Tag Archives: nature

Photography

Stormy Evening

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SawpitBay1

 

Sawpit Bay, Lake Superior

Sawpit Bay, just north of Pancake Bay Provincial Park is a popular destination to spend the day walking and swimming. In places the shoreline is rugged. I spent a couple evenings exploring this area. I arrived one evening to the sound of waves crashing the shoreline. I made  my way to a small cove with a stone beach. As I stood on a small outcropping, the feel of the wind against my body was noticeable.  The wind was picking up in velocity hour by hour. The waves were now five to six feet in height. To date these were the largest I had seen so far on Lake Superior. In the cove the time worn stones were stacked up from the forces of the lake. The constant pounding by waves a constant thing.

Setting up my tripod at one end of the cove, I proceeded to capture many shots of the incoming waves. The stacked stones were about five feet high from the present waters edge. This afforded me a bit of elevation to get my compositions. The evening was becoming late. The cloud cover was moving steady. There was a hint of pink in the sky with the sun lowering in the west.

Hopefully, I can be here when the waves are much higher. For now I am happy with what I witnessed that evening. So until next time happy trails.

Photography

A Magical Cove

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_MG_2310

 

 

My two week trip to Lake Superior has concluded. A base camp was set up at Pancake Bay Provincial Park. I highly recommend staying here. Beautiful beach at this park.   I spent many hours exploring the coastline and photographing. It is always a joy to walk the sandy and stone beaches. I climbed over rocky structures looking for the next shot. If you are observant, there are many geological observations to be made here.

I had seen the worn ribbon tied to a tree just off the highway a number of times. Therefore one evening I decided that I had to check it out. Normally marker ribbons are placed for a reason as a marker. Gathering up my photo equipment, it was time to check it out. Sure enough a well beaten trail materialized through the grass leading into the woods. This trail weaved its way through the dense woods of lichen covered trees to emerge upon a small cove. The beach was of pebbles. There were free standing rock forms scattered around. I walked behind a huge rock formation onto the scene you see above. It is amazing what the forces of Lake Superior can create. If you let your imagination loose, you can imagine that you are observing rock sculptures in the form of prehistoric animals. A very unique location indeed.

It was still early evening. I did create a few compositions. The best lighting was yet to come. It would be a couple hours of waiting to get the compositions I wanted. Meanwhile I checked out the composition of these rock forms. They appear to be sedimentary in structure. One thing of note was the fair size stones embedded in the material. As erosion occurred the stones would fall out. What remained was small cavities where the stones had been.

I photographed the above scene before the sun left. Wonderful lighting with a touch of good sky for the background. I actually climbed up another rock to get this composition. At times a bit of height improves upon your shot. Well that is it for now. Just waiting for the fall colors to appear. Then back up to Lake Superior again. Until next time happy trails.

 

 

 

Photography, Poetry

Before Dawn

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Mica Bay2

 

The glimpse of a small tent

Of orange and red

Among the dripping trees

I crawled out of the tent

To breathe the pure morning air

The smell of evergreens

The smell of the hardy cedar

Greets me before the dawn

 

 

The forest is filled with mist

Dawn has not yet come

It had rained during the night

A grey-blue light

Before the coming of dawn

Like a mysterious half light

Over the turbid waters

The song birds quiet this morning

The sky is lowering

Black clouds to the west

The sky to the east

A pale slate-blue

The only moving thing

Was the moving water

The shadows are lifting

From the rocky shoreline

Tree tops visibly green

The stark rocks begin to glow

Their colors warming to life

Still nothing moved

But the moving waters

The birds still silent

 

A warming sensation

Of the sun touching my face

The day has come

A dazzle of green, yellow and blue

The now singing birds

Bring joy to the forest

The rough bark of evergreens

Glistening black with wet

Photography, Poetry

Summer Evening, Superior

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Alona Bay Area

 

Gentle rollers from off the lake

Quietly kissing the craggy shoreline

The far horizon covered

In a heavy mist

The sun steadily dropping

The air still and humid

The scent of fish

Permeates the air

 

I am surrounded by rocky outcroppings

Jutting out into the lake

In a lonely cove

The sun still lowering

Into the fog of haze

The shoreline speaks

Of a violent past

During the era of volcanos

Black with a tinge of brown

Defining the rugged shoreline

The rocks jagged and broken

 

Evergreens struggle for survivor

In the rocky depressions

Cedar grows on the cliff edges

Stunted and twisted

In this harsh land

The rocks are worn

By the violence of wind and wave

Lichen, orange and grey

Cover these time worn rocks

There is clarity to these cold waters

A view into the depths not uncommon

 

The sun now behind

The heavy mist

There is now a darkening

In the evening sky

The rocks embolden in color

From the sun’s last rays

The warm evening light

Creates a glow

On the Cliffside evergreens

A yellow that is soon lost

The sun ever lowering

The soothing lapping of water

The cliff face lost in shadow

The sun has now disappeared

A touch of color remains behind

A glow of pink

Then the color red

Washes over the horizon

Darkness now descending

Photography

Cool Morning

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Shakwa_3953

 

With a cool morning of 5 C we headed back onto the waters of Shakwa Lake to do some lake trout fishing. The wind was still blowing. The mist was dissipating. My partner and I decided that we had better drift fish the rest of the trip. It is no fun paddling a sixteen foot aluminum boat back to the landing.

Thus we aligned ourselves with the wind. Cast our lines out and commence to jig. A short period later a loon appeared. It was no more than ten feet from the boat. This is not uncommon, but when a loon hangs around there is something amiss. The loon proceeded to dive. I then notice it swimming below the boat. The water here is very clear. Now we were worried about the loon getting snagged in our lines. This display went on repeatedly. Then out of the corner of my eye I caught a flash of white just below the surface. Ah, now we knew what was happening. The flash of white turned out to be the mate of the above water loon. It was obviously dead. The live loon was attempting to protect its mate. Now how did that loon die. We had heard no commotion around us to indicate a fight. Our motor was not running so that eliminated that idea. It will be forever a mystery of the wilderness. Reeling in our lines we immediately left the area.

The next day we headed back to the landing with out any mishap. The boat and gear loaded up. We headed home.

That is it for this week. I will be along the shores of Lake Superior for the next three weeks. I will see what I can find.

 

 

Photography, Poetry

Going Up The Mountain

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_MG_9956

 

I slowly open my eyes

To the coming of morning

Sunlight streaming through the window

Dust mites dancing in the sunbeam

I put on my ole blue jeans

Stepping out into the morning

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

 

Packsack slung over my shoulder

Stepping off the porch

With a jaunty stride

I make my way

To the nearby road

The mountain beckons in the distance

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

 

Kitchen smoke is rising

From the local’s homes

As I walk the road

Plenty of smiles welcome me

As men and women pass me by

Jugs on their shoulders

Or pails in hand

Children with shy smiles

Playing on the road

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

 

At roads end a trail beckons

Leading me to the river ford

The trail winds up the hillside

Emerging from the forest

The trail levels out

To a field of maze

Not yet ready to harvest

I travel the trail

Walking the fields edge

 

 

 

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

 

The morning sun becoming warmer

As the trail goes higher

Reaching the next plateau

My route becoming harder

A herd of Granada step aside

As I pass on by

Barb wire fencing block my way

Tossing my backpack over the fence

I scramble on hands and knees

Under the barb wire fence

Grabbing my packsack, I move on

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

 

The summit is near

The path becoming steeper

There is now a cool breeze

I make my way to an outcropping

To sit and observe

A land that is far-reaching

As far as the eye can see

Mountains tall in the distance

Clouds roaming over the mountains

Mist from the valley

I feel that mountain breeze

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

 

There is something about

This mountainous country

Of mountains towering overhead

Highlands dot the landscape

Deep valleys slash the land

Mountains are like giants

I like a blade of grass

It is a humble feeling

 

 

 

Hey, it’s a beautiful morning

 

Going up the mountain

Photography, Poetry

Blood Thirsty Mosquitoes

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Spinweb_3423

 

We pulled into the campsite

On a far northern lake

The turquoise blue waters

Of Martha Lake, Algoma

Shimmering around us

 

As expected our northern hosts

Were greedily awaiting our arrival

The blood thirsty mosquitoes

They are not called

The northern scourges for nothing

Blood is what they want

 

The first order of business

To set up the screen tent

This to be our place of peace

From the waiting mosquitoes

The mosquitoes are lining up

Waiting for their next victim

You

 

The next order of business

To erect the tent

With practiced precision

The tent is erected

The sleeping cots in place

Bedding is laid out

The bug coils are lit

To be placed in our shelters

 

I don my bug jacket

The barbeque and stove

Are now set up

The cooler of food

Locked in the vehicle

No need inviting unwanted guests

For an overnight feast

Namely the bloody bears

 

Peace and solitude reigns supreme

Not a soul in sight

It is nearing dust

The wind dying down

The lake becoming calm

The moon edging up

Casting a silvery path

On the lake surface

 

Darkness is at hand

Time to hit the sack

A small lantern hangs

From the tent ceiling

Revealing the mosquito hordes

Lined up on the tent screen

Crawling into my sleeping bag

The light now off

I lie there with eyes closed

Listen to the drone

Of the ever gathering swarm

I had the feeling

Of being the only victim

Within a hundred miles

I guess in the turn of things

We all have to survive

Thus I fell asleep

To the humming sound

Of the north woods mosquitoes

I must be a northerner

Photography

Streamside

5 Comments

_MG_1115_3643.

 

I had crossed over from the Tote Road north of Massey to the Westbranch north of Webwood on my journey home. I had spent the day exploring logging roads looking for future photo opportunities. As I traveled south, the evening was wearing on. The lighting getting warmer losing that harshness that is common most of the day. As I crossed a bridge my eyes caught the lighting on this particular scene. The wind was calming allowing for reflections.

The sunlight was coming from the right of me as I set up my tripod on the bridge. The location of the sun was creating sun flares on the lens. I retrieved my Tilly  hat to act as a blocker. Thus holding the hat with one hand and the other to press the shutter button I was able to accomplish the above composition. What is interesting here is how the sunlight highlights certain parts of the scene. There is a lot of softness here with the earth tone colors. There is a quietness to be found here that gives one peacefulness that is very relaxing.

The La Cloche Art show opens next Friday evening July 3 and runs through to July 12. I myself will be there Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and Sunday. If you are in the area stop in and enjoy an excellent art show. Until next time happy trails.

Photography

The Northern Scourge

1 Comment

MarthaLake_Island

 

We made it back last Friday evening to Martha Lake, Algoma. As expected our northern hosts the mosquitoes were awaiting our arrival. They are not called northern scourges for nothing. Blood is what they want. The first thing Maureen and I did was set up the screen tent. The screen tent affords us an area of peace from the bugs. The mosquitoes would line up outside the screen waiting for a victim. You.

Next step was to get our sleeping quarters ready, namely the tent. With practiced precision the tent was erected. The sleeping cots set up and our beds were made. Maureen lit the bug coils for each location and had them placed in the sleeping tent and screen tent. Donning my bug jacket I set up the barbecue and stove. Both these essential items run on propane. I left the cooler in the Ford escape for the night. No need inviting unwanted guests to the feast overnight. Namely bloody bears. We had the whole lake to our selves. Not a soul in sight. Amen. I wonder sometimes who is smarter, me or the folks who stayed home. I must be a true northerner.

It was getting near dust now and the lake was quite calm by this time. Out came the tripod and camera. Let me tell you when you stand by the lake shore, you become surrounded by the mosquito hordes. To take a photo you have to be quick about it. I have to remove the head portion of my bug jacket to photograph. Before shooting I wave my hand in front of the lens to clear these bugs. If not, you will find round splotches on your photo.

Darkness was fast approaching. Camera gear was put away. Time to hit the sack. Crawling into my sleeping bag was a relief. A small light hanging from the tent ceiling revealed the mosquito hordes on the outside of the tent screen. I had the feeling of being the only bloody piece of meat for a hundred miles. I guess in the turn of things we all have to survive. Thus I fell asleep with the droning of the north woods mosquitoes in my ears.

Tomorrow is another adventure. So until next time happy trails.

Photography

It Is In The Green

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Plante's Road_3504

 

June 09, 2015

On a Tuesday afternoon I picked up James W Cook at his apartment in downtown Sudbury. James is a local artist who loves to paint. I drove out of the city heading West. My destination was Massey where we would turn north into the hinterland. We arrived in Massey where I proceeded to top off the gas tank. Running out of gas in the woods is a no no. Thus we were soon driving north following the Aux Sauble River. The road winds through forests that has been logged for many generations. The river  flows under a number of bridges as it makes its way south. Our turn off onto Plaunte’s Road soon arrived. This a logging road that is still fairly new. There has been logging activities here in the last couple years. There are lots of pot holes and water in some areas now. This road receives no maintenance.

When I drove up here last week to Martha Lake, we passed a swampy area that really intruded me. I was fascinated by the many shades of green I could observe here. Upon arrival,  it was turning out to be an odd sort of day. Some areas the clouds were dark and threatening. Then if you looked in another direction the sun would be shining along with billowing white clouds. There was intermittent showers happening. A light wind would play on the water. Then all of a sudden there would be a stillness. Then the lighting became fascinating. There was this magic, mystical feeling before me that can only be inspired by Mother Nature.

Having set up my tripod and Canon 7D, it became a matter of just waiting for that right moment. By using the tree remains in the foreground to offset the various shades of green plus added depth. The wonderful stillness of the water creating gorgeous depth to the reflections in the foreground. The eye can follow through the open into the pond in the middle ground. Along the way you will spot a beaver house. The darkness of the water in the middle pond gives good contrast to the surrounding shades of green. The absolute depth found in the background is inspiring to the eye. There is a touch of red from dying evergreens. This lends a touch of addition color without overpowering the background. As I was photographing the large white cloud top left appeared. To the right was blue skies with darker wispy clouds to give the hint of the weather.

One spends more time looking for these locations than the actual photographing. Many hours are spent driving,walking or canoeing. When you do happen upon a scene that catches your eye the reward is as above.

For more info about James W Cook, check out his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/jameswcookbeauxarts

 

So until next time happy trails.