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Monday 29 August 2022

Show Time!

I’m having a gallery show with my friend Graham Keenan at the Melt Gallery in Picton Ontario. The show runs from Sept. 1st to Sept. 25th and the gallery is open Thursday – Sunday from 11am – 5pm.

https://www.meltstudiogallery.com/

Graham and I will be at the gallery from 2- 4 on Sept. 3rd

Drop by if you can!

Algonquin Waterfall
Algonquin Waterfall

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Sunday 19 June 2022

Art in the County

Camp Picton
Camp Picton
I’m pleased to have two photos in the 29th Art in the County Annual Juried Show here in Picton Ontario. The show presents 102 artworks from 74 local artists. You can view the show until 2pm July 4th in person at The Armoury (The Bunker, lower level) or on line:

https://artinthecounty.com/

Hope you get a chance to have a look!

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Friday 13 May 2022

The Spring Photo Shoot

It is so nice to have such great birding areas close to home. We have been getting out most days this Spring. Prince Edward Point was alive with birds this morning! Male Scarlet Tanager
Male Scarlet Tanager

Female Black-and-white Warbler
Female Black-and-white Warbler

Blue-headed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo

Black-throated Green Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Happy spring shooting!

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Sunday 17 October 2021

Choosing the Best Tool for the Job

Over the past few years I haven’t used my macro lens much. Somehow it got sidelined. I didn’t think it was as sharp as my new shiny 100-400 zoom. And maybe it isn’t, but I've started using it again this year. For some reason I was struggling to get a sharp image of a Juniper Hairstreak butterfly. So I pulled out my old 180 macro lens to try and get something I liked. To my surprise it worked.

Juniper Hairstreak
Juniper Hairstreak
I did end up getting sharp Hairstreak images with both lenses but it reminded me that for small things the 180mm macro is still a good choice.

The park across the road from us has lots of mushrooms and lichen to explore. It has been nice and damp lately. Perfect conditions for this kind of thing

Trumpet or Pixie Cup Lichen
Trumpet or Pixie Cup Lichen
Coprinus Fungus
Coprinus Fungus
Mushrooms on Log
Mushrooms on Log
Waxcap Mushrooms
Waxcap Mushrooms

The 180 works well when nothing is moving and I have time to set up with a tripod. Often I focus stack several images to increase the depth of field. Working very carefully, I can still get excellent results from this lens.

The 100-400 is the best choice if the subject is moving and I need fast autofocus. I can hand hold it and move very quickly with this setup. Smooth Greensnake
Smooth Greensnake
Red Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Grey Squirrel
Grey Squirrel

The 100-400 has become my most used lens for everything other than landscapes.

My 500 f4 lens is a big cumbersome thing however it gives that extra reach when needed.

Great Egret in Flight
Great Egret in Flight
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Warbler

It is wonderful to have all of these tools at my disposal. Picking the right one for the job at hand comes with experience and anticipation.

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Friday 10 September 2021

Travelling Again

It has been 2 years since we were away for more than a weekend. It was exciting to load up the van and head out. We visited Lori’s mom on Manitoulin Island. It was wonderful to be able to go into her home and give her a hug. Misery Bay Provincial Park, ON
Misery Bay Provincial Park, ON
Philadelphia Vireo
Philadelphia Vireo
We spent three days on Manitoulin and then traveled up to Lake Superior Provincial Park. The weather was great. Not too cold or warm. The water was warm enough for extended swims and the trails were not too busy. Lake Superior Waves
Lake Superior Waves
Sand River Beach, ON
Sand River Beach, ON
While in Superior, our friends James and Li dropped by for a cup of tea on their way to Pukaskwa National Park.

I have spent so much time here over the years. I can’t count the number of times we have camped in the park. It never disappoints. Baldhead River Falls, ON
Baldhead River Falls, ON
Baldhead River Falls, ON
Baldhead River Falls, ON
It was great to get away and great to get back home.

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Monday 31 May 2021

Longing for the Open Road

I’m getting a bit antsy. Our last big trip was 2016 when we drove to Yukon Territory. We were away for 3 months and drove to the Arctic Circle and back. It was a wonderful, productive trip. When we travel, we work everyday and are constantly moving, exploring and of course taking photos. Termination Dust, Kluane
Termination Dust, Kluane, YT
Northern Lights, YT
Northern Lights, YT
Black Bear
Black Bear at BC-YT border
There is something to be said for sitting in one place and watching the seasons change. We have tried to make the best of this by shooting locally. But I still long for the open road. Barn Swallow, ON
Barn Swallow, ON
Yellow Warbler Male, ON
Yellow Warbler Male, ON
Male American Redstart, ON
Male American Redstart, ON
Blanding’s Turtle, ON
Blanding’s Turtle, ON
Crystal Palace, Picton, ON
Crystal Palace, Picton, ON
Sandbanks Provincial Park, ON
Sandbanks Provincial Park, ON

Every time I finish a long road trip I think ok, this is the last one. I’m done with this. And then, with time I start to think, maybe we could go to Newfoundland or Jasper in the fall. I haven’t dared start to plan a big trip during the pandemic. Hopefully we will be able to get away somewhere this year. It may not be out of the province but a change of scene would sure help perk up our spirits. This has been a long haul…

Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day. -- A.A. Milne

To lose patience is to lose the battle. -- Mahatma Gandhi

When you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. -- George Harrison

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Monday 3 May 2021

Spring Wanderings

We have been enjoying the trails around home. There are lots of things to discover. Wildflowers, birds and landscapes take up most of our time these days. Sandbanks Provincial Park, ON
Sandbanks Provincial Park, ON
Picton Courthouse, ON
Picton Courthouse, ON
It always seems to be windy here. It makes shooting flowers a challenge. Sharp-lobed Hepatica
Sharp-lobed Hepatica
Red Trillium in Snow
Red Trillium in Snow
While we walked a trail, a woman told us she was seeing lots of salamanders. It took us awhile but we found a few as well. Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Warblers are starting to move through. I found Ruby-Crowned Kinglets in the local graveyard. Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
I didn’t get many shots of these frantic little birds. But I did have good luck with a Pileated Woodpecker. Pileated Woodpecker Male
Pileated Woodpecker Male
Pileated Woodpecker Male
Pileated Woodpecker Male
It has been cold and wet the last week but we will keep walking the trails and see what we can find.

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