Wow! Another outing beyond the regular neighbourhood walk. This time my friend Nigel and I headed into Toronto. Our goal today was to walk the Leslie Spit – more commonly known as Tommy Thompson park (or is it the other way around?), followed by a walk in the financial district after the sun went down.
Tree Blur
I had a little fun with this photo. Originally it was just a tree-lined path which had some great light on it but I wanted to blur it to create something different. A little bit of abstract art for you.
All the lookouts that we walked to didn’t result in any great photos. There were no clouds in the sky and the haze from the fires out west were settling in. It just looked blah.
Toronto Skyline
This is one of the only photos that peaked my interest. I decided to create more subdued colours and treat it more like a silhouette by darkening up the landscape and skyline.
At this particular lookout there were some stones to sit on. As I was taking a break ont hose stones, I noticed these wonky shaped trees to my left. The sun was low enough to make it an interesting photo. Originally, I shot the image with my phone but then decided it was worth taking on my DSLR camera too.
Sunlight Through the Trees
Back on the main path, we made it halfway up the Spit before we decided we were too hot and tired to continue. From here we headed to Cherry Beach to watch the sunset and grab some poutine and onion rings from the street truck for dinner. Although our original plans were to head to the financial district, we decided we were too tired and our feet hurt so we headed home, promising ourselves that we would be back to do some night shots in the downtown core another time.
I can’t believe that since mid-March I’ve been expanding my macro photography skills by just shooting around my neighbourhood. Am I starting to get bored with just shooting macro all the time? Absolutely not because there are always unique views to find.
Burdock
Every time I head out I expect to see the same things, but there always seems to be something new to photograph, even if it’s from a different angle or even a different stage of something’s growth.
Flower
Of course, not everything I shoot with my macro lens is something up close or small. Sometimes I try to sneak up on a bird that’s balanced on a skinny branch.
Bird Silhouette
Who then promptly flies away. Still it makes for an interesting image, don’t you think?
Nigel and I decided to go back to Claireville today in the hopes that we can find something to be inspired by. So far things are still brown but spring is around the corner so we should start seeing more plants and animals emerge from their hibernation or come home from their travels abroad.
Another Nuthatch
Our nuthatch from yesterday came to greet us again. This time he ventured a little closer than yesterday so I was able to get a much better shot. I’m going to assume he was hoping we brought some seed to share but no luck here this time.
Cattails
After seeing the nuthatch the rest of the trail walk was pretty quiet so we finished our walk and headed home.
Nigel and I met over at Claireville Conservation area yesterday to explore some of the spring birds that have come into the park. Even though there were quite a lot of barn swallows flitting about I had the wrong camera with me to get some good photographs so I shot a couple of landscapes of the marsh there.
The Creek Runs Through it
Today, however, I ventured back on my own with my Nikon and was able to photograph some of the swallows. They are quick birds and I wasn’t very good at catching them in flight.
Barn Swallow
I could only get shots of them when they actually stood still enough. These little birds were speeding around the meadow catching bugs to eat and most of the time you could barely see them with the naked eye. They move so fast!
Home Sweet Home
There are many bird houses in the park and its nice to see that they actually get used if only for a short time.
My friend Nigel and I decided to go out to Luther Marsh Conservation area today for a bike ride. I took with me the new Fuji I acquired to test out its capabilities. Here are a couple of the shots I took while on the trail through the marsh.
