In the summer, when I get out on my bike, I usually head for the Humber Recreational Trail. I’ve biked many hours here, and today I decided to head over to one of the sections to get my butt out of my regular neighbourhood.
Interlude
I headed to a section of the trail where there is a large pond. In the summer, you can usually find great blue herons and white egrets here, but with the cold weather, these birds head south. I did not find any other birds here, which in a way was lucky since I had only brought my macro lens with me. From one of the viewpoints on the pond, I saw a person by the water’s edge under a beautiful tree. I can’t say I was disappointed with this nice surprise as I quickly snapped a few photos.
The Trail
For the middle of winter, there is a lot of brown around us. We haven’t had snow since Christmas Day. This image above was quite bland when I started editing it. I wanted to give it a little spice, so I added some fog to the background and darkened up the foreground, giving it a little more atmosphere.
Incoming
As I crossed over the river on my way back to my car, a couple of ducks picked that same moment to came in for a landing. I was able to get a few shots as they came toward me. Only one photo was sharp, but that was all I needed. A very different walk than usual, but it was worth the short drive to see something different from my own backyard.
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?
I had a lot more time this evening to explore Claireville for a good autumn shot. As I was chatting with my friend Nigel and angling my camera to take a photo of this wooden bridge with the sun shining through the trees this man and his dog came by. I happily snapped away as they walked by.
A Walk in the Park
It was the perfect opportunity to photograph them as they walked away into the sunset.
Hiking a little further in the park Nigel and I got up close and personal with some very tall grass.
Autumn Painting
When I loaded this photo into the computer it looked more of a painting rather than a photograph. There’s just something about it. When I photographed it I felt much the same way about the shot but I didn’t think it would come across the same way. Luckily it did!
It’s the annual family camping trip so even though I’ve brought my camera along I’m not focusing on photography this weekend. That said I‘m still sneaking away to get some shots.
Milky Way above Mazinaw Rock
And I’m very glad I did. The Milky Way rose right over Mazinaw Rock and I think that green glow may be the northern lights. Or it could be wishful thinking?
