Tag Archives: Northern Ontario

Photography, Poetry

Spring Thaw

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High_Falls_Levack_0278

 

A freshening south wind

Caresses the frozen land

A bright and sunny day

The warmth of spring

Blankets the snow bound terrain

The spring thaw has begun

A river flows beneath

The burden of winter

The snow laden evergreens

Line the river’s edge

 

 

The relentless winter winds

Has turned the exposed snow

Into sculptured forms of art

The smooth crust of snow

Formed into humps and valleys

Where the shadows play

Embellishing the exposed snow

High_Falls_Levack_0291

 

 

The river has burst forth

From its winter blanket

Surging water slowly appears

Creating pools of tea colored water

To disappear once again

Beneath the melting ice

To reappear downriver

Charging on in the

Warmth of spring

 

 

With the sun dropping

Below the distant tree line

There is a chill

In the spring air

Long shadows are cast

With a hint of blue

Upon the stark white land

Interspersed with exposed rocks

The approach of evening

Heralds the end of the day

With a display of subdued lighting

High_Falls_Levack_0278BW

Photography

Stream Side Maple

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Batchewana_2559

 

There was a lovely maple tree overhanging a small stream that I passed many times on a logging road. The logging road was near Batchawana. I do not know the name of this stream, other than it flowed into the nearby Carp River. On a return trip from photographing other locations, I stopped on the side of the road to capture this scene. There is a small bridge that the stream flowed under. This is where I set up my tripod and camera. At this late in the evening it was calm and subdued. There was also no danger of a logging truck appearing.

The maple tree in the foreground gives you the eye popping colors. The stream was used to give a sense of peace and tranquility from the bold maple tree. A large rock is in the foreground to give a sense of depth and size. Most of the forest in the background has been eliminated by the maple tree. Thus also reduces the color green. There is a shallow pool in the background with muted reflections. Again quiet solitude. Then the stream disappears around the bend.

I received an honorable mention at the Art Competition Seeing The Land.

While that is all for now. I am preparing another book at the moment. It is taken up most of my time. The weather here has been crappy at the moment. So until next time happy trails

Photography, Poetry

Morning Solitude, George Lake

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GeorgeLakeFall2014b

 

The wind is calm

The air being crisp

A clear blue sky

The exposed hills aglow

With the morning sunlight

A touch of color

Decorates the ancient hillside

 

Shadows are opening up

A light mist roams

The quiet lake waters

The grass filled shallows

Resplendent in rusty brown

A stray beam of light

Filtering throw shadowy trees

Casts a lustrous glow

On the sunlit  grass

 

There is a stirring

Of a north wind

From over the hills

Rustling through the trees

The morning mist dispersed

The lake’s surface ruffled

By the strengthening wind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography

Black Spruce

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BlackSpruce

 

There is a small lake in Superior Provincial Park alongside Highway 17. It is named Moose Lake. There is a clump of skeletal Black Spruce that caught my eye. I first saw this set up in 2013. We were always passing by at the wrong time. Bad lighting. This year Maureen and I spent 5 days at Superior Provincial Park in late August.

What attracts me to this scene. The Black Spruce. As the sun lowers in the sky, the grayish color of the dead Spruce becomes more intense. The grey color stands out in a sea of green. The channel leading back to these skeletal trees gives me a lead in. An added bonus is that the late evening sun was highlighting the hill in the background. This in turn created a golden reflection in the foreground. Now I did not want to show to much of this golden reflection. Therefore I kept it tight. Doing this allowed for more lead in to the Black Spruce. Showing too much of this colorful reflecting would lead to a distraction. For depth we have four layers here. The shoreline, Black Spruce, The evergreens behind and then the sunlit hill in back.

You may ask me if I knew that the hills would light up. The answer would be no. But I have also seen this many times . I had set my composition in the camera on the tripod. Taken a few shots. Then low and behold the hills lit up. I quickly started shooting and shortly  the lighting was gone. Be there. That is all I can tell you.  The Black Spruce always adds drama to your work. You can not miss them when they are in the dead form.

Another week has gone by, so until next time happy trails

 

Photography

A Fall Day

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GeorgeLakeFall2014d

 

I arose at 6:00 a.m. last Thursday morning. Finally the weather has cleared. Packed my grub and camera gear for a trip to Killarney Provincial Park. As I drove down the Killarney Road, the first thing I noticed was how bare the trees were. Entering the park I parked at the East end. George Lake was calm with a fair amount of moving mist. I proceeded to capture various scenes around me. George Lake is a beautiful lake with the La Cloche Mountains to the North. Now it was time to pick up the trail to A Y Jackson Lake. It was time to hike over the ridge. Now this is a steep and long ridge. If you think you are in shape this little climb will tell you. By the time I got to the top my legs are aching, breathing hard. Must be my age I guess. So over the top I went and descended back down. A few minutes later I was at A Y Jaqckson Lake. One of my favorite locations in the park.  There was mist on the lake, reflections before me. I composed a number of compositions before heading back to George Lake.

Finishing my morning shot I headed for Killarney. I had spoke to Pierre AJ Sabourin and informed him that I was coming for a visit. Pierre is a well known professional en plein air landscape painter, following the Canadian School of Painting in spirit, philosophy, and practice. You can follow Pierre on his blog.

https://pierreajsabourin.wordpress.com/

Pierra is a very passionate man who loves his work. He is very knowledgeable about the Group of Severn and above all a great guy to visit. Arriving at Pierre’s Sunset Rock Studio in Killarney, I was immediately offered a hot cup of coffee. It was much appreciated. Pierre and I had a good visit.

It was soon time to head back to Killarney Provincial Park. I parked at the West end parking lots. I manage to capture a few more photos at this end of the lake. But the wind was picking up a bit. It being noon I enjoyed a lunch. Pretty quiet in the park at this time of year. Loading up I picked up the hiking trail across the bridge at  West end of George Lake. There is something to be said about walking in a Maple bush with the leaves all on the ground. The trees bare with a few leaves still falling. The forest floor covered in a thick carpet of leaves, slowly molding into the ground creating fresh nutrients  for the forest come Spring. I love to stop and admire these mature trees in all there grandeur. Magnificent in their size. Ferns dot the forest floor. Still a vivid green against a brown background. The small streams running high from all the rain. As I traversed over the ridges it was just a wonderful place to be on a warm sunny autumn day.

The trail was wet and muddy in the low areas.Thus I had to negotiate around these areas. I finally came to the trail into Lumsden Lake.  In a few minutes I arrived at Lumsden Lake. Following the shoreline I came upon the campsite. A beautiful place to set camp. Walking onto the rocks, the first thing I noticed was that there were a lot of bare trees here. There were a couple interesting scenarios here for a photos. The best thing here would to camp for a couple days next year. I found a good spot on the rocks to rest my butt and lean my back against. Put my Tilly  hat over my face and had me a short nap. Meanwhile the wind had picked up. There was a coolness on the face from the wind. A reminder that winter is coming.

Time to hit the trail again. It was late afternoon. Traversing through the Maple trees, crossing the small streams and topping the ridges I was soon back at George Lake. A beautiful fall day. A lovely hike. A wonderful way to spend a day.

Well that is it for now. Happy trails.

Photography, Poetry

I Had A Dream

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IonaBay

The sound of waves

Rolling upon the beach

Receding before the next

Oncoming wave

The pebbles on the beach

A rainbow of colors

As they glistening in the sun

 

I had a dream

That I was walking

On a lonely beach

 

The sky was blue

The clouds moving on

The hills far in the distance

Covered in a dark mist

The beach stretching to infinity

 

I had a dream

That I was walking

On a lonely beach

 

The sun is settling

Over the vast waters

Of an ever moving

Lake Superior

The lowering sun is

Casting its Golding light

Upon the beach

 

I had a dream

That I was walking

On a lonely beach

 

The waves wash upon

The wet sand

Before receding

Leaving a golden pool

In its wake

The next wave appearing

And slowly receding

A pool of golden light

Remains in its path

 

I had a dream

That I was walking

On a lonely beach

 

The sun ever sinking

In the far horizon

Clouds a pink glow

With the sun’s demise

The darken sky

Turning a rich red

To be reflected

As a mirrored image

On the gently rolling

Surface of Lake Superior

 

I had a dream

That I was walking

On a lonely beach

 

Night has come

The stars beckon

In the night sky

The moon casting

A slivery Path

Upon the moving waters

The trees mere shadows

The hills dark on the horizon

The moonlit beach beckons

 

I had a dream

That I was walking

On a lonely beach

 

Photography

Mica Bay

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Batchawana_2802

 

 

Last week I explored in and around Mica Bay on Lake Superior. This is just North of Pancake Provincial Park. I had noticed people parking along the highway at various times. With the Fall colors disappearing at an alarming rate. it was time to hike the beaches and rocks, I discovered two trails down from the highway.

A bit of info on Mica Bay is in order. Upon some research I found some fascinating knowledge of this area. Mica Bay is very deep. Would you believe 600 feet. This includes the shoreline.  The depth is caused by the Midcontinental Rift. Lake Superior occupies a basin caused by this rift. For further reading check here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midcontinent_Rift_System

Another discovery I made was finding Jacobsville sandstone . I observed bits and pieces of this sandstone on the beaches in various sizes. It has been quarried as a building stone. It apparently reaches a thickness of up to eight kilometers. I was able to find some interesting samples that had beautiful patterns create by wave action. For more info read the following article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobsville_Sandstone

As I was climbing upon a rock outcropping I came across an ancient lava flow. The black Basalt volcanic flow here occurred about 1.86 to 1.54 billion years ago. Looking at it you would have thought it had just hardened. The composition that I created above features this ancient lava flow within the structure of my photo. This photo also emphasizes the ruggedness of Lake Superior coastline. It was a very eventful evening of exploring Mica Bay. From the geological aspect to the photographing, walking the beaches of rounded pebbles and Jackobsville sandstone. There is always something to learn about our country.

I have now three of my Wolf Lake collection available for sale. You will find them on my Fine Art Prints page.

On the weekend of Oct 17, 18 and 19 come join me and my fellow members at The Sudbury Art Clubs Annual Fall Art Show. It is held at the CNIB building in Sudbury. Everyone is welcome.Well that is it for this week. Until next time happy trails.

Photography

Batchawana Back Country

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Batchewana_2656

 

Algoma, a land of rugged scenery. Canadian artists have come here to paint and photograph over the years. A popular destination of the Group of Severn.  A land covered in old growth trees. I drove up to Pancake Bay on September 22, 2014. Upon turning North out of Sault Ste Maria the scenery becomes awash with color and rolling hills stretching for miles.  I drove into Pancake Provincial Park, whereby I set up my base camp to work from. The weather turned out warm and sunny during the week that I was here. The Fall colors were in full swing.

The next morning bright and sunny, I drove to the Voyageur Restaurant. There I met a friend Brian King and his pal Joe. With map and coffee in hand we all sat at the picnic table that was available. Joe was born and raised in this part of the country. I was able to get quite a bit of info on were to explore. It was my quest to explore the back country here in the Batchewana area. There are many roads to chose from. Some were in excellent shape to a few that were a little rough at times. But they were all quite manageable. My favorite road turned out to be logging road that was at the present being used by a logging company. Once I came to know the schedule of the workers I could then plan my shots. The good thing they were all finished working by 6:00 pm and heading home. The logging trucks were my main concern. If you meet these guys pull over.

Along this road I found five good compositions to work with. This particular scene was a swampy area with lots of color. I had a hill in the background. Water for reflections. Points of land on either side with Maples in full color. The reflections worked really well to fill in the foreground. Your eye follows the water to the background. The two points of land keep you focused on the back of the photo.

Like I said previously it was a great week to be here. The joys of travelling these roads through tunnels of Maples in full color to cresting a hill to a colorful view of another hill ahead. Then descending down into another wealth of color. Travelling along the side of a hill with a stream flowing below you.   I managed to get in a fishing trip with my new found friend Joe. We caught a few Speckled Trout. Had a great time together. Looking forward to more of this. I also met quite a few folks in and around the Voyageur Restaurant area. It became routine to stop in for a cup of coffee in the afternoon. When people know what you are doing they will be glad to fill you in on the good scenic spots. Getting off the beating path can produce some great work.

This coming Saturday at the Killarney Mountain Lodge, Killarney, Ontario, my good friend Andy Lowe will be holding a concert   where upon he will be releasing his new cd.  For a sample of Andy’s work check out this video,

So until next time happy trails

at

Photography

Superior Shores

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Coldwater_Bay2

 

I was hiking the Superior shorelines South of the Clearwater River mouth. The location was within the Lake Superior Provincial Park Boundry. I came upon an interesting stretch of rock that had unique patterns to it. Baldhead can be seen in the background. The Indian head seen in The Keeper post is now to the North of me. The sky is cloudy. It has been threaten to rain all day. Lake Superior was relatively calm. Gently lapping on the rocks.

Thus I set up my tripod and Canon 7D to capture this scene. There is tremendous depth  in this composition. The water foaming along the rocky shoreline. You will notice a touch of green and yellow water three-quarters  into composition. This adds a nice effect. Remember that Lake Superior is very clear. I must say that I covered a lot of shoreline in my two weeks  in August here and I managed about 10 good shots for my effort. This type of photography demands time and patience. In the end the reward is justified.

I was up on Lake Superior last week for 3 days. Was not successful this time out. The weather was not on my side. Rain and snow my last day there. So until next time happy trails

Photography

Sand Patterns

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Superior_1930n

 

It was one of those beautiful cloudy days. The day was warm with a breeze off Lake Superior. Strolling aimlessly along a sandy beach. Lake Superior was on my right. The water gently rolling up the sand. To my left was the sand dunes, three feet or so above the beach. In the dunes was an assortment of plant life that keep the dunes from eroding away. Life is good when you are in locations such as this. Lake Superior stretching beyond the horizon, a gentle breeze on your face. As I continued my stroll on this beach, my eye caught bits of black color in the otherwise light brown colored sand. Running my hand through the black material, I discovered that it was indeed sand. Observing the embankment on my left I noticed a band of black sand running lengthwise in profile. The discovery of things geologically, plant life, and wildlife can be an adventure of its own. One observation that I made was the patterns as shown above. It was created by the gentle wave actions as the water rolled up the beach and receded. Thus you had a pattern of black sand on top of the light brown sand. Very simple in composition and abstract in form. All I did was set up my tripod and camera. Created my composition in the camera and shot looking down. This photo was taken in Lake Superior Provincial Park.

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