Tag Archives: Campsite

Photography

A Touch of Color

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OSALake4359

Winter is here in my part of the country. It is nice to sit back and go through my photos taken during this year’s trips. I selected the above photo from a trip into O S A Lake, Killarney Provincial Park. Paul Smith and I were sitting around the campsite one afternoon. It was a cloudy wet day if I recall. The wind was blowing a bit. We were talking about the Maple tree mixed in with the White Pine trees at our campsite. I decided then that I would attempt a composition of the colored leaves. There was one branch of orange, red leaves that crossed in front of a Pine trunk. I showed enough rock to break up the contrast. The rock had enough scattered reddish pine needles on its surface to add more color. There is some green color from the White Pine branches to create a more compact photo. Then there is the texture of the tree trunks that adds detail.

After setting up and getting the composition that I liked, it was a matter of waiting for the right moment for the wind to calm down. Well that is it for now. So until next time happy trails

Photography

OSA Lake Fall 2012

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Monday morning dawned.I had loaded my Ford Explorer the previous night.The  Quetico 17 Kevler canoe was loaded the night before also.I am a big fan of the Quetico 17 made by Souris River.For more info check here.

http://www.sourisriver.com/quetico_17.html

After a quick stop to pick up my partner Paul Smith for this trip we were soon on the road to Killarney Provincial Park.This is about an hour and a half trip for us.A stop at the main office to obtain our permits ,we were soon loading the canoe and heading out into George Lake.

The winds were light,the sun was warm and the Fall colors were beautiful.The water levels on George Lake were good considering the dry summer we had.The paddling through Freeland was uneventful and we were soon over the Killarney Lake Portage into Killarney Lake itself.While at the portage I talked to four gentleman who were making there first trip into the interior.There destination was OSA Lake. As we paddled the West end of Killarney Lake it was noted that there were a few campsites taken.The water levels were low on Killarney Lake.

Arriving at the shorelines of OSA Lake is always breathtaking.The pebble beach at your feet,The La Cloche Mountains with white quartz rocks  on either side of you,the turquoise blue water stretching before you,the distant islands in the distance.The mountains were adorned with there Fall color. That is why this lake is a popular destination for many canoeist.

Two couples were portaging out  and they told us the big island was available.Paul and I made our way to the large island.We unloaded our gear and set up our chairs for a little rest before setting up the campsite.

Monday evening the winds started to calm down.Paul and I stayed on the island that evening to do our photographing.This is a good campsite to work from, for the variety of angles one can work with.Some areas of the lake the wind was calm while in other parts a ripple effect was left.I was able to capture the above scene by combining the La Cloche Mountains with a bit of the near shoreline.I set my Canon D7 on the tripod and shot two vertical images overlapping.This allowed for the inclusion of the near shoreline.The sky was quite interesting as well as the sky reflecting in the water.You will also get a glimpse of the lake bottom in the foreground.The colors on the mountain side was great.There is a bit of a pink hue on rounded mountain peaks.

The evening was cooling down now.It was a good idea to put on long johns before we went to bed that night.Paul got the fire going as the days are short with darkness coming early.It was nice to sit by the warm glow of the fire.The moon came up as we sat,casting its silvery light over the lake surface.We were soon off to bed.It was nice and warm in my sleeping bag thinking as to what dawn would bring us.

I will continue at a later date on this trip.It was to prove to be a different five days than the five day trip last year at this time due to the weather.Until next time happy trails.

Photography

What is Behind the Campsite.

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This past Friday myself,my daughter and son-in-law headed for Muriel Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.We had to cover 5 lakes and 4 portages to the campsite.We did not get away till 4:00 that afternoon.A quick check into the park office for camping permits and we were soon loading the canoe at the George Lake beach.We decided to eat a quick supper before we left.It turned out to be a very hot weekend.

Launching the canoe we were off on our adventure.George Lake is about a 40 to 50 minute paddle to the first portage of 90 meters. Off loading our gear we quickly carried over to Freeland Lake and headed to the next portage.The wind was light so the going was easy.Freeland Lake has a fair amount of vegetation in the form of lily pads.

The Killarney Lake portage soon arrived and we carried all our gear and canoe over.This was a 380 meter carry over.You could feel the heat.Once out into the open water the beauty of the La Cloche Mountain system is much evident.We had a short canoe paddle at the upper end of Killarney Lake to get to the carry over into O S A Lake.There are a lot of campers at this time of year and most folks are friendly.

We quickly hauled over the 455 meters to O S A Lake.This lake is one off my favorite lakes to photograph.Launching into the turquoise blue waters,the sun fading,we made our way to the West end of the lake.Arriving at our last portage we made haste to make it over to Muriel Lake.This portage was 595 meters.By this time it was now dark.There was enough light to make our way to the West end of the lake.There are two campsites at this location.We chatted with one of the campers who told us were the campsite was.

We arrived at the general location of this campsite and proceeded to search for it on shore with flashlights.My son-in-law located it and we unloaded and got the tent setup.The mosquitoes are bad here once the sun goes down.I was tired so off to bed I went.

The above photo was a panoramic that I took the following evening.At the time it was hot and muggy.As I strolled along a path behind our campsite I came across this beautiful,serene scene.This would make a different take on what I usually photograph.I set the Canon 7d to take multiple exposures at different shutter speeds.With The camera set at vertical I proceeded to do six shots to cover the whole scene that you see above.

When I got home I processed each set of exposures in HDR.Then I did a photo-merge in Photoshop to create the 20″x60″ photo.I did not do any processing in HDR.This is a great way to bring out the shadow details.With the La Cloche Mountains in the background and reflecting into any open water,the various shades of green and grey deadheads over the swampy area added up to an interesting shot.

Well that is it for now.I will continue the story at another date.So until next time happy trails.

 

Photography

Onaping Lake

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Last Friday Gerard Leduc and myself loaded up my Ford Explorer with camping gear and photographic equipment.We departed at 6:00 a.m. and headed North on Hwy 144 to Onaping Lake.This is a lake that is 48 miles long with 2200 miles of shoreline.A lake of many channels and islands.Well known for its Walleye fishing.

It was a pleasant one and a half hour drive,with one stop to grab a Tim Horton‘s coffee.We turned off onto the Onaping Lake Road.After a short drive we were soon at the Lake Onaping Lodge owned by George[Jack] & Sandra Element.After a pleasant conversation with Jack ,we were set up with a boat and motor for the trip up the lake.

We had a 25 mile trip by boat to East Bay.Gerard drove the boat while I sat up front with a map,navigating. We had a good trip up other than going into a dead end  bay.We backtracked and I soon had us back on course. This is a lake of many channels and islands.It was not long before we reached East Bay and started searching for a campsite.The MNR maintain campsites on Onaping Lake.We discovered a campsite on large island that also had two cabins maintained by one of the lodges.

Unloading our gear we soon had our campsite set up and sat back to enjoy the scenery.As we were relaxing,a bald eagle flew overhead.As late afternoon approached we headed out to do some fishing .One of the things we wanted to do was catch fresh fish for our suppers.That we succeeded in doing.The evening turned out not suitable for photographing.We explored our immediate surrounding looking for suitable composition that evening.When darkness came the mosquito came.Most evenings we were in bed at nightfall.The mosquito made it uncomfortable to sit outside.

With daybreak arriving we had calm waters. The above photo was one of the many compositions I made that morning.The sun was just peering over the East horizon,casting a yellow,orange glow on some of the trees.This lake is blessed with lots of rocky shoreline to add some real character to the photos.After about an hours shooting we lost the good shooting light.It was now time to head back to camp for a good breakfast and hot coffee.

While that is it for this week.Thank you everyone for your comments and to those folks who have subscribed to my blog.Much appreciated. So until next time happy trails.

Photography

When The Rains End

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I awoke one rainy morning to the sound of rain drumming on the tent fly.Peering out the tent door I could see fog on the La Cloche Mountains,the wind was picking up and there was a chop on the surface of O S A Lake.Emerging from the tent I ducked into the tarp we had set up for days like this.Soon I had a hot coffee brewing and along with a bagel had breakfast.It was now just a matter of waiting.

By mid morning the rain had quit and the wind was not as strong.The hills had some nice mist and there was stiil  stormy clouds on the horizon.I set up for the above composition to capture the moment.There was a large expanse of water in front of me that I did not want to show.Using the narrows as the foreground,thus eliminating unnecessary water I took a series of shots.I liked the fact that the foreground was dark which gives contrast to the over all mood and adds to the depth.It was also a matter of watching the mist moving through the hills and waiting for the right amount.

By noon it cleared up.It became another beautiful day on O S A Lake.Well that is it.Until next time happy trails.

Photography, Poetry

River’s Edge Part 4

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The sun is low on the horizon

A campsite beckons not far off

Upon arrival I am upset

For among the tall grass

Garbage is scattered every where

The sign of wayward campers

I unload my gear

Setting up a campsite

Before the night approaches

I rest upon a rock

By the river’s edge

Enjoying the quiet and peace

That is to be had

Along the flowing river

Marveling at the reflective colors

Of green,gold and blue

Upon the river’s surface

The evening light is waning

I retire for the night

The night is now

Full of noises

From the rustle of night creatures

In the nearby woods

To the haunting call of

A great Horned Owl

That is answered further downriver

As I lay abed

Falling asleep under the canopy of stars