Photo of the Week 2026-03-23

 

Spring may have arrived according to the calendar, but you could have fooled my camera ...

 

' over the ice to flowerpot in spring fog '

I made the image above on a first hike of spring 2026 when Lynn and I trekked to Mermaid Cove with Sullivan wanting to see what it was like with the water of Georgian Bay still sporting it's coat of ice. Some things on the schedule may prevent me from getting back before the waters are free of winter's grasp.

 

There is a view between the trees looking out to little Middle Island ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... and just to show the difference in the scene from  the first day of spring, March 20 above, compared to early winter, when I was there at sunrise on January 1st less than 3 months ago, below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I came across something interesting from Chase Jarvis talking about what he calls "The Messy Middle", when the freshness of a creative project has passed, when the real work is still to be done, before reaching the home stretch when a project is finally wrapped up. I found it interesting. Here is a link if you are interested.

  

DJE 

Photo of the Week 2024-01-08

A couple of months ago I decided to visit Halfway Log Dump in Bruce Peninsula National Park. The road in is not maintained during winter and is closed from early winter to late spring. I thought I would take the opportunity to go before the road was closed.

The shoreline along Georgian Bay at this location has provided many photo opportunities since my first visit over a decade ago. This time I would continue recent work on ultra-wide angle compositions, this time with my RF 14-35mm.

Though ultra-wide angle focal lengths can be used for stunning compositions, it requires practice to become proficient in their use, as I am experiencing while I work with focal lengths of 11mm and in this case as wide as 14mm. I made a number of successful images during this outing and in some cases worked a particular subject or view in various ways as I gain more comfort shooting this wide.

 

At one location, an old weathered cedar on a rock ledge caught my eye. My first instincts for a framing had me too far away, surprisingly so and I moved to the edge of a crevice using the lens zoom a bit to frame a shot (version A below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not satisfied, I moved back a step, zoomed back out to 14mm and included a spruce standing above the background treeline as another point of reference. When I reviewed the images on the computer, this ended up being my favourite version.

' old cedar on ledge '

Before finishing with this scene, I moved even closer to the point where I had to remove and set my back pack and tripod down to step off the main cliff onto a ledge in the crevice. Even then I braced my foot on the other side of the crevice to lean slightly more towards the cedar (version B below). Upon review, this wasn't what I was looking for either.

 

' old cedar on ledge -B '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm enjoying the challenge of working ultra-wide and have made some satisfying images but that first stand out image is yet to be made.

 

Oh yes ... as things turned out and real winter weather yet to arrive, Emmett Lake Rd. was still open when I passed by most recently. Perhaps I will change another visit.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2022-09-26

 

' Afternoon at Halfway Log Dump V '

It's good to have some images in the 'back pocket' for those times when you suddenly remember that you need to prepare a post ahead of time and schedule publication while you will not have full access to your files and the internet. Fortunately I have tagged a number of images "for posting" in just such and event.

 

Almost a year ago, I visited Halfway Log Dump after a considerable absence during COVID lock down and the resulting BPNP closure. While working with the images I made that day, I gave luminosity masks a first try. This image, made late afternoon, had some deep shadow along the forest edge and luminosity masks allowed me to bring more of the actual feel from that day to this rendition.

 

Now that autumn has arrived to 'the Bruce', I really must plan a return visit for some more photography ...

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2022-09-19

I prefer the off-season on 'the Bruce'. It's quieter, peaceful even, with the tourist hordes looking elsewhere for their day-trips. Once September arrives, temperatures are (becoming) more welcoming for my photo outings/hikes, bugs are (mostly) gone too. The further from summer, the more tranquil it gets.

On this last official weekend of summer, Lynn and I encountered two other couples out enjoying the sun and summer warm temperature on our mid-day hike south on the Bruce Trail from Dunks Bay. It was a shortish outing but every step enjoyable with no argument from my ankle sprain that has been bothersome in recent weeks. Sturdy boots, careful treading and moderation are the plan going forward as it continues to heal.

 

' North to Dunks Bay '

Last time we had been on this trail was early spring when I was looking to photograph a Trillium patch I had marked out. Harsh mid-day sun and mostly clear skies made exposure challenging so I decided to bracket and blend later in post. This image above is a Lightroom HDR blending without over doing things (I think). Though not a four-star capture, it makes me smile that I was back out on the escarpment trails with camera again ... bonus points is you can see the face staring back at the viewer in this ;-)

' South along the shore of Georgian Bay '

We met a young couple with their pup who enjoyed the accessible natural pool along the shore at this lovely spot.

 

A busy schedule in the coming weeks has me working hard to find some time I can allocate to more outings like this along the Georgian Bay and Huron shorelines.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2022-01-17

WoW!

Are we really halfway through January already?

I've been waiting for the winter weather to arrive. The 'real' winter weather. You know the kind that everyone seems to bitch and moan about on social media. Cold, snowy, blowy winter weather is what I'm talkin' about! 

 

And I got what I wanted and it's time to put those fashionable "Canada Goose" coats that you started wearing in September to use for what they were really intended for you fragile fashionistas ... ROFL

With the temperature hovering around -20*C and wind gusts around 50kph out of the east, I knew it was time for a trip to to the 'other side' of the peninsula for some real winter photography ...

 

Yup -20*C

... so I broke out some of my winter kit. Let's talk about being properly prepared for being out in this weather for a couple of hours or more. You need the right gear. For this outing, mine consisted of a merino base layer and Columbia Omni-Heat winter pants along with my Columbia full-length insulated coat with Omni-Heat zip-in liner (It's not time for the Fjallraven parka ... I save that for 30 below LOL). I also had a CTR Howler winter beanie and large fleece neck-warmer. For my hands in weather like this when I need dexterity to operate camera controls, nothing and I do mean NOTHING beats my Heat 3 Mitt/Gloves (expensive, maybe, but I like them so much I bought a second pair with the removable/replaceable glove liners in case I wore out my first pair .... and I have not, not even close). Oh ya, and some polarized Oakleys.

 

Here I am kitted up ... after about an hour along the shore.

Here is what all the fuss was about ...

' winter shore '

' winter shore II '

' cozy bench '

These scenes are pure magic to encounter. They can be challenging to capture, but with proper gear and preparation you can stay warm and comfortable in real Canadian winter weather.

Added bonus ... I came back feeling fresh and truly alive!

 

DJE
 

Photo of the Week 2020-10-19

An image was selected and queued up for the P.O.T.W. ... then the weather cooperated on a Saturday hike with cousin Steve who had come to spend some time with us up at the cottage. We had selected a trail that would show him the Georgian Bay shoreline from an escarpment lookout and from water level. Halfway Log Dump was the perfect spot to offer both views, and the weather cooperated for just long enough for us to get the hike in ...

 

Rock Overhang & Cave Point

West to Cave Point and Bear's Rump Island

East to High Dump and Cabot Head

West end of the boulder beach

It was great that Steve got up to our place for a visit, and that the weather was decent for our hike. It took a while but now he's seen autumn on the Bruce ... we want to show him winter.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2020-01-13

With yesterday's storm that whipped up winds and waves on Georgian Bay, the Lion's Head Lighthouse was battered to pieces. It had suffered beatings in recent years but with water levels much higher in 2019, waves easily topped the breakwater and began taking their toll on the wooden structure. Yesterday was just the last straw.

I'm sure the community will rally to rebuild it's likeness again, but it may somehow lose a measure of it's former charm. I'm not entirely familiar with the history of the lighthouse, but I recently read that it was a replacement of an earlier structure and not the original. Thee was also talk of moving the structure back from it's prominent position at the tip of the harbour breakwater ... a shame, but understandable.

Here is my photo tribute to the iconic landmark ...

at water's edge

Sails off Lion's Head

ice buildup

Frozen Beacon

moonlight lighthouse

... and in closing, an older image I have haven't posted before but I have it printed large and hung in the cottage.

Frozen @ Lion's Head

DJE

Photo of the Week 2019-02-11

Disappointment turned into a nice little series of images ...

Arriving at a location with thoughts of a particular image, anticipation can quickly turn to disappointment for the photographer. Particularly with outdoor photography, weather can offer an alternate scenario and as the old adage goes "when life gives you ... " you make art.

Expecting cold exposed water with chunks of ice floating up and down on the waves, I had brought my tripod and ND filter along anticipating some long exposure shots with an ethereal look to them. As I made shore at the bottom of the access trail, disappointment welled up ... initially. And then I got on with it, making a nice little series of images, my favourite being 'wrapped in winter', panorama that I've printed 35" wide for framing.

wrapped in winter

Others from the series ...

... the lead image being printed

... the final print

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-12-17

My love of the Bruce Peninsula Landscape began several years ago with a visit for some winter photography. The plan for the first 'Bruce' trek likely sprouted from numerous photo outings to sections of the Niagara Escarpment closer to home. Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Dundas, Burlington, Milton, Limehouse etc. all cultivated my fascination with the limestone cliff that stretches hundreds of kilometres.

The winter 'Bruce' trek became an annual event and perhaps because those memories, winter remains a favourite time to be on 'the Bruce'. Though Mother Nature has yet to lay down this season's winter blanket, encountering some of those earlier images on a journey through the photo library brought back that crisp, quiet fee of winter mornings on 'the Bruce'.

Winter Morning at Little Cove - IV

Avisit to Little Cove back in December 2010 provided the "crisp'. A tripod and slow shutter speed calmed the waters.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-05-21

A spring trek to Halfway Log Dump has become ritual. The road is not maintained over the winter and spring runoff usually results in flooding and closure of the road to traffic. So the first weekend of spring where we were up on the Bruce with access opened ... the trek was made.

I've made a point to photograph the gorgeously blue Georgian Bay waters on every visit to Halfway Log Dump, always with satisfying results. This was no different, but my processing is ...

watercolours

...a little painterly effect.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-04-23

4AM wake up alarm, toast and a quick coffee, grab photo gear, drive to the park, arrive in the dark, meet up with photo buds, 45 min hike ... and this is what was watiting !

Georgian Peach Sky

It can take a prod by others to finally do something that has been on the photo bucket list for some time. Thanks to an invitation from a couple of young(er), hardi(er) photographers (who were winter camping in the park and had been up all night shooting the Milky Way and Aurora Borealis) I joined them on an early morning trek out to the Georgian Bay shore for some sunrise shooting ... and I`m so glad I did.

This won`t be the last time ...

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-01-15

Winter on 'the Bruce' is magical ... I'm sure some of the full time residents may have a slightly different view, particularly when the have to slug to work through the winter storms and snow squalls ... but for me as one who visits regularly to get away from the daily grind and recharge, it is truly magical.

Late Afternoon - Indian Head Cove to Overhanging Point

With sun beginning it's descent in the sky, our snowshoe trek out to Indian Head Cove began from the winter parking lot in BPNP. Following the groomed well travelled trail, we trekked through the campground until it turned toward Cyprus Lake and then hugged the shore until we crossed the bridge where the lake outflow cascades into Horse Lake.

From the bridge, we followed the Georgian Bay Trail to Indian Head Cove where we took off our snowshoes and wandered about exploring ... my companions on this trip, Matt, Claire & Jordan, had not seen this area in winter before and it was great to hear that they were not disappointed.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2017-11-20

There are very few weeks where I do not make a number of new images and have several to choose from for my 'Photo of the Week'. With the move off daylight saving time and fewer daylight hours, there is little time for photography before or after work. That leaves the weekend and when plans for work around the cottage consumed virtually all of the hours of decent weather ... I turned to the image library ...

A New Year Dawns

With winter not far off and the first snowfalls already threatening, a previously processed yet unreleased image from last winter, the First Light Challenge - New Year's Day to be precise, seemed an appropriate choice ... and the next First Light Challenge will be the 10th I've participated in. What will my image be? You'll have to wait and see ....

DJE

Photo of the Week 2017-09-04

The Journey ...

"The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other ... again and again and again. And if you allow yourself opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit.
- author unknown -

beauty from recent steps of the journey ...

fluke rock

It's easy to lose perspective in the 'churn' that presses to invade daily life. Maintaining a connection to the outdoors, to trees, water and fresh air provides the reminder that beauty is all around, more abundant in some areas than others, but all around nonetheless.

A recent conversation with a long time friend helped me get some perspective back, to stop being fixated only on the summit, reminding me to fully enjoy the journey of getting there ... thanks ST.
 
DJE 

Photo of the Week 2017-08-14

I've found a couple of pretty little inlets along the Burnt Point Trail that provide a northeastern views out over north Georgian Bay. The morning scenes there can be quite varied depending on the hour, the weather and the water conditions.

On my most recent visit with relatively calm water under dramatic skies and rain threatening, I decided the scene suited a high contrast B&W IR image.

brooding morning

Inlet along Burnt Point

On an overcast morning a couple of weeks previously, I captured a different mood with a conventional colour exposure.

DJE

First Light 2017

Best Wishes for Health and Happiness in 2017

Those that have followed me for some time will know that it has become tradition to make an image at official sunrise on the first day of a new year. It started as a challenge from my good friend Alan Norsworthy, first I think to just get out of bed early on New Years Day, but also more ... to start the new year off on the right foot photographically.

It requires one to get up and out before really knowing what the morning will bring. It requires some measure of dedication to making images and, from me, some measure of planning to select a location and envision the photographic possibilities so that arriving on location in mostly dark, I can do final checks and get set up.

This year I selected the pier at Dyers Bay on the Bruce Peninsula, a location that would afford a look at the sun rising over Georgian Bay, should the cloud cover cooperate and actually provide that look. Indeed it did and another 'First Light Challenge' is in the bag.

First Light 2017

DJE

Photo of the Week 2016-11-28

I've been wanting to hike to Overhanging Point for some time and finally made the trek this weekend with Jordan and Lynn. We took the Marr Lake Trail to Georgian Bay for something different and what a pretty little trail it is. Our 'little' hike provided some unexpected wonder when we decided to take a route along the shore rather than the Bruce Trail that climbs up the escarpment to Overhanging Point. We scrambled through a couple of cave openings and around several large fallen limestone boulders to find wondrous views and formations.
 

wondrous view

Jordan was our leader and thanks to him pushing (pulling actually) Lynn and I along, we were able to pass under the overhang and scramble up the escarpment to connect with the Bruce Trail and take it back. Along the way we were treated to nature's fresh, moist smells, forest floors cushioned with cedar duff, natural limestone steps along with the gorgeous lookouts.

I'm glad I took my phone with me as I had forgotten the backup battery to the camera I was using and .... yes, the battery died, just as we arrived at the most picturesque spot. The image above ws made with my iPhone and pushed hard in Adobe Lightroom.



DJE

Photo of the Week 2016-09-12

"waves of blue' ... a new series

waves of blue X

 Halfway Log Dump, mid day, clear sky, direct sunlight ... no time for photography, or is it?

For the second time, a mid-day trek to Halfway Log Dump has proven rewarding. Productive beyond expectation in terms of my photography and as always some time spent admiring the blue waters of Georgian Bay along the escarpment washes away all that matters not.

On an earlier visit, waters were calm and I managed a number of images that made the cut, and from those I crafted the series 'hues of blue". One from that series has sold multiple times as a fine art print and was licensed to Parks Canada for use in one of their displays. Waters this time were more agitated and with the sun just a bright, images were bore abundant with more making the cut for a follow up series 'waves of blue'. Following are a few more from the still growing collection.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2016-02-15

Good 'ol Canadian winter finally arrived in Ontario, with temperatures of -27*C showing on the outdoor thermometer at 0-dark-thirty Saturday morning at the cottage. The snow was making that familiar 'crunch' under foot as I took Murphy out for his morning routine, after getting my day started with a couple of mugs of cottage brew ... and then there was the sensation of nasal passages freezing as I inhaled the fresh, clean, crisp morning air .... ahhhh Canadian winter ... where have you been? I've missed you :-)

Sunday morning, temps were on the rise and were a balmy -13*C when I finally made the winter trek to Indian Head Cove to be rewarded with scenes like the one below, for a mid-day photography session.

frosted shores I

This is a trek I've been wanting to do for a couple of winters and I just never got around to doing it until now. Conditions were not ideal for photography, with bright mid-day sun beaming off the fresh white snow, but I was able to compose to exclude shadow areas which made exposures manageable.

... next, I want to visit here when winter waters are angry and lashing at the shore :-)

DJE

Photo of the Week 2015-05-18

Now and then I take an introspective browse through my image catalogue, finding inspiration, motivation, reliving the shooting experiences, not actively searching but leaving myself open to see the images again.

With several thousand images in the catalogue, it can be difficult to decide where to start. Pointing a random finger may work but one way is to look one, two, three or any number of years ago from the current date. 

This can be an interesting exercise. Sometimes it results in dissatisfaction with much of my work. Sometimes it stirs vivid memories. Sometimes something stands out. Always I learn something

hues of blue I

When I came across the image above, I was surprised that I had only marked is with one star. This typically indicates that on first pass I saw something but then abandoned it as a candidate for further attention, yet again the image caused me to stop and evaluate.

What appeals to me is the simplicity of the image and the limited blue colour palette. What I am reminded of is how some of my most personally satisfying images prrovide the viewer with common sights, presented in an uncommon, some might say unconventional way.

For this image, the conventional composition would have been to include some of the shoreline in the image, which I certainly captured in additional images from the outing, but excluding the shoreline and using the rippled texture of the blue water leaves the viewer to use their imagination to complete this scene.

DJE