Photoblog 2009

Photos from my very first 365 project

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Hole in the Sky?
365-325. Nov. 21, 2009. This was an incredible sight! Late afternoon in Red Deer, Alberta - the clouds in the darkening sky were reflecting the colours of the setting sun. One spot held blue sky, a white cloud and what appears to be one small segment of a rainbow. I've never seen anything like this!
Hole the sky 4122738929 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Alberta November Red Deer autumn clouds fall rainbow
Northern Light
365-324. Nov. 20, 2009. I took this photo about 9:00 a.m., with the intent of showing the anemic light here in Red Deer, Alberta. What I ended up with was a blah tree in blah light. So...I played with levels to reduce contrast, reduce clarity, and de-saturate the sky even further. Now there is a story, and it's all about the shape of the tree.
Northern Light 4120353119 365 Alberta November Red Deer sky trails tree 365 photos 2009365 3652009
Descending into Calgary, Alberta
365-323. Nov. 19, 2009. There weren't too many opportunities to take photos today as it was dark when I left home for the airport and almost dark when I finally arrived at my hotel in Red Deer, Alberta. I did manage to grab a shot that I thought would fit in with this month's theme of "through the windows and doors of our lives". What's interesting about this photo is the sky. It looks like sunset even though it was only mid afternoon.
Descending into Calgary Alberta 4118343645 365 365 photos 3652009 2009365 November airplane window
Uncovered
365-322. Nov. 18, 2009. Now that all the leaves are gone, we're able to see the nests in the trees. I think this one is a squirrels' nest.
Uncovered 4116074974 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 Collingwood November autumn birch birch tree fall nest tree
Maple Keys
365-321. Nov. 17, 2009. On my walk this morning, my eye went right to the clumps of keys hanging from the Manitoba maple trees. I loved the back lighting - bright sun shining through the "wings" of the keys. When I pulled the photo off the camera, I realized I hadn't "nailed the shot". The keys aren't tack sharp. I'd like the background to be a bit more blurred, and the exposure needs some help. These imperfections aside, the photo still speaks to me. I like the delicate nature of the keys - one of nature's great success stories. These seeds are indestructable. There are thousands of them on any given Manitoba maple tree. They spread far and wide and will take root anywhere - in gravel, cracks in concrete, barren soil. I admire the strength of something that looks so delicate.
maple Keys 4112168363 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood Harbourview Park November autumn fall maple keys tree Manitoba
Morning Arrives in Layers
365-320. Nov. 16, 2009. Another beautiful November day! This one arrived in layers. The view from my back door shows the layered sky peeking through the trees.
morning Arrives Layers 4109300550 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn fall sky sunrise
'Chute's Packed - Ready to Jump!
365-319. Nov. 15, 2009. Macro shot of a milkweed pod, seeds ready for flight.
'Chute's Packed Ready Jump 4107404566 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn fall macro milkweed seeds
Bejeweled
365-317. Nov. 13, 2009. Brown and shriveled, this leaf still clings to a branch in my yard. It comes to life and sparkles every morning as the sun burns off the layer of frost that was deposited overnight.

I used the fractalius plugin in Photoshop to boost the effect of the light on the frost.
Bejeweled 4100924620 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn bush fall fractalius frost leaf
Still Standing
365-316. Nov. 12, 2009. I passed a corn field today that has yet to be ploughed under. The late afternoon sun gave the stalks a warm glow and the slight breeze created a gently soothing, rustling sound! There were some cobs left, just waiting for whatever creatures might want to eat them.

It's a scene that begs to be painted with its warm light, shadows and textures, so that's how I tried to process it - building up the layers as though they were paint strokes.
Still Standing 4099443594 3652009 2009365 365 365 photo Collingwood November autumn corn corn stalks fall field stalks
Lest We Forget
365-315. Nov. 11, 2009. I was impressed by the role played by the young people in today's Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph in Collingwood. I tried to give this photo an aged, yet timeless look.
Lest Forget 4095457239 3652009 2009365 365 photos Collingwood November Remembrance Day
Alone
365-314. November 10, 2009. Lone milkweed seed caught on a branch.
Alone 4094112538 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Black Ash Creek Trail Collingwood November autumn fall milkweed seed
Last touch of colour
365-313. Nov. 9, 2009. I still have a few leaves on some of my shrubs. It was pretty grey today and the muted colour seemed much more vibrant than it was. I used my flash here, but the first shot was too harsh. I put a kleenex over the flash which seemed to warm it up a bit.
Last touch colour 4091053070 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn fall garden shrubs leaves
Bonus Day
365-312. Nov. 8, 2009. What an incredible day today - sunny and mild! Not even the moon wanted to miss any of it!
Bonus Day 4086830897 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 Collingwood November autumn fall moon sky tree
BMFA Juried Photo Show
365-311. Nov. 7, 2009. The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Juried Photo Show opened today in historic downtown Collingwood. I got there at the end of the reception, so only had a short time to look around. There are some incredible photos displayed there and a lot can be learned! I'll be back for sure when I have some more time.

Remember my photo from a week ago? ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/4061355115/ ) It was chosen to be hung! I am thrilled!!!
BMFA Juried Photo show 4083607285 2009365 3652009 365 365 photos Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Juried Photo Show Collingwood November exhibit photography
Late Afternoon View from Blue
365-310. Nov. 6, 2009. I had a half hour to kill in between errands this afternoon so I took a drive up to the top of Blue Mountain to check out the view. I just caught the last rays of light; the sun had already set behind me.
Late Afternoon View from Blue 4081109401 Collingwood November autumn dusk fall Nottawasaga Bay Blue Mountain Collingwood Terminals
First Whiteout of the Season!
365-309. Nov. 5, 2009. It didn't last long and the snow didn't stay, but at least we've got the first whiteout of the season under our belts. This is the view of the street and trees in my neighbour's yard from my front porch this afternoon. If you don't live in a snowbelt area it's hard to explain a whiteout. I live on the shores of Georgian Bay. Not only do the winds whipping across the bay pick up moisture to dump on us, (in the form of snow), but they also pick up that snow and blow it at us from all directions - up, down and sideways!

Addendum: This photo has been used here ( http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/?p=304 ) .
First whiteout the Season 4079479810 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn fall snow trees wind
Last One
365-308. Nov. 4, 2009. The last leaf on the maple tree in my yard flutters in the breeze. It will be gone by nightfall.
Last One 4075033433 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn fall leaf maple leaf trees
Vacant
365-307. Nov. 3, 2009. Yesterday I whinged about the lack of colour now that November is upon us. On my walk today I decided to open my eyes to everything that colour was masking - I focused on structure. I saw so much of it, and it's beautiful! I'm not sure what this pod contained - seeds, pupae... In any event it's vacant now.
Vacant 4073690718 3652009 2009365 365 photos Black Ash Creek Trail Collingwood November autumn fall plants trails vegetation weeds
Has Anybody Seen My Lawn?
365-306. Nov. 2, 2009. November arrived with a flick of a switch - windy, wet, dark and dismal! The rich, warm colour we enjoyed in October now lies all over our lawns, leaving dark, barren trees in its place. Since my lawn looks like a paint-splashed canvas, I decided to enhance the effect with a little help from Photoshop.
Has Anybody Seen Lawn 4069206745 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood November autumn birch fall fractalius leaves
Building for the Future
365-305. Nov. 1, 2009. Our son and daughter-in-law are building a new home. We did a walk-through with them today; they have walls, doors and windows where there were none just days ago. I captured them looking out their patio door towards the future they are building together.
Building for the Future 4066730884 Collingwood November autumn construction daughterinlaw door fall family house silhouette son
Concrete and Water
365-303. Oct. 30, 2009. Water flowing through a concrete drainage basin - not exactly the makings of a great landscape. It caught my eye though. I like the colour and texture of the concrete and the contrast between the rough concrete and the silky water.
Concrete and water 4060056818 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos October autumn fall
Gentle Dawn
365-302. Oct. 29, 2009. I'm not sure what the day holds, but it started beautifully - quiet, still, misty.
Gentle dawn 4054839935 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood October autumn fall silhouette sunrise trees
Daydreaming at my desk
365-301. Oct. 28, 2009. Here I am still trapped at my desk. My inspiration on this dark and dreary day is the warm, saturated colour of the birch trees outside my window. In my mind's eye I see them in a painting, so that's what I tried to do with a filter here and an adjustment layer there... Now, back to work!
Daydreaming desk 4052624337 2009365 3652009 365 365 photos Collingwood October autumn birch fall fractalius leaves tree
Leafscape #2
365-300. Oct. 27, 2009. Still stuck in my office, with only my dying ornamental cabbage plant for photographic inspiration! My macro lens is helping me explore the incredible beauty in these dying leaves.
Leafscape 4049802713 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood October autumn cabbage leaf fall leaf macro
Leafscape #1
365-299, Oct. 26, 2009. I'm missing my treasured daily walks these days as I try to keep the rest of the balls I'm juggling in the air :-(. I do however have an ornamental cabbage plant in my office. It's on its last legs and I suppose I should throw it out, but the leaves are still incredibly beautiful.
Leafscape 4049680251 365 365 photos Collingwood October autumn cabbage leaf fall leaf macro 2009365 3652009
Home Invasion Thwarted!
365-298. Oct. 25, 2009. I'm on the lookout today for possible macro shots (my homework for tomorrow's photography course). I hate most insects, so although I can appreciate their beauty, they're not on my macro list. This one flew in the door when I let the cat in. I captured him in a plastic container and set about trying to take his picture. I should have given up on the macro lens - he just moved around too much. Although I won't likely use this as my assignment, I do like the light, texture and double shadow.

(BTW, the insect is now back outdoors looking for some other warm place to invade.)
4043448546 3652009 2009365 365 365 photo Collingwood October autumn fall insect macro
Hold On!
365-297. Oct. 24, 2009. This branch hung on to the rocks for a few minutes before it was swept away by the Saugeen River flowing through the rapids below McGowan Falls in Durham.
Hold 4041431460 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Grey County McGowan Falls October Saugeen River autumn fall falls water
My entry for the BMFA Juried Photography Show
365-304. Oct. 31, 2009. I did not take this photo today. I have taken several hundred versions of it right up until yesterday. I narrowed the selection down to a couple, processed them this morning, (in both colour and variations of black and white), printed them all and ended up with this one. So...here it is...not only my pic for today, but my entry for the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Juried Photography Show ( http://www.bmfa.on.ca/index.cfm?DSP=Page&ID=5 ) in the category of man-made structures. Please wish me well; it would be very rewarding to have it chosen to be hung!
entry for the BMFA Juried Photography Show 4061355115 Grey County October autumn fall falls water Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Juried Photography Show black and white McGowan Falls
It Takes Practice
365-296. Oct. 23, 2009. It seems to take forever for the geese to get organized for their flight south. Every day the flocks are getting larger and the "V" more defined. This is part of a very noisy flock. Their loud honking gave me enough notice to get my camera out of my bag and grab a shot as they emerged out of the fog.
Takes Practice 4037297938 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood October autumn fall fog geese silhouette sky
Stop Along the Way
365-294. Oct. 21, 2009. This milkweed seed appears to be taking a little rest on the dried remains of a Queen Anne's Lace blossom.
Stop Along the Way 4033038707 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Black Ash Creek Trail Collingwood October Queen Anne's Lace autumn fall macro milkweed seed
Wooly Bear Caterpillar
365-293. Oct. 20, 2009. There are lots of these on the trails these days - all looking for a good place to curl up for the winter.
Wooly Bear caterpillar 4030608150 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Black Ash Creek Trail Collingwood October autumn fall macro
Wind Turbines at Dawn
365-292. Oct. 19, 2009. I had a very early start today and caught this scene in the wind farms outside of Shelburne, Ontario. There was a brisk breeze, so the turbines were rotating fairly quickly. It was tough to "freeze" them and still let in enough of the dawn light to tell what they were.
Wind Turbines dawn 4026584431 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos October Shelburne autumn fall sunrise wind turbines
Frost
365-291. Oct. 18, 2009. The grass crunched as I made my way into the frost-covered garden this morning. I know it's time, but it's sad just the same.
frost 4024845344 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood October autumn fall garden leaves morning
Crab Apples by Late Afternoon Light
365-289. Oct. 16, 2009. Another shot of beautiful light illuminating treasures in the late afternoon shadows.
Crab Apples Late Afternoon Light 4018526190 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood Harbourview Park October autumn backlight backlit crab apples dusk fall shadows
Dusk in the Wetlands
365-288. Oct. 15, 2009. Another "morning" walk that had to wait until almost sunset! I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I do. Technically there's probably a lot wrong with it, but I really liked the light when I rounded the bend on the boardwalk in Harbourview Park. Some of the edges of the cattail leaves just glowed in the setting sun, yet others were a soft golden blur, swaying in the wind. I tried to "freeze" at least one leaf, yet still open my shutter enough to let in the light of the rapidly setting sun.
dusk the wetlands 4015935394 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood Harbourview Park October autumn backlight backlit fall shadows marsh cattails
Evening Shadows
365-287. Oct. 14, 2009. Although it was quite cold, we were treated to sunshine today! I missed my morning walk, so I headed out on the trail just before dinner to enjoy the light and get some fresh air. Alas, (great word, isn't it?), sunset today was 6:39! Evening shadows obliterated most of the foliage, but where the setting sun could peek through, the leaves glowed and flickered liked flames!
Evening shadows 4013117570 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 Collingwood Harbourview Park October autumn backlight backlit fall leaves
Fast Moving Storm
365-286. Oct. 13, 2009. I knew it was going to rain, but the sun came out for a few minutes, so I thought I'd go to Craigleith to watch the clouds move in over the bay. What I didn't anticipate was how quickly the front was moving and the type of precipitation. It wasn't rain, but a mixture of hail, sleet and wet snow. Nasty! Next time I'll check the radar map first!
Fast Moving storm 4009422243 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Craigleith Nottawasaga Bay October autumn fall clouds shore sky water waterfront
Heron
365-285. Oct. 12, 2009. I came across this guy quite by accident today. I was photographing the swans on the waterfront when I heard him behind me. I quickly changed my exposure, but couldn't seem to get my wits about me to get him in sharp focus before he flew off. Such a beautiful creature!
heron 4006323571 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood Harbourview Park October autumn fall water fowl
Deer in the Woods
365-284. Oct. 11, 2009. Deer in Springwater Provincial Park.
deer the Woods 4003318006 365 365 photos October Ontario Springwater Provincial Park autumn fall forest
Hoggs Falls
365-281. Oct. 8, 2009. I was working, honest! I know that most people in this group are educators and will be wondering how I got to hike along the Bruce Trail during the day. I spent 25+ years in the classroom before I became a consultant. I now work online, so it really doesn't matter where I am, as long as I'm connected. My Blackberry went with me on the hike to Hoggs Falls, between Eugenia and Flesherton in Grey County. This is one of seven waterfalls on the Grey County Waterfalls Tour ( http://www.visitgrey.ca/travel-experiences/waterfalls-and-waterways/waterfall-tour/ ) . If you are in the area, I highly recommend that you visit them all!
Hoggs Falls 3994468006 365 365 photos Grey County Hoggs Falls October autumn fall waterfall Bruce Trail hiking
Windsurfer
365-280. Oct. 7, 2009. Imagine being so passionate about an activity that you'll put up with air temperature a chilly 10 °C, and the water a bone-chilling, muscle-cramping 13 °C!

This is October, not July. You've got to admire people who love what they're doing that much!
Windsurfer 3991116741 3652009 2009365 365 365 photos Collingwood Nottawasaga Bay October autumn fall water waves wind wind surfer windy
Insomnia Rewarded
365-279. Oct. 6, 2009. I slept very poorly last night. Early this morning, I decided I might as well just get up and see what the sunrise was like. Stunning! Wonderful start to the day!
Insomnia Rewarded 3986549277 3652009 2009365 Collingwood Harbourlands Park Nottawasaga Bay October autumn clouds dawn fall sun sunrise
Bad Hair Day
365-276. Oct. 3, 2009. I meet really nice people when I'm out walking with my camera. I was standing in the ditch, with my camera, peeking through the fence, taking shots of the alpacas grazing in the field, when the owner came out and asked me if I wanted to meet the "girls". She spent time with me telling me about the animals and answering my questions. What incredible animals! They were so bright, curious and friendly! I want one :-). If you are near Collingwood, visit Lavender House Alpacas ( http://www.lavender-house.net/ ) !
Bad Hair Day 3978371594 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 October autumn fall rainy animals alpaca Collingwood
Clyde - Cozy and Coordinated
365-275. Oct. 2, 2009. First fire of the season and Clyde's really enjoying it! He just looks like he's meant to have a warm glow. I probably should have used a tripod for this shot as the shutter speed was fairly slow.
Clyde Cozy and Coordinated 3975142523 Collingwood October autumn cat
Big Sky
365-274. Oct. 1, 2009. Dark, wet, windy, cold, miserable - picture me trying to get my homework shot for my landscape photography course. Not a bad shot, but would have been so much better if I hadn't somehow messed up my camera settings. Hopefully I'll have better luck tomorrow.
Big Sky 3972689379 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 Collingwood October autumn cloudy fall rainy windy
September Ends
365-273. Sept. 30, 2009. This is a tough month to be taking a landscape photography course! Another cold, wet, windy attempt at mastering depth of field!
September Ends 3973448818 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 Collingwood Harbourview Park autumn cloudy fall rainy windy
Wet and Windy Walk
365-272. Sept. 29, 2009. Minutes after I took this shot I got drenched. It was a miserable, dark and wet start to the day.
Wet and windy Walk 3966966950 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 Collingwood Harbourview Park September autumn boardwalk cloudy fall leaves rainy
Fireball
365-271. Sept. 28, 2009. I didn't get out for a walk today - lousy weather and project deadline :-(
These are the chrysanthemums I bought the other day ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/3956482769/ ) . I used the Photoshop polar coordinate filter to turn them into a fiery globe.
Fireball 3965174556 3652009 2009365 365 photos 365 autumn blossoms chrysanthemums fall flowers globe plants

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DiBytes Photos, Photography by Diane Hammond, Collingwood, Ontario

Photoblog 2009