Photography

Evening Solitude

4 Comments 

As I sit under a gnarled old pine tree
By the shores of a wilderness lake
Tea in hand,enjoying the even solitude
The water itself a living torquise blue,perfectly clear
As it caresses the rocky shoreline
The wind is but a murmur among the trees
The La Cloche Mountains are ablaze in the colors of Fall
The shoreline is dotted here and there
With yellow,orange and red
The mountain sides are bathed in a warm glow
As the sun descends the Western horizon
The moon has risen over the lake ever so faint
The stars are twinkling ever so faintly
The air is clear and crisp, a sign of Fall
I sip my tea in this enchanted world
By a wilderness lake in the far North
The lighting is no longer harsh
But with a warmth to stir the heart
The shadows are lengthing,the rocks are aglow
This is the magical moment before darkness descends
The changing of the seasons full upon us
Darkness unfolds all around me
The path of the moon is now upon the surface of the lake
The stars are bright
It is now nighttime on a far wilderness lake
Far away in the distant, the call of a lone wolf is heard

Many of you would be able visualize with the above scenario
if you spend any time camping.Most evenings are a time of relaxation
and enjoying the vista that surrounds you.
A nice cup of tea,coffee or hot chocolate adds to the enjoyment.
The above photo is a good example of one of those quiet,peaceful evenings.
The La Cloche Mountains are covered with Fall color.
The water is calm.What better place to be but on a wilderness lake.
In this case OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.
So that is it for this week.Happy Trails
Photography

Daybreak Part 3

1 Comment

From out of nowhere,a wandering wind

Dances here and there on the lake surface

Rippling the water,distorting the mirrored reflections

The mist has cleared,the spell is broken

The hills are ablaze in a coat of many colors

The doe has returned from whence she came

The wind has strengthened

The lake in turmoil

Thus ends a magical morning

A rare glimpse of Mother Earth’s enchantment

To stir the soul with peace and tranquility

To be cherished forever more

Let us preserve this valuable commodity given to us

That our children and grandchildren

May enjoy for years to come.

Thus ends my poem that I hope you can all enjoy.So until next time happy trails

Photography

Daybreak Part 2

Leave a comment


The Loon is calling for it’s mate, lost in the mist

The sun is now casting it’s first golden rays

The scattered islands emerge from their nightly vigil

The Four Sisters like sleeping giants

Emerge from the morning mist

Their rounded tops ablaze in red

To meet the dawning of a new day

Out of the mist comes the loon with a flash of wings

To greet the emerging day

With a swirl of wings,four small ducks

Alight among the islands to partake in a morning feed

A whitetail doe emerges from the forest

Ever watchful as she steps to the water’s edge

Dips her head to spate her thirst

When I had first paddled OSA Lake with my wife Maureen,we spotted four rounded rocky tops on the South side of the lake.I was quite taken with the view we had and I jokingly called them the Four Sisters.My wife just smiled and we have called these rock formations that are part of the La Cloche Mountain system by that name ever since.I am not aware as to whether they actually have a name.I am bound and determine to capture this scenic view but will have to wait another year.I captured them in outline but not in detail.

The above photo was taken from the same setup as the photo in the previous post.By waiting and being patient you will get a number of different lighting conditions as the morning progresses.It is quite remarkable to watch this happen while you sit spellbound and in awe of what is happening before you.

That is it for this post.So until next time happy Trails

Photography

Daybreak

11 Comments

The surface of the lake is like an enchanted mirror

The lake is bathed in reflected images of the surrounding shorelines.

The sun has yet to crest the Eastern horizon

There is mist among the scattered islands

The isles appear as ghostly silhouettes,guardians of the lake

The La Cloche Mountains hidden behind a veil of mist

Awaiting the warmth of the morning light

From out of the mist,the lonely call of the Common Loon can be heard

I thought I would do something different this post.I am not a poet.I thought I would put down the above thoughts as they came to me while I viewed this photo in print.It was truly an enchanting morning in the wilderness on OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.It took a four day and a five day trip into OSA to capture this photo along with others.

That is it for this post.Happy trails.

Photography

Journey’s End

3 Comments

Wednesday morning arrived along with the ever present wind rippling the lake surface.It was 5:30 a m. Maureen and I had a leisure breakfast before packing up our gear for the trip out.We launched our Quebeco 17 canoe and paddled among the islands to the open water on OSA Lake.

As we approached the portage in the East end of OSA Lake I noticed calm water at the Northeast corner of the lake.There was a small rock island located there.We paddled over to a small point and stepping into the water I set up my 7d Canon and tripod to capture the scene above.By using the rocks underwater and a part of the shoreline for foreground to draw your eye towards the small rock island. There was no sky but heavy mist in the background on the La Cloche Mountains.This allowed me to place the mist and mountains in the background to create more depth and mood.The white rocks also allowed for more contrast from the darker evergreens and red granite rocks.

The water in OSA lake is very clear.The reason for this is acid rain destroyed the life system underwater.In the early 1900s many of the lakes around the Sudbury area began to be affected by this acid rain.The cause was from mining activities in Sudbury.As time progressed the pH levels dropped to unhealthy levels.Many of the lakes lost there native fish populations by the 1960’s and 70’s.Today with better emission controls and awareness,many of these lakes are returning to normal.

When a lake is murkier color and not very clear, this means there is organisms living in the water.Thus we have tiny creatures living at the bottom of the food chain to larger predators such as fish and Loons.The next time you are paddling on one of these beautiful clear lakes remember that in time they will revive.

The info I used came from a small booklet called George Lake Paddle Guide.This fact filled little book was put out by the Friends of Killarney.It is available at the Park office for $2.75.

Maureen and I hauled our gear over the portage into Killarney Lake.Approaching the Killarney shoreline I noticed the calm waters so I set up the camera gear and captured more photos before the wind picked up.As we paddled out onto Killarney Lake we became aware of a Whitetail doe drinking along the shoreline.I had not noticed the doe while I was photographing.We watched the doe for a few minutes before heading over to the next portage on our journey home.Upon reaching the portage over to Freeland Lake another couple were launching there canoe on a day trip into OSA Lake.

With the gear and canoe over to Freeland Lake we pushed out into the waters of Freeland Lake. Approaching the middle of Freeland Lake we observed ten canoes coming our way.The last canoe was a ways behind this group zig zaging all over the lake.I said to Maureen that I hoped they did not have to far to go.The two young lads paddling the canoe would be played out with all that extra paddling.

Once over onto George Lake we made good time to the beach.The loading of our Ford Escape went quickly.Maureen suggested that we go into Killarney for fish and Chips.This being Wednesday, I said that this being the off season they would be closed until the weekend.It was a nice thought though.

We were tired but happy as we drove home with many more memories to share.It always seems sad when one has to leave this beautiful wilderness area.So until next time happy trails

Photography

Day Two at OSA Lake

6 Comments

By now it is Tuesday our last full day at OSA Lake.I was able to do some photography that morning.The above photo was taken that morning.I used the island and reflections as my foreground.The reflections are not perfect but they create the desired affect that I was looking for.The sun painted the La Cloche Mountains in the background highlighting the blaze of color on the hillsides.The island had a nice glow to it from the early morning sun.The white clouds in the upper left of the photo added great appeal.I gotta tell you I do not seem to be able to get the nice white clouds very often.When they are available I make use of them.

I returned to camp for a nice hot coffee and bagel.Maureen and I talked over what we would do that day.We both agreed to paddle over to the Muriel Lake portage.From there we walked over to Muriel Lake for a look see.It was a beautiful morning with the sunlight creating a dappling affect through the trees.This was another portage with large Hemlock trees and open bush.Maureen and I arrived at Muriel Lake after a 595 m walk.Our first view was a grassy open area that you had to traverse around to get to the lake.

As we walked towards the lake I noticed spider webs covered with dew in the tall grass.Now would this not make an interesting photo with the spider web covered in dew and the La Cloche Mountains in the background.A project for another trip.We walked over to the lake and proceeded along the shoreline to the far end of the lake.As we walked we heard running water and sure enough ahead of us was a small stream of clear water entering the lake.Maureen and I sat on an old log and just sat there enjoying the morning and the scenery.The view of the La Cloche Mountains appeared to be on the North side of  Muriel Lake.

With a last look around we made our way back to the portage.As we walked through the portage Maureen and I took photos of one another beside a large Hemlock.When I approached OSA a grouse walked slowly across the trail ahead of me followed by two more grouse.They were probably this years offspring.I motioned to Maureen and we watched the grouse quietly move further into the bush out of site.Launching the canoe we paddled back to our campsite for lunch.

Well that is it for this post,so until next time happy trails.

 

Photography

Further Adventures on OSA Lake

2 Comments

The second day on OSA turned out to be a wet one.Maureen and I spent most of our time in the tent as the sky darkened and rain fell quite heavy.It started to rain around 10:30 am and did not let up till 5:30 that evening.We finally made our way out of the tent into a wet,damp campsite. I quickly got supper going along with a pot of tea.

There is always a resident chipmunk and squirrels at every campsite.The chipmunk at this campsite was quite tame.We watched as the chipmunk returned time and again with its mouth full of food.It would bury the food somewhere nearby.The family of squirrels were a delight to watch as the young ones would chase each other around the forest floor.If you happen to be walking along the trail to the lake quite often one would peek at you from around a tree trunk at eye level.It would then zoom off after its other sibling to play.

With the wind not cooperating again that evening I stayed in camp enjoying a warm campfire and hot chocolate.I awoke the next morning to a misty day.I captured the above scene that morning when the sun lit up the hill side.Your eye is drawn through the narrows to the hillside were the morning sunlight is splashing trees and rocks leaving a nice warm glow.The water was not calm so I did not add much in the way of water.I chose to go tight with the narrows.The individual areas that the sun touches upon helps to create a very nice composition along with the mist to add a mystical quality to the photo.

Of interest here is that the night before I sat on the shoreline watching around me when I spotted two does come out of the point and proceeded to walk through the water towards the island.They were able to walk about three quarters of the way out before swimming.They entered the woods on the island.Let me clarify that what appears to be a point on the left of the photo is actually an island.The deer reappeared at the far end of the island where they swam to a larger island in front of our campsite.After that I did not see them again.I called quietly to Maureen to come and watch the deer.By now it was getting dark and we retreated to the fire for our nightly hot chocolate.

That is it for now so until next time happy trails.

 

Photography

Adventures in OSA

Leave a comment

For most of the summer I heard glowing reports about the beauty of OSA Lake in Killarney Provincal.I was able to snag a four day trip into this famous lake for the second week of Maureen’s holidays.

With a one day lay over and to replenish our food supplies we pushed off from the beach at George Lake.It was a beautiful day for canoeing with light winds.We made our way to the first portage into Freemon. As we were hauling our gear over, another couple from British Columbia  came in.These folks were on a week long trip over to Baie Fine.

Chatting beifly as we loaded the canoe we finally headed up Freeland Lake to the Killarney Lake portage.As we approached the landing a canoe with two gentleman and a little three year old girl headed out into the lake.We were informed that they were a party of 15 kids from age 15 to 3 years old along with accompanying adults.I thought this was pretty cool.It is so nice to see young kids out enjoying themselves on a canoe trip with there parents.

We beached the canoe and proceeded to unload our Quebeco 17 when 2 Park Rangers appeared down the portage.After talking for a few minutes they asked us for our camping permits.After we showed our camping permits we had an interesting chat.They had been in the interior for four days checking campsites and cleaning them up.One of the Rangers showed us a bag of cigarette buts and beer cans.I hope that everyone who uses the Park campsites make sure that all garbage is picked up and brought out with them.Let us all keep this beautiful wilderness area free from garbage.

As we moved our gear to Killarney Lake a number of canoes pulled in to the portage.Maureen and I put our gear to the side while everyone unloaded and moved there gear over the portage.We were in no hurry as the day was young.We finally managed to get the canoe loaded and made our way into Killarney Lake.This lake has always impressed me for its scenic views.It was nearing lunchtime so we landed on a point with a nice view of the La Cloche Mountains.We also had a splendid view looking towards the East End of Killarney Lake.This was a day of nice big fluffy white clouds.Once we had eating lunch I took a few photos as a record and we just laid back and took into the scenic views around us.

It was a short paddle over to the OSA portage were we met two gentlemen on there way out.The OSA portage is 455 m and an easy walk through old forest growth.As we exited the portage onto a gravel beach at OSA, we took in the amazing scene before us.With crystal clear waters and an abundance of islands towards the West end of the lake.This lake is pretty much surround by the La Cloche Mountains coming down to the shoreline.

We proceeded to paddle to the West end of OSA lake to look for a campsite.We slowly made our way among the various islands admiring the many scenic views before me.As a photographer I was impressed with the many photographic opportunities that would be available.I also realized that there would have to be many trips into this lake to truly capture its beauty.I also foresaw a problem with the wind on this lake.OSA has a large expanse of open water that would lead to a wind problem.Lo and behold when this lake calms down there would be gorgeous shots with the mountains reflecting into the water.

We finally made our way to the 2nd last campsite on a point of land that was empty.Maureen and I proceeded to empty the canoe and get our campsite setup.Once the camp chores were finished I walked down to the East end of the campground to look over the lake.The first thing that caught my eye were four rounded peaks in a very pleasing setting.I called these four peaks the Four Sisters.I do not know if they have a name.

I turned to my left and noticed the bright reddish vegetation on the point of an island.I thought to my self that with the right lighting this would make a great shot.We had been here for a couple of days before I was able to get the above shot.The early morning light bathed the small trees by the reddish vegetation to create this neat composition.I did not have a whole lot of calm water but managed to get enough colored reflections to add the depth that I was looking for.

Well that is it for now.This journey is not finished and I will be back with more posts on this special trip into a must see lake.So until next time happy trails

Photography

A Magic Moment in Time

2 Comments

Paul Smith and I spent a lazy afternoon on the beach enjoying the beautiful warm weather as we waited for the evening photo shot.At this time of year with the days becoming shorter it is no longer a long wait.It is so enjoyable to sit by the water observing the lighting and ever changing conditions.Paul and I sat at one of the picnic tables.People were coming and going.In most cases we would chat with them.One Japanese gentleman approached us and we had a discussion on photography.

Paul and I met Michal Podwapinski on the beach later in the afternoon.Michal had just finished a 2 week hike around the park.We spent a pleasant couple hours as Michal talked about his 2 week hike.

By this time evening was approaching.Paul and I quickly got ourselves set up for the evening shot.I returned to the same location as the photo in the previous post.We had some nice clouds available plus color.What also was interesting was that as the sun dropped below the horizon there was a nice reddish tinge in the sky.This in turn caused the beautiful reddish glow on the rocks.You have to be quick with your set up in these conditions as that magic moment will only last a very short period of time.Again being in the right place and time.It is called a magic moment in time.You must be able to recognize these conditions and act upon it.I believe this is what separates the good photographers from the ordinary photographers.

This lighting probably lasted for all of about 15 to 20 minutes and then was gone.Paul and I finally decided to call it a day.We had succeeded in getting some wonderful photos on a extraordinary day.We enjoyed conversing with other people at the park that day.It was just one of those Fall days where everything fell in place and was just enjoyable to be there.

So until next time happy trails.

Photography

A Stroll on The Beach

1 Comment

I picked up Paul Smith at 5:30 am.We arrived at George Lake in Killarney Provincial Park to a calm foggy morning.A photographer’s dream.The lighting was great,the colors were saturated along with the fog to create that mystic mood.The only thing missing was the fall colors.It seems that we may be a week or so from peak color.

At times the fog became too heavy.I strolled the beach looking for other opportunities.The rain started to fall quite heavy.At this time I met Roxanne Driedger who is an artist from Huntsville.I spent a nice half hour or so talking to Roxanne and her husband at there campsite.Thanks for the coffee folks.Roxanne is a very good artist and you can check out her portfollio at http://www.paintingsby roxanne.weebly.com

By now the rain had stopped,but the fog was very heavy.I set up for the above photo.It was just a case of waiting for the right moment and for the fog to ease off. I captured the above photo with its amazing lighting.The fog created an interesting window in the background that I truly love. This photo has a softness to it along with very good mood and peacefulness.

It was an incredible day as the wind was light and the lighting was exceptional.That is it for today.So until next time happy trails