Day 320 - New baby!

Friends recently had a baby.... She's such a little angel!! I was trying to capture a particular picture, and I just couldn't quite capture it.  This one's cute too.  Babies are so amazing.

Day 319 - It's here... finally!

I love the winter, but I am so happy that spring is finally here... and all the beautiful colours with it.  This is the first flower to show itself in our front yard.  I love the colours, and excited to find other colours to photograph!

Day 318 - A lonely tree...

Today's photo is one I've entered in a contest on Viewbug. I call it the lonely tree because it looks like it is alone, and longing to be with the buildings on the other side of the lake.

When the voting opens on this contest, please do vote!

Day 317 - Mixing old and new

I have been on this corner a number of times and have never noticed how there is a combination of some old architecture with new/modern architecture.  I thought it looked really interesting. I took this quick photo as I was rushing off somewhere, and now I want to head back and take some more photos.

Day 316 - Selecting the Focus

Dunno what it is about this picture I like, but I absolutely love it.  I tried this shot a few times, first focussing on the water, then on the sand, and then this one.  This one was my favourite.  I actually didn't like the others.

Day 315 - Foiled by an old sloooow camera

So, this is what happens when you are patient, you set up your shot and then your camera foils the perfect shot...

Time for a new camera? Yes.

Day 314 - Unvisited treasure

I was out running some errands, and with the weather as beautiful as it is, I was walking everywhere.  This is a view of the trail I sometimes run on.  I never stop here, and now that I've seen it from this perspective, I think I'll be heading to some time soon to take some pictures.

Can't wait 'til tomorrow.  Heading out to a new place to explore and photograph with a friend.

Day 313 - Needle pulling thread...

Was fixing a decorative pillow and I really liked the feel of the material and the lines on the fabric.  I thought it would make a good photo.  The lighting in the room was bad, so I settled for a close-up.

Day 312 - Visiting a new friend

Last day of the long weekend, and headed to see a friend and her new little one. Had to take a picture of the present for the little one.  I know it looks wedding-ish, but it was the best wrapping paper I had for this gift. Yup, made the card to match!

Day 311 - Moon rise

I do love the moon, and seeing it rise while the sun is up always fills me with wonder.  This is the way it looked a couple days ago.

Day 310 - Easter Bunny

Was out briefly running errands, and noticed the lines of children at centre court to take pictures with the Easter Bunny.  It was cute... the bunny was really nice to the children, and they all seemed to enjoy him!

Day 309 - Another card

Holiday today!  But, I really don't have the energy to go out and take any photos... it's like a ghost town out there.  So, here is another card I made.  This is also a baby card.

If you want to check out more of the cards my sister and I have made, you can check out our Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/MercifulDesigns.

Day 308 - It's a girl!

Apparently it is now baby season!  I have a number of friends who have recently had babies or will be having a baby some time soon, so I spent the day making cards and wrapping presents.  Didn't have much time to shoot any other photos, so here is one of the cards I made.

Day 307 - Blood Moon

It was raining the night of the blood moon and lunar eclipse the other night, so, I didn't get any pictures.  I was out for a bit and noticed the moon.  It still has a red tinge to it.  I know this picture is grainy, but it's the best I could do with my point and shoot.

Never tire of looking at the moon. It always makes me feel at peace.

Day 306 - Getting the shot

When I'm with other people, I'm cognizant of the fact that they might not care to watch me find my perfect shot, so often I make due with what I can get.  Even if this is the case, I will not "spray and pray".  I try to make the best of my situation, and get the best shot I can get in the given circumstances.

When I shot this picture, I was not with anyone, who may have talked some sense into me to not try and climb down to the water.  I had passed this area a few times earlier in the week, and kept wanting to take a picture, but didn't attempt it from the vantage point I wanted to... this day, no one was around, and it was pretty dry so, I climbed down close to the water tried to take my picture.  Unfortunately, I couldn't really see my phone screen because of the light outside, so I used my best guesstimate, and shot a few pictures.

I had taken a few shots from above where the trail was, and I have to say, I do like the ones from storm drain better.  Just a better perspective.

Day 305 - Spring sunshine

I was heading home, and I looked up to see the sun shinning so bright, and I wanted to capture the warmth and beauty of the day.

Day 304 - Synapses branches

When I first got to the university for a meeting, I noticed the branches in the sky.  There is something about the branches all intertwined and messy, that grabbed my attention. As I looked for the best way to photograph them, they sort of reminded me of synapses in our brains. I think its neat that we can see the order within ourselves reflected in the world.

Day 303 - Through the glass... door

Yes, I love Knox College.  I like the structures in this building.  I thought it would be interesting to try take a picture with the glass door framing the shot, but of course with the limitation of my point and shoot, this is the best I could do.  Not at all the image I pictured in my head.

Day 302 - Path

Another photo from Knox College... I can't wait for the trees to be in full bloom.

Day 301 - Outdoor Hallway

One of the places that is completely overlooked at University of Toronto is Knox College,and I was completely happy about that when I was a student.  During exam season I would steal away to this library at Knox College, not only because it was beautiful, but because it was rarely occupied.  This is one of the outdoor hallways.

Day 300 - Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

I have been dying to take some photos at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library forever.  I just never seem to be in the area when it was open.  I happen to passing by today, just as it was closing, and the woman at the entrance said I could take a few quick pictures from the main floor.  That is just what I did.

There is something that is just so enchanting about this place. I remember the first time I went to this library... it reminded me of Beast's library from Beauty and the Beast. I know it doesn't look like the library in the movie, but it just reminded me of the walls of books and just the pure joy of being surrounded by so many books... so much knowledge.

I definitely want to go back and take some more pictures from different floors and different angles.

Day 299 - Fish eye

After a meeting today, I went to the bathroom before I headed out.  There were these vases with a solitary flower in each. I was looking at for some time, from different perspectives. From this view, it reminded me of a fish eye lense, not exactly, but sort of.

Day 298 - Qui est fatigué?

Moi, je suis fatiguée!  This on a natural energy beverage that I was very tempted to buy. Maybe, a good night's rest is better than working through the night tonight!

Day 297 - Knox Presbyterian Church

Back to my love for buildings in the night.  I quickly snapped this photo as I was headed home from a workshop.  I noticed the Knox Presbyterian Church on my way to the workshop, and had hoped that there would be time during a break to take some pictures, not only of this building, but others in the area.  Unfortunately, the breaks were not long enough for me to escape. As I walked past the church, I admired it for a bit, and then took this quick snap.

Day 296 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

It was slightly misty when I took this picture.  It had been raining all day, and when I went out, it looked pretty foggy.  I liked how it looked, especially with the river swelling to the brim with all the melting snow and ice feeding it.

When I saw this picture, it just reminded me of the Simon & Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Water.  I like the lyrics

See how they shine 

If you need a friend 

I'm sailing right behind 

Like a bridge over troubled water 

I will ease your mind 

Like a bridge over troubled water 

I will ease your mind

Day 295 - Fog over gentle waters

It has been raining all day, so it took me a while to get out the door.  I like the look of the fog over the river, but am never in a place where I can capture it.  So, when I went for a walk today, it was the perfect opportunity.

Day 294 - Mystery

I don't know what it is about this photo, but it makes me want to tell a story... a mystery of sorts.

Day 293 - Toronto is thawing out

I haven't been out running in a long time, and today, was the first time in a LONNNG time I made it out to the trail for a run... jog... no, more like a brisk walk.  It felt so good.  It was chilly, but the sun was warm, and the skies were amazing!

As much as I LOVE the winter, I really like this time of year, when you can see the world waking from its winter slumber. Although I was by myself, I was accompanied by a deer looking for food, and a whole host of birds!  There really is a beauty in each season.  Can't wait to see the trees blooming and the tree canopy filling in.

Another Contest to win a Nikon D800 or Canon 5D Mark III (body only)

SnapKnot along with Miller's Professional Imaging, SmugMug and BorrowLenses are giving away your choice of a brand new Nikon D800 or Canon 5D Mark III (body only) to one lucky photographer!

Find the entry page here:  https://contest.io/c/z1ztquq8.

Good luck!

Day 292 - The end of an "era"

A homage to a great Canadian show. After 10 years, the George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight show is ending soon.  So, I went to go see a taping... Ok, I really wanted to see Alex Bilodeau (so inspiring, love his story) and dragged a friend along!  We weren't allowed to take photos during the show (cough... cough...ahem...)... So, I took this shot of the infamous red chairs at what is likely to be the last time I see them.

Wish I had centred the photo better, but everyone wanted a shot of these chairs.... it's a shot to try again, that won't happen!

Day 291 - On the rocks...

Just not inspired to go out and shoot a photo.  So, figured, this represented my mood the best... dreaming of a relaxing night with a cold drink (cranberry juice with soda water and a twist of lemon).... or good company and a warm drink would do too!