Posted on

Another Century

Despite the old world look, this picture was taken this summer while in Banff. This is the front of the Banff Springs Hotel and is usually crowded with cars, buses and people coming and going. However, if you’re eager enough to get up at the break of dawn you just might glimpse a view that’s perhaps more reminiscent of the old glory days. Not much of the Banff Springs architecture has changed in a hundred years and walking inside or around this structure you appreciate the old world grandeur normally reserved for faraway places and long passed eras. In any case, I was just glad to get this shot before the first tour bus pulled up about five minutes later.

Despite the old world look, this picture was taken this summer while in Banff. This is the front of the Banff Springs Hotel and is usually crowded with cars, buses and people coming and going. However, if you're eager enough to get up at the break of dawn you just might glimpse a view that's perhaps more reminiscent of the old glory days. Not much of the Banff Springs architecture has changed in a hundred years and walking inside or around this structure you appreciate the old world grandeur normally reserved for faraway places and long passed eras. In any case, I was just glad to get this shot before the first tour bus pulled up about five minutes later.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

Posted on

Coquina

This is such a popular spot for family picnics that it can be hard to get parking on weekends. However, I took this in the middle of the week when few locals were out. I came here the other night to take some more pictures and saw a pod of dolphins frolicking in the waters pictured on the left. The water drops off just a few feet from shore and the current is quite strong, just right for dolphins to play and catch a meal. I never get tired of watching them in the wild. It’s an amazing feeling to stand just a few feet away from animals that may be smarter than me. And that’s just my dogs. I’m pretty sure dolphins are indeed smarter than me.

This is such a popular spot for family picnics that it can be hard to get parking on weekends. However, I took this in the middle of the week when few locals were out. I came here the other night to take some more pictures and saw a pod of dolphins frolicking in the waters pictured here. The water drops off just a few feet from shore and the current is quite strong, just right for dolphins to play and catch a meal. I never get tired of watching them in the wild. It's an amazing feeling to stand just a few feet away from animals that may be smarter than me. And that's just my dogs. I'm pretty sure Dolphins are indeed smarter than me.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

Posted on

Cascade Pond

I hired a taxi to take me to a few places around Banff so I could snap some pictures before heading to the airport. My sense of direction was off so I ended up here facing away from the sun. Just as I was about to ask the cab to leave I noticed the full moon rising above the trees. I told him to wait until the moon got into the right position and he was more than happy to oblige and, keep the meter running. Just as the moon rose above the trees, clouds obscured it. I figured I was already this deep so I might as well let the meter run. And it ran. And ran. …FINALLY after another ten minutes the moon emerged from behind the clouds and I took this picture. I got back into the cab and headed back to the hotel and, arrived about fifty dollars lighter. Money well spent.

I hired a taxi to take me to a few places around Banff so I could snap some pictures before heading to the airport. My sense of direction was off so I ended up here facing away from the sun. Just as I was about to ask the cab to leave I noticed the full moon rising above the trees. I told him to wait until the moon got into the right position and he was more than happy to oblige and, keep the meter running. Just as the moon rose above the trees, clouds obscured it. I figured I was already this deep so I might as well let the meter run. And it ran. And ran. ...FINALLY after another ten minutes the moon emerged from behind the clouds and I took this picture. I got back into the cab and headed back to the hotel and, arrived about fifty dollars lighter. Money well spent.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

Posted on

Remember When

This is an iconic apartment building on Vancouver’s west end which is about fifteen stories high. At the very top, overlooking English Bay, is this tree that you can’t help but notice. It’s a strange feeling you get from this tree, isolated, by itself at the top of a building, in full view and exposed to the elements. I glance up at it every time I pass by and think surely there must be story here, but what? On one of those occasions there was a double decker tour bus stopped in front with everyone looking up and listening to the guide. As I walked by this is what I heard; that the purpose of this tree was to remind everyone how tall the trees here where before they started cutting them all down to make room for the apartment buildings. I have no idea if that’s true, but it resonated in a way that I cannot forget.

This is an iconic apartment building on Vancouver's west end which is about fifteen stories high. At the very top, overlooking English Bay, is this tree that you can't help but notice. It's a strange feeling you get from this tree, isolated, by itself at the top of a building, in full view and exposed to the elements. I glance up at it every time I pass by and think surely there must be story here, but what? On one of those occasions there was a double decker tour bus stopped in front with everyone looking up and listening to the guide. As I walked by this is what I heard; that the purpose of this tree was to remind everyone how tall the trees here where before they started cutting them all down to make room for the apartment buildings. I have no idea if that's true, but it resonated in a way that I cannot forget.
Follow this link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

Posted on

Weather Patterns

I’m convinced that Bradenton Beach in Florida has some of the best sunsets. I’m not entirely sure why but there seems to be a unique weather pattern that places high clouds over the beach as the sun is going down creating the perfect sunset. I also think it happens mostly in the spring, summer and fall. Which is entirely fine with the millions of snow birds that come down in winter since “all” they get are clear skies. Too bad for them, but then I suppose that’s a good thing (no clouds in the sky in winter) unless you are some over the top sunset obsessed photographer, …not that I know anyone like that.

I'm convinced that Bradenton Beach in Florida has some of the best sunsets. I'm not entirely sure why but there seems to be a unique weather pattern that places high clouds over the beach as the sun is going down creating the perfect sunset. I also think it happens mostly in the spring, summer and fall. Which is entirely fine with the millions of snow birds that come down in winter since

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

Posted on

1252 Burrard

I could make something up about this but that just doesn’t seem right. The fact is I was walking back to my hotel and noticed this and, well, I’m influenced by Thomas Hawk and I think to myself, that’s a Thomas Hawk shot! So this is a Rick Schwartz pretending to be Thomas Hawk shot. And if you thought this is a lame bit of writing, or even a bit weird, that makes two of us. Just look at the photo and pretend you never read this.

I could make something up about this but that just doesn't seem right. The fact is I was walking back to my hotel and noticed this and, well, I'm influenced by Thomas Hawk and I think to myself, that's a Thomas Hawk shot! So this is a Rick Schwartz pretending to be Thomas Hawk shot. And if you thought this is a lame bit of writing, or even a bit weird, that makes two of us. Just look at the photo and pretend you never read this.

Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.

Posted on

Morning Walk

This is another shot of Emerson Point in Palmetto Florida. I love this place in the morning, it’s so quite and I’m likely to see Osprey, Eagles, Great Herons, any number of fish and a beautiful sunrise. The Parks department built these wooden walkways across the Mangroves to view the ecosystems at work up close. And when you’re done you can pickup a fresh Duncan Donuts coffee on your way home. Another morning in paradise, eh?
This is another shot of Emerson Point in Palmetto Florida. I love this place in the morning, it's so quite and I'm likely to see Osprey, Eagles, Great Herons, any number of fish and a beautiful sunrise. The Parks department built these wooden walkways across the Mangroves to view the ecosystems at work up close. And when you're done you can pickup a fresh Duncan Donuts coffee on your way home. Another morning in paradise, eh?
Follow link to obtain a limited edition print of this photo.