Photowalk
26/09/24
Cone Flower: ISO 1600, 100mm, f/5.0, 1/400
Fall is coming and the wild flowers are out!
This was taken at Lock 1 of the Tent Severn Waterway. Just a short drive from our home.
25/02/23
On a Mission: ISO 640, 240mm, f/5.6, 1/800
It is a cold winter day here. So, it is a good day to go through my pictures on my computer and see what I have not shared.
This was taken before our move to Ontario. One of my last walks in Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary, Alberta. The bees were hard at work collecting pollen before the cold weather arrives.
12/02/23
Nesting Swan: ISO 500, 400mm, f6.3, 1/1600
I took this image last spring at a local conservation area. There was a pair of swans. One was on the nest, the other close by guarding the nest from the water. A pair of Canada Geese were also nesting in close proximity. This lead to some interesting scenes of conflict between the two parent groups.
04/12/22
Female Red Winged Blackbird: ISO 500, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/500
It has been a long time since my last post. I realize that I need to take the time for this hobby of mine.
This was taken in the spring of the busy pond life at a local conservation area in the Quinte region. This mom was keeping a close eye her juvenile forage for food.
05/06/22
Female Red-Winged Blackbird entertaining Eastern Painted Turtles: ISO 500, 368mm, f/6.3, 1/1000
This picture was taken the same day that I took the Geese Family photo below.
The turtles seem to be watching this bird rather intently.
08/05/22
Canada Geese Family: ISO 500, 227mm, f/6.3, 1/500
Spring is here. It seems a little late this year but these Canadian Geese are right on time.
19/04/22
Watchful Robin: ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/1000
This photo is from the same walk along the fence line in Quinte West last Sunday. I believe it is a different Robin than the one in the previous post.
This one was watching me from afar. Making sure I was doing nothing more than admiring the spring weather with my camera.
29/01/22
Ontario Fall Colours: ISO200, 61mm, f/2.8, 1/2500
It has been a long while since I posted last. This is one of the last photos I have taken and have not shared.
This was taken one bright, cool fall morning down the street from where we live. Maple Leaves were displaying there colours they are famous for.
25/09/21
Itsy Bitsy Spider: ISO 1000, 210mm, f4.0, 1/250
It has been awhile since my last post. My life has been busy in the last year and have not had much opportunity (energy) to go out after working and exercising my photographic eye. Today, I got a chance to review some old shots taken last year.
Last summer, I was sent to work in Invermere, British Columbia. After one of my shifts I was sitting on the balcony of my hotel room during a light rain and spotted this little guy hard at work on the siding of my balcony view.
09/03/21
Gosport Sunset: ISO 200, 18mm, f/5.6, 1/240
Well, I had my computer packed up for an extended period of time and have been unable to update this website.
This was taken last November in Gosport, Ontario as the sun was setting.
We have moved close to the banks of Lake Ontario. And now I have my computer up and running and should be posting more regularly.
11/05/20
Female Red-Winged Blackbird, Airdrie, AB: ISO 1600, 150mm, f/5.0, 1/3200
I took an early morning walk this morning hoping to catch the morning sun highlight the activity at a marsh down the street from our house.
The blackbirds were very active this morning. This female Red-Winged Blackbird was foraging for nesting materials. The male birds were standing guard and protecting their territory. A sure sign of spring!
04/05/20
Lancaster Bomber (Bomber Command Museum, Nanton, AB): ISO 200, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/1600
Last summer I was able to visit the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, Alberta. It has always been on my list of things to see in southern Alberta but I never had the time.
Let me tell you, I was glad I made the time! The actual museum has quite of bit of artifacts and stories but together. Square foot wise it is pretty small but the amount of artifacts and content is quite vast. You could spend a whole day in the museum reading and looking. What I found most interesting was the part Alberta played in training air crews during World War II.
The day I was visited they had some volunteers working on restoring an old Mosquito.
13/03/20
Vermillion Lakes Sunrise, Banff National Park: ISO 400, 7mm, f/3.5, 1/1600
Took this image one morning last summer before all the tourists were awake. It was very peaceful. A summer storm was forecasted for later that morning. I was capturing the dramatic sky and the beginning of this storm.
17/02/20
Sunset at Invermere: ISO 200, 11mm, f/5.6, 1/500
I took this at a roadside rest area between Radium and Invermere, British Columbia last summer. This is the area where you can usually spot the bighorn sheep eating along the roadside.
I was lucky to catch the break in the heavy cloud cover with the setting sun trying to breakthrough.
I took a lot of photos that evening and also took the time to soak in all the scenery.
30/06/19
Taking Advantage of the Sun: ISO 200, 85mm, f/5.6, 1/250
Took this shot on a short hike at Marble Canyon located in Banff National Park late in May.
Caught this chipmunk in the distance and wasn't sure what it was until I zoomed in. The chipmunk was alive and breathing. Just taking advantage of the warm spring sun.
Guess animals love to sunbathe as well.
29/06/19
Red Wing Blackbird: ISO 320, 210mm, f/4.0, 1/320
Spotted this Male Red Winged Blackbird at Elizabeth Hall Wetland Nature Reserve in Lethbridge, Alberta pretty easily as he was trying to catch my attention as I moved closer to the marsh.
He must have been protecting a nest nearby because he was causing a loud distraction.
A couple of females were also flying around. They were probably busy gathering food for their young.
11/02/19
Snowy Cat Tails: ISO 12800, 81mm, f/5.6, 1/4000
We are experiencing a very long cold snap here in the "Great White North."
We had an unusually warm January but February has given us a bit of a shock with an extended period of negative double digit temperatures (in degree Celsius.)
News agencies are calling it a "Polar Vortex" but I am just calling it a typical Canadian winter.
This picture of a local pond was taken early December 2018 when it was warm enough to take a walk without risk of losing your fingers or nose and a fresh coat of snow had fallen. These cat tails are also waiting for spring and the warmer weather it promises.
26/01/19
Calgary Zoo Chameleon: ISO 800, 150mm, f/5.6, 1/400
Yesterday was a nice day to talk a walk in the park. So took a morning stroll at the Calgary Zoo.
Couldn't resist taking a picture of this little guy checking out the spectators behind the glass.
I think he saw me.
14/08/17
Back to the Future: ISO 200, 7mm, f/3.2, 1/8000
This past weekend Airdrie hosted a Show and Shine (August 12th, 2017).
Lots of vehicles to look at and admire. I am always drawn to the long lines of the older Cadillacs. Looks like this old beauty is ready for space travel.
23/07/16
Air Canada: ISO 200, 210mm, f/4.5, 1/2000
As mentioned in my previous post there is a man made marsh close to our home in Airdrie, Alberta. I was taking pictures of grebes and blackbirds that were looking after their young. I heard a plane that was headed in my direction and turned around to see a great opportunity.
We see a lot of airplanes as our skies in Airdrie are in Calgary Airport's flight path. I caught this Air Canada jet coming in for a landing as it was banking steeply and coming in low. Usually we only get to see the bottoms of the planes as they pass overhead. I got to get a quick snap of it's tail fin which shows the Red Maple Leaf of Air Canada.
18/07/16
Juvenile Robin: ISO 200, 210mm, f/7.1, 1/500
There is a man made marsh in our neighbourhood park system. I went to snap some photos of blackbirds and waterfowl this afternoon.
One rule of photography is always look behind you to see what you are missing. I took a look behind me and this young Robin was checking me out atop of a fence post.
30/04/16
Blackbird in the Rain: ISO 800, 210mm, f/9.0 1/320
Another photo from my hike in the rain along Airdrie's Nose Creek Park. A blackbird watching over the water during a light rain.
25/04/16
Nose Creek Great Blue Heron and Duck: ISO 800, 210mm, f/7.1, 1/250
It has been awhile since I posted anything to my photo blog. Spring has come early to Airdrie, Alberta. The vegetation is turning green early. We have been in need of rain and it has finally fallen this past weekend and today.
I had to take a walk today and thought I would do some exploring along the banks of the Nose Creek. The waterfowl are out as well as this Great Blue Heron.
27/01/15
Red Panda: ISO 800, 130mm, f/5.0, 1/250
Another set of photos from my Calgary Zoo walk last week. My previous visits to the Calgary Zoo, these two Red Pandas were usually hiding or sleeping. Last week was a different story. Both were very active, one even showed off his climbing skills. I was impressed!
Red Panda in Tree: ISO 800, 150mm, f/5.0, 1/400
25/01/15
Watchful Wolf: ISO 800, 110mm, f/4.0, 1/250
We are currently experiencing spring like weather here in the Calgary area. I took advantage of a warm, overcast day and headed to the Calgary Zoo with my annual Membership pass. I figured if I was willing to go out and enjoy the fresh air, so would the animals at the Zoo. I will share more of my snaps in the coming days.
This wolf was pacing in her enclosure. I believe she was watching for elk in the next enclosure over.
24/01/15
Downtown HBC: ISO 400, 12mm, f/4.5, 1/50
If I have any regular visitors left, I am sorry for my long absence. There have been a few changes in my life the last few months that has kept me away from photography and posting regular blog posts.
I believe now my life is back to some regular routines that I can update more regular now. Thanks for your patience.
The above photo was taken in downtown Calgary last fall. It is the outside “hallway” of the iconic Hudson’s Bay Store.
30/12/10
Reflect and Learn: ISO 200, 35mm, f/5.6, 1/60
The new year is almost upon us. For some us we take this time to reflect on the year past and promise to make changes in the new one.
This image was taken in June 2010 at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. A place I still call home even though I currently live over 5,000 miles away.
To me this picture somes up what I do when a year ends. Reflect, learn and look forward to the promise of the future.
Happy New Year!