Morning Reflection at Goldstream

When you put your hand in a flowing stream,
you touch the last that has gone before
and the first of what still is to come.

Leonardi da Vinci

Scent of Thailand

Forgive the touristy pic but this is what I thought of when I first awoke this morning. Well actually I smelled it. Yes, I smelled the intoxicating aromas of Thailand when I awoke just before 7:00am. Then I recalled that it was this time two years ago I was sauntering through the markets of Bangkok absorbing the unfamiliar sounds and scents. I guess it was that part of my brain that remembered this experience as I was emerging from sleep. This was taken on my first morning in Bangkok. Thailand was a less complicated place to visit (after spending time in China and Tibet) and I was immediately at ease as I took my first steps through this swarming city.

Three Personalities of The Arbutus

Took these shots with my new wide angle lens while visiting Thetis Lake. I'm still learning to increase the aperture more and adjust the angle to avoid unwanted shadows. This is the same tree species at different stages of life. Most people I talk to are enamoured with these reptilian Madronas but no one wants one on their property (except those who are full time gardeners:) because they are constantly shedding their leaves and bark.

Solemn Shadows

This was taken at Playfair Park late in the day when shadows and twilight dance on the leaves.

Beautiful Eyesore #4

Just arrived back from Portland Oregon. One of the many charms of Portland includes the building ads that adorn many of the old warehouses in the Pearl District. These unique canvases may not last as the area is slowly being gentrified. There is an interesting blog that illustrates more photos and historical info about these ads.

Silence of the bulrush

I took this photo while visiting Swan Lake for three hours yesterday morning. I am inspired by a quirky photo blog that creatively publishes pics with text. I find the combo intriguing.

Blurb Free Bookmaking Software

These photos are from a book my colleague just published using Blurb I was very impressed with the look and feel of this product and the publication price is very reasonable. Many of the photos illustrated in the book are also online but the clarity and details of these photos (or any photos) are vividly revealed when they are professionally printed. I've used photo book software before but after seeing these results I will try out blurb.

My Sedated Camera

I took the day off today and woke up early to catch a glimpse of the sunrise with my new wide angle lens. I arrived at Clover Point and quickly realized as my car rocked in the wind that it was going to be a blistery cold walk along the beach. My faithful companion ran along the path barking at the wind, seagulls, and planes. I nudged along clinging to my hot coffee cup in no hurry to compose a shot. My face and gloved fingers were numb within minutes. For the next hour I ventured along the beach watching eagles, gulls, crows surf the wind but I couldn't muster the strength to take out my camera. Well it was beautiful revitalizing way to start the day despite my reluctance to hone my photography skills. The shot above was taken on a day similar to today in January 2008 at Clover Point. I've been home an hour and I'm still hovering over the heating vent!

Through An African Lens

There is an inspiring exhibit at Dales Gallery on Fisgard St. in Victoria. The gallery is showcasing photography that illustrates life in Swaziland seen through the eyes of young people who were given 'point and shoot' cameras and directed to take photos of where they live. The photos are soul stirring portrayals of struggle and triumph. Proceeds from the sales of these photos go directly to fund the education of these youth. I was captivated by each photo and read about the hopes and dreams of each one of these young women. It reminded me of the experience of Zana Briski who worked with children in Calcutta to photograph their world. I highly recommend viewing this exhibit.

Beautiful Eyesore #3~ Corroding Mailbox

I took this shot on a hot afternoon at Vigneti Zanatta Winery. The mailbox precariously perches on the side of road. If you ever wish to visit Italy without leaving the island, drive to this beautiful valley and sit outside on the century old marble veranda, gaze over the vineyard and sip a glass of Damasco. Ahhhh....

Robbie Burns Day ~ January 25

This memorial to Robert Burns was erected in Beacon Hill Park in 1900. A putting green was created beside the memorial in 1974. Apparently, those of Scottish heritage were not amused and thought such a frivolous development was offensive. The putting green remains and it is frequently used by lots of people in the summer. Somehow I don't think Robbie would mind.

Beautiful Eyesore #2~ Winsome Hydrant

1.

2.


3.

I saw this hydrant while walking along the narrow path of Cowichan Bay Village. I was carrying just a standard lense so I sat right down on the sidewalk to take these pictures. I was drawn by the complementary colours of the dandelions but I don't think I nailed the shot. I was blocking the sidewalk after all and I was self conscious about blocking the pedestrian traffic. People are quite friendly in Cowichan Bay so many people struck up conversations about what I was shooting and given that I was blocking their way I felt compelled to chat. Since dandelions are hardy weeds I may be fortunate to return and take this shot again-maybe I'll wear a t-shirt that says, "I don't want to chat right now."

Given my struggle to get the right shot, which one do you prefer #1,2. or 3.?

Beautiful Eyesore Series

Inspired by Victoria Daily's great shot of the mailbox I've decided to present a series of objects considered ugly by the human eye but cast differently through the lense. So as not to offend Postie this by no means suggests that I think mailboxes are ugly. I love mailboxes....love getting mail...I love my patient postman who cheerfully pets my yappy dog. :)

Here's the first of the series. This wheelbarrow was taken on a trip I took to Maple Bay last summer. The electric blue hue of the wheelbarrow and distinct shadow caught my attention.

Forgotten Wheelbarrow

Finally a day with sun! This photo was taken in a rododendrun forest.

"It is impossible to watch a sunset and not dream"
Bern Williams

I remember listening to a photographer who discouraged us from taking photos of sunsets. He suggested that we put the camera away and enjoy the sunset. He said, "Rather than take an 'average shot' of a spectacular scene take a spectacular shot of an average scene." Still, I can't help myself. Sunsets feel like firework displays. Just when you think you have seen the best in the sky the light changes once again and you are caught up in a lavish dance of hues and shadows.

Where is your treasure?

The gray January days don't inspire me to take photos. I am impatient with the long dark days and I find myself dreaming of far away places where I can discover a world that challenges my arrogance.

I took this photo in Barcelona a couple of years ago. This is an image that comes to mind when I hear people talk incessantly about the doom and gloom of this world. It reminds me of those treasures of life that 'moth or rust cannot destroy'.

A funnel cloud? Or just another spectacular show with the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop?

Answers

Here are the answers to the mystery shots.

1. My favourite city (in North America) -Portland, Oregon
2. The most beautiful church is Antonio Gaudi's Church-Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
3. One of my happiest afternoons was on The Great Wall, 2 1/2 hours north of Beijing, China
5. My favourite place to watch the world run by is Victoria Station, London
6. My place of solace is Ruckle Park, Salt Spring Island
7. The weirdest place for a Starbucks....smack dab in the middle of The Forbidden City

Seven Things You Don't Know About Me

I was challenged by V Yonkers to illustrate
Seven Things You Don't Know About Me

1. My Favourite City.
Best downtown, best bookstores, best cycling trails, best jazz, best restaurants. Any guesses?


2. What I consider the most beautiful church in the world. Everything about this place breathes.



3. One of the happiest afternoons in my life.


4. My favourite flower. A neighbor once told me she hated daffodils. Shortly after she made this declaration, I carefully planted three hundred of these in my front yard.




5. My favourite place to have a pint and watch the world run by.



6. This is my favourite Gulf Island. I spent twenty summers here and this is where I find solace.



7. This is the least likely place I thought I would ever discover a Starbucks. Guess where?

Mt. Doug

This was taken on a blistery afternoon at the top of Mt. Doug Park. Mt. Doug was known by the Songhees Nation as 'Hill of Cedars' and even temporarily adopted the name, 'Cedar Hill' before it became officially known as Mount Douglas Park. The large cedar trees that grew here were used to build parts of Fort Victoria. Now it's a public park and you will often see wild 'workout warriors' participating in 'boot camp' activities.