Tag Archives: Wilderness

Photography

The Northern Scourge

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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

4 Comments

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.

 

 

Photography, Poetry

Martha Lake,Algoma

10 Comments

Spinweb_3378

 

There is a chill

In the early morning air

Mosquitoes and black flies

Scourges of the north country

Lying dormant for now

A mist is rolling

Off the greening forest

Covering the placid waters

Of a small lake

The forest deep in shadow

With a hint of mystery

The cover of darkness

Casting its mirror image

Over the lake surface

 

It is early June

A time of renewal

Through out the north

The birch and poplar

Luminous in new coats

Of green leave cover

Flowering shrubs are scattered

Among the refreshing forest

Spring wildflowers dot the landscape

 

 

The dawning of the day

Is now approaching

The sky becoming enlightened

The sun is peeking

Over the emerging woods

To shed golden light

Among the surrounding trees

Enticed by a mayfly hatch

A rising brook trout

Dimples the lake surface

Leaving a telltale ring

 

As the morning wears on

The sun cresting the horizon

The air is warming

The mist is retreating

Revealing emerald green waters

Of a pristine lake

The mosquitoes are emerging

To bite exposed skin

Of its unprotected victim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photography, Poetry

A Forest No More

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Forest1

 

There is a chill

In the pre-dawn air

The forest shrouded in mist

A silence is prevalent

The hills rolling in the distance

Like waves on a lake

Red pine grace the hills

As far as one’s eye can see

A golden light from the rising sun

Penetrates the mist

Nestled among the hills

The glimmering waters sparkle

In the morning glow

Of a beaver pond

Fed by a stream

From the surrounding hill

 

The earth shattering noise

Of diesel engines starting

Springing to life

Disrupts the peaceful forest

The smell of diesel fumes

Assaults one’s nostrils

Black smoke curling upwards

Through the misty trees

 

As the days go by

The land lays bare

Once tree covered hills

Lie naked to the sky

A lone pine here and there

Stands forlorn and bent

 

The once sheltered beaver pond

Vibrant with life, lying vulnerable

To the forces of nature

The stream chocked with debris

No shelter of protective trees

 

A frost covers the bared land

Sparkling with the morning light

Wisps of smoke rise

In the chilled air

From scattered piles

Of wood debris

An ancient forest once stood

Where the land lays bare

A forest no more

 

 

Photography

Evening Lighting

7 Comments

Untitled_HDR3-Edit

 

A late afternoon of just past Wednesday. Sun and cloud prevailing. I drove North of Capreol on gravel roads. It was good to feel the freshness of spring. The new growth leaves are vibrant in color at this time of year. The traffic was light with people heading back to their seasonal campsites. The gravel roads are quite dry. This causes a fair amount of dust from passing vehicles. I carry my laptop, mixer and microphone with me in my travels. I will turn off the main roads to less traveled roads. Here I find peace and solitude to record my poems live. There is one problem. Blackflies. As the wind dies down the blackflies will torment you. They all want your blood.

As the evening wore on, the sun settling lower I headed back the way I came. It is at this time of day that you can work with some unique lighting on the landscape. I came across this scene of a swampy area. A quiet little nook surrounded by evergreens. The sunlight penetrating from the right. This gave me a mixture of light and shadows. There is a boggy patch with a lone little tree to add my depth. The wind was bouncing around in here. It became a waiting game at times before shooting. This is as typical a scene you will find in the woods of Northern Ontario.

I always look at these scenes as not spectacular, but makes me feel at peace and one with my environment. A scene becomes much more dramatic with the proper lighting. Watch for it. Take time in your life to just sit and observe. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you will see. It is momentary.

Well that is it for another week. So happy trails once again.

Photography, Poetry

Hurry the Dawn

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Hurray Dawn

 

A storm is raging

In the darkness of night

My mind is adrift

In the seas of time

Looking for a port of call

My body is restless

Like the surging winds

My heart is aching

As I lie alone

In my rumpled bed

Hurry the dawn

 

My shoulders are heavy

With the burden of life

My eyes are moist

As the rain patters

On the roof top

The sound of thunder

Echoing in the mountains

The flash of lightning

Illuminates the room

Casting eerie shadows on the walls

Darkness returns as the storm rages

I am a lonely man

Hurry the dawn

 

Rising in the dawn

The storm has abated

To step outside

The patter of rain is faint

On the rustling leaves

Blending with the subdued rustle

The forest whispering to itself

The dawn has come reluctantly

Glowing sullen through

A dark cloudy sky

A beam of light

Pierces the morning sky

Bringing forth a ray of hope

The mind has cleared

The body in repose

The beauty of the land

Hurry the dawn

Photography, Poetry

In Dreams

8 Comments

_MG_9904

 

I lay my head

Upon my pillow

I close my eyes

In dreams

 

I am walking in a meadow

The grass tall and waving

In the warm summer wind

Oxeye daisies grow among

The field of  green grass

Swaying to the beat

Of the passing wind

Butterflies flutter in the breeze

In dreams

 

In dreams

In dreams

 

A woodland path beckons

To travel endlessly

Traversing through stately maples

The murmur of the wind

Up in the leafy canopy

The rustle of leaves

On the forest floor

In dreams

 

In Dreams

In dreams

 

A gently flowing river

Dressed with cascading willows

Falling rain drops splash

The river’s surface

As I traverse along the river

A never ending river

With no end in sight

In dreams

 

In dreams

In dreams

 

Sitting by a lake

Quartz mountains enshrine

The sapphire waters

Sparkling in the morning light

A gentle breeze ripples

The clear lake waters

In dreams

 

In dreams

In dreams

 

Standing high on a mountain

Ruffled by strong winds

The land covered in mist

Dark clouds tumbling over

The distant mountains

I feel like the eagle

Soaring on the wind

In dreams

 

In dreams

In Dreams

Photography

Sheltered Nook

8 Comments

69S_3028

 

A rainy day. Out for a drive. A beaver pond beside the highway. The location is just south of Sudbury, Ontario. I have seen this site many times, but it just needed the right ingredients to work This all added up to a late fall composition. It does not come much easier than stepping out of your vehicle and setting up your equipment by the highway.

The leaves here are predominantly yellow and thinning out. This is a quiet peaceful scene that is a common scene in Northern Ontario. Yellowish brown grass to the green of the evergreens. You can view the beaver house to the right. The winter storage of food is on the left at the edge of the shoreline. As it turned out it was a cold hard winter just past.

Thank you for stopping by. I would like especially to thank those who have become subscribers. So until next time happy trails.

Photography

Bathtub Island, Lake Superior

6 Comments

Bathtub_Island_Superior

 

Bathtub island is a typical little island found on Lake Superior. Time worn with sparse growth of stunted trees. It is located at Lake Superior Provincial Park a good walk north of the Sand River mouth. There is a fairly large sandy beach here, along with sand dunes. Just north of this cove is Katherine Cove. I have walked from either direction. There is a trail off the highway that you can walk straight in to Bathtub Island. It traverses through sand dunes that are protected. So do not walk in the sand dunes. Very fragile.

This area is popular with tourists to swim in the clear waters of Lake Superior. Access to the little island is to walk along a sandbar just below the water’s surface. Very short walk. The reason this island is named Bathtub Island is that when you look on left of photo you will see the low rocky part of island. This creates an enclosed pool that is kept filled with lake water. As the waves surge in, the enclosure fills with water. I have made a number of trips in hopes of capturing this scene with the right lighting.

As I hiked into the beach one August evening, the sky was very dark and threatening. There was a bit of wave action to disturb the lake’s surface. The sun was settling to the west. This would be on the right side of photo. This gave a lovely warm glow to the rock face on the island. There were white clouds passing overhead at considerable speed. This created a problem due to low lighting creating slow shutter speeds. Thus I upped my iso to 400. Waited until there was fewer clouds sailing by, But at the same time mindful of the evening getting late. The result was as shown above. Take note of the lighting on the small shrub. A nice touch.

Well that is it for this week. Until next week happy trails

 

Photography

Design Elements

4 Comments

Sea Of Light

 

Lighting is a powerful tool to capture those unique landscape photos. My first impression of the mountains of Nicaragua was how am I going to create a composition. Where I come from there is rock, trees and water. What is missing in these mountains was water. With that in mind I sat and just observed. Before long I noticed these incredible displays of lighting happening before my eyes. There is for the most part clouds moving in the sky. This is what gives you that unique display of lighting that magically appears here and there.

Now I had to have design elements for compositions. From where I am the mountains were for the most part in the background. The highlands and hills in the foreground. But what really sets things off is the open spaces to be found. Look at the trees next time you are out. They have unique shapes and forms that give that extra artistic touch. Throw in the lighting and you get that unique photo as you see above. Do not forget the land contours in this part of the world. I find they are very unique. The contours can be used as a design element in your composition. If you can just watch and look at the scene before you as vertical and horizontal lines then you will be able to capture that great shot.

Everyone pretty much learned geometry in school. With that in mind look for geometric shapes to incorporate into your next photographic experience.  The curve of the hills; the tree shapes, plus how the land shapes look. There is lots to see out there once you get pass the outer layer.

While that is it for now. Spring is slowly evolving here. Art shows are happening. Greeting fellow artists. So until next time happy trails