Juxtaposition (jŭkˌstə-pə-zĭshˈən)

I hope I can repeat after Paul (from Philippians 4:11) "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." 

Our daughter's place - where we'll be in 4 weeks:

Where we currently are:

Joy to the World ...

Luke 2:10-11

10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of 
       great joy, which shall be to all people.
11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

May you too experience the joy that the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, and which God intended for all mankind, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

Have a blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year !

Speaking of brass monkeys ...

I can state with certainty that I am not now, nor am I likely to become, a member of a polar bear club. You know, those people who think it's a lark to go out on New Year's Day and plunge into a hole hewed out of the ice in nothing more than a bathing suit. Having said that, I did find myself outside very early this morning in weather that would have prompted owners of brass monkeys to have brought them indoors. It was -26C and for those who keep score in Fahrenheit, that's 15 below zero. Even Sasha decided that only fools would be out in those temperatures.

I seem to have standing orders to be awakened if there's the promise of a sunrise worthy of being captured on camera. There was enough time to acclimatize the camera and I spent about 40 minutes traipsing around the yard alternating between preventing frostbite in my fingers and capturing the amazing colours.

Sometimes you do what you gotta do ...

We Ain't Goin' Nowhere

I live in a country that converted to metric 35 years ago. Unfortunately we didn't convert to metric time so we could have 100 hours in a day. It's been a roller coaster month since I last posted here. During that month

• I relived a lifetime of memories as I kept vigil with my family as my father passed from this life into the next [I don't tell you this to elicit words of sympathy – he almost reached 89 years and was ready to be welcomed into the New Jerusalem]
• Sasha was diagnosed with diabetes and I've become fairly adept at giving her a daily insulin shot [a side effect of her condition is that she can no longer accompany me on photo shoots – which were a rare occurrence in the last month anyhow]
• in support of my daughters' dog rescue team I've been researching government requirements to set up a charitable organization [and you thought completing your income tax return was complex !]
• I got an early Christmas present [Adobe Lightroom] and have been dabbling in learning its features. One of the prime reasons for getting it was to tame my rapidly-becoming-disorganized library of thousands of photos – a task that will likely require some months still

Thanks to all of the kind folks who dropped by and left a comment. Why don't all of you relax in the sunshine, get your mind off wintertime, and flop down in the easychair (click on the link below the photos to give it a try).

Winter(e)Scapes

If you are given snow, make lemonade ... or something like that.

Weather forecasters, who had provided dire predictions of a green Christmas, were proven human after all. On top of the 25cm/10" we received just before Christmas, we were 'blessed' with another 30cm/12" the day after, and yesterday's forecast of 'flurries' added another 10cm/4". I consider my request for a good dump of snow during our time up north to be fully satisfied.

And as with so many situations in life, we can accept if not entirely embrace what befalls us, or we can cry foul and bemoan our fate. Life can be viewed as being a cup half full or half empty. I have a great admiration for Job's faith, although I would not want to see mine tested like his was.

May you see beauty in God's good creation each day in the New Year. And put your trust in Him.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Winter's arrival

As we left home late last week to celebrate Christmas with family that lived some distance away, we also left behind a worsening winter storm - exactly on time for the official start to winter. Fortunately, along the way the weather turned from wet snow to rain and then even that ceased - perfect winter travel weather. We returned last night in the darkness, but even so we could see that winter had settled in.

This morning the pale sun did its best to brighten the day, and I had to go out - after acclimatizing the camera and lenses (and myself) to the -15C/5F temperature - to record the beautiful winter landscape. Everything was frozen under a thick blanket of snow.

And as I'm writing this, the wind is swirling around the house ushering in the next thick layer.

The winter sun ...

Quietly awaiting the warmth of spring ...

Sasha in her element ...

Welcome Home (?)

I believe it's not only the fog that comes on little cat feet.

After a long but safe and uneventful journey back to the north country, during which we watched the season roll back from summer to early spring, we were surprised this morning to find ourselves back in the middle of winter. Perhaps it was karma at work, since we thought we had escaped that season. We were somewhat unprepared - mentally - to move back that far on the calendar. The rain that started last night quietly turned into the proverbial white stuff as the overnight temperature approached the freezing point.

The only member of the household who could truly appreciate the vagaries of nature was Sasha - she was back in her element.

(all shots made with a 10-22mm lens at f7.1, ISO200, and shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/100 sec)

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear ...

... the idea to get out for a few night shots, that is.

With everyone already in bed, and the night still young, and fresh snow on the ground, there was no compelling reason not to take advantage of an opportunity to capture the serenity. Sasha didn't need a second invitation and we set off into the crisp night air. It seemed like we were the only ones on the planet.

It's a pity if you've never ventured out on a beautiful winter's night.

If you have a few moments to linger, listen to the music (click on play button below the last photo) as you step into the peaceful night.

(all photos shot with a 10-22mm lens at f7.1, ISO200, with shutter speeds from 6 to 30 sec)

Just a Closer Walk With Thee

Press the 'play' key below the last photo, then come back up here and take a walk to ease your mind and enjoy His creation ...

Winter Wonderland III

I've seen from news reports that winter has arrived across much of the North American continent. I mean really arrived, which those of you driving in it daily don't need to be reminded of. While we were back home in the north over the Christmas season we were fortunate not to have to drive in any adverse weather. In addition, I was able to go out several times to capture the beauty of the creation enhanced by a dusting of snow, before real winter had arrived.

Join me as I traipse through a secluded wonderland not far from home.

This is the creek that flows below the waterfalls I posted recently and which you might have visited with me last spring

A small creek which tumbles from the hill on the other side yields these ice formations

A few hundred yards downstream we come across another waterfall - don't get too near the edge - it's a bit slippery

The snow-covered ice that's formed across the rocks reminds me of cauliflower

At this point it hasn't been cold enough long enough for the ice to completely conceal the stream

The stream disappears around a bend below this waterfall. We have to scramble through the forest, away from the waterfall, and find our way down a side gully to find the stream again. The sides of the gully are coated with ice built up by dripping water - winter must have surprised these plants

Another few yards through the underbrush and we see the stream as it tumbles around the corner. From here it disappears to our left but the steep gully side means we'll have to bid it adieu, and we'll make our way back

 And throughout our trek Sasha has been patiently accompanying us - whenever the camera bag is unzipped she knows it's time for a rest in the snow. But she doesn't mind - she's in her element

WWW II

I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I would share a bit of my experience of walking in a winter wonderland while we were 'back home', over the next few weeks. Now that we're ensconced in the warmth of a southern winter once again (and I have an internet connection speed that most people take for granted), I thought it time to follow up on that promise.

A few days before Christmas I revisited a place not far from home to see it in a winter setting. At that time it looked like we were in for a green Christmas. Jack Frost had certainly left his mark on the area, but then on Christmas eve, possibly as a result of all the "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" jingles that had been raised heavenward in the weeks before, the landscape received a nice white blanket of the stuff. Talk about dreams fulfilled just in time.

So I re-revisited this place the day after Christmas and marvelled at the transformation that had taken place. And I marvelled at the Creator of this beauty “for in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17

(10-22mm  f8.0  1/15 sec  ISO200)

before

(10-22mm  f11  1/50 sec  ISO200)

after

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

I hope all of you have had a peace-full Christmas, and you were able to make some happy memories with those close to you. I'm glad to say that I have been so blessed. I also had the pleasure of once again experiencing the beauty that winter bestows on the creation, on solitary walks and walks shared with loved ones. I hope to share some of this over the next few weeks.

The old year is quickly sliding away, a new year is just around the corner. I want to wish each of you who have come here to visit throughout this past year or perhaps just starting recently, a wonderful new year. I'd also like to leave this Irish blessing, a favourite of mine, with you:

May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be always at your back,
may the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rains fall soft upon your fields;
and until we meet again,
may you be held in the warmth of God's hand.

You might note the 'early' hour of this post - that's due to the length of time it took this evening to download Windows updates and then to load this blog post. If all goes well I expect to have access to a very fast internet connection within 2 weeks, at which time we shall 'meet again' in blogland. I thank you all for your visits and kind comments.

(10-22mm  f14  1/100 sec  ISO200)

Contrasts

I've mentioned in earlier posts that we lived out west near Calgary, Alberta for about 15 years where on more than one occasion the weather changed from the depths of winter freezing (-30C/-22F) to balmy (21C/70F) in the span of a day. That welcome weather contrast was due to a phenomenon known as a chinook (an Indian word meaning 'snow eater').

I think our children back home would welcome a chinook today. We received a couple of photos from one of my daughters this morning - their first, and early, taste of the season to come. I put a couple of photos of what we've had to 'endure' this week beside hers. Perhaps I'll wait a few days before I mention this post to them. (Well, maybe not).

Note: I experimented last week with a new view offered by Blogger. While I liked the many different ways photos and posts could be presented, many people found it difficult to post comments, and I haven't been able to see some of the information widgets. For now I'm reverting to my old (and familiar) template.

The Journey

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of the easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

                  Robert Frost   1922

(70-200mm  f16  1/100 sec  ISO200)

Weather vagaries ...

... or, whatever happened to weather you can count on ?

Let me begin by saying that this is not a rant. I am merely making an observation.

We're in the process of acclimatizing ourselves. We came through what we hoped was winter's last blast (for us) a couple of days ago, and were treated yesterday to some of the best of what the south has to offer, weather-wise, that is - sunshine and 24C/75F. Today is a different story - a blustery wind and 16C/62F and tonight promises to drop down to 3C/38F. Now, for people trudging through another blizzard in the northeast or living through truly frigid winter temperatures this might seem downright balmy. But I think our perception is very much related to our expectations.

So, before I feel even a tinge of disappointment, I just have to be reminded of what we left behind (see below). The forecast calls for improvement here in a couple of days. I hope that wherever you're huddled - assuming it isn't in some balmy spot - you will get a reprieve too.

(10-22mm  f10  1/320 sec  ISO200)

A sight-seeing day

Our (w)interlude back home would not have seemed complete had we not experienced a bit of weather typical for this time of year - snow, driven by a 40km/25mi wind. I had another couple of photo shoots this morning, one of which took me about 40 miles downriver - by car. Once that was finished, I managed a leisurely jaunt back home, taking the old 2-lane highway along the St. Lawrence River. Due to the slick roads and time of day, I encountered almost no traffic - rubber-necking opportunity at its best ! I was able to pull over occasionally, brave the elements, and make a few shots.

I think this one will give you an idea of what the sight-seeing was like.

(70-200mm  f11  1/200 sec  ISO200)

Project 365 - 'rule' #2 or carpe diem

Our recent 'balmy' weather, which was responsible for the little snow we had to completely disappear, has in turn been replaced by more winter-like weather. Not that I expected it to remain, but it reminded me of this song. Of course, like all of you would, I saw this as an opportunity to capture the beauty of a fresh snowfall.

Now I didn't rush right out, camera in hand and Sasha in tow. I was fortunate to pick up a bit of paid photography work this week - I've been asked by the business where my son designs kitchens to build a photo portfolio of their finished work; I'd shot some of their work on a trial (read 'non-paid') basis and it looks like they've liked it enough to pay me for some more shoots. So - on my way home early this evening from a shoot I spotted a scene, right in town, that I hadn't really noticed before (yep - even after all I learned from doing a 365, I obviously still have to practice closer observation !). At least I put rule #2 into practice.

(18-55mm  f9.0  30 sec  ISO400)

(Day 363) Winter fun !

All good things must come to an end, and so today we said goodbye to family with whom we'd spent the Christmas holidays. We had a wonderful time, and as is always the case the time went too quickly. But before we packed things to prepare for our drive home, there was still time to go sledding with our granddaughters. We walked to a nearby hill which was fairly steep - they didn't seem that steep when I was a kid, though. Some dare-devil youngsters had fashioned a ramp out of snow, which was to be my wife's undoing - on her first run downhill, having thrown caution to the wind, she and one of our granddaughters literally flew through the air after being launched off the ramp, and came to a rather abrupt halt. We're sure her bruises will heal over the next week - my granddaughter had none as she made a 'softer' landing on top of my wife.

After that experience, the following runs were made from just above the ramp, with much better, although less spectacular, results.

(18-55mm  f22  1/100 sec  ISO800)

Lilly

(50mm  f2  1/4000 sec  ISO200)

Hailey

(50mm  f16  1/200 sec  ISO800)

(50mm  f2  1/3200 sec  ISO200)

an unidentified brave person fully utilizing the ramp

 

(Day 362) All is well

Tuesday Dec. 28, 2010

I got an invitation from one of my daughters to go with her on a trail that she frequently takes her dogs on for exercise. Given the abundance of Christmas-related goodies that have been offered me, and which I of course was too polite to refuse, I needed the exercise too. It turned out to be a beautiful area with abundant opportunities for photos. At one point, when we'd left the trail to make our own along a little creek, through all the snow, we were forced to climb a steep 50' bank. After that we stuck to the trail that ran along the ridge.

Although the sky was a dismal gray, it was a beautiful day for a hike. The water running under the ice, the snow lying thickly on fallen trees, and the peacefulness of the woods indicated that all was well. Here are just a few shots of the many I was able to make this afternoon.

(18-55mm  f8.0  1/15 sec  ISO200)

(70-200mm  f5.6  1/40 sec  ISO200)

(10-22mm  f7.1  1/100 sec  ISO200)