Photo of the Week 2018-02-12

If a foot falls in the forest and no one else is around, does it make a sound?

...

...

Yes, a very, very soothing sound.

forest footfalls

Something wasn't right, something was missing ... oh ya, that peaceful walk in the woods I was meaning to take on freshly fallen snow.

Even with a considerable amount of time spent outside puttering about, clearing snow from the driveway and parking area both Saturday and Sunday mornings, with having made time for the first x-country ski of the season, with time outside to breathe in the fresh crisp air, there was still something ...

I needed to walk among the trees, feel the crunch of snowshoes, feel the icy touch of falling snow, hear the beating of my heart, hear the silence of the forest ...

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-02-05

footprints in paradise

Snow fell heavily at times this weekend at the cottage. It had already begun snowing by the time we arrived well after dark. The driveway was clear enough to be were able to get in, park, unload, and settle in to enjoy the fireplace as the cottage warmed up ... leaving the snow clearing until the morning.

Morning light arrived the next day bringing more snow. Falling steadily, straight down, with not a whisper of wind, a blanket of peacefulness was covering everything around by the time I had donned my gear and leashed Murphy for the morning ritual. Stepping out into the crisp still air, we took a deep breath (actually Murphy peed) and set out down the road to see what was about ...

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-01-29

Those times you just need to get out and leave the din of everyday life behind, are times for a walk in misty woods ...

misty woods I

... and sometimes it's so peaceful and soothing, you just don't want to go back.

DJE

Photo of the Week 2018-01-22

For Christmas I was gifted a trip to the ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and this past weekend it was time to meet up with Claire & Matt to check it out. 

As expected, the exhibition featured 100 stunning wildlife images grouped in categories for
Animal Portraits, Urban Wildlife, Behaviour of Birds, Under Water and a special Portfolio Documentary section.

At the exhibit entrance, an area was dedicated to a presentation on Monarch Butterfly migration showcasing an awe inspiring photograph of the monarchs at their winter destination in Mexico ... it was absolutely captivating to see thousands upon thousands of Monarchs resting on tree trunks, limbs, branches and leaves with their wings folded up in muted display of colour.

In the main exhibit area were the finalist and winning images in the categories and I'm left in awe ...not just of the images, but the stories that they tell, particularly the stories they tell, and that's a major takeaway for me. The striking, compelling images of the exhibit all provided the viewer with some context and told a story ... if you have an interest in wildlife photography, you just have to go see for yourself.

After leaving the WPOTY exhibit, I took some time and chose to photograph a favourite architectural detail of the ROM building, the main stairwell of the Crystal section of the ROM building ...

vertigo

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