Frosty Trees

My last post for 2010 is the same tree that was posted a few days ago and composed pretty much the same as the other image. Perhaps it was good luck to post the image and wish that I could capture this tree coated in hoarfrost as we had a coating of hoarfrost on the trees yesterday. I was able to get out and went straight for this tree in the nearby farmfield. I would have preferred a clear blue sky, but kind of like the “white on white” look or “high-key” look to this image.

Hope you like the image.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

See you in 2011.

 

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Winter tree at Sunset

Yesterday, as I was approaching home, after shooting the Mallards on Lake Ontario, the sun was beginning to set and I could see beautiful pink tones were going to develop in the sky. I drove to a nearby farm where a lovely tree sits in a field, knowing is leafless branches would make a wonderful subject against this pink sky. I jumped into the snowy ditch to get a low perspective and ample separation of the trees lowest branches and the field. I waited for the last rays of light, from the sun, to hit the tree and then began shooting a few various compositions. This one is my favorite. Now, if I can just get this tree coated in hoarfrost I’ll be happy!

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More Fun with Mallards

Today I made a brief, but productive visit to Humber Bay Park in Toronto along the Lake Ontario shoreline to shoot some additional waterfowl images. As usual there were plenty of Mallards to be found along with a few other species. It was a sunny, but bitterly cold day due to windy conditions. The Mallards didn’t seem to mind though and proceeded to put on quite a performance – from sliding in on the ice to splashing down in the water. Hope you like the photos.

 

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SEASON’S GREETINGS

Many thanks to all who visit, subscribe and comment here at my photo blog. Your continued support is very much appreciated. I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

See you soon.

All the best,

Andrew

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Horses

Getting caught up on processing some image files that I have not had the time to process until now. Last autumn, neighbors of mine asked me if I would be able to photograph some of their horses – here is a small sample of the results. I am hoping to capture them this winter in a gentle snowfall also. Whenever I see horses in my travels I always stop to grab a few shots of them. They are such beautiful and graceful animals. They remind me of a time when gasoline was not required to travel great distances. They also remind me of a saying I once heard – diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but only if she can trade them for a good horse.

When I was photographing the horses I could not resist getting a few shots of my neighbors 10 month old English Bulldog too. You can see his image at the bottom of this post. The reddish horse’s name is Scarlet and the darker horse is named Muffin.

You gotta love that face. What a cutie eh!

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Creating Photoshop Blurs

I love blurry photos. A pleasing blur of wildlife can help bring images to life by adding the sense of motion, while blurry photographs of subjects such as flowers or autumn leaves can create beautiful abstract compositions. Recently, I discovered how to create blurs in photoshop thanks to a wonderful new eBook – “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs” by Denise Ippolito and Arthur Morris. You may check out the eBook here. I highly recommend this eBook. It has help me find new creative ideas for older images. The above image was created using techniques found within this eBook. The image below is the original, unaltered image direct from the camera. It sat in my archives, unoptimized, for a few years until I learned the various techniques to create the image above. Several times I almost deleted this image from my files, now I am glad I didn’t. You never know when you will learn new techniques that will give images life.

Hope you like the blur.

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Mallards

One of my favorite subjects to photograph during the winter months is the Mallard duck. Although they are very common along the Lake Ontario shoreline they are perfect for practicing duck photography skills. Often I will go to Humber Bay Park in Toronto with a pail of duck food and spend the day shooting these beautiful ducks. After the ducks have finished “tipping-up” for the food that floated to the bottom, they will start bathing and flapping their wings, providing opportunities for behaviour type shots. In addition, I love to capture the Mallards on the ice that forms along the shore. Here is a collection of some of my favorite Mallard images from Humber Bay Park.

 

Hope you like the images.

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Winter Wonderland

Winter has finally arrive here in central Ontario. It began snowing on Sunday. So far, there is about two feet of snow on the ground and more falling as I write this post. Lots of shoveling to do.  During a lull between show squalls I was able to get out today and grab a few photographs of the newly transformed landscapes near my home. About 15 minutes from home, I came across this scene on the Holland River.

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Winter Songbirds – Part 2

A few additional songbird images from a couple of days ago. Lots of Blue Jays, House Finches and Black-capped Chickadees hanging around. Once we get our first significant snow fall there should be lots of activity and several others species should begin to show up at the feeders.

For now, hope you enjoy this installment of winter songbird images.

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Winter Landscapes in Muskoka

I will be co-leading a winter landscapes tour in Ontario’s Muskoka region on the weekend of February 5th & 6th 2011 with friend and colleague Raymond Barlow. This post includes a sampling of some of the beautiful scenic locations we will visit during this tour. To find out more about this tour and to sign up please click here.

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