Nature's Peace

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

~ John Muir

So as usual, I'm at least a half season behind with my posts. I'm guessing that you won't mind too much if we revisit the golden hues of autumn as she appeared just a few weeks ago. These few hours were spent around Little Lake - just a twenty minute walk from my place.


This vivid contrast of yellow and blue greeted me just outside of the Peterborough Art Gallery, one sunny afternoon.






This is one of its leaves back lit by the sun. I bumped up the contrast a bit.





Many but not most of the leaves had fallen by then. They're all gone now that it's a few weeks later. But this was then.






Across Little Lake, the trees were lit with gold as the afternoon sunlight breathed its fire on them.






In a matching coloured kayak, this boater paddled into their brilliant reflection.






Just one week after, most of the leaves had fallen but there were a few holdouts who were keeping their picnic tables available for a hopeful outdoor lunch.






This is the same tree you saw in the first image. One week and strong winds made all the difference.






The clouds above the dock reminded me of white birds taking off in flight.






And then this happened.






This wispy stem was gently blown about in the breeze, challenging me to freeze it for just a second.






The evening proudly wore her autumn best in the eastern sky, promising another day to enjoy with camera in hand.

I'll see you with those images soon.

Eventide

Eventide

Dark and light

striking

each other,

vividly etching wild colors

through the horizon.

The charm of sunset

makes me want

to scurry home.

~ Tara Estacaan

Are you ready to pick up where we left off in the last post?


We had been wandering the shores of Little Lake when we stopped for ice cream. Evening was quickly approaching.






I was chatting on the phone with my son at the time that I took this pic. Yes, I put my boy on hold for a photo op.






Although it's impossible to see it clearly, this isn't a squirrel on the dock. Though I thought it was at first, I soon realized that it was actually a young mink out for a bit of an exploration. I saw it more clearly on another night but it was even darker out and I never got a good shot of it.





Just a little later, a couple walk hand in hand along that same dock.






Local kids get a last game of volleyball in before it's too dark to see.






Moments later, the game and net were abandoned until another day and one of the players readied his bike for the ride back home.






A peaceful spot to sit and watch the sun go down.






They light up the fountain at night. It changes colours several times through the course of the evening.






Just a man and his dog, enjoying the peace of Little Lake.






This is probably the most romantic scenes I have ever happened upon. A lantern-lit dinner for two on a picnic bench along the water's edge. There was music playing from across the lake - one of the many free evening concerts offered by this wonderful town.






Goodnight, Peterborough.

Thanks for walking with me. It's always nice to have some company while wandering about town, and yours is always the best.

More photos coming up before too much longer.

With the First Step

With the first step, the number of shapes the walk might take is infinite, but then the walk begins to define itself as it goes along, though freedom remains total with each step: any tempting side road can be turned into an impulse, or any wild patch of woods can be explored. The pattern of the walk is to come true, is to be recognized, discovered.

- A.R. Ammons

Spring is here. The days are warm - some of them sunny. That means that Little Lake and its surrounding path calls to me and my camera. Most of these photos were taken a couple of weeks ago and the grass had still not quite greened up yet. It's lush and verdant now but you'll have to wait for next time to see that. For now, come join me around Peterborough.


I've seen this sweet pooch a few times now. That open window allows him free access to the sloped porch roof where he likes to hang out and snooze. I suspect he's used to being photographed.






One day (though not this one) I was about a half block past him when I hear him barking excitedly. I turned to see a car pulling into the driveway. His person had arrived home and he was thrilled to go greet him. He quickly turned tail and ran back in through the window in anticipation of their reunion.






It pays to look up sometimes. It's also a good idea to look down, once in a while. This colourful worry doll caught my eye in a parking lot.






Did I mention that flowering trees are now in bloom?






As are all of the spring bulbs. The crocus is my favourite probably because they're usually one of the first to emerge. And well.. because they're purple!






Of course, you can't deny the beauty of the brilliant yellow daffodil.






Seasonal home businesses have begun to open up shop again.






A lone pine cone soaks up the warming rays of spring sunlight.






This is one of two Little Library spots of which I'm aware in my neighbourhood. I suspect there are more. Books and magazines are free for the taking. When I think of it before heading out, I grab one or two from my own shelf and help to replenish it.






Finally, we reach the lake where this lovely mallard was waiting patiently for us. Or so I like to think.






I snapped this photo from a distance. The place is called The Silver Bean and it only opened its doors for the season a day or two earlier. There was already a small party going on.






This guy is attended a party for one - enjoying his reading by the waterside.






A grackle's feathers looks so lovely in the sun. Still, he kept his cold, yellow eye on me as I approached slowly.






On the way back home, I offer a parting shot of the dock where people and dogs will soon be diving into the warming waters of Little Lake.

I hope you enjoyed the stroll. More photos coming up pretty soon.

For the Soul

To see in color is a delight for the eye 

but to see in black and white is a delight for the soul.

~ Andri Cauldwell

My longtime blogger buddy, Kaye of The Bucksnort Chronicles recently created a black and white photography challenge on Facebook. I tend to shy away from memes and challenges for the most part but every now and then, one catches my attention - especially if the rules are relaxed enough. They were plenty casual in this case - simply post black and white images throughout the month of February, as often or infrequently as the urge strikes. It struck a few times and those efforts are below.

Of course, I have to admit that I never shoot in monochrome. My personal challenge was just finding subjects which I thought could look better in black and white than in colour. All of these images were photographed in full colour and turned into black and white photos for the event. Most have probably been posted on my blog at some point through the years. I hope you enjoy them.



This tiny hand belongs to my past-neighbour Lilly. Remember her? That sweet little munchkin has recently celebrated her sixth birthday. Time sure flies, doesn't it?








She's always been utterly delicious from tip to toe. Thankfully, I get to read about her brother's and her antics on FB, occasionally.







The protective arms and helping hands of a patient father teaching his child how to fish off of the dock.






Same dock, different day. I was out for a walk when I spotted his quartet fishing. I stopped for a quick shot and then hurried along.








A macro view of a teeny-tiny seed which landed on a narrow railing of a different dock.







And still another dock, at night, shortly after the moon rose in the hazy sky.







From hazy night to misty morning. This was the view across the bay.







Late day sunlight presents the shadow of a planter as it falls across a back wall and door.







Just a couple of bar chairs which caught my eye while waiting for lunch one day, a few years back.







And since we're talking about chairs and lunch, I had a decent meal at a little restaurant near my place, one day. For some reason I was intrigued with getting a shot of the boots under the table. I grabbed this one on the sly - without use of the viewfinder. I just lowered the camera, took my chances and clicked blindly.







It's not every day you see a bearded dragon out for a walk in the park. Especially when he and his person are wearing matching leather vests.







My neighbour, Carol kindly gave me a few old books for which she no longer had room. Among them was a 75 year old copy of Treasure Island, a 1917 copy of The Merchant of Venice, Black Beauty from the 1930s and a couple of copies of Tom Sawyer - one from 1949 and this opened one which is undated.







Zephyr's little black and white, heart-shaped nose which is magically dark grey and pink in true colour.

I hope you enjoyed these. Full colour and I will return before too long.

Visiting Kingston

Early this month, Frank and I spent a couple of days in Kingston, Ontario. It's situated just about halfway between Toronto and Montreal, and just happens to be where my son attends university at Royal Military College (RMC). As luck would have it, our intended trip to see blues singer Matt Andersen perform at Kingston's Grand Theatre coincided with Jeffrey's return from his week long trip to Cuba. We were able to spend Saturday afternoon with him at our hotel room watching Canada's Olympic gold medal hockey victory.

(please click on photos to enlarge)

Jeffrey gives the thumbs up to our record-breaking Canadian athletes.

After a victory dinner, we returned to watch the closing ceremonies, before Jeffrey headed back to campus a few minutes away.



A night time view of Kingston's beautiful City Hall as seen on our way to dinner.





The lovely domed clock tower.





The next morning Frank and I wandered around town for a bit. This door just happened to catch my eye.





Eventually we stopped for refreshment. Cup of chai, anyone?

That afternoon, while Frank settled in for a nap, I took my camera out for a walk.


I headed over the bridge toward RMC and snapped a shot of Memorial Arch. Students are requested to walk around the arch, and not pass beneath it more than twice in the entire time spent at RMC. The first time they march under it is when they arrive as new cadets. Four years later, they will once again march under the arch when they graduate as Officers of the Canadian Armed Forces. That day is coming up for my son this May.





On my way back to the hotel. I had a clear view of the city's skyline.





Colourful textures at the side of the dock.





In the evening, before the show, we had dinner out. The brick wall and wooden shutters demanded that I snap a shot.





Then they insisted it be in black and white. I have very demanding surroundings.





Here's another showy wall, complete with mirror.





It was soon time to walk over to the Grand Theatre to see Matt Andersen perform. If you ever have the chance to listen to this young, blues artist, please do yourself a favour and go. He's a wonderful songwriter with an incredible voice, and he plays a fine guitar. You can have a listen to some of his own music here. He also performs a few classics. The time just flew by.





And then we were on our way back to the hotel.





This lovely view greeted us outside our window at night.

See you in a few days with some more photos.