Tag Archives: Northern Ontario

Photography

Grace Lake Part 2

1 Comment

Daybreak, Tuesday morning I peeked out the tent door.The wind was blowing,the sky was blue but there would be no photographing that morning.I rolled over and went back to sleep.We awoke around 8:30 a.m.  We soon had the coffee pot going and enjoyed a breakfast of bagels and coffee.It is so nice to be able to sit there and enjoy the scenery.

Maryjean and I were soon out on the water exploring for possible photographic locations.There is an island at the West end of Grace Lake that consists of white quartz rock. We guided the canoe to the lee side of this island and pulled in.This was the island that A Y Jackson stood on when he produced the painting The Bent Tree back in 1948.You can watch a short video at this link by Jim Waddington discussing the painting.

http://www.groupofseven.ca/Adventures/Natural-Genius/Waddington-Adventure.aspx

We soon came to the conclusion that the most dramatic effects for landscape shots would be scenes facing East.All that was needed was for Mother Nature to co-operate.That did not come about until Thursday morning.Tuesday a cold front rolled in bringing cooler temperatures and stronger winds.

Maryjean and I continued our exploring around the lake and soon found the portage into Nellie Lake.We would leave that for another trip.Returning to camp we relaxed and checked out our immediate area.There were a profusion of wild violets or Johnny Jump-ups growing in the crevices and ledges among the quartz rock along the shoreline in front of our campsite.These little flowers are rather pretty.

I captured this shot of the violets as they were snuggled down in a crevice away from the blunt of the wind’

Wednesday there was no improvement in the weather so we just relaxed around the campsite reading and talking. After an early supper we paddled over to the portage and hiked down to Cranberry Lake.There we meet Paul Smith my photographic partner.He had came with his kayak.We helped him with his hear back to Grace Lake and then on to our campsite.We all turned in so that we could rise at sunrise.

Well that is it for this week.I have not had time to check everyone’s blog.I am getting ready for my next trip.So until next time happy trails
Photography

Waterfalls,Black and White or Color

8 Comments

Waterfalls have always interest me as a subject matter.In my part of the country I am blessed with a fair amount of these waterfalls due to the rocky terrain in Northern Ontario. The trick is to photograph these locations when the right amount of water is flowing over.By utilizing the rock structures and the path of the water flow you can come up with some interesting compositions.The above photo I was able to create a S curve with the water by getting in the right set up to compose the shot.The rock structure was high in detail and the sun was filtering through the trees at the top left.The time is late evening.

In most cases I do a fair amount of climbing up and down rock and boulders to get the best shot.I will not do it on a wet days.The rocks can be quite slippery.

 

The photo above is the same as the black and white but in color.Looking at this one you with easily pick up the lighting effects at various locations.This is what helps make that extra detail in a composition.

That is it for this week.I had problems with my internet this past week, so was not able to check out all the postings of my fellow bloggers.Thank you very much for your comments.Much appreciated.So until next week happy trails.

Photography

Sunsets

70 Comments

This was an exposure that I had taken last Fall on O S A Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.O S A Lake has a rocky shoreline that I love to create a composition with.I was on an island facing West.The sun had set behind another island with a reddish glow filtering through the trees for a nice effect.So quickly looking around I saw some boulders going to the right of me.There was an opening in the boulders were the rocks were smaller and reddish colored.Setting my tripod to half its height I composed this shot.I used Photoshop to darken the outer edges of the photo so that the eye follows a path from the rocks in front to the island.

That is it for this week so until next time happy trails.

Photography

Unique Rock Structures

37 Comments

One of my favorite pastimes is hiking along lake shores looking for interesting rock patterns to create a photographic composition.More so if the rock structures are unique.I came across these unique rocks in a small back bay on a small lake in Killarney Provincial Park.The rocks are a reddish granite material.The rocks in the foreground had very interesting lines streaking the surface,adding a nice touch.Also there was a nice pine tree growing in the middle of the rocks with some interesting color effects.the reflection of the foreground rocks was perfect.Now in the background was another interesting granite rock formation that was of a different nature.I had a bit of a problem in that area with the wind so that a good reflection was not possible.By combing the two elements I was able to come up with the above photo.The photo was also taken late evening to get the nice soft lighting.

Well that is it for this week.I thank everyone for the lovely comments.Much appreciated.There is now a link on my blog to Fine Arts of America where by you can purchase some of my selected works.So until next time happy trails

Photography, Poetry

Birch Grove

14 Comments

A grove of birch trees

By the shores of

An ice-covered lake

The stark white trunks

Emerging from the mist

On an early Spring morning

Reddish-brown leaves

From Fall past

Carpet the barren ground

Among the standing birch

No stirring of wildlife

Is to be seen

A place of peaceful stillness

A well beaten path

Meanders through the birch grove

Beckons a wayward traveller

To places that are beyond

Photography

Rocky Shorelines

17 Comments

As I travel through the many lakes in Killarney Provincial Park,I am always on the lookout for various rock structures along the shoreline.The right combination to create a pleasing composition are not common.But with a watchful eye you will find these rocky shorelines.Also a quiet evening or morning gives the total reflection and some very neat patterns.Look at this as a geometric pattern.

Mid day creates harsh lighting on the rock surface.Evenings the rocks can take on a totally new look with the soft lighting available.The detail in the rocks become intensified.The above photo emphasizes the rock structure.By placing the first point in the foreground to show the texture of the rock,leave a space of water for the reflections that added very interesting patterns and also to  tie everything together.The dark background of evergreens creates the sharp contrast with the rock points.

 

This next photo was created by turning the camera 180 degrees and photographing from the opposite direction.Again placing the first rocky point in the foreground with some green vegetation for added contrast.A span of water for your reflections to tie it all in.I also like it when the evergreens reflect into the water for that added depth.So by standing in one spot you are able to capture two very nice compositions.So next time out on the water watch for those unique rock structures along the shorelines and come back when the lighting is right.

Well that is it for this week.I am counting down the weeks now until my first trip back into the park.Spring appears to be here now.So until next time happy trails.

Photography

Killarney Lake

5 Comments

One of the many lakes found in Killarney Provincial Park that offer picture book settings.Killarney Lake is nestled in the La Cloche Mountain system.With sapphire colored water and surrounded by white quartz mountains that  creates a picture of serene beauty.Killarney Lake runs in a East, West direction with a large open expanse of water.There are two islands located at the East end of the lake that offer some interesting photo compositions.But bear in mind that the wind can create a problem due to the open expanse of water.There are portages at each end of the lake.The West end portage will take you int OSA Lake.The portage at the East end of the lake goes into Norway Lake.

I just returned from Midland,Ontario where I attended the Quest For Art 8th Annual Juried Art Show.I had both my works accepted.There was a good turn out and I enjoyed meeting a lot of new people.If you are in the area stop in at the gallery and enjoy the show.

Well that is it for this week.So until next time happy trails.

Photography

Total Reflection

8 Comments

This two shot pano was taken last fall on OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.The La Cloche Mountains are in the background.I was captivated by the clarity of the trees along the shoreline.The reflection was picture perfect.There was just enough fall color to add to the over all composition.There was still some mist in the upper hills.The only thing I did not like was the bland skies.With that in mind I kept the sky to a minimum. That is actually an island in the photo.I added a touch of rock in the foreground to the right to tie everything in.

That is it for this week.Thursday I am off to Midland Ontario where I have 2 photos in the Quest for Art Juried Art Show.I have added the invitations to the reception.If you are in the area please stop by for a chat and you can view a couple of my compositions live.So until next time happy trails.

Photography

Light Up The Hills

4 Comments

With the warm early morning sunlight splashing the mountainsides decorated with fall color here and there.I quickly looked about for some foreground to give the photo depth.I was standing on the North shoreline of O S A Lake near the West end of the lake.There was a couple of interesting stunted pines on a island in front of me.By using part of the island to fill in the photo and add depth I created the above composition.Keeping the stunted trees to the left for added interest yet at the same time allowing a clear view of the hills to be shown allowed for a fairly open view.A touch of color on the water in the form of reflections adds to the overall look.The added bonus was the side lighting on the island to add some very good contrast.

These type of photos do not come around everyday.You just have to be there and be aware of what is happening around you.If you do not find what you want today,then next time you may.In other words Nature creates the scene with the available lighting and you must be aware of it.It helps to explore various locations you would like to shoot.If nothing also you have enjoyed the beauty of the land before you along with the peace and quiet of a wilderness setting.

That is it for this week.Thank you everyone for all the comments.So until next time happy trails

Photography, Poetry

Four Sisters

5 Comments

 

 

Not a breath of wind

Is to be had

The sky all red and orange

The dawn of a new day

Is upon the land

The Four Sisters eroded descendants

Of peaks once young in height

With quartz cliffs that gleam

Like snow from a far

A craggy imposing landscape

That others have passed

Many thousand of years before

Covered with jack pine ridges

Descending oak,maple and pine

Cover the mountain side

In the bowels of the mountains

Sapphire lakes gleam in the morning light

Mirroring the surrounding landscape

On their glass like surface

Sloping red granite offset

The stark white quartz

Upon a windswept ridge

A twisted pine braves the elements

Having landed there as a seed

Growing up as best as it can

Now part of the landscape

Bit by bit the Four sisters

Are revealed as rounded humps

Against the  glowering sky

Revealing their everlasting beauty

To paddlers and hikers now passing by

Being among the La Cloche Mountain system is a very inspirational experience for anyone who has been there.There is much beauty to be found as one canoes or hikes this mountain system in Killarney Provincial Park

The above scene is a series of photos put together to create the composition.I photographed the panoramic at O S A Lake in Killarney Provincial Park last Fall.At one point the mist was lifting and the sky was a gorgeous Orange and Red for a few minutes.In this particular section of the La Cloche Mountains their are four rounded humps visible on the South side of O S A Lake.The name Four Sisters is my own doing.