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With the lack or precipitation this year I've watched the level in Guelph Lake continually drop to where it is lower than I can recall in the 25 years since I moved to Guelph. Normally when the lake level drops it's usual amount over the summer, stumps and features along a band close to the shoreline are revealed. I thought this may be a good time to check out the area and make some surreal shots of these normally submerged features.
I made a reconnaissance of the location with Lynn on Friday evening since the pre-dawn hours Saturday were not the time to find the right parking spot and trail to take. To my pleasant surprise, we were treated to a beautiful sunset and reflection on what remained of the calm water surface. I also got my first look at just how much the water level was down. At some points, the man made lake was more like a large puddle. We walked the shoreline (as it is) with Murphy for quite a while until light was lost beyond the horizon and I was able to make a good number of images that will add to my sunset library. Reconnaissance completed, home we went and I prepared my gear for the normal Saturday morning outing crossing my fingers for some fog.
Heading out with a photo cohort at 6am, it was soon apparent that the fog had not materialized to the extent that I would have liked. There was a haze close to the ground, just enough to create a mist on the horizon. We arrived at the location and walked along the muddy grey-brown exposed lake bed finding different elements and scenes to shoot. Then we turned a corner and I saw some algae at the edge of the receding water glowing in a patch of morning's light.
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| morning glow |
Although a Blue Heron and a number of Sandpipers were in this area at various times, I chose to make this image when they had moved on. The lack of something to give scale to the image adds to it's abstract quality. I also shot this from a distance using a long focal length to compress the scene and use the thin layer of clearing haze to soften the details add add to the mood.
DJE
morning gateway
A week in different surroundings with dramatic scenery like Vancouver Island can make it difficult to find interest in the scenery back home. Just getting out to shoot this past Saturday morning required some effort.
Meeting up with a friend to chat and catch up, we had no destination in mind, only a couple of vague ideas of where to shoot. While enjoying our usual from Tim's (coffee for me, tea for Alan) we noticed the sun starting to penetrate the clouds and headed off to a favourite spot of mine on the shore of Guelph Lake.
... serendipity rocks! The cloud cover was very interesting and changing rapidly as I stood on the shore watching the rowing club practice in the distance.
I have a landscape orientation version of this but it lacks the shore in the foreground with the rock in the reflected sky ... not as good an image IMO.
DJE
