Tag Archives: Outdoors

Photography

Fall Colors

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The Fall colors are now upon us in Northern Ontario.But it is a mix bag of colors.The Birch trees are half bare now.This is due to the very dry summer we had.Some areas are heavy in color while other parts of the country still has a lot of green.

Not far from where I live,the Vermillion River flows, where I have had many photographic opportunities in the past years.There is a good selection of Maples to be found.

I came across this small Maple tucked into a small cove on the Vermillion River.The Red leaves were brilliant and dense.With that as my main focal point and making use of the blackish rocks for added contrast I composed the above composition.You will noticed that I have kept tight to the shoreline as much as possible.It is on the busy side but it will still work.In the background is more color.Also of note is I took the above photo at daybreak.

It has been a mix bag here for weather lately.Lots of rain and very windy at times.It seems that early morning has been my time to photograph.The wind has not calmed down at all most evenings.

Well that is it for now.Thank you for visiting and until next time happy trails.

 

Photography

The Dramatics of Lighting

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This post continues my series of works dealing with the French River in the French River Provincial Park,Northern Ontario.With rainfall the previous night the early morning lighting is intensified as the rocks and vegetation are wet.There was heavy,dark cloud cover that morning.The sunrise was to my left.There was a small amount of mist on the water.Not a breath of wind to be had.

Suddenly a beam of light broke through the clouds creating the effect you see above.Golden yellow in color, it highlights the morning mist,illuminates the vegetation and creates an awe inspiring composition. These type of shots do not come everyday.But it sure makes for some interesting photographing when it occurs.It is just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.It also helps to get splashes of lighting on the trees on the far shore to create the extra dramatics to the composition.

Well that is it for this week.Thank you for visiting.Until next time happy trails

 

Photography

Capturing The Moment

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Every once in a while you capture a scene that really catches your eye.With a combination  of color,mist and mood imparted before you.The lighting highlights on the trees,the soft mist to create the overall feel.There is a beached canoe on shore suggesting a campsite.As I was about to take this composition a small flock of Canada Geese flew in and landed.They quietly swam into a little cove.If you look close you can just make them out.I had to wait until the water calmed down again before beginning to record this shot.I had been walking the shore line of the French River at the Flat Rapids Campsite early one morning when I happened upon this particular site.

Now this was a large scene before me,so I took two shots overlapping about 40 % to create a small pano.This composition will most likely end up being a 20 x 50 gallery wrap.I am always happy when I can produce a scene as shown above that exemplifies  the beauty of our land.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              This is one thing that I hope that through my work in our wilderness that I can show people the  pristine conditions of our many wilderness locations and what our Provincial Parks have done to preserve these special locations.The two Provincial Parks that I have explored come to mind.Killarney Provincial Park and the French River Provincial Park.To be on location to observe those special moments,when there is not a breath of air to be felt,calm waters reflecting and the presence of mist that so alters the scene before you into one of a calming mood at the start of a new day.Here you are away from the hustle bustle of civilization.Just you one on one with nature.So let us keep it this way, so many more can enjoy.This is our land so lets preserve it.

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

Photography

Didn’t Make it

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This is a photo that I had taken the Labor Day weekend.I had decided to hike the trail down to the  historic Recollet Falls located in the French River Provincial Park .I left the visitors center late that evening to catch the warm lighting that you get at that time of day.For some reason I had difficulty  staying on the path and I kept loosing the trail.I managed to get back on track a number of times.Now the sun was getting below the tree line and I had still not gotten to Recollet Falls. I noticed an easy drop to the river shoreline  so I made my way down to the ledge and composed the above photo.There was a yellow cast in the sky that was just visible and the horizon had a pink tinge.It was a very quiet still evening.The way I like it.

In the background is Recollet Falls.The rock detail and reflections were wonderful.It was now starting to get darker and I figured It was time to head back.I made it back to the visitor’s center with plenty of time.

I was chosen as  One Life Featured Photographer by Artist Wanted on Facebook,

You can check this out here.

http://www.facebook.com/ArtistsWanted

So until next time happy trails.

Photography

Rugged Shorelines

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While exploring the shores of the French River early one morning I happened upon the above scene.There was some small white flowers in front of me along with a fern growing on the rocks.With an island before me,mist and calm waters.The sky was unique with good cloud formation,There was a lovely pink color to the clouds.

When I processed this photo I enhanced the yellow part of the fern along with yellow highlights on the far shoreline.If you want to take your work to the next level this is what you have to do.It brings the artist out in you.Mind you it is supple, but that is all it takes.

My work is been featured at Upstream People Gallery

http://www.upstreampeoplegallery.com/exhibition/default.asp?XD=9/1/2012&AN=Bennison%2C+Ken

Well that is it for now.Thank you for visiting and commenting.So until next time happy trails

Photography, Poetry

Out of The Mist

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Morning is slowly evolving

From the darkness of night

The wind is calm

A heavy mist is present

Over the ever flowing river

Islands and rocky points

Can barely be seen

The strains of song

Muted in the mist

Becoming louder and louder

With each passing moment

The dip of paddles

In rhythm with song

Can now be heard

The sudden parting of mist

Reveals the misty outline

Of an elegant Montreal canoe

Paddled by stalwart voyageurs

Singing to the rhythm

Of their glistening paddles

The mist suddenly closes

The sound of voices

Receding in the distance

Ghosts from times long past

The sun has crested

Chasing the far shadows

Sunlight pierces the mist

A refreshing breeze blows

Dissolving the morning mist

The river having revealed

Its ancient history

Leaving one spellbound

To have been part

Of that long ago past

The idea of this poem came to me when I spoke to a number of local people on the French River.They talked of almost hearing voices on the French River on certain days.With that in mind I created this poem.

The French River is steeped in history.This river was the main transportation route by the First Nation people,early explorers,Jesuit Missionaries,Voyageurs and much later the lumber men.
Well that is it for now.Thank you for comments.So until next time happy trails.

Photography

Something Unique

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I had my eye on that little clump of grass you see on the black rock the evening before,while I was exploring the French River.The next morning dawned as I was going about photographing scenes I kept my eye on that clump of grass.When I noticed the sunlight appearing in the vicinity of the grass clump I quickly set to get the above composition.

I used part of the rock above to get the golden glow from the sun.The eye is lead into the scene from the right with the reflection.The clump is not the main subject but part of the overall scene.The small black rocks appear to be floating in space.I did not notice the coiled rope until I got home.
Well that is it for this week.So until next time happy trails

Photography

A Great Day at The Park

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4:00 am comes early.I had about an hour and a half drive to Killarney Provincial Park to catch the dawn shooting.Stopping at Tim Hortons for a take out coffee I was soon on Hwy 69 heading South. The drive was uneventful and I was soon parked at the main campsite on George Lake.The wind was blowing over the lake which meant no photographing that morning.I now had to wait till evening and hope that the wind would calm down.

I past most of the day by going into the village of Killarney and parking in the Park by George Lake and reading my ebook.At 3:00 pm I loaded up my gear and started hiking into Little  Sheguiandah Lake. It was a hot,humid afternoon.The mountains were hazy.As I breasted the first ridge puffing a bit I met a couple coming back out.We chatted about photography for a few minutes before I continued on.At this time of year Killarney Provincial Park is a very busy place.I made my way around to the East side of Little Sheguiandah Lake. As I approached the shoreline of George Lake I noticed a fair number of people swimming.There is only a very narrow piece of worn rock separating Little Sheguiandah Lake from George Lake.I found myself a shady spot under a Pine tree and now had to wait till evening

By evening the wind calmed down and I proceeded to photograph around Little  Sheguiandah Lake.Once done I made my way back to A Y Jackson Lake. I arrived  at A Y Jackson to a nice calm surface.There was a couple sitting on the rock that I usually set up to do my shooting.I asked if I may set up my tripod beside them.They responded that it was okay.As I was setting up  the couple were asking about the North Country.This was there first trip this far North and were heading to Sault Ste. Marie  the next day

As I was standing there my eye was drawn to a point on my right.The trees were glowing on this small point of land.The sun near the horizon was going in and out of the clouds.Being hot and humid there was some interesting lighting being created on the scene that I composed as shown above.Darkness was soon approaching as I made my way back down to my Ford Escape.Happy and tired I was on my way home.Another great day at the park.

Well that is it for this week.Thank you for stopping by and until next time happy trails.

Photography

An Interesting Point

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On my previous trip to O S A Lake in Killarney Provincial Park we camped on a large island.The island is large enough to allow many photo opportunities. Walking the shoreline I spotted this interesting little point jutting out into the lake.It contained beautiful structure detail that was enhanced by the reflections created in the water.So using the point as my foreground,the small rock island as my middle ground and the forested La Cloche Mountains for the background I was able to create the above composition.

The late evening sun was highlighting the Maple trees on the hillside giving a nice yellowish glow to reflect into the water.Looking at the point in foreground you will see blue on certain parts of the rocks.If I was to remove this blue you would get a dull grey color.I do not know if this is due to the camera’s sensors or the late evening lighting.I have come across this many times with the type of rock structure found in the La Cloche Mountains.

Well that is it for this week as I have been busy preparing for The Killarney Art Show this coming Saturday and Sunday.If you are in the area stop in at the show.There will be many very good artists there.25 %  of all purchased art work goes to The Friends of Killarney to help them in there many projects at Killarney Provincial Park.You can check there website here.

http://friendsofkillarneypark.ca/joomla/

While you are in Killarney enjoy some of the best fish and chips at the waterfront. Till next time happy trails.

Photography

Looking Back From Where We Came

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I had been busy photographing the scene in the previous post.It was such a beautiful evening.The wind was co-operating for a change.It was now getting on to late evening.My partner Gerard Leduc and I  had gone ashore at another location to photograph some small islands.Struggling through the shoreline bush ,looking for an opening,I happened to look back towards where we had come from.

A marvelous scene was before me.Clouds,Reflections and rocks.Beautiful.But what also caught my eye was the sunlight on the trees in the background.Wow.I quickly set up the tripod,mounted my Canon 7D and proceeded to create the composition you see above.

I used the reflections in the foreground to lead your eye to the sunlit background and cloud formation.

Well that is it for this week.I would also like to thank the folks who have subscribed to my blog.The subscriptions are now at 104.So thank you very much.Your comments are welcome.If anyone has any questions be free to ask.

I was selected to the 35th La Cloche Juried Art Show with a first place showing.This is a great show put on by wonderful people.It is a week long event.

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