The Night Alight

Like moths attracted to a porch light, we were likewise drawn last week to the 'Alight at Night' festival at Upper Canada Village, a reconstructed town that replicates life as it was in the mid-1800s. It's hard to imagine how long it took to string up the almost 1 million lights that illuminate the village during this season of light.

It was certainly impressive as we toured the village on a horse-drawn wagon, and enjoyed a ride on the riotously-festooned train.

Hop aboard.

[since there would have been no opportunity to deploy a tripod, these are hand-held using my trusty $92 50mm f1.8 lens - a must have in every camera bag]

"No, I am NOT tired !  Why do you ask ?"

(Day 240) There IS light at the end of the tunnel

Yes, literally!

I've walked around this area before, when we were in town, but either didn't have my camera with me or the time wasn't opportune to make some photos. Today I deliberately went here.

'Here' is the railway tunnel, the first of its kind in Canada, that runs for over 525m/1,700' under the town of Brockville, Ontario, including city hall! And surprisingly, it was in use until the 1970's, having first been used in 1860.

(10-22mm  f3.5  1/6 sec   ISO200)

visitors can enter the first 25m/85' of the tunnel

(10-22mm  f3.5  1.6 sec   ISO200)

the remainder of the tunnel is inaccessible - note that the tracks have been removed. The pinprick of light in the centre is the far end (north)

(10-22mm  f3.5  1/6 sec   ISO200)

BUT, there IS light at the (south) end of the tunnel ! ... and it's NOT a train !

(Day 160) A bridge (not) too far

I've driven past this particular bridge more times than I can remember. It's much easier to see from the road during winter when the trees don't obscure the view. It's not too far from the road - only about 150 metres/yards, but it took me about 20 minutes to reach a spot from which I could make some photos at its base where it crosses the Rideau River near Merrickville. I had to scramble through the brambles and walk gingerly over soft mud using old bulrushes for temporary underfoot support.

After I made my photos, packed my equipment, and was headed back through the dense brush, I heard a train approach - as luck would have it. I tried to get back to my previous vantage point, but the last cars of the freight train crossed the bridge as I reached it. From there it was impossible to scale the steep hill to the tracks above. However, just before I reached the road again, after another arduous trek, I managed to pull myself up the 12 metre/40 foot slope to the tracks. And 15 minutes later I was rewarded for my efforts.

(70-200mm  f8  1/125 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f8  1/400 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f11  1/80 sec  ISO200)

(18-55mm  f6.3  1/200 sec  ISO200)