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.
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!
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!
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!
Conestogo Heron
On Sunday I went for a bike ride down the trail along the Conestogo River south of St. Jacobs and came across this guy standing watch on the other side of the river. They are usually pretty skittish and fly away at the first sight of a human but he was content to stay put while I took his portrait.
Mennonite Country
Mennonite Country
This is a common site on a Sunday morning in the countryside around St. Jacobs where I live. St. Jacobs is often referred to as “Mennonite Country”.
St. Jacobs Dam.
St. Jacobs Dam
I spent an evening this week with a few new photography friends taking pictures of the St. Jacobs Dam. It’s always interesting to experiment with different settings while taking shots of waterfalls and flowing water.
St. Jacobs Dam Sunset
St. Jacobs Dam Sunset
Today I got an email from a friend telling me that the water going over the St. Jacobs Dam was starting to freeze. Our own mini Niagara Falls she said. With that information I planned to go after work to take a few shots. I was curious about where the sun was setting this time of year in relation to the dam so I went to my favorite website, The Photographers Ephemeris to find out. I was in luck! The sun would be setting in line with the falls. All I needed now was a good sunset.
I arrived with time to set up and as the sun went I took shots from several angles. I was not disappointed. This is one of my favorites.
Thanks Marion for the suggestion! I’ll have to keep an eye on this location to see if the frozen falls expands.
St. Jacobs Sparkles
St. Jacobs Main Street
All the St. Jacobs business have their Christmas lights up for the for this past weekends St. Jacobs Sparkles sales event.
Last night a group of us went out to capture the sparkle and experiment with some night – long exposure shots. These are a few shots from downtown.
Click on the photo to view larger
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- Broom and Glass Shop
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- Home Hardware – St. Jacobs
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- St. James Lutheran Church
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- Santa in St. Jacobs
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- W. A. Snyder General Merchants
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- Old Farm Equipment
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- St. Jacobs Main Street
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- The Weathered Gate
Kissing Bridge Trail Studio Tour
Kissing Bridge – West Montrose
This Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 & 26 is the Kissing Bridge Trail Studio Tour. A total of 15 artists will have their art on display and for sale. I’m looking forward to meeting all who can make it out. Check this link for the list of artist and the locations. http://www.kbtstudiotour.ca/artists.html
Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2014
Train Tressel
This past Saturday I hosted a Worldwide Photo Walk event in St. Jacobs Ontario.
Check out the link to my flickr page for more photo’s https://www.flickr.com/photos/villagephotography/sets/72157648741703662/
The Footbridge on the Health Valley Trail
Health Valley Trail Footbridge
This footbridge can be found on the Health Valley Trail that meanders its way along the Conestogo River between the villages of St. Jacobs and Conestogo. It is a beautiful and relaxing spot!
The effect applied to this photo is a result of multiple process from HDR to texture blending. I just kept experimenting with it until I got a look I liked.
Red Sky In The Morning
Red Sky In The Morning
There was a beautiful red sunrise this morning. The old saying goes – Red sky in the morning – Sailors Warning. Well the day turned out wonderful but a quick look at the radar just now show rain moving in!
Ice on the Bridge.
Ice on the Bridge
The rivers are opening up with the warmer weather and Mennonite Buggy Bridge is cover with large chunks of ice. Below is a shot I took earlier this winter.
Mennonite Buggy Bridge – St. Jacobs
Spring Blossoms – Looking Ahead
Spring Blossoms
Slowly the weather is starting to warm up here in St. Jacobs. These apple blossoms were taken in May of last year.
Bridge Over The River Conestogo
Train Crossing the Conestogo River
The Waterloo Central Railway run this diesel train as well as a steam train between Waterloo and St. Jacobs. They also run up to Elmira for special occasions. This was taken in St. Jacobs crossing the Conestogo River.
Mennonite Buggy Bridge – St. Jacobs
Mennonite Buggy Bridge – St. Jacobs
This bridge is near the dam I posted pictures of recently. At times of high water it can be completely submerged. Below is a description from the Township of Woolwich web site. http://www.woolwich.ca/en/tourism/OtherBridges.asp
This seven span concrete low level bridge is located west of the village of St. Jacobs on Woolwich Township Road 21. The bridge is adjacent to the St. Jacobs Dam. The first dam on this site was built in the 1840s to provide power for a sawmill. The wooden dam was later replaced by a concrete structure. The one-lane road surface is only about two feet above the normal river level, and there are no railings since the river floods at this point each year.
The current bridge was built in 1962 by members of the Old Order Mennonite community for a cost of $2,500.00; all labour was provided by volunteers. The bridge was designed so water and ice would not do any damage in time of flooding. Other bridges constructed on this site had been washed away or damaged by high waters.
Today, if you go to visit this bridge and the orange gates are closed; water will be flowing over the bridge surface. The gates were installed after a dramatic rescue of a young Mennonite couple who had been swept off the bridge by fast flowing waters while crossing in a horse-drawn buggy.
Riverscape
Riverscape
This panoramic shot was taken at the same location as yesterdays shot of the Conestogo River just outside of St. Jacobs Ontario.
It is made up of 5 HDR images. Each HDR (high dynamic range) image is made up of 3 exposures.
Snow Falls
Snow Falls
Located on the Conestogo River just outside of St. Jacobs Ontario, this damn forms the head of the mill race that used to bring water power to the flour mill. The cold weather and snow has frozen the river up stream and with the recent warm temperatures and rain the falls are putting on a nice display.
Geometric Rust
Geometric Rust
This rusty old bridge is not to far from where I live and I finally took the time to take a few shots of it this fall. There is nothing like the rich textures of rusting steel!
Winter Reflection
Winter Reflection
The year is coming to an end. Time to reflect on what has passed and plan for what is to come. Some say just one day at time. It is true that’s all we can do – but without reflecting on the past and looking to the future I think every day would be the same!
Ice Storm
This morning I was checking emails and all of a sudden a blank screen. Outside it was raining and the ice was accumulating on the ground, trees, and hydro lines. The result was power was off for the majority of the day. Once the rain stopped I got out and took a few pictures.
Click to see them larger.
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
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- St. Jacobs Ice Storm
Window Flower Box
Window Flower Box
One of the many flower boxes to be found in St. Jacobs during the summer. Each one a work of art.
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