2010-02-22

Photo of the Week 2010-02-22

This weekend I made my 3rd visit to Muskoka Wildlife Centre to photograph some of the captive animals they have rescued from various situations. Expectations were high for shooting the wolves in full winter coat with snowy backgrounds.

I was certainly able to get a number of great shots of the wolves but the real surprise came at the Cougar enclosure where I was able to find a vantage point shooting through a gap at the gate entrance. Kneeling and shooting from a low vantage point I was able to capture images of this large 180 lb male as he came to investigate. Looking through the camera lens you can get a rush as the focus locks on the eyes and this beautiful animal more than fills the frame.

It was snack time for Kokanee as he approached with purpose and ...

“hungry eyes”


More images to come from this day of shooting I'm sure ...

2010-02-16

Montreal - during a recent visit

A business commitment in Montreal last week provided the opportunity to stay a few extras days to enjoy the city. Lynn came along to visit some family and check out the sights while I did my photo thing.
Surfing around flickr while planning the trip, I found images from the
Quartier Latin and Le Plateau districts that really interested me so I set out to discover the areas and capture some of their character.

green stairs and garbage cans


The multi level dwellings and steel stairs are iconic Montreal. The neighbourhood around Parc Lafontaine has examples on every street. I had the opportunity to walk around the area on a couple of occasions during this visit. The area is simply unique and great subject matter for photography.

blue stairs


... little pink houses ...


stair, stairs and more stairs ....


stairs and wires


I'm looking forward to the next visit and perhaps another area of this lovely city.
DJE



2010-02-15

Photo of the Week 2010-02-15

Mount Royal

On the last day of a weekend trip to Montreal, I went to the lookout over downtown Montreal from Mount Royal. I had hoped for clear skies and a stunning sunrise, but the weather did not cooperate. We awoke to overcast grey skies and decided not to rush. Instead we had a leisurely breakfast and then headed
out.

Most of the images I took from here were lacking interest so I canted the camera, focused on the plaque and used a moderate aperture to slightly blur the city in the background I think it worked.

2010-02-09

Enchanting Everton Cascade

There are some locations that are pure magic for photography. Everton Cascade is just such a place.

Some time ago after seeing an image of this cascade from another photographer on flickr, I set out to find Everton, a small community NE of Guelph, where the Eramosa River is squeezed through a narrow gorge and cascades over several small limestone falls.
My first visit left me enchanted with the area knowing I would return more than once. That was over two years ago, I have been back three times since and it’s not enough. Each time I visit this place I find the tranquil sound of the water and the surroundings calming and inspirational.

Everton 2007 (2007-12-23)


After being there once, I knew that I had to return when the ice was gone and summer colours would transform the scenes. Everton did not disappoint. There area presents tricky footing and to get the shot below I almost had to tie myself off to one of the cedars growing at the edge of the gorge so I could get the view that I wanted. This is one of my personal favourite shots.

Everton - cascade (2008-08-02)


My most recent visit was on a cold winter morning and again Everton did not disappoint. The ice formations on the river are always different and enhance the atmosphere of the location in winter, whether I'm capturing the smaller details, portions of the area or the grander scene.

Everton - ice detail (2010-02-07)


Everton is truly an enchanting location to photograph, more to come as time goes on ...
DJE

2010-02-08

Photo of the Week 2010-02-08

On a brisk, -12*C, Saturday morning with the promise of sun to break the monotony of grey overcast skies, I headed out for Rockwood Conservation Area with the desire to hike the trails south of the river for a while to see what visual treasures they might offer. I had hoped for a chance to find a lookout to capture the frozen Eramosa River from above but not being familiar with the area I kept to the trails and eventually found myself back down at water level at the south-east corner of the park.
The sun was rising over the tree line, still casting shadows out over the frozen river and the sky to the north was cool morning blue and streaked with interesting cloud patterns. I wanted an image that would emphasize the sky and there were some tall pines adding an element of interest.

Rockwood winter morning

2010-02-01

Photo(s) of the Week 2010-02-01

During those periods of time when there is little time available to capture new images, I feel that I have missed something, like there is something undone. This past weekend I had committed to other activities that filled most of my time over the weekend where I would normally be out shooting. I knew that if I simply left my camera behind, the weekend would end with that feeling. So I packed up my gear and took it with me.
The activity that I had committed to was the 2nd year for a group of us mismatched hockey wanna-be's to play in an old-timers tournament. I decided that I would try and capture the event in the dressing room and from the bench between shifts, before I was completely exhausted. I'm not sure that it was a success photographically, but I enjoyed trying.

preparation


next shift