The Harbour

[after the shock - to some - of the subject of the last post, I was asked if I would post something a little more pleasant. Alright then ...]

I went down to The Harbour (yes, that's the spelling of the name of this place even though it's in Florida) to catch a sunset. We shall soon be saying a temporary goodbye to places like this for a long, but brief, trip up north to celebrate Christmas with family.

Given the late hour I'll share just a few shots with you - will post the sunset in a few days.

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly ...
(Lucy In the Sky ... The Beatles)

Under the full moon

I don't know whether statistics back it up but folk lore has it that strange things happen under the full moon. I was out in the wee hours last night and caught some strange apparitions.

(SOOC:  10-22mm  f5.6  120sec  ISO200)

Up the creek - no paddle needed

We're experiencing a vacationer's dream summer - hot, dry, sunny weather. Other than a quick downpour from a thunderstorm yesterday it has been bone dry for weeks, with temperatures in the 32-35C/90-95F range.

This evening I went to see just what the effect has been on a little nearby creek - judge for yourself.

Looking back at the bridge from the middle of the creek

Looking 'upstream'

There's no more debris floating by for these branches to grab

The wildflowers haven't been affected. yet

Although these were more plentiful in previous years

Here and there were pools of now stilled water 

 It remains to be seen whether these pools will also dry completely before the rains replenish the creek. In the meantime, vacationers aren't complaining.

The Master's Brush

The day I tire of sunsets will be the day I tire of life.

To watch a sunset evolve over the evening is to watch a master painter at work. The constantly changing light, colour, and shapes make for an awe-some display. No two moments seem the same. I was able to replenish my supply of sunset shots one evening last week while we enjoyed some 'down time' with family.

While technically it's no longer Sunday here, it's still Sunday out west where Scott initiated the Sunset Sunday theme.

[now that I'm back in blogland I shall be around to visit you this week]

(10-22mm  f8.0  1/100 sec  ISO200)

A Rideau sunset

On my recent visit to the nearby Rideau Canal, Sasha and I spent some time near the lower end of the locks - I'll post a few shots made there in the near future. Time was moving on and I didn't want to miss the golden hour. Sasha unfortunately isn't as spry as she once was (who among us is) and I wanted to be in place to capture the sunset. So she had to forgo her stop-and-sniff-every-ten-feet routine as we marched (relatively) briskly westward above the locks to a headland jutting out into the lake formed by the dam.

Usually at this time of evening, the mosquitoes lurk in the bushes waiting to extract their pint of blood (well up here they extract by the litre), however, they were dissuaded by the fairly stiff breeze. Yes, I was counting my blessings. Nor was I disappointed by the golden hour.

[Scott is the founder of the Sunset Sunday theme - check out his blog for more awesome sunsets]

(btw - it is Sunday already; I think this is the earliest I've ever posted a Sunset Sunday shot)

The beauty that surrounds us

Isn't it a pity
Now isn't it a shame
How we break each other's hearts
And cause each other pain
How we take each other's love
Without thinking anymore
Forgetting to give back
Isn't it a pity

Some things take so long
But how do I explain
When not too many people
Can see we're all the same
And because of all their tears
Your eyes can't hope to see
The beauty that surrounds them
Isn't it a pity

("Isn't It A Pity"  George Harrison  1966)

[I hope to visit you all shortly ..]

Welcome Home (?)

I believe it's not only the fog that comes on little cat feet.

After a long but safe and uneventful journey back to the north country, during which we watched the season roll back from summer to early spring, we were surprised this morning to find ourselves back in the middle of winter. Perhaps it was karma at work, since we thought we had escaped that season. We were somewhat unprepared - mentally - to move back that far on the calendar. The rain that started last night quietly turned into the proverbial white stuff as the overnight temperature approached the freezing point.

The only member of the household who could truly appreciate the vagaries of nature was Sasha - she was back in her element.

(all shots made with a 10-22mm lens at f7.1, ISO200, and shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/100 sec)

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear ...

... the idea to get out for a few night shots, that is.

With everyone already in bed, and the night still young, and fresh snow on the ground, there was no compelling reason not to take advantage of an opportunity to capture the serenity. Sasha didn't need a second invitation and we set off into the crisp night air. It seemed like we were the only ones on the planet.

It's a pity if you've never ventured out on a beautiful winter's night.

If you have a few moments to linger, listen to the music (click on play button below the last photo) as you step into the peaceful night.

(all photos shot with a 10-22mm lens at f7.1, ISO200, with shutter speeds from 6 to 30 sec)

Forever Young ...

(click on the play button below the photo)

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
...
(from Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Royal Canadian Army - 3 May 1915)

"As for man, his days are like grass, As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. But truly the wind passes over it and it is gone, And its place knows it no more." (Psalm 103:15, 16)

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38)

Winter Wonderland III

I've seen from news reports that winter has arrived across much of the North American continent. I mean really arrived, which those of you driving in it daily don't need to be reminded of. While we were back home in the north over the Christmas season we were fortunate not to have to drive in any adverse weather. In addition, I was able to go out several times to capture the beauty of the creation enhanced by a dusting of snow, before real winter had arrived.

Join me as I traipse through a secluded wonderland not far from home.

This is the creek that flows below the waterfalls I posted recently and which you might have visited with me last spring

A small creek which tumbles from the hill on the other side yields these ice formations

A few hundred yards downstream we come across another waterfall - don't get too near the edge - it's a bit slippery

The snow-covered ice that's formed across the rocks reminds me of cauliflower

At this point it hasn't been cold enough long enough for the ice to completely conceal the stream

The stream disappears around a bend below this waterfall. We have to scramble through the forest, away from the waterfall, and find our way down a side gully to find the stream again. The sides of the gully are coated with ice built up by dripping water - winter must have surprised these plants

Another few yards through the underbrush and we see the stream as it tumbles around the corner. From here it disappears to our left but the steep gully side means we'll have to bid it adieu, and we'll make our way back

 And throughout our trek Sasha has been patiently accompanying us - whenever the camera bag is unzipped she knows it's time for a rest in the snow. But she doesn't mind - she's in her element

Sunset at the harbour

"Inspirational Blog Award"

I very recently received this award from Amelia at Amelia's De-ssert and there are a few ‘rules’ attached, which include answering some questions about myself. Now if you like dessert (ok, put up your hand all those who can honestly say they don’t !) then you need to check out her blog. Not only will you see photos of mouth-watering treats but she’ll also give you the recipes. And she posts some great photos to go along with her witty anecdotes. Thank you, Amelia !

Here goes:

1. What makes you laugh, smile or giggle?

A humorous situation in real life, a funny story about our human foibles, a great cartoon (I’m partial to Dilbert), and of course Foghorn Leghorn TV cartoons !

2. What are your dreams for your future?

See (and hopefully photograph) more of this beautiful creation and meet people in far off places – it reinforces my view that we all have the same desires and needs.
Enjoy watching my grandchildren grow up.

3. If you are going on a cruise, where would it be and why?

Unfortunately the idea of a cruise doesn’t appeal to me. I’d feel too regimented – I want to be free to explore a place on my own for as long as I want (or can) without being part of a crowd and being compelled to return to ship.

4. Where would you spend your vacation and with whom?

My wife and I have discussed a possible vacation with Ireland as a potential destination. Wales, England and Scotland also beckon. Given unlimited funds I’d like to take my whole family somewhere exotic (and warm, of course). There’s a lot to be said about sharing an experience like that.

5. If given another life, what life would you choose ? Your life now or your past?

Of course there are very good experiences in the past that would be good to relive, but I’m happy with the circumstances I find myself in.

6. Is there something that you wished before when you were young but you didn't get?

At a young age I wished to become a pilot. At a later time I got as far as completing ground school but life events took over and I pursued a completely different career.

7. Have you been in a situation where you might have given up but you still chose to move on?

I took a number of assignments in my career that I wasn’t too sure I could successfully handle going in, including a couple of relocations. Being somewhat of an obstinate sort I couldn’t let failure prevail. I know that I had a lot of help, especially from above – any success was definitely not attributable to me alone.

8. Is there someone in your life who has been your source of strength and inspiration?

Yes, my wife has stood beside me all these years.

Now for the hard part: I also have lots of favourite bloggers but the ‘rules’ say I can only choose eight for this award. I realize that not all of you do the blogging award thing – I will not be offended in any way if that’s your preference. Hopefully anyone visiting here will come and visit you:

1) Marty at Marty

2) Darlene at My Life For A Year

3) Leslie at Let A Joy Keep You

4) Cloudia at Comfort Spiral

5) Lisa at Lisa Gordon Photography

6) Betty at Cut and Dry

7) Elizabeth at Magical Moments

8) Dawn at Just~One~Life

Of course, in keeping with with Scott's Sunset Sunday theme, I also wanted to show you what the sunset at the harbour looked like last evening.

(10-22mm  f14  several different exposures  ISO100)

WWW II

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I would share a bit of my experience of walking in a winter wonderland while we were 'back home', over the next few weeks. Now that we're ensconced in the warmth of a southern winter once again (and I have an internet connection speed that most people take for granted), I thought it time to follow up on that promise.

A few days before Christmas I revisited a place not far from home to see it in a winter setting. At that time it looked like we were in for a green Christmas. Jack Frost had certainly left his mark on the area, but then on Christmas eve, possibly as a result of all the "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" jingles that had been raised heavenward in the weeks before, the landscape received a nice white blanket of the stuff. Talk about dreams fulfilled just in time.

So I re-revisited this place the day after Christmas and marvelled at the transformation that had taken place. And I marvelled at the Creator of this beauty “for in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

(10-22mm  f8.0  1/15 sec  ISO200)

before

(10-22mm  f11  1/50 sec  ISO200)

after

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

I hope all of you have had a peace-full Christmas, and you were able to make some happy memories with those close to you. I'm glad to say that I have been so blessed. I also had the pleasure of once again experiencing the beauty that winter bestows on the creation, on solitary walks and walks shared with loved ones. I hope to share some of this over the next few weeks.

The old year is quickly sliding away, a new year is just around the corner. I want to wish each of you who have come here to visit throughout this past year or perhaps just starting recently, a wonderful new year. I'd also like to leave this Irish blessing, a favourite of mine, with you:

May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rains fall soft upon your fields;
and until we meet again,
may you be held in the warmth of God's hand.

You might note the 'early' hour of this post - that's due to the length of time it took this evening to download Windows updates and then to load this blog post. If all goes well I expect to have access to a very fast internet connection within 2 weeks, at which time we shall 'meet again' in blogland. I thank you all for your visits and kind comments.

(10-22mm  f14  1/100 sec  ISO200)

Square peg meets round hole

Our sense of the familiar has been challenged as we try to 'get into the Christmas spirit'. This is the second year that we are spending the weeks leading up to Christmas in the balmy south. For all of those previous years we had grown accustomed to the weather turning cold and blustery, and we literally meant it when we hummed along with "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". In our experience, there's something incongruous about standing on a street dressed in shorts and sandals in mid-December looking at palm trees adorned with bright Christmas lights.

Good thing that the joyous message of Christmas - the birth of the Saviour of the world - remains the same without regard to geography or weather.

"May all your Christmases be bright."

All earth to Him her homage brings

1 The ends of all the earth shall hear
And turn unto the Lord in fear;
All kindreds of the earth shall own
And worship Him as God alone.

Refrain:
All earth to Him her homage brings,
The Lord of lords, the King of kings.

2 For His the kingdom, His of right,
He rules the nations by his might;
All earth to Him her homage brings
The Lord of lords, the King of kings. [Refrain]

3 Both rich and poor both bond and free,
Shall worship Him with bended knee,
And children's children shall proclaim
The glorious honor of His Name. [Refrain]

Composer: William H. Doane, 1834-1915

(Belated) Phriday Phun

Well, the phun was all had on Phriday - it's just that I didn't get phinished with the photos until past midnight (EST) - although it's still Phriday to the west of us. (Scott started the Phun Phriday posting - you may want to check him out).

We visited Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda this afternoon. While my wife browsed through the many shops there, Sasha and I dragged ourselves away and scouted the surroundings for some photo ops.

You wouldn't think that a place that bills itself as 'Fishermen's Village' would post signs like the one in this photo, would you ? Perhaps that's false advertising aka 'bait and switch'. I mean, what's a fisherman to do ?

Now being from up north I happen to know that Santa gets around via sleigh, but I've wondered how he does that in Florida where snow is as rare as a politician (anywhere) that can balance a budget. I discovered his secret and I'll share it with you here. Shhh - don't tell the kids.

Well, after all that time wandering around in the sun, I couldn't tell if my eyes or my camera were playing tricks on me in this last shot.

I hope your Phriday was phun too.

Short story of sacrifice for Sunset Sunday shot

Sunsets arrive at a bit of an awkward time at this point on the calendar - right around dinner time. While my wife still doesn't understand why anyone would need to get more sunset shots when they already have so many to choose from, she did sacrifice dinner time together recently. I set out alone to a nearby park - dogs weren't allowed there.

I wasn't alone long. As I trekked along a wilderness trail, the entrance of which was marked by a sign showing an alligator chasing a dog and its owner, I soon became aware of the scourge of Florida salt marshlands at dusk - the ubiquitous no-see-um. I thought I had protected myself against these minuscule pests with a voracious appetite by liberally applying a 98% deet ointment, but by next morning I discovered all the unprotected places that they had discovered. The itch finally disappeared after 7 days and the bite marks after 10.

I thought the sunset was worth it. My wife doesn't understand.

(10-22mm  f5.6  1/200 sec  ISO200)

For more superb Sunset Sunday shots, be sure to visit Scott's blog.

Speechless Saturday

(well almost ...)

No, I'm not starting a competition with Wordless Wednesday ;-) I had a lot of thoughts running through my head as I was reviewing shots from a recent evening photo shoot, and in the end I decided just to post the shots. There, I've already said too much.

'Walking trees'

The more you observe and learn, the more you realize how little you know about this wonderful, complex Creation we've been commanded to be good stewards of.

An encounter with a fellow dog lover at the harbour near here (where I made my current header shot) provided us with the location of a doggy beach near appropriately-named Lover's Key state park. We spent several hours there yesterday, and although I limited the number of shots I made, I saw all sorts of interesting things, among them - mangroves.( I'll share some others at a later time).

Of course, there's a lot of interesting information to be learned about them, not the least of which is that they thrive in salt water and yet are uniquely created to filter salt out. They provide habitat for many species of fish, crabs, and birds. And they can be severely damaged by as little as a few hours of freezing temperatures (if you're interested in learning more, check this out). I learned that the ones we saw, and are pictured below, are known as red mangroves.

Coming to an end

There's a trite but true saying that all good things must come to an end, and so it is with the spectacle of autumn's magnificent colours. I'm sure that there are still places where the rain and strong winds haven't left barren limbs reaching for a gray sky, but those are disappearing quickly. I had a last opportunity to load up a memory card with autumn memories this past weekend. Accompanied by one of my daughters, who has recently taken up photography, and 3 canine friends, we braved sullen skies and a steady drizzle to make a trek into the woods.

The leaves will continue to fall and carpet the ground until a hard frost is followed by the first snowfall which in turn will cover everything under a soft blanket. Then life will slow down and rest for several months, until the cycle begins again. And we can be as assured of that as of His faithfulness.