Still Pond

Here is a pond at Emerson Preserve, which as you can see is quite calm in the morning. This is not the first I've posted from here with the calm reflecting water and the clouds overhead; and I'm pretty sure it won't be my last. Anyway,  hundreds of years ago native americans occupied this spot. I'm sure it looks different, but possibly they had a similar scene each morning as they went about their tasks. I would love to travel back three hundred years in a time machine to see what I could see. But until they invent one I'll just have to imagine for myself.

Here is a pond at Emerson Preserve, which as you can see is quite calm in the morning. This is not the first I’ve posted from here with the calm reflecting water and the clouds overhead; and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last. Anyway, hundreds of years ago native americans occupied this spot. I’m sure it looks different, but possibly they had a similar scene each morning as they went about their tasks. I would love to travel back three hundred years in a time machine to see what I could see. But until they invent one I’ll just have to imagine for myself.

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Ucluelet Inlet

While returning from whale watching afternoon fog started rolling in and as we passed little inlets like this it created a misty, almost mysterious scene. I think the combination of ocean, mountains and inlets makes for a lot of little micro climates. You can never how the weather will change, only that it will. Little islands like this could have sea lions or otters, but on shore it's not uncommon to see bears in search of food. In fact  I did see a three year old black not far from here earlier in the day.

While returning from whale watching afternoon fog started rolling in and as we passed little inlets like this it created a misty, almost mysterious scene. I think the combination of ocean, mountains and inlets makes for a lot of little micro climates. You can never how the weather will change, only that it will. Little islands like this could have sea lions or otters, but on shore it’s not uncommon to see bears in search of food. In fact I did see a three year old black not far from here earlier in the day.

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Chesterman Beach

This is from an awesome beach in Tofino British Columbia. If you ever want to get away, I mean really away, this is the place. You have to navigate a mountain pass to get here but when you do you are rewarded by rugged coastline and scenery you won't forget. Tofino is not backwoods, there are amazing places to eat, not to mention a homemade chocolate shop about two minutes from this spot. But I digress. This is the last sunset we watched, just after we stopped at the chocolate shop.

This is from an awesome beach in Tofino British Columbia. If you ever want to get away, I mean really away, this is the place. You have to navigate a mountain pass to get here but when you do you are rewarded by rugged coastline and scenery you won’t forget. Tofino is not backwoods, there are amazing places to eat, not to mention a homemade chocolate shop about two minutes from this spot. But I digress. This is the last sunset we watched, just after we stopped at the chocolate shop.

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Manatee River, Florida

Recently we got rain here in central Florida and I got inspired to drive up the river from my home.  The river is about a mile wide near home but a fraction of that here. A tranquil setting yet I was on guard for any alligators that might be nearby as I positioned at the waters edge. It's unlikely I'd ever have a problem with a gator here, nevertheless it's wise to use with caution when in and around Florida's waterways. As I write this our rainy season is coming to an end which I'm sure is perfect for all the people that come here to visit. But with a little bit of weather comes picturesque skies and as you know I'm a sucker for that.

Recently we got rain here in central Florida and I got inspired to drive up the river from my home. The river is about a mile wide near home but a fraction of that here. A tranquil setting yet I was on guard for any alligators that might be nearby as I positioned at the waters edge. It’s unlikely I’d ever have a problem with a gator here, nevertheless it’s wise to use with caution when in and around Florida’s waterways. As I write this our rainy season is coming to an end which I’m sure is perfect for all the people that come here to visit. But with a little bit of weather comes picturesque skies and as you know I’m a sucker for that.

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Sunday Morning

I took this at sunrise on a Sunday morning. I can recall that fact because on Sunday morning I'd rather be in bed but having driven my wife to the airport I  figured I'd do a shoot on the way back. This is where I ended up, which is another way of saying I had no plan in mind. That worked out this time and I shot this from a park next to the pier. Man, tripod, camera and two dogs on a leash, must have been quite the site. But then, no one was there to see, everyone was still in bed. It was Sunday morning.

I took this of St Petersburg pier at sunrise on a Sunday morning. I can recall that fact because on Sunday morning I’d rather be in bed but having driven my wife to the airport I figured I’d do a shoot on the way back. This is where I ended up, which is another way of saying I had no plan in mind. That worked out this time and I shot this from a park next to the pier. Man, tripod, camera and two dogs on a leash, must have been quite the site. But then, no one was there to see, everyone was still in bed. It was Sunday morning.

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Daphne Inlet

If you walk to the back of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you'll come upon Daphne Inlet. Not that I know anything about it, it was just a pleasant surprise. I love little surprises tucked away.  You walk down a path, through some trees and plants and it opens up into an inlet, kind of like a scene in a movie only for reel. Sorry, bad pun.  In any case, most of the surprise today were in the grounds of the gardens,  the biggest being that plants and flowers held my attention for an entire day. You really must visit if you ever go to Victoria BC because if I (Mr. Dont-know-nothin-about-gardning) liked it, then pretty much anyone would like it. I'm not sure that came out right but you get my drift.

If you walk to the back of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you’ll come upon Daphne Inlet. Not that I know anything about it, it was just a pleasant surprise. I love little surprises tucked away. You walk down a path, through some trees and plants and it opens up into an inlet, kind of like a scene in a movie only for reel. Sorry, bad pun. In any case, most of the surprise today were in the grounds of the gardens, the biggest being that plants and flowers held my attention for an entire day. You really must visit if you ever go to Victoria BC because if I (Mr. Dont-know-nothin-about-gardning) liked it, then pretty much anyone would like it. I’m not sure that came out right but you get my drift.

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California Wildflowers

I noticed these while walking along a path to the ocean in California. I was on a stopover from New Zealand so I still had that magic streaming through my veins. If you look closely you can just see the fairies trying not to be noticed. I think I caught them off guard.

I noticed these while walking along a path to the ocean in California. I was on a stopover from New Zealand so I still had that magic streaming through my veins. If you look closely you can just see the fairies trying not to be noticed. I think I caught them off guard.

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Cottage at Lake Hays

In between Queenstown and Arrowtown in New Zealand is Lake Hayes. This cottage sits right on the lake and can be rented. I was staying at a hotel but I have my eyes on this for the next time. When I go on vacation I like to wake up in places that are spectacular and take me far away from normal life. This is one of those places so it's high on the list. The little hill reminds me of a cottage my grandmother used to have. When I was four or five I used to ride a red wagon down the hill full speed, quite often crashing at the bottom. It was so much fun that I'd get right up and do it again. Isn't that a kick in the pants. ;-)

In between Queenstown and Arrowtown in New Zealand is Lake Hayes. This cottage sits right on the lake and can be rented. I was staying at a hotel but I have my eyes on this for the next time. When I go on vacation I like to wake up in places that are spectacular and take me far away from normal life. This is one of those places so it’s high on the list. The little hill reminds me of a cottage my grandmother used to have. When I was four or five I used to ride a red wagon down the hill full speed, quite often crashing at the bottom. It was so much fun that I’d get right up and do it again. Isn’t that a kick in the pants. 😉

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Ucluelet Fishing Vessel

This is taken from the harbour in Ucluelet, British Columbia. This was the scene one evening as we sat outside at a little floating restaurant while the sun lowered below the horizon. A nice place to sit and relax after a long day of sightseeing and whale watching. A good many of the town residents are commercial fishermen and these boats come and go all times of the day and night. Aside from the natural beauty, sport fishing is probably the biggest attraction in Ucluelet. I think this is one of those places fishermen must read about in magazines and then one day make it here to catch their hearts content. On a related note, I passed up fish and had the ribs. Not that I don't like fish, maybe being surrounded by so much fish I had the urge for something different.

This is taken from the harbour in Ucluelet, British Columbia. This was the scene one evening as we sat outside at a little floating restaurant while the sun lowered below the horizon. A nice place to sit and relax after a long day of sightseeing and whale watching. A good many of the town residents are commercial fishermen and these boats come and go all times of the day and night. Aside from the natural beauty, sport fishing is probably the biggest attraction in Ucluelet. I think this is one of those places fishermen must read about in magazines and then one day make it here to catch their hearts content. On a related note, I passed up fish and had the ribs. Not that I don’t like fish, maybe being surrounded by so much fish I had the urge for something different.

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