An abstract point of view!

So sorry for not posting in quit a few weeks now.....been so busy with Holiday preparations, and still not caught up.....but was playing around with a method of turning my lens during a long 2 to 4 second shutter speed....so this is my Christmas Tree!!!! With all the snow that has been fallen south of our area, I've been disappointed that we don't have that lovely heavy laden snow everywhere....it's been so cold with a nasty wind....so there goes my lovely trees!!!! Hopefully will have some Great winter shots in a few weeks

Early signs of winter slumber

The brown crispy leaves, blanket the forest floor. The lakes are starting to freeze over, trapping fish and crustaceans below. Soon the skies will open up and cover our world with fresh fallen snow...bringing on a clean white canvas for my camera to capture...in the variety of light and colors of the passing winter sun.....An exciting time to look forward to......

The National Art Gallery

I enjoyed a weekend away in Ottawa visiting my Sister and Brother-in-law and capturing some architectural shots for our photo club's theme. This one appeals to me the most, this amazing sculpture of this huge arachnid compliments this stunning glass building...wished I had clearer skies but then the shadows would have been so harsh.....

Reflections of Frost

It was a glorious morning, trees were thick with frost and not a breeze to be found....one of our local lakes called Fish Lake was as still as can be...it seems this dock was left free floating for the winter and ice season....was a gift to be out and about with the camera!!!!!

Life still prevails......in late Fall

I Love the world of Mushrooms, which are actually the fruit and not the actual plant. The mycelium is the actual plant that can grow and spread underground, in huge areas....I would Love to take a course on how to identify the edible species, we have such a variety in our part of Central Ontario....

Turning Cans! in Peers, Alberta

My daughter Chris, puts on Barrel racing jackpots in the small community of Peers, Alberta....so I had a blast shooting in continuous mode as these girls raced around the barrels...of over 180 shots this was my favorite...the sun lite up the dry scattered earth as these horses cut around the barrels, hoping of course not to knock them over....I'm just amazed how these huge animals can cut so sharply around an obstacle...some came so close but never touched that barrel...it's a timed event and if you can accomplish a run in less that 18 seconds...you are flying...the pros at the big rodeos do it in less than that.....we had an action theme for our camera club last night and this was a huge hit!!!!!

Chaos!

I'm sure anyone who has travelled through Algonquin Park, has stopped for a so called" Kodak Moment" at this very spot on Smoke Lake, it's right before you turn to go on Arrowhon Road and the ministry float plane hanger....Well my last visit over a week ago was a sad one, a huge white pine at that very point has fallen to it's death....one of my header shots above shows the way it use to look ( the 3rd. header down) there is still a single pine but it just doesn't have the fullness now.....I love the chaotic tangle of these roots and I believe the B&W version is the best format to appreciate them......

On Golden River

Here is another fun abstract...what do you think????? Thanks in Advance!!!!

colored silk in motion

This is a little different...I'm preparing for a natural abstract theme contest and played around with one of my brook's falls shots....and this was the end result....what do you think????? of course it was boosted with some saturation to give it life and a colorful canvas....All comments Welcomed!!!!

Frosty Milkweed

Well I knew my camera would not rest for long....we had a fairly good frost this morning and I wanted to capture it on these silky milkweed pods.....they don't last for long when the winds start to blow.....they always fascinated me as a child!!!!!

Death of a Leaf

Our colors were short lived and the leaves dried up so quickly this Fall....but as I walked through a Golden Forest, and enjoyed the amazing canopy and colorful carpet, I truly appreciate the changes we enjoy here in our region...soon we will feel the chill of frosty mornings and the first dusting's of fresh snow....and again I will feast on the beauty of another season through the eye of my lens....and Thank my Maker for the scared gifts he provides.

Fall Serenity

Now this is why I Love The Fall!!!!! Nature's canvas stimulates our senses beyond our lenses and captures your soul.....I can only completely surrender!!!!!Breath in the Beauty !!!!!

Brook's Fall

I've been playing around with a ND filter and slower shutter speeds, trying to perfect my silky water effect....I still see how important a gradient filter plays in such a shot....the upper falls still has too much light....in a matter of just a few days the colors are now gone, especially the reds....I wish they could have lasted a bit longer......

My pretty little Bride

My youngest daughter was married near Algonquin Park on Sat. to her Best Friend....the day was cold and wet but it did not dampen her joy and enthusiasm.... shooting people as opposed to landscapes and wildlife is much more challenging and the need of a good speed light & diffuser was very apparent. I tried to capture the softness of the light from the window and her natural look....

Sunset activities

 

Well I presented a slide show at our photo club this week of a selection of sunset shots I took over the summer....and this one had received the most responses....Enjoy!

A Passion for Fishing

 

This beautiful little girl reminds me of myself as a young child, always down on the dock fishing. I could spend the whole day there and never get bored....I guess if it's in the blood it's there for life!!!!!

In Low Key

 

I Love challenges, and at my neices wedding I tried different settings to see what dramatic results would unfold...this experiemnt with a Low Key setting was a wonderful surprise...one of my favorites from this fun shoot.

A Kiss for a Peanut

 

I've seen many a chipmunk beg and sit on your knee waiting for a free handout....but this little guy, who we call Stubbs, for his short tail, has to be the friendliest little creature ever....There are several families in our trailer park who feed him and has given him several other names....note the little hole in his ear....a confrontation with a nasty Red Squirel.....

The Power of Yellow

 

There's just something special about the color yellow!!!!!I beleive it's the green background that gives it such a warm glow, as a painter we sometimes put a bit of purple behind yellow to enhance it's vibrance.....I never tire of shooting these gorgeous blooms!!!!!

The Willmore Wilderness Reserve

 

My kids were saying it is unusual to see snow up in the Mountains in early July, but it made the scene that much more spectacular...our ride lasted about 1 1/2 hours in to our destination...and being such a green rider....that sure was long enough for me!!!!

Alberta Sky

 

One of my daughter's horses was always so curious as I tried to capture his silhouette...I was always amazed with that Big Alberta Sky...

A not so perfect Swallowtail

 

This gorgeous butterfly had a chunk broken out of it's one wing....maybe from a confrontation with another Butterfly? Sorry to see very little Monarchs this year...hopefully in July....

? Does anyone know the type!

 

I beleive it is the female of this species, but couldn't find it in my referrence book...would appreciate it if someone could let me know!!!! I love how it is wrapping it's wings around...and I'm Loving this Micro lens....seeing a wonderful world around me

A Nesting Common Loon

 

This Male/Female Loon will soon be releived of it's laying duties as we noticed the mate nearby....they try and give themselves a low profile as we approached....I am always amazed on how wide these birds are, no wonder there can be twin chicks riding on Mama's back, to keep them safe from underwater predators.....

Reflections on Oak Lake

 

We waited 3 days for a beautiful sunny, calm morning to take these gorgeous reflection shots....and were awarded with many!!!!

White Waterlily

 

Among the many plants that grow rooted to the bottoms of small lakes and ponds...this one is the most beloved...with their bright floating blossoms and deeply notched green shiny pads...they are sought after by many a photographer or amphibian as a resting surface...when the flower fades, it's stalk shrinks,submerging the hard-cased fruit while the edible seeds mature. Then the case opens, and the seeds float free until they become waterlogged, sink, and take root