School of Architecture
Students at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture in Cambridge Ontario can get inspiration not only from the building the school is in (the former Riverside Silk Mill) but also by looking out of the library window for a view of the Old Post Office / Idea Exchange which has been renovated and expanded incorporating an innovative blend of old and new.
These two sites were on the list of 34 sites open to the public during Doors Open Waterloo Region 2018
Fish Dinner
Saw this one fishing in the Grand River in Cambridge on the weekend. Was able to sit there and watch and take this shot of it enjoying a fish dinner.
After a some photo artistry I came up with this version which will be a part of the Art in the Park event in Elmira this weekend Saturday September 8th from 10am – 2pm.
Watercolor Water Lily
Water Lily
I took this Water Lily photo while Kayaking at Pinehurst Conservation Area and made some photo art with a watercolor effect in photoshop. I love being out amongst the Lily pads watching the dragon flies and birds.
Boy on a Bike
Boy on a Bike
I’m experimenting with some photo-art to get the creative juices flowing again.
I shot the original photo of this Mennonite boy on his bike near where I live. While the original photo was ok I think this art effect gives it a bit more interest.
Water Music
The Goose Conductor
I took this while Kayaking at Rockwood Park. It makes me think of an Orchestra Conductor conducting water music.
Rockwood Park Falls
Rockwood Park Falls
I took the kayak to Rockwood Park the other week and was able to get this shot of the falls. It is a great place to explore with a canoe or kayak. There are also nice hiking trails and a beach.
It is one of the Grand River Conservation Authority Parks and you can find more info here. https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Rockwood.aspx
Delicate Iris
We have these delicate little Irises growing beside our driveway and they always put on a good show this time of year.
Iris Art
Bearded Purple Iris
I love these large Bearded Iris that bloom this time of year.
I took this shot while out for a walk the other day and spent this evening creating this piece using several different software tools.
On the Look Out
The weather this Victoria Day long weekend turned out beautiful and I got out in the Kayak. I spotted this family of Canada Geese with Mom and Dad on the lookout while the little ones blissfully do what they do unaware of any possible dangers.
Cardinal
We have a Cardinal visiting the feeder in our backyard. Got this shot of him this afternoon.
Cash Only
This sign is at an abandoned gas station near Owen Sound. I don’t think many people carry enough cash for gas these days considering how much it costs to fill up.
Hogg’s Falls
Hogg’s Falls
I recently had a chance to visit Hogg’s Falls just north of Flesherton Ontario. This seven meter high falls on the Boyne River was named for William Hogg.
It is very easy to get to – not so easy to get down to the river bed – especially in the winter. Caution is advised.
Engine 6593
This is Engine 6593 which happily pulls passenger cars full of tourists and train enthusiasts between Waterloo, St. Jacobs and Elmira.
I took this shot at the train yard in St. Jacobs. Built in 1957, it has been lovingly restored by the members of the Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society (SOLRS).
Check this link for the history of engine 6593
http://waterloocentralrailway.com/project/no-6593-105-ton-diesel-electric-switcher/
Ice Dam
So far this year we are experiencing typical Canadian yoyo weather patterns with bone chilling cold to mild spells.
With the recent shot of mild weather and rain we had the ice break up with large chunks deposited on the river banks.
Here we have a nice pile of ice at the dam in St. Jacobs.
Fall Forest
Fall Forest
As it snows outside tonight I was looking back through some shots I took one misty morning this fall. Sometimes you just want to take it all in so I took several shots to make this panoramic photo of the warm fall colours.
Misty Morning Bird House in a Tree
Misty Morning Bird House in a Tree
During a misty morning walk I found this interesting tree in the middle of a pond.
The same trail becomes a new adventure with the ever changing weather!
Tree Sea and Sky
Tree Sea Sky
This is a rework of a shot I took back in 2013.
I have always been attracted to scenes of lone trees. Combined with the water land and big sky it’s an image that is simple yet seems to captivate me.
Little House in the Garden
When we go for a walk around the village I like to take my camera with me. It makes me more aware of my environment because I am on the lookout for things to take a photo of.
I found this little house in a garden we were passing by. I loved its whimsical look and just had to take a shot.
Enjoy!
The Lord is My Shepherd
I was taking photos down at the dam near St. Jacobs the other day when these sheep came down to the river bank to graze. I put on the telephoto lens and took this shot from across the river.
This verse came to mind so I put them together and there you have it. Blessings
Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2017, Elora
Last Weekend was the Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2017. This year I joined a group in Elora Ontario.
Elora is a village with many tourist shops and plenty of photo opportunities. The group had a great time exploring the village. Each came back with their unique photographic take on this picturesque setting.
Here is my take.
click on the pictures to view larger
Sauble Falls Cedar
Sauble Falls
A few weekends ago we were at Sauble falls and this big old Cedar provided some nice shade to cool off in.
Sitting in the shade listening to the water flowing over the rocks and capturing the scene with a camera…. what a blessing!
St. Jacobs Sunset
St. Jacobs Sunset
A shot take from the bridge over the Conestogo River in St. Jacobs.
As the sun dipped below the horizon the sky danced with colour!
A Fish Tale
We heard the fish were jumping at Denny’s Dam on the Saugeen River near Southampton Ontario so we stopped on the way home from the cottage to see if I could get any shots. I was lucky enough to get a few.
So what is the Fish Tale – well it goes like this.
There is a family of fish that live in the Saugeen River just upstream from the lighthouse under the bridge in Southampton. There was Papa fish, Mama fish, and Teen fish.
On an unusually warm Sunday in September they decided to look for cooler waters. In order to cover the most area they split up and began their search.
Papa fish headed out to Lake Huron. Mama fish explored the river for some deep spots and Teen fish headed further upstream to see what he could find.
After several hours they met back under the bridge.
Papa fish reported that he had quite a time dodging the boats coming up river and it took all his willpower not to try and eat all the tasty treats being offered at the end of many shiny lines along the pier. By the time he got out to the lake he barely had any energy left and said he was feeling Lake Sick.
Mama fish reported that she zigged and zagged up the river looking for whatever deep spots she could find. She too was tempted by treats offered at the end of a shiny line coming from what looked like two posts standing together upright in the water. After all this exploring and avoiding the posts in the warm river water she was thoroughly tuckered out and said she was feeling River Sick.
Teen fish reported he had quite the adventure. He swam upstream through the warm waters, past the posts with their treats on the shiny lines. He had a sense that for some reason this was what he was meant to do. Finally he reached Denny’s Dam. There the water was rushing over the dam with great speed and force.
He swam with all his might, jumping into the air to try and get closer to the dam. He felt compelled to to get over the dam by some force he could not describe.
After all the jumping and swimming against the rushing waters exhaustion overtook his drive to go further upstream and he headed back to his parents under the bridge. With the little energy he had left he said he was feeling Dam Sick!
Enjoy the pictures!
Click to see them larger.
Unexpected Light Painting
We planned to spend the evening with the stars. Heavenly stars that is. I was all set up on the lighthouse pier in Southampton Ontario. I had the Lighthouse in the foreground and we were waiting for the sky to get dark.
Just as I started to shoot a group of people with flashlights come walking up the pier. Now they could not see us and we are wondering who they were and what they were up too.
My wife shouts out a hello and they say, sorry we did not see you there. At this point we see them putting down camera gear. OK we have company shooting the stars.
We were joined by a group of 4 young people and they came out to do some light painting with steel wool in a whisk. (for details on how to do this just google it and you will find lots in info)
This is something I have always wanted to try photographing and they were kind enough to let us join them in the fun. This was the first time for all of us and we had fun experimenting.
After a few tries we were joined by another photographer from Southampton.
We all had a blast and I think the results are pretty cool!
Villagephotography 