Tide's out ...

... or at least that's what it looked like to me at this point on the St. Lawrence River. Although the St. Lawrence is influenced by ocean tides, their effects disappear far from here, at Trois Rivières, Québec, so I'm not sure how this apparent high water mark developed on these rocks. It's possible that plants are/were growing in a narrow band to create the illusion.

(60mm  f8.0  1/15 sec  ISO200)

Weather vagaries ...

... or, whatever happened to weather you can count on ?

Let me begin by saying that this is not a rant. I am merely making an observation.

We're in the process of acclimatizing ourselves. We came through what we hoped was winter's last blast (for us) a couple of days ago, and were treated yesterday to some of the best of what the south has to offer, weather-wise, that is - sunshine and 24C/75F. Today is a different story - a blustery wind and 16C/62F and tonight promises to drop down to 3C/38F. Now, for people trudging through another blizzard in the northeast or living through truly frigid winter temperatures this might seem downright balmy. But I think our perception is very much related to our expectations.

So, before I feel even a tinge of disappointment, I just have to be reminded of what we left behind (see below). The forecast calls for improvement here in a couple of days. I hope that wherever you're huddled - assuming it isn't in some balmy spot - you will get a reprieve too.

(10-22mm  f10  1/320 sec  ISO200)

A sight-seeing day

Our (w)interlude back home would not have seemed complete had we not experienced a bit of weather typical for this time of year - snow, driven by a 40km/25mi wind. I had another couple of photo shoots this morning, one of which took me about 40 miles downriver - by car. Once that was finished, I managed a leisurely jaunt back home, taking the old 2-lane highway along the St. Lawrence River. Due to the slick roads and time of day, I encountered almost no traffic - rubber-necking opportunity at its best ! I was able to pull over occasionally, brave the elements, and make a few shots.

I think this one will give you an idea of what the sight-seeing was like.

(70-200mm  f11  1/200 sec  ISO200)

(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)

(Day 164) 1000 Islands

Today's tour took us to the famous 1000 Islands in the St. Lawrence seaway. We stayed on the Canadian side of the border, crossing over the bridge on Hill Island and took in the view from the 122 metre/400' high Skydeck. What a beautiful water playground. If you've never been, add it to your places to visit and take a river cruise. Tell 'em I sent you (just so you can watch their expression when they say "WHO?").

(18-55mm  f11  1/640 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/250 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/250 sec  ISO200) 

(18-55mm  f11  1/640 sec  ISO200) 


And for Sunset Sunday:

(18-55mm  f8  1/320 sec  ISO200)

(Day 149) At the waterfront

This early onslaught of summer has everyone excited about water sports. We're blessed to live near the St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands, a wonderful place to enjoy all sorts of water-based activities. We were there this afternoon to have our fish & chips dinner in the waterfront park and watch people and other creatures enjoying a fine late spring day. Here's a small view into what was going on.

(18-55mm  f8  1/1000 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/320 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/640 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/250 sec  ISO100)

(Day 57) Signs of spring

We saw the sun today for the first time in about a week, after a major blizzard last night. By noon it had gotten (relatively) mild too, so I went out for a photo shoot. I went down to the St. Lawrence River and saw an early sign of spring - the river ice was already broken up and on its way out to sea. Perhaps that's a harbinger of an early spring ? One can only hope.

(70-200mm  f4  1/4000 sec  ISO200)


looking upriver

(70-200mm  f4  1/4000 sec  ISO200)
 
ice breakup

(18-55mm  f22  1/50 sec  ISO100)

looking downriver