Up for air

Before the month of June slips quietly around the corner and into the pages of history, I had to come back here to let anyone who still comes by for a visit know that I haven't abandoned blogging.

My shutter finger has still been getting a workout although primarily for commercial photography. I finished processing the last of a series of shoots today. I went back into my archives looking for a shot to post. The one I posted was made on our trip to Calgary last summer, and it reminded me of how quickly time has flown, which in turn reminded me of this:

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

I hope all of you still active in blogland are doing well, and I shall make my visitation rounds as time permits.

How can I keep from singing

It's that time of year again here up north when the creation starts bedecking itself with a multicoloured coat. Like so many opportunities that come by in life, you need to grab hold of it before it disappears.

We were having a typical fall day of blustery winds pushing along threatening clouds alternating  with momentary flashes of bright sunshine and blue skies. I set out for what I promised would be a quick trip to a favourite nearby spot to check how fall colours were coming along. I pulled myself away after 'only' two hours, knowing there'd be more opportunities. soon.

It's amazing how such peaceful beauty can be found so close to home. Reminded me of a song from another of my favourite artists (yes, I have many), Eva Cassidy - click the link below the photos and sing along while you enjoy the good creation given to us by our faithful Father:

you might recognize this road if you've visited my blog before

we've had an abundance of rain this summer/fall and the wetlands were, well, wet ...

 as you can see from the first photo, there's still a lot of green, however, there's also lots of fall colour

 while leaves are starting to fall, the grass is still green

 looks like Monsieur Monet also stopped by

A walk in the woods ...

“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.”
― William Shakespeare

“God has strewn our paths with wonders and we certainly should not go through Life with our eyes shut.”
― Alexander Graham Bell

“Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Going to the woods is going home.”
― John Muir

“If God did not exist, He would have to be invented. But all nature cries aloud that He does exist: that there is a supreme intelligence, an immense power, an admirable order, and everything teaches us our own dependence on it.”
― Voltaire

I visited this secluded area a few minutes' drive from our place - it's a favourite of mine in each season. Sasha contented herself with nosing around in the leaves and finding a comfortable spot in the shade as I wandered around in the woods. It's the height of black fly season and they were voracious. Since I'm a favourite of all biting and sucking insects I doused myself in a 98.9% DEET solution (not available in my nanny state but which I - thankfully - found in Florida) and they were forced to leave me alone.

I made enough photos for several posts so will have to share some others next time. Hope you'll enjoy the walk in His creation.

Summertime fun

[click on this link for some music to put you in the mood ... while you spend a moment or two here]



It's been a couple of busy weeks since I was last here - time spent making memories with our children and grandchildren. The camera got a good workout capturing just a fraction of the many moments we had together. The best moments, though, can't be displayed here - they're burned into our collective memories.

a hike through the forest (under the pretext of 'taking the dogs for a walk')

cooling one's toes on a hot summer day

a quick time out for a pose ("are we done yet ?")

anticipating a big splash at the water park

visiting a pioneer village to get a glimpse of life in the 1860's

seeing how water was used to provide power to the mill

but the highlight was a visit to the one-room schoolhouse (where I was 'reacquainted' with the strap ... much to the delight of our granddaughters !)

and where they saw how students dressed for school 150 years ago (note the absence of cell phones and iPads)

in between the visits to parks and playgrounds and beaches there was still plenty of time to catch frogs in our pond (here's Hailey, ably assisted by Sasha - both were equally obsessed)

and the end of each day was capped by a glorious sunset

I hope your summer has been equally blessed.

Traipse

[treyps] – verb (used without object) - to walk or go aimlessly or idly or without finding or reaching one's goal
That's what I set out to do today. My son had told me of an area he and his wife had 'discovered' that I would likely enjoy for a photo shoot. Yesterday's rain was forgotten and the sky looked promising this afternoon with nothing more than white puffy clouds. My photo shoot companion was eager to go and explore this new place. It didn't disappoint.

We had the place to ourselves. The brisk wind eventually gave way to warm(er) sunshine as we traipsed through the woods. Save for some moss and a few hardy ferns, no other plants were ready to make their spring appearance yet. Despite the definition I believe we did achieve our goal today.

(10-22mm  f18  1/50 sec  ISO200)

Micro forest

Can you look at a photo you've made and know where you were, what you were doing, and perhaps even what you were thinking when you made it ? I can't claim that I can do it for all photos I've made and I certainly couldn't answer all 3 questions, but surprisingly I can for quite a number of them. Is that another definition of a photographic memory ?

I was on a hike in the fall with other family members up what is locally known as Blue Mountain (which is actually a tree-covered hill several hundred feet high - but when all the land around you is fairly flat you'd call a prominent bump on the landscape a mountain too). We were on our way down when I saw this patch of mossy greenery. I got right down on the ground and stuck my macro lens into the moss - these plants are actually only 3-5 cm/1-2 in tall, but they reminded me of a little forest. I suppose if you were an ant, this might be the forest you'd have to find your way through.

(60mm  f2.8  1/250 sec  ISO100)

(Day 235) The enchanted forest

I can't remember how old I was when the hard truth dawned on me that leprechauns and elves didn't really exist. Isn't that a wonderful time though, when you're young and your still vivid imagination can get caught up in stories about those magical little men and women who inhabit the secret places in the woods.

This morning we had the chance to go on a leisurely walk with our oldest daughter, and our 2 granddaughters. They're at the age still when the 'education' system hasn't destroyed their sense of magic and illusion and imagination. Little people can still live under mushrooms and the forest is still an enchanting place. Here are a few shots of our experiences today.

(10-22mm  f5.6  1/500 sec  ISO800)

doesn't this look enchanting ?

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/100 sec  ISO800)

one of the 'magical' mushrooms in the forest

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/50 sec  ISO800)

surely home to some of the little people of the forest !

(10-22mm  f11  1/200 sec  ISO800)

the bench with a view where we tarried a while

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/50 sec  ISO800)

the demolition crew at work - even in the enchanted forest, the old must make way for the new

 

(Day 147 A walk in the woods

I made a little trip back to a favourite spot today. As I wandered (carefully) further into the forest, I got some curious glances from people in a pickup truck slowly making its way up the lane. Fortunately they could pass since I'd pulled my car as close to the trees as possible. Neither they nor I expected to see someone in such a secluded spot. They went on and left me to enjoy this little piece of paradise. Hopefully you'll enjoy along with me ...

(50mm  f8  1/40 sec  ISO100)

(50mm  f11  1/6 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/4 sec  ISO200)

Do you see the 'face' in this rock? The large hole is the mouth, 
slanting down to the left.

(70-200mm  f11  1/8 sec  ISO200)

I think this is a black damselfly - there were many of these in
the forest.

(Day 132) Hold me back!

I'm quite sure that all of you out there doing a project 365 have run into those times of brain constipation. You know, the day's getting late, you haven't got your shot yet, the pressure's building, you're looking around at something that you think you might use as a subject, and nothing seems to be co-operating with you.

Well, today was not one of those days. In fact, I had the opposite problem. I drove to a favourite place just a few minutes from home. I'd been here in the fall but hadn't yet seen it in the spring. I felt like I had died and gone to photographers' heaven. So bear with me as I post beyond the project 365 one-shot 'limit' (this is getting to be a habit).

(18-55mm  f8  1/125 sec  ISO200)

entrance to photographers' heaven

(18-55mm  f8  1/125 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f5.6  1/1600 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f5.6  1/250 sec  ISO200)

a burgundy trillium among the white

(18-55mm  f8  1/100 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f14  1/50 sec  ISO200)

(Day 125) Don't pass me by ...

For almost 7 years (!) I've been driving past this particular area on my way to and from the town nearest to us (about 23 km / 14 mi). And do you know what I've said so often as I fly by ? One of these days I've got to stop and take some photos here! Ok, raise your hand all of you who've done the same thing. Now it's not that I didn't have my camera with me or that the opportunities to stop weren't there. The thinking was more along the lines of - I go by here almost every day so I can always get some photos, just not right now.

Well I made up my mind today that this was the day I really would stop here - carpe diem! The light was right, and as lots of traffic whizzed by, I finally got some shots. Hope you can see why I liked this place.

(18-55mm  f16  1/13 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f8  1/20 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f16  1/13 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f8  1/50 sec  ISO200)

(Day 107) A quiet spot in the woods

It rained again today, or I should say, it's still raining today. Undeterred, however, we decided to go for our planned walk to the 'back 40'. Accompanied by 5 dogs (son's - 2, daughter's - 2, ours) and our son pushing our grandson in his stroller (well it looks more like an ATV without the engine), we made our way along the path through the cedar woods. Near the end of our land, deep in the woods, we came across a relatively dry spot - sheltered by the cedar canopy. Here we tarried a while and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Moments like these with family are to be treasured.

(18-55mm  f4.5  1/60 sec  ISO800)

And for fun, I thought I'd post a shot of my grandson, Graydon, and one of my daughters, Julia, in this candid (I think Graydon is wondering what sort of family he's joining):

(70-200mm  f2.8  1/50 sec  iso800)

(Day 85) Just a closer walk with Thee

It's a time to be reflective. A close family member is approaching life's end - not unexpectedly from a medical perspective. We're a long way from home, in order to be nearby. I had the opportunity today to accompany one of my daughters and granddaughters for a walk through some forest trails. We shared laughter, and enjoyed the beautiful creation. I thought I'd share just a couple of shots today.

(18-55mm  f8  1/20 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f8 1/125 sec  ISO200)