Photo-a-Day 2009

09 December, 2009 - Walk in the woods (many photos)

Let's go on another walk in my neighbourhood. This time we are going to the University of BC's endowment lands..which are only a few blocks from us.

This is beautiful old growth forest..and there are miles and miles of trails. People trail ride, walk, run, ride horses...anything goes in here. It's beautiful!

Here are some photos of the day...I always try to capture the light on the trees in here and have never been very successful. Today was my best attempt (I just read up on how to "meter" my shots...I think that helped...long ways to go still.) and I really liked a few.

Here you go...

 

I love moss...did I mention that?

and fungi..are the shades in this not amazing???????????

caught... (love the bokeh ..how do you spell that?.. in this one)

this one is the closest I came to captuing the light...not great but big improvement from the last time I was here..what do you think?

I think this is the best bokeh I ever got..how pretty is this?

 



and I had to take on of the trees from below..I had to...LOL

did I mention I like moss...and rough tree barks?

Man and his Beast. (Richard had tons of layers on..he really isn't the Michelin man!!!)

I liked how the light caught the trees on the right side.

last but not least...check out the colour of the lichen on this tree...amazing!!!

08 December, 2009 - Home? Shed?

On the way back from the water tower stop I asked my  my sister-in-law to stop so I could take these pictures. Used my telephoto as it was out in the middle of a field and it was REALLY cold too (see last picture)

I would love to take these boards home and do THIS with them

Don't you love how the river of shingles has hung on under the chimney? I guess the first tile is attached well and so it holds the rest in place.

I love this old building...do you think it was once a home or a shed?...the chimney makes me think someone lived there...and the little window in the door too.

I wonder what stories the walls would tell?

I mentioned the cold...this was underfoot

07 December, 2009 - Dream shoot

Every time I go across the border at the Peach Arch crossing I see in the distance a lovely water tower. I had never gone in that direction until recently when I went with my sister in law a few months ago. We didn't get close that time and I didn't have my camera either. I thought I would try to get close with my telephoto this time.

On our way to our destination we noticed a sign for a cafe near the waterfront...so on the way back we headed down there for a latte. Imagine my excitement when I realized the little road was taking us right towards my water tower (yes it is officially mine now)

Without any more words..check this beauty out....the colour made me drool.

Good bye my lovely...

until next time..

06 December, 2009 - Going to America

My sister-in-law had to pick up a parcel in the States and so she asked me to go along for the drive. I agreed as it was a lovely day and I know there were some nice photos ops along the way. Here are a few of the pics I took..

 

 

and tomorrow I'll share pictures of something I have been wanting to photograph up close and personal for YEARS!!! (Abigail..you wlil love it!!)

05 December, 2009 - one more of Hercules

I wanted to share this photo with you of Hercules

isn't he adorable?

04 December, 2009 - Hercules

I love going up to our local shopping area and going to our favorite coffee shop. We have been going there through three different owners and it has always remained the best coffee around. Starbucks bought the lease on the first one and when it ran out they sold the coffee shop. They just wanted to put them out of business so bought it and let the lease expire. This was a big mistake...as an even better coffee shop sprang up...and this is turn sold it to the next owners who maintained the name and quality of the shop. Did I mention that I think Starbucks is the McD of coffee? LOL...I only go there when I am desperate! But I digress..

anyway...we walked up with Boo, about a 25 minute walk, and met one of the regulars Connie. Connie had just taken her boyfriend Troy's (aka Son #3) French Mastiff, Hercules, for a walk and so we sat on the back patio with the dogs. Not the largest of the Mastiffs, Hercules is definitely a BIG dog. His head is the size of a serving platter! Our little bundle of sweetness becomes quite protective when we are there with other dogs...she does not like her treats to be shared with anyone else...so when Herc came a sniffin' she thought he was coming for her cookies. Herc had half his body under the table (head end) and when Cara snapped at him to warn him off he jumped in fear, knocked his head, sent the table flying along with the coffee and waters! Poor old Herc. We bought Connie another coffee and then herc thought he better stay on his own side of the patio and away from the fierce monster by our feet!!! LOL

Meet Herc...the big dog with the sweet heart...

Doesn't he look hurt? Poor guy.

Big nose....

Big feet....

Big Dog...

By the way..if you don;t like dogs that drool...this is DEFINITELY NOT the dog for you! I am just sayin'

03 December, 2009 - Looking back at West Vancouver

It was a glorious day. This was the view looking back at West Vancouver from the park. They have completed the construction of view points etc that were destroyed by the weird and destructive storm that hit the park a few years ago.

Here is a video to show you some of the aftermath of the storm. Keep in mind that where you see the sky and space was completely old growth forest prior to the storm. It took a swath of trees out. Broken like matchsticks. This video was taken a while after I think as you can see the logs have been placed on the side of the road by the clean up crew. I remember driving my usual route as son as we were permitted to and being totally dumbstruck as I came around the corner of prospect point.

VIDEO

If you click on THIS LINK and then on the top left photo you will see the aerial view of the damage. The bare areas were old growth forests like the rest of the park you can see.

I cannot even begin to imagine how the city of New Orleans dealt with their devastation. I was almost brought to tears with this. This storm was 119km and fortunately hit an unpopulated area of the city. 40 hectares were destroyed.

02 December, 2009 - Vandalism

Remember THIS POST about The Lions gate bridge. How I discovered cute mini lions that mimicked the large Lions that guard the bridge below? Well, I went to the doctor's and on the way home as I love to do, I took the park route. I stopped at the usual spots and took a quick walk to the overpass where the lions were to take another shot of the Bridge. It's the Kodak Moment photo spot..and with good reason...you get a great view of the bridge and the North Shore mountains .

So as I wandered back to the car,I thought I would take a quick closeup of the mini lion..the light was so bright and I was wearing my sunnies...I just quickly raised the camera and snapped off one shot...couldn't see what I took due to the sun being so bright. So just as I started this post I checked the photos..and felt so sad...this was the picture of the beautiful mini lion...I had not even noticed

how sad. It is obviously vandalism..both ears are hit, the side of the head and the whole face has been knocked off. It took some force to do this..and it had to be planned too...to bring something to create this destruction. Now I am wondering if all of them were damaged? I'll have to stop and check next time I go by.

Why do people feel the need to leave this as their legacy? DOLTS!

01 December, 2009 - More of the Cactus

30 Sept, 2009 - Christmas Catcus

When I went to the greenhouse to check on the plants I was greeted by my Christmas Cactus which was just about to go into full bloom so I brought it into the house.

Of course I had to try the new lens..