle still meandered along the solid rock bed, and here and there stood small pools of water in which I saw a few minnows. It's hard to believe that in the spring time this creek becomes a fast-flowing river - I've never seen it like this before.

[no, my internet issues are not resolved; last evening it was virtually unusable. I'm told that technicians ARE investigating. In the meantime I've stayed up rather late to post a few shots. We'll see if they load. tonight.]

(these shots were made with a 10-22mm lens at f22, ISO200, and a shutter speed of 1/4 or 1/3 sec. HDR processing was done using Photomatix).

click on photos for a better view

Hot off the sensor

The only reason that the pixels you see below have cooled off a little is due to the (lack of) speed of my internet connection. The sun just set and I was able to catch its last moments before it left to rise in someone else's backyard. I hurried here to post a couple of shots. (I needn't have - it's taken 1-1/2 hours to try to load this - see below).

Since I wasn't able to post last night, I'm claiming a late Sunday Sunset post slot.

[Xplornet (our ISP) is sending a tech to our home tomorrow morning. I no longer wait with bated breath for a technical miracle. If there's any truth to the saying that misery loves company than I can be heartened by the fact that Xplornet (perhaps inadvertently) admitted that others in this area are experiencing similar problems - perhaps that will spur a resolution. Until that glorious day arrives, however, my ability to visit you is severely impaired - my download speed hovers around 0.02 Mbps almost every evening (it should be at 3.0 Mbps), and at other times during the day - it can take 20+ minutes for a blog to load, including my own. I haven't thrown the towel in yet, however ... I appreciate your visits and comments, and as my connection allows I will try to respond and visit.]

(10-22mm  f5.6  1/30 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f5.6  1/15 sec  ISO200)

Miles from nowhere

"Miles from nowhere
I guess I'll take my time
Oh yeah, to reach there ...

Miles from nowhere
Not a soul in sight
Oh yeah, but it's alright"

Cat Stevens, Tea For The Tillerman, 1970

(10-22mm  f8.0  20 sec  ISO200)