Snow Showers
2011 - Day 314. Nov. 10, 2011.
It's quite understandable that the Inuit have many words for 'snow'. Today we experienced snow showers, not our regular snowfall that blankets everything in sight, but isolated pockets of snow that come in quick bursts.
This is not the shot I intended to take, but I'm posting it as a 'note to self' to stop overthinking things. When I first saw the Cumuliform cloud that was dumping snow, (see my note), it was close and appeared to be massive. I should have just pulled over to the side of the road and taken the shot. No, I decided I'd get a better view from the top of the escarpment. By the time I raced up there, parked my vehicle, put on my polarizing filter, and set up my tripod, the cloud was on the other side of the bay, over Wasaga Beach. My new mantra...just take the shot...just take the shot...just take the shot...SnowShowers63335575083652011Nottawasaga BayNovembercloudsmonchromaticskysnow showersNikSilver Efex Pro 2
Low Water Levels
2011 - Day 313. Nov. 9, 2011.
As you can tell by the waterline on the rocks in the foreground, water levels in Nottawasaga Bay, (the southern tip of Georgian Bay), are still quite low.
It seemed a perfect day to give HDR another go. I managed to get three quick exposure-bracketed shots before the rain started. I combined the shots in Nik's HDR Pro. I was a bit more heavy-handed with the controls than in my first attempt ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6312988408/in/photostream ) , but as the sky was ominous I opted for some drama.LowWaterLevels63298927023652011CraigleithNorthwinds BeachNottawasaga BayNovemberhdrrocksNikHDR Pro
November Garden
2011 - Day 312. Nov. 8, 2011.
A low key shot seems to suit this dark, damp November day. My gardens are all cleaned up and put to bed for the winter. Although the rest of the perennials are cut back, I like to leave the hydrangeas for visual interest for me, (at least until the snow drifts take over), and perches for the birds. I was going for a soft look in keeping with the light, but in retrospect I wish I'd gone for a bit more DOF.Novembergarden63270024583652011CollingwoodautumnhydrangeaNikCEP4
Grasses
2011 - Day 311. Nov. 7, 2011.
Ornamental grasses along the Shipyards trail.Grasses63234943413652011CollingwoodNovemberShipyardsautumnornamental grassesNikCEP4
Come In...The Water's Fine!
2011 - Day 310. Nov. 6, 2011.
I went with a friend yesterday to the Toronto Zoo. The polar bears were having a great time frolicking in the water. It has been such a fantastic weekend here, you could almost contemplate joining them ;-)ComeInTheWater'sFine63203336843652011NovemberToronto Zoopolar bearNIKCEP4cross processingoff center vignette
Arctic Fox
2011 - Day 309. Nov. 5, 2011.
I spent the day with a friend at the Toronto Zoo. I haven't been to the zoo in many, many years, but I don't remember there being that many glass and wire enclosures. I thought there'd be easier visual access to the animals. I shot this with a wide aperture to blur the fence in the background, which gave me the added benefit of some pretty bokeh from the trees in behind.ArcticFox63165212213652011NovemberToronto ZooArctic foxNikCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignette
November Morn
2011 - Day 308. Nov. 4, 2011.
Collingwood Harbour shortly after sunrise. This is a composite of three exposure bracketed shots. I used Nik's HDR Pro for the first time to combine the photos. I'm very impressed with how cleanly the photos merged, given that the clouds were moving. As with the other Nik plugins I'm using, I really like the amount of control the user is given. As the amount of available light diminishes daily I'll be experimenting with more bracketed exposures!NovemberMorn63129884083652011Blue MountainCollingwoodNottawasaga BayautumncloudsharbourmorningsunriseNikHDR Pro
Narrows
2011 - Day 307. Nov. 3, 2011.
The last shot in this series from my hike along the Boyne River near Hoggs Falls.Narrows63103533743652011Boyne RiverGrey CountyHoggs FallsNovemberautumnNikCEP4pro contrastoff center vignette
Gentle Stream
2011 - Day 306. Nov. 2, 2011.
Another shot from yesterday's hike along the Boyne River near Hoggs Falls. The combination of polarizing filter and low afternoon rays breaking through the clouds lent a nice warmth to the scene.GentleStream63066073023652011Boyne RiverGrey CountyHoggs FallsNovemberautumnCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignetteNik
Hoggs Falls
2011 - Day 305. Nov. 1, 2011.
Tucked away in the woods not far from Flesherton, the Boyne River tumbles seven metres forming a pretty waterfall named Hoggs Falls. If you look closely near the yellow leaf in the foreground you'll see that I wasn't the only one enjoying the view!HoggsFalls63047055483652011Boyne RiverGrey CountyHoggs FallsNovemberautumnCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignetteNik
Stopped in My Tracks
2011 - Day 304. Oct. 31, 2011
I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am that one of my favourite trails is now out of bounds! Many of the trails in the area, including most of the Bruce Trail, traverse privately-owned land. The signs I'm used to seeing state that the landowner has generously given permission for hikers to use the trails, but they do so at their own risk. Hike this trail now and you'll risk a $2000.00 fine!
P.S. I took this shot from the side of the road, not the trail.StoppedTracks63009978093652011Castle Glen EstatesGrey CountyOctoberautumnno trespassing signCEP4Nik
One
2011 - Day 303. Oct. 30, 2011.
I was on the lookout on my walk this afternoon for a single object to add to the 'One' theme I'm working on. This single maple leaf fit the bill perfectly!One62969993963652011CollingwoodHarbourview ParkOctoberautumntrailsCEP4tonal contrastoff center vignetteNik
Time to Plant
2011 - Day 302. Oct. 29, 2011.
I bought daffodil bulbs today for the new front garden I put in this year. I'd love to have tulips but unfortunately the squirrels make short work of those. They don't like daffodils.TimePlant62921284773652011CollingwoodOctoberautumnbulbdaffodilmacroNikCEP4
Autumn Wetlands
2011 - Day 301. Oct. 28, 2011.
It was a crazy day today weatherwise. One minute the sun would break through the clouds, creating beautiful high contrast lighting, and the next it would be pouring down rain or hail! I manged to grab this shot before retreating to my vehicle.autumnwetlands62897550033652011CollingwoodHarbourview ParkOctobercattailsNikCEP4
Welcome Home
2011 - Day 300. Oct. 27, 2011.
This is a macro shot of the new rag rug that will greet my feet after I've removed my snow stuff in the garage :-)WelcomeHome62872255133652011CollingwoodOctobermacrorag rugrug
One
2011 - Day 299. Oct. 26, 2011.
I wimped out today; it's too cold and drizzly to go for a walk. I took this shot the other day and used it as part of this composite ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6270944999/in/photostream ) . I decided to give it the starring role today.One62832876433652011CollingwoodOctoberautumnlogmaple leafwoods
Georgian Peaks
2011 - Day 298. Oct. 25, 2011.
Late afternoon sunshine makes the ski runs at Georgian Peaks glow.GeorgianPeaks62813558403652011Georgian PeaksGrey CountyLoree ForestNottawasaga BayOctoberautumn
Hikers
2011 - Day 297. Oct. 24, 2011.
It's a rare day that I don't meet other hikers.
Stick to the Trail
2011 - Day 296. Oct. 23, 2011.
I hiked late this afternoon in Loree Forest in Grey County. After a week of cold, wet and windy weather it was a treat to see sunshine!SticktheTrail62743483013652011Grey CountyLoree ForestOctoberautumn
Faded
2011 - Day 295. Oct. 22, 2011.
This week's wet and windy weather conditions have certainly faded autumn's splendor. This is a composite of two photos - a black and white shot of the forest and a fallen leaf resting on a moss-covered branch. I didn't quite reach the vision in my mind's eye, but there are some interesting textures here just the same.Faded62709449993652011Grey CountyOctoberautumncompositeforest
Late Bloomers
2011 - Day 294. Oct. 21, 2011.
Thank goodness for mums! That's about all there is blooming in the garden this time of year.LateBloomers62675692593652011CollingwoodOctoberautumnchrysanthemumsflowersmacro
View from 'Blue'
2011 - Day 293. Oct. 20, 2011.
For a couple of minutes the Sun tried valiantly to break through the clouds.Viewfrom'Blue'62644388853652011Blue MountainNottawasaga BayOctoberautumn
Autumn Washed Away
2011 - Day 292. Oct. 19, 2011.
If it ever quits raining maybe I'll find something other than wet leaves to photograph.autumnWashedAway6262203708Octoberleavesstream3652011Collingwood
Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn, and caldron bubble
William Shakespeare
2011 - Day 291. Oct. 18, 2011.
Dark, cold, wet and windy - that's what we have, so I've decided to go with it! I used a dark contrast setting, along with an off center vignette in Nik's Color Efex Pro 4 to bring out the moodiness of this stream shot.doubletoilandtrouble62587089373652011Octoberabstractautumnleavesstreamwater
Washed Away
2011 - Day 290. Oct. 17, 2011.
It was a terrible day for taking photos outdoors - dark, cold, windy and wet! I passed a stream at the side of the road while running errands, so I left the warmth of my vehicle to see if I could grab a quick shot. In the space of a few minutes I saw dozens of leaves being swept downstream.WashedAway62551849513652011Grey CountyOctoberautumnleavesstream
Final Resting Place
2011 - Day 289. Oct. 16, 2011.
I live on the southern tip of Georgian Bay which has a really interesting shoreline. To the east of us can be found miles of sandy beach, to the west rocky shale. This shot was taken on the shale beach at Craigleith. If you look closely you'll see the fossilized remains of the life forms that landed here long before this leaf.FinalRestingPlace62515875283652011CraigleithOctoberfossilsleafrocksshaleGrey County
The Snow Man Cometh
2011 - Day 288. Oct. 15, 2011.
My husband tuned up the snowblower this morning, getting it ready for that first dump that comes way too early.
I recently upgraded to Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2, and for this shot I started my processing with one of the new presets, Film Noir, fine-tuning it to suit. It seems a fitting mood for the subject!TheSnowManCometh62473674183652011Octoberautumnblack and whitemonochromaticsnowblower
Autumn Carpet
2011 - Day 287. Oct. 14, 2011. This is a companion piece to yesterday's shot ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6241474347/in/photostream ) as I didn't get out to shoot today. It rained most of the day and I went to Toronto for the Photo & Video Imaging Expo. Great show! I picked up a few goodies, including a Manfrotto Monopod. I'll let you know how I like it.
All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.
J. R. R. Tolkien "Lord of the Rings" 2011 - Day 285. Oct. 12, 2011. I took time today to wander...
allthatgolddoesNotglitterthose62394384983652011CollingwoodOctoberautumngravel roadleavestrees
How Many Scarecrows Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?
2011 - Day 284. Oct. 11, 2011.
From mid-September to mid-October the neighbouring town of Meaford is invaded by hundreds of scarecrows. I took a drive today to take in the sights. Every lamp post sports at least one of these creatures. There are some creative people living in Meaford. The textile art looks very life-like!HowManyscarecrowsDoesTakeChangeLight62362910063652011Grey CountyMeafordOctoberautumnlamp post
Autumn Canopy
2011 - Day 283. Oct. 10, 2011. Loree Forest in Grey County.
autumnCanopy62332903623652011Grey CountyLoree ForestOctoberleavestrees
Time to Fall
2011 - Day 282. Oct. 9, 2011. This leaf looks ready to join the others on the forest floor.
TimeFall62327708313652011Grey CountyLoree ForestOctoberautumnleaf
Spotlight
2011 - Day 281. Oct. 8, 2011. Afternoon sunshine in Loree Forest in Grey County.
Spotlight62332898923652011Grey CountyLoree ForestOctoberautumnleavestrees
Not Yet!
2011 - Day 280. Oct. 7, 2011.
The ski lift at Georgian Peaks stands still, waiting for the winter winds that will pick up moisture from Georgian Bay and dump it in the form of snow.NotYet62332897003652011Georgian PeaksGrey CountyLoree ForestNottawasaga BayOctoberautumnski lift
Autumn Fires
2011 - Day 279. Oct. 6, 2011.
For those who are tired of motion blur, my apologies! I'm having a lot of fun with panning the trees that seem to be on fire!
Although I haven't posted to the Daily Shoot group in a while, I thought I would today, as it is the last assignment. (Thanks Crow for tipping me off!) This shot typifies the way I've approached both the Daily Shoot and my 365 project - get out there, take risks, try new things and have fun!autumnFires62181131423652011Grey CountyOctoberGeorgian Trailabstractmotion blurtreesIntentional Camera Movementds690ICM
Autumn Curtain
2011 - Day 278. Oct. 5, 2011.
In their comments on the last motion blur I posted ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/6208663014/in/photostream ) , gibsonsgolfer ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/gibsonsgolfer/ ) and DeForestRanger ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoppingcrow/ ) said they felt they were looking at the scene through curtains. I decided to take that concept and see what I could create. I chose a group of trees with visible, dark trunks to create my vertical veins and quickly panned up. My 1/5 sec. shutter speed gave me the blur I wanted, but still left some shadowy detail. It's so much fun to play :-)autumnCurtain62149256183652011Georgian TrailOctoberabstractmotion blurCollingwoodIntentional Camera MovementICM
A Village Springs Up
2011 - Day 277. Oct. 4, 2011.
Like the new subdivisions that seem to spring up overnight, this little 'village' appeared in my lawn this morning. I converted the shot to black and white with Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2, (I'm loving this upgrade), adjusting the fine structure and dynamics of the highlights and midtones. Back in Lightroom, I used a split toning technique, adding a burnt orange to the shadows and a bright gold to the highlights. I think I've recaptured the warm glow of the morning light while removing the distraction of the colour.
(P.S. This shot sings on black. Press 'L')VillageSprings62114520063652011CollingwoodOctoberautumnmonochromaticsplit toningtoadstoolsyard
It's Called Fall
2011 - Day 276. Oct. 3, 2011.
My husband asked me if I was really posting this; apparently it hurts his eyes! This is another shot I took on my hike yesterday in Loree Forest. It's not what I'd intended. I was going to quickly pan up the trees to get a colourful motion blur. Since I haven't used this technique in a while, and my finger tips were frozen, I clicked the shutter too soon into the camera movement. I like it though. It's an impression of the leaves that were falling around us. To soften up the shot a bit I lowered the sharpness, contrast and clarity. I then punched up the vibrance and saturation. Failed shot or serendipitous capture - it's all in the eye of the beholder ;-)It'sCalledFall62086630143652011Grey CountyLoree ForestOctoberabstractautumnleavesmotion blurtreesIntentional Camera MovementICM
Overlooking the Bay
2011 - Day 275. Oct. 2, 2011.
I hiked through Loree Forest to the top of Georgian Peaks this afternoon with my son, his wife, and their pup. It was cold, wet and windy, but the colours really popped!OverlookingtheBay62054083913652011Blue MountainGrey CountyLoree ForestNottawasaga BayOctoberautumn
Impressions of Autumn
2011 - Day 274. Oct. 1, 2011.
I took this shot in the rain through the windshield of my car. I like the soft impressionistic result.Impressionsautumn62054080233652011CollingwoodOctoberabstractmotion blurraintreeswind
New Look for 'Di Bytes'
2011 - Day 273. Sept. 30, 2011.
You've seen my 'Di Bytes' vanity plate before, here ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5308427758/ ) and here ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/4563806369/ ) . Today the plates were transferred from my old Jaguar to my new utilitarian, get-it-serviced-anywhere-without-breaking-the-bank Ford. I'll really miss my classy 'old girl' but she's gone to a loving new home.NewLookfor'DiBytes'61995019443652011CollingwoodSeptemberdibytesfordvehicle
Spirit Guide
2011 - Day 272. Sept. 29, 2011.
I didn't take this shot today; you've seen it before ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/dibytes/5842444404/ ) . I reprocessed it this morning to include in the photos I'm entering in the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Juried Photography Show. While not the best photo I've taken in technical terms, I think it's a good use of composite techniques and captures the spirit of the 'tigers'. I also think the monochrome version has more impact than the colour one. I'll let you know what the judges think :-)SpiritGuide61970463883652011BMFAClydeCollingwoodcatcompositegardenmonochromaticsummertiger
And He's Off!
2011 - Day 271. Sept. 28, 2011.
I don't know where this guy goes every day, but what a cool way to get there!AndHe'sOff61935781393652011CollingwoodNottawasaga BaySeptemberfloat planeharbourmonochromatic
Curious Kid
2011 - Day 270. Sept. 27, 2011.
Life is so much more interesting on the other side of the fence!CuriousKid61908980243652011Clearview TownshipSeptembergoatmonochromatic
Dappled Woods
2011 - Day 269. Sept. 26, 2011.
What a gorgeous day today! I hiked the Petun loop of the Bruce Trail to Osler Castle. The woods are still quite lush and the dappled light on the turning leaves was magical!DappledWoods61875129343652011Bruce TrailGrey CountyOsler Castle TrailPetun loopSeptemberautumn
Fun at the Fair
2011 - Day 268. Sept. 25, 2011.
The local fall fair, (the Great Northern Exhibition), generally falls on a cold, rainy weekend, but this year was blessed with warm temperatures and blue skies.FuntheFair61832770033652011Clearview TownshipGNESeptemberamusement ridefall fair
Rider and Horse
2011 - Day 267. Sept. 24, 2011.
I caught this rider putting her horse through its paces before her event at the Great Northern Exhibition, the Collingwood area fall fair.riderandhorse6179271939Clearview TownshipGNESeptemberfall fair
