The Beauty That Surrounds Us (Reprise)

I'm working on an assignment for a client who is in the business of enticing people to take a pause from the hustle and bustle of life by enjoying a week of cottage living in beautiful surroundings. He rejuvenates tired cottages that once served that purpose.

I went out earlier this week to capture some of that beauty in an area about an hour's drive from our place, where the cottages are located. I could easily post a dozen photos but I think you'll 'get the picture'.

[Coincidentally I posted under this same title almost 3 years ago to the day - it just seemed fitting again]

The Hogs Back

If you're up for a little interesting history on this name, check out this story. Otherwise just sit back as I take you on a quick pictorial tour of this place:

this is part of the lake formed by the dam which is under the bridge in the distance

a lilac-lined lane lies above the east side of the gorge

a view along the bridge seen in the top photo (that's Ottawa in the background)

a view of the rapids from the bridge - this was one of the obstacles that had to be overcome in the 1820s to make the Rideau River navigable

a closer view

a small sidestream below the gorge

a view downstream from atop the west side of the gorge

And now for something completely ...

I would like to have said 'different' but that's not the case. The drought in our area continues unabated. As recently as last Saturday the forecast called for significant rainfall with a 100% probability of precipitation. Turns out that the 100% was right on the money - we had an intense 10 minute torrential downpour and that was that.

Come with me on a short hike and I'll show you how that has affected the watershed.

Here is a nearby stream which in the springtime is frequented by kayakers ! You can imagine how much water would be required to submerge these rocks  again.

In the spring, or after a particularly heavy rainfall, water would cover the rock flats to the right.

Purple loosestrife (a noxious weed despite its colourful appearance) has taken root on the stream bed.

Boulders like these can be moved when the stream is at its peak.

Everything is parched ...

Normally 3 - 4 feet of water flow under this bridge.

Industrious beavers dammed the stream about a half mile up from the bridge. With little or no inflow, they've made their dam almost watertight - looks like they're prepared for the long haul until the rains return. Perhaps there's a lesson in there for us - when we're in a drought, sit tight ("those who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength ...").

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 hike ... continued

You might want to freshen up your mosquito repellent - seems they really appreciate visitors to their neck of the woods.

After walking down the trail to get nearer the river, we'll scramble over a few moss-covered rocks to get down by the water.

(18-55mm  f11  1/5 sec  ISO200)

Now we can see the waterfalls from below.

(18-55mm  f11  1/125 sec  ISO200)

Scrambling back up over the rocks we rejoin Sasha by the trail, and start following it again as it meanders along the river. A few people had come along but now we have the place to ourselves again. The river seems to disappear around a corner up ahead. After avoiding some very muddy areas we come to solid rock. Bushes block our view but we can hear rushing water. We work our way around the bushes and then come upon this sight.

(18-55mm  f14  1/40 sec  ISO200)

This explains why the river 'disappeared' from our earlier vantage point. After tumbling over these falls, the river enters a narrow 'canyon' with steep walls that make access difficult. So we'll content ourselves by lingering awhile and looking at some of the wild flowering bushes that are in their spring glory. No need to hurry back to civilization.

(both of the following shots: 70-200mm  f5.6  1/60 sec  ISO200)

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)

(Day 358) A new day

On the day of Christmas Eve we had an opportunity to take a quiet walk. We were surrounded by snow and ice and water, and thirty yards away hundreds and hundreds of Canada geese congregated near areas of open water. There was no one else within sight or within earshot. There was no strife in our little local patch of the creation. It felt like a brand new day. Maybe this is what things looked like when God first looked out on his creation and said that it was good.

And the coming of Jesus, which we celebrate tomorrow, signified the beginning of the restoration of his creation and all that is in it. May you experience a brand new day in your life as you celebrate Christmas.

(10-22mm  f13.0  1/320 sec  ISO320)

(Day 256) Marketing 101

Monday Sept. 13, 2010

We've made a point of trying to visit many different places on Rhodes. And given the hot and dry weather conditions we've had so far, that includes a beach almost every day. A different beach can be found over the crest of every hill. Some are sandy, others have pebbles, and a few others have stones and even large lava rocks. But, the brochures claim and the roadside signs proclaim, each is the most beautiful on Rhodes !

Today was a purely beach day - relaxing in the warm waters of the Aegean Sea and seaside with a good book. There weren't even any clouds to drift slowly by. The beach was named Tsambika, but due to the winds which approached gale strength by mid-afternoon, we re-christened it 'sand blasta'.

(10-22mm  f11  1/400 sec  ISO200)

(Day 205) Digging rock

No, not the musical variety, although I am a fan. Along the route to my son's place there's an old abandoned quarry. You can just see it briefly over the double-barbed wire fence in a spot where the edge is close to the road, before it's hidden from view again by tall weeds and scrub brush. I've caught that glimpse many times and have often wondered what was down there and whether it was accessible.

You know the drill by now - today was the day to go and see. I parked on the opposite side and walked along the road looking for access. Climbing the barbed wire-topped fence didn't look appealing and I wasn't sure there was a way down. However, I'm sure the fence was only meant to keep out the less persistent. Presently I came to a large gate. Thinking it must lead to a way down, I climbed it and carefully made my way through weeds that were as tall as me. To my right there appeared to be an old access road and I pushed through the weeds and made my way to the bottom.

I thought I'd post some photos in b&w and others in colour to give you an idea of what was there. I don't know the history of the quarry, but given the large number of old stone homes in the area, built by the more affluent, it's conceivable that the quarry supplied the material for them. Given what I've found on our property, rock could have been dug here just as well.

Note: all photos were shot with an 18-55mm lens with an aperture of f14 (for depth of field), at shutter speeds of 1/10 to 1/100 sec, ISO400.

Sample of rock quarried here:

timber from an old building ?

There was evidence that the quarry had seen use as a dump:

The walls were a bit imposing from the bottom. Not the sort that rock climbers would appreciate, I suspect. And I certainly wouldn't have entertained the thought of climbing down - glad I didn't fall over!

(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 133) A kayaker's dream

At this time of year you wouldn't think that this placid little stream would even get a second look from a kayaker. But you should see it in March and April when the spring runoff is at its height and it becomes a raging torrent. No, there are no class 6 rapids, but the water overflows the rocky ledge on the right in the photos below, and rushes through some of the pasture land on either side of the stream bed. The water gets churned up pretty good, and we have actually seen kayakers here. The rocks in the ledge at the right of the stream are typical of the ground structure in this area - shallow, rock-filled 'soil' sitting atop layers of sedimentary rock, wherein I've found many fossils.

(50mm  f8  1/250 sec  ISO200)

(50mm  f8  1/250 sec  ISO200)

(50mm  f8  1/125 sec  ISO200)

(Day 77) The toil of their hands

I went for a stroll on our land today - again we were blessed by sunshine and warm temperatures. I wanted to re-visit and photograph a few places were there was evidence of those who came before us, who lived here and worked this land many years ago. As I stood near these places I wondered who the people were who had worked so hard to clear the land of rocks, and built split-rail cedar fences around hundreds of acres. This area is known for black flies and mosquitoes - how they must have been tormented as they laboured under a hot sun engulfed by swarms of pesky biting and stinging bugs. They moved on long ago (see Day 62) and only remnants of their passing through remain.

"There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow."  (Ecclesiastes 1:11)

(18-55mm  f8  1/100 sec  ISO400)

(18-55mm  f8  1/30 sec  ISO400)

(Day 67) What used to be here ?

One of my first tasks when we moved to our current home was to develop a vegetable garden; it's in the genes I think - I'm descended from gardeners. I figured it wouldn't be too difficult as I had the necessary tools and equipment, including a rototiller and large tractor. So I staked out an area, fired up the rototiller, and started tilling. It was quite difficult going and I initially thought it was due to the fact it was virgin soil and was likely compacted. Ha - no such luck! What soon became all too clear to me was that the land consisted of about 10cm (4") of dirt sitting on top of rock. I don't mean rocks, although it turned out there were lots of those too, but rock!

Well, I used the bucket on my tractor to scrape off what little soil there was into a pile, and then used a pick to remove as much of the rock as I could. I built a 3m by 3m (10' x 10') sieve and bucket by bucket sifted all the dirt through it to remove even more rocks. After bringing in a few truckloads of soil and adding compost, it started to resemble a garden. Today that formerly barren patch of ground produces more veggies than we can eat.

I had little interest in the remaining pile of rocks at the time. What turned out to be interesting later as I started to remove the rather large pile, was the number of fossils they contained. I'm no fossil expert, but it looks to me that perhaps this area used to be covered by a sea, and as it disappeared, small sea creatures were covered by silt, and as the silt eventually hardened into rock, these creatures were left behind as the fossils I uncovered.

If anyone can tell what they might be from these photos, please leave a comment.

(completely off-topic, but if you'd like to contribute a photo to help fight Alzheimers, read this: http://threadsoflight.blogspot.com/2010/02/41-shots.html )

(60mm  f11  1/10 sec  ISO200)

(60mm  f16  1/15 sec  ISO200)

 

(60mm  f16  1/15 sec  ISO200)