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Winter Tree

I’ve had this picture for a while, it’s one of those that I never get around to posting but really like. I was surprised to find that some people think this is a scary picture. That thought never even occurred to me, but then I suppose that’s the whole point of art, it evokes emotions in the eyes of the beholder. In any case, this is my tribute to winter and even though it’s a few days before the official start, most people in the northern hemisphere have experienced winter for some time. And that just might be a scary thought indeed.

I've had this picture for a while, it's one of those that I never get around to posting but really like. I was surprised to find that some people think this is a scary picture. That thought never even occurred to me, but then I suppose that's the whole point of art, it evokes emotions in the eyes of the beholder. In any case, this is my tribute to winter and even though it's a few days before the official start, most people in the northern hemisphere have experienced winter for some time. And that might just be a scary thought indeed.

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

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After the Storm

This summer I was in Banff Alberta and captured this shot over the Bow River one morning. About a month before we arrived this river overflowed it’s banks and the town (not to mention others downstream including Calgary) was virtually shutdown as the residents and business owners worked to cleanup, restore power and prepare for the summer tourist season. The early morning calm and stillness of this scene belies the catastrophe and Herculean efforts that proceeded, and when we arrived it was as beautiful as you see here with no signs of what just happened a few weeks before.

This summer I was in Banff Alberta and captured this shot over the Bow River one morning. About a month before we arrived this river overflowed it's banks and the town (not to mention others downstream including Calgary) was virtually shutdown as the residents and business owners worked to cleanup, restore power and prepare for the summer tourist season. The early morning calm and stillness of this scene belies the catastrophe and Herculean efforts that proceeded, and when we arrived it was as beautiful as you see here with no signs of what just happened a few weeks before.

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

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Antigua Market

A couple of months ago I was in Antigua and longed for an authentic meal. It just so happened that the wife of our taxi driver had a stall in this market. When we found it she invited us inside out of the afternoon sun to serve us at her table table. Despite the humble surroundings her kitchen was spotless and the food was full of flavor, my favorite was the salt fish. Yet the most authentic part of the meal was her warm hospitality, for that brief time she made us feel like family. Apparently she was in accounting at the banana factory before it shut down, now she runs the food stall temporarily until things improve. After that wonderful meal and conversation we walked through the market where I captured this scene.

A couple of months ago I was in Antigua and longed for an authentic meal. It just so happened that the wife of our taxi driver had a stall in this market. When we found it she invited us inside out of the afternoon sun to serve us at her table table. Despite the humble surroundings her kitchen was spotless and the food was full of flavor, my favorite was the salt fish. Yet the most authentic part of the meal was her warm hospitality, for that brief time she made us feel like family. Apparently she was in accounting at the banana factory before it shut down, now she runs the food stall temporarily until things improve. After that wonderful meal and conversation we walked through the market where I captured this scene.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Night on the Water

I took one last photo as dusk gave way to night and I headed back to my car and then home. Before I left I noticed the faint light of a small fishing boat a mile or two offshore and tried to imagine the scene from out there. Perhaps the light of houses along the shore. In any case, late last night I was driving along this same road and saw a fisherman coming in from sea with his small boat. I don’t know why but that got me thinking there is no way I would be out in the Gulf of Mexico in such in a small boat at night, yet hundreds do it every evening. And so I silently acknowledged his courage and fortitude and thanked him for the fish tacos I just had for dinner.

I took one last photo as dusk gave way to night and I headed back to my car and then home. Before I left I noticed the faint light of a small fishing boat a mile or two offshore and tried to imagine the scene from out there. Perhaps the light of houses along the shore. In any case, late last night I was driving along this same road and saw a fisherman coming in from sea with his small boat. I don't know why but that got me thinking there is no way I would be out in the Gulf of Mexico in such in a small boat at night, yet hundreds do it every evening. And so I silently acknowledged his courage and fortitude and thanked him for the fish tacos I just had for dinner.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Sinclair Centre

This is a shot of the iconic Sinclair Center in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver has such an abundance of modern skyscrapers but in an amongst them are gems like this, reminiscent of another time. Cities like this that have not lost touch with the past are probably better for it on a number of different levels. If buildings could hear, I’d like to tell the newer sleeker ones to respect their elders while pointing at this. There you have it, I have a sense of architectural heritage and at times I might just be stark raving bonkers. 😉

This is a shot of the iconic Sinclair Center in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver has such an abundance of modern skyscrapers but in an amongst them are gems like this, reminiscent of another time. Cities like Vancouver that have not lost touch with the past are probably better for it, on a number of different levels. If buildings could hear, I'd like to tell the newer sleeker ones to respect their elders while pointing at this. There you have it, I have a sense of architectural heritage and at times I might just be stark raving bonkers. ;-)

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Venice Pier

This is the Venice Pier which is attached to Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice Florida. A couple of wooden versions of this washed away in hurricanes and so they built this newer stronger concrete version. It’s such an iconic setting that we always bring guests here. When my sister-in-law was down she lamented she hadn’t seen any dolphins, however the day we came here we spotted a small pod frolicking at the end. Florida’s west coast is dotted with establishments like this, but this is one of our favorite. Everything just seems to add up.

This is the Venice Pier which is attached to Sharky's on the Pier in Venice Florida. A couple of wooden versions of this washed away in hurricanes and so this newer stronger concrete version is here to stay. This is such an iconic setting that we always bring our guests here. My sister-in-law was down and was lamenting she hadn't seen any dolphins until the day we came here where we spotted a small pod frolicking at the end of the pier. Florida's west coast is dotted with establishments like this, but this is one of our favorite. Everything just seems to add up here.

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Reflection

Early morning reflected in the widows of the Loft in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour. Refections sometimes produce an effect of separation that’s not really there, but allows our minds to believe it is, producing perspective, hopefully for the better. I wonder what the perspective of the early morning crew was as they saw me taking pictures of the reflections in their windows. Something I’ll never know.

Early morning reflected in the widows of the Loft in Vancouver's Coal Harbour. Refections sometimes produce an effect of separation that's not really there, but allows our minds to believe it is, producing perspective, hopefully for the better. I wonder what the perspective of the early morning crew was as they saw me taking pictures of the reflections in their windows. Something I'll never know.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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On Deck

Royal’s Jewel of the Seas; on deck one evening at sea. This is a section normally busy with people sunbathing or just walking the deck, but I headed up here around dinner and so it was pretty empty. Sure enough, early in the morning folks would be walking or running this track. My hat is off to those people, with discipline and fortitude to walk off the previous night’s meal. I tried a couple of times, but always seemed to get sidetracked by the drink of the day. Working up ambition on board a cruise ship can be a challenge, trying to stay focused on anything is pretty much impossible. But then that’s the whole idea, right?

Royal's Jewel of the Seas; on deck one evening at sea. This is a section normally busy with people sunbathing or just walking the deck, but I headed up here around dinner and so it was pretty empty. Sure enough, early in the morning folks would be walking or running this track. My hat is off to those people, with discipline and fortitude to walk off the previous night's meal. I tried a couple of times, but always seemed to get sidetracked by the drink of the day. Working up ambition on board a cruise ship can be a challenge, trying to stay focused on anything is pretty much impossible. But then that's the whole idea, right?

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.

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Pond at Dusk

This was taken at a pond at Emerson Point state park near my home. This and a couple of other nearby ponds are hangouts for migratory birds. I’m not a birder and I don’t know a lot about each species, but they’re still fun to watch in their natural habitat. There’s all kinds of wildlife in and around this pond, I’ve seen Raccoons, Armadillos, Turtles, Osprey and Eagles. So there you go, I’m no birder, but apparently I’m Daniel Boone.

This was taken at a pond at Emerson Point state park near my home in Manatee County Florida. This and a couple of other nearby ponds are hangouts for migratory birds. Now I'm not a birder and I don't know a lot about each species, but they're still fun to watch in their natural habitat. There's all kinds of wildlife in and around this pond, I've seen Raccoons, Armadillos, Turtles, Osprey and Eagles. So there you go, I'm no birder, but apparently I'm Daniel Boone.

Follow link to obtain a print of this photo.