Tag Archives: Photography

Photography

Sunrise and Colorful Rocks

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This is a very interesting composition that I was able to capture on my last trip into OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.The shore line had a colorful collection of rocks of various sizes and shapes.I just needed something to go with it.As you spend time in various locals you will discover locations that could produce a good shot.They just need something to complete the composition.

It is a matter of waiting and as you can see from the photo above it is sunrise.So with the sun coming up and the rocky shore line in the foreground I was able to complete the scene.The early morning light gives the rocks the warm colors and the golden reflections tie in the photo front to back.As I said previously I keep these various locations in the back of my mind and return time and again till I get what I want.You will also note that there is an interesting cloud pattern that developed as I took this photo.

The shot was taken with a shutter speed of 1/10 sec @ f22.I set up my tripod and Canon 7d and just waited for the right moment before taken a number of exposures.

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

Photography

A frosty Morning

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My daughter Maryjean and I headed West on Highway 17 towards Webbwood.We made a quick stop for gas and a Tim Horton’s coffee before continuing on.We drove through Webbwood and turned North  on the Agnew Lake road.The temperature was hovering around the -7 C mark.It was a bit nippy at the moment.We arrived at the Westbranch turnoff.The truck was now travelling on a gravel road that is well maintained.

This wilderness area provides timber and recreation for many people.There is good fishing in many of the lakes and rivers with good good campsite choices. This is also a popular area for hunting as a number of hunters drove past us. We observed a few hunters in the bush.With that in mind we agreed to stick to the main road.It would be safer. As we proceeded North the ponds were frozen over with ice.That was not a good sign. We soon reached the Wakonasin River.The scene before us was like entering a magical fairyland.The bare birch trees were covered in a coating of frost.The shoreline tag alders were heavily coated in frost.A bland late Fall scene turned into something spectacular.I am very much familiar with this location as well as many others along the Westbranch Road.

By using the clump of Spruce trees to create depth and being darker to add contrast I composed the above shot.I put the hill in the background to close off the scene,but  all of a sudden the sun peeked over the horizon and lit up the hill and trees in a golden yellow.This was an added bonus to an already great composition.

Maryjean and I continued photographing for a bit longer.There was more of the river to explore so we packed up our gear and headed up the road.We were already happy with the success we had  and we had just started.A great start to the day.One of the greatest things about going out photographing is that you never know what you will come upon.

While that is it for today so until next time happy trails.

Photography

Evening Solitude

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As I sit under a gnarled old pine tree
By the shores of a wilderness lake
Tea in hand,enjoying the even solitude
The water itself a living torquise blue,perfectly clear
As it caresses the rocky shoreline
The wind is but a murmur among the trees
The La Cloche Mountains are ablaze in the colors of Fall
The shoreline is dotted here and there
With yellow,orange and red
The mountain sides are bathed in a warm glow
As the sun descends the Western horizon
The moon has risen over the lake ever so faint
The stars are twinkling ever so faintly
The air is clear and crisp, a sign of Fall
I sip my tea in this enchanted world
By a wilderness lake in the far North
The lighting is no longer harsh
But with a warmth to stir the heart
The shadows are lengthing,the rocks are aglow
This is the magical moment before darkness descends
The changing of the seasons full upon us
Darkness unfolds all around me
The path of the moon is now upon the surface of the lake
The stars are bright
It is now nighttime on a far wilderness lake
Far away in the distant, the call of a lone wolf is heard

Many of you would be able visualize with the above scenario
if you spend any time camping.Most evenings are a time of relaxation
and enjoying the vista that surrounds you.
A nice cup of tea,coffee or hot chocolate adds to the enjoyment.
The above photo is a good example of one of those quiet,peaceful evenings.
The La Cloche Mountains are covered with Fall color.
The water is calm.What better place to be but on a wilderness lake.
In this case OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.
So that is it for this week.Happy Trails
Photography

Daybreak Part 2

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The Loon is calling for it’s mate, lost in the mist

The sun is now casting it’s first golden rays

The scattered islands emerge from their nightly vigil

The Four Sisters like sleeping giants

Emerge from the morning mist

Their rounded tops ablaze in red

To meet the dawning of a new day

Out of the mist comes the loon with a flash of wings

To greet the emerging day

With a swirl of wings,four small ducks

Alight among the islands to partake in a morning feed

A whitetail doe emerges from the forest

Ever watchful as she steps to the water’s edge

Dips her head to spate her thirst

When I had first paddled OSA Lake with my wife Maureen,we spotted four rounded rocky tops on the South side of the lake.I was quite taken with the view we had and I jokingly called them the Four Sisters.My wife just smiled and we have called these rock formations that are part of the La Cloche Mountain system by that name ever since.I am not aware as to whether they actually have a name.I am bound and determine to capture this scenic view but will have to wait another year.I captured them in outline but not in detail.

The above photo was taken from the same setup as the photo in the previous post.By waiting and being patient you will get a number of different lighting conditions as the morning progresses.It is quite remarkable to watch this happen while you sit spellbound and in awe of what is happening before you.

That is it for this post.So until next time happy Trails

Photography

Daybreak

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The surface of the lake is like an enchanted mirror

The lake is bathed in reflected images of the surrounding shorelines.

The sun has yet to crest the Eastern horizon

There is mist among the scattered islands

The isles appear as ghostly silhouettes,guardians of the lake

The La Cloche Mountains hidden behind a veil of mist

Awaiting the warmth of the morning light

From out of the mist,the lonely call of the Common Loon can be heard

I thought I would do something different this post.I am not a poet.I thought I would put down the above thoughts as they came to me while I viewed this photo in print.It was truly an enchanting morning in the wilderness on OSA Lake in Killarney Provincial Park.It took a four day and a five day trip into OSA to capture this photo along with others.

That is it for this post.Happy trails.

Photography

Day Two at OSA Lake

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By now it is Tuesday our last full day at OSA Lake.I was able to do some photography that morning.The above photo was taken that morning.I used the island and reflections as my foreground.The reflections are not perfect but they create the desired affect that I was looking for.The sun painted the La Cloche Mountains in the background highlighting the blaze of color on the hillsides.The island had a nice glow to it from the early morning sun.The white clouds in the upper left of the photo added great appeal.I gotta tell you I do not seem to be able to get the nice white clouds very often.When they are available I make use of them.

I returned to camp for a nice hot coffee and bagel.Maureen and I talked over what we would do that day.We both agreed to paddle over to the Muriel Lake portage.From there we walked over to Muriel Lake for a look see.It was a beautiful morning with the sunlight creating a dappling affect through the trees.This was another portage with large Hemlock trees and open bush.Maureen and I arrived at Muriel Lake after a 595 m walk.Our first view was a grassy open area that you had to traverse around to get to the lake.

As we walked towards the lake I noticed spider webs covered with dew in the tall grass.Now would this not make an interesting photo with the spider web covered in dew and the La Cloche Mountains in the background.A project for another trip.We walked over to the lake and proceeded along the shoreline to the far end of the lake.As we walked we heard running water and sure enough ahead of us was a small stream of clear water entering the lake.Maureen and I sat on an old log and just sat there enjoying the morning and the scenery.The view of the La Cloche Mountains appeared to be on the North side of  Muriel Lake.

With a last look around we made our way back to the portage.As we walked through the portage Maureen and I took photos of one another beside a large Hemlock.When I approached OSA a grouse walked slowly across the trail ahead of me followed by two more grouse.They were probably this years offspring.I motioned to Maureen and we watched the grouse quietly move further into the bush out of site.Launching the canoe we paddled back to our campsite for lunch.

Well that is it for this post,so until next time happy trails.

 

Photography

Further Adventures on OSA Lake

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The second day on OSA turned out to be a wet one.Maureen and I spent most of our time in the tent as the sky darkened and rain fell quite heavy.It started to rain around 10:30 am and did not let up till 5:30 that evening.We finally made our way out of the tent into a wet,damp campsite. I quickly got supper going along with a pot of tea.

There is always a resident chipmunk and squirrels at every campsite.The chipmunk at this campsite was quite tame.We watched as the chipmunk returned time and again with its mouth full of food.It would bury the food somewhere nearby.The family of squirrels were a delight to watch as the young ones would chase each other around the forest floor.If you happen to be walking along the trail to the lake quite often one would peek at you from around a tree trunk at eye level.It would then zoom off after its other sibling to play.

With the wind not cooperating again that evening I stayed in camp enjoying a warm campfire and hot chocolate.I awoke the next morning to a misty day.I captured the above scene that morning when the sun lit up the hill side.Your eye is drawn through the narrows to the hillside were the morning sunlight is splashing trees and rocks leaving a nice warm glow.The water was not calm so I did not add much in the way of water.I chose to go tight with the narrows.The individual areas that the sun touches upon helps to create a very nice composition along with the mist to add a mystical quality to the photo.

Of interest here is that the night before I sat on the shoreline watching around me when I spotted two does come out of the point and proceeded to walk through the water towards the island.They were able to walk about three quarters of the way out before swimming.They entered the woods on the island.Let me clarify that what appears to be a point on the left of the photo is actually an island.The deer reappeared at the far end of the island where they swam to a larger island in front of our campsite.After that I did not see them again.I called quietly to Maureen to come and watch the deer.By now it was getting dark and we retreated to the fire for our nightly hot chocolate.

That is it for now so until next time happy trails.

 

Photography

Adventures in OSA

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For most of the summer I heard glowing reports about the beauty of OSA Lake in Killarney Provincal.I was able to snag a four day trip into this famous lake for the second week of Maureen’s holidays.

With a one day lay over and to replenish our food supplies we pushed off from the beach at George Lake.It was a beautiful day for canoeing with light winds.We made our way to the first portage into Freemon. As we were hauling our gear over, another couple from British Columbia  came in.These folks were on a week long trip over to Baie Fine.

Chatting beifly as we loaded the canoe we finally headed up Freeland Lake to the Killarney Lake portage.As we approached the landing a canoe with two gentleman and a little three year old girl headed out into the lake.We were informed that they were a party of 15 kids from age 15 to 3 years old along with accompanying adults.I thought this was pretty cool.It is so nice to see young kids out enjoying themselves on a canoe trip with there parents.

We beached the canoe and proceeded to unload our Quebeco 17 when 2 Park Rangers appeared down the portage.After talking for a few minutes they asked us for our camping permits.After we showed our camping permits we had an interesting chat.They had been in the interior for four days checking campsites and cleaning them up.One of the Rangers showed us a bag of cigarette buts and beer cans.I hope that everyone who uses the Park campsites make sure that all garbage is picked up and brought out with them.Let us all keep this beautiful wilderness area free from garbage.

As we moved our gear to Killarney Lake a number of canoes pulled in to the portage.Maureen and I put our gear to the side while everyone unloaded and moved there gear over the portage.We were in no hurry as the day was young.We finally managed to get the canoe loaded and made our way into Killarney Lake.This lake has always impressed me for its scenic views.It was nearing lunchtime so we landed on a point with a nice view of the La Cloche Mountains.We also had a splendid view looking towards the East End of Killarney Lake.This was a day of nice big fluffy white clouds.Once we had eating lunch I took a few photos as a record and we just laid back and took into the scenic views around us.

It was a short paddle over to the OSA portage were we met two gentlemen on there way out.The OSA portage is 455 m and an easy walk through old forest growth.As we exited the portage onto a gravel beach at OSA, we took in the amazing scene before us.With crystal clear waters and an abundance of islands towards the West end of the lake.This lake is pretty much surround by the La Cloche Mountains coming down to the shoreline.

We proceeded to paddle to the West end of OSA lake to look for a campsite.We slowly made our way among the various islands admiring the many scenic views before me.As a photographer I was impressed with the many photographic opportunities that would be available.I also realized that there would have to be many trips into this lake to truly capture its beauty.I also foresaw a problem with the wind on this lake.OSA has a large expanse of open water that would lead to a wind problem.Lo and behold when this lake calms down there would be gorgeous shots with the mountains reflecting into the water.

We finally made our way to the 2nd last campsite on a point of land that was empty.Maureen and I proceeded to empty the canoe and get our campsite setup.Once the camp chores were finished I walked down to the East end of the campground to look over the lake.The first thing that caught my eye were four rounded peaks in a very pleasing setting.I called these four peaks the Four Sisters.I do not know if they have a name.

I turned to my left and noticed the bright reddish vegetation on the point of an island.I thought to my self that with the right lighting this would make a great shot.We had been here for a couple of days before I was able to get the above shot.The early morning light bathed the small trees by the reddish vegetation to create this neat composition.I did not have a whole lot of calm water but managed to get enough colored reflections to add the depth that I was looking for.

Well that is it for now.This journey is not finished and I will be back with more posts on this special trip into a must see lake.So until next time happy trails

Photography

A Stroll on The Beach

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I picked up Paul Smith at 5:30 am.We arrived at George Lake in Killarney Provincial Park to a calm foggy morning.A photographer’s dream.The lighting was great,the colors were saturated along with the fog to create that mystic mood.The only thing missing was the fall colors.It seems that we may be a week or so from peak color.

At times the fog became too heavy.I strolled the beach looking for other opportunities.The rain started to fall quite heavy.At this time I met Roxanne Driedger who is an artist from Huntsville.I spent a nice half hour or so talking to Roxanne and her husband at there campsite.Thanks for the coffee folks.Roxanne is a very good artist and you can check out her portfollio at http://www.paintingsby roxanne.weebly.com

By now the rain had stopped,but the fog was very heavy.I set up for the above photo.It was just a case of waiting for the right moment and for the fog to ease off. I captured the above photo with its amazing lighting.The fog created an interesting window in the background that I truly love. This photo has a softness to it along with very good mood and peacefulness.

It was an incredible day as the wind was light and the lighting was exceptional.That is it for today.So until next time happy trails

Photography

A foggy Morning

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By now the light rays were peeking through the fog at the East end of Boundry Lake.The lake narrowed at this end of the lake before opening into a bay.The light rays filtered through this opening to create the effect that you see in the photo.In reality it is being in the right place at the right time.

Meanwhile Maureen was preparing breakfast as I was doing my photographing.Once the wind picked up and the fog dissapated it was time for a hot coffee.I bent down to retrieve my glasses off my camera bag only to discouver that the lense were completely frosted.It was colder than I thought.

With breakfast finished we repacked everything.It was time to head out.Maureen and I backpacked our gear over to David Lake and loaded the canoe for the trip down David Lake to the next portage.Upon nearing the portage we met a couple from Switzerland.They were here for a weeks canoeing in the Park.It is always nice to meet people in your trips and be able to discuss your adventures with them.We had an enjoyable chat with these folks through the portages.At the end of the last portage into Bell Lake a group landed at the portage.They were on a Father,Daughter weekend.

As we paddled up Bell Lake a squirrel swam across the lake in front of us.This was a first for me.We reached the landing in short order and another trip in the books.Maureen suggested we head for Killarney for fish and chips.I never refuse fish from Herbies Fisheries.The fish and chips are the best.

That is the end of this trip so will be back with another one shortly.So until next time Happy Trails.