Day 353 - More flowers...

So, I went out to shoot some flowers during the golden hour, and my camera just would not cooperate. I tried so many ways to get take pictures of these and a few other really pretty flowers, and my camera would just not cooperate.  It would indicate that it was focused, and then it wouldn't actually be.  The camera has a mind of it's own.  Until I figure out what is wrong, again, I'll be using my point and shoot.

Day 330 - Remnants of fall

Took a break just before sunset yesterday, and saw the rust stain on the picnic table, and the leaf, and I like the colours, and the lines...

Day 329 - Crawling along

Saw this little guy in the tree, and I think I scared him.  I got this and one other picture, and then he disappeared into his shell. I have seen to many snails crushed... because they are so slow.  This one was safe... he was somewhere he wouldn't be stepped on.

Day 326 - The power of nature

I was looking through some pictures on my phone, and found this one.  It was from a couple weeks ago, when there was still snow on the ground in some places around the city. I remember when I was walking past this "carnage" (it looked like someone massacred these trees, with branches strewn everywhere!), I thought about all the crazy weather we have had since the beginning of this project. With all the incredible weather, I'm surprised more trees didn't come come down.

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 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.

Day 290 - Light

Yesterday was Earth Hour, and though my family (somewhat) observed.  This year we didn't light candles, or use our charged electronics, we just sat in the dark. I know it sounds odd, but I had a pounding headache, so I was all to happy to have an hour of dark and (relative) quiet. During that hour, I cheekily stated that my photo of the day would be a dark abyss to represent the darkness we were sitting in, and I in fact took a picture of the dark ceiling.  It would have been a black rectangle.

I sat in the dark thinking about what having electricity and artificial lights have done for us as a society.  There are a lot of benefits, but we have lost that natural rhythm of life. I can liken it to when we were children, our bodies functioned naturally, ie when to eat, when to sleep, etc. But, now with technology and life the way it is, we have conditioned ourselves to function differently, ie staying up late, working through the night, etc. While I thought more about life and the use of light to be more productive, my thoughts turned to photography.  Despite all the advances in technology, and artificial light that we can manipulate, the light photographers love the best is the golden hour... natural light at it's finest.

So, this is a picture I took during the golden hour (sunset)... a reminder of simpler times.

Day 289 - They're baaaack!

They might be annoying to some people, but the Canada Geese are a comforting sight to me.  Didn't matter where I lived in this country, they were always there.  Also, they are just fascinating to watch... even if they are hissing at you to stay away when their goslings walk directly towards you.

Day 272 - Architecture of Toronto

I was walking from a friend's office to the subway along Queen Street East, and I realized I have seen this area of the city as it has changed.  I actually don't know if I have ever stopped to really appreciate the architecture of the area before.  This is "The Carbon Bar".  I loved the use of a combination of the two tones of brick with glass, and the modern sign.  Oh, how I love this city!

Day 253 - Through the window

I was looking through my pictures and found quite a few from at home that were taken from the car.  I guess I didn't realize it, but I tend to take a lot of photos from the car.  My goal for next month is to go some where and just use the time for the sole purpose of taking pictures and nothing else.

Day 233 - Everything changes in a moment

This photo and the photo in yesterday's post were taken moments apart, and the saturation of colours are different.  I just like how it reminds me of how fleeting moments are, and that we have to enjoy them as they come.

I can't remember why there was chicken wire in the backyard, but made for an interesting element in this photo.

Day 232 - As the sun sets

So, I wanted to post this photo from December, because it was striking to me how much the sun in this shot, which is at sunset, to the colours in yesterday's post.  I really am drawn to these colours and these silhouettes.

Day 218 - Docked

Looking for a picture of the American flag, I realized I have not processed many of my pictures from my trip to the US.  I really liked the colours in this one... and I guess I must have been tired when I edited, because, I just noticed that the horizon is off on this one.

Day 211 - Melting

The ice is melting.... and everything still looks stunning at sunset!

Day 182 - Moon over TO

Today, just after the sun set, as the city was settling in for the night. The next couple of days will be devoted to pictures I took this evening at City Hall/Nathan Phillips Square. I've been dying to go skating, and though I was at the rink...didn't quite make it onto the ice!

Day 178 - Reflecting with the ducks

Also taken the my sister's birthday years ago. I just liked the way this one looked.  My brother. Reflective.

Day 177 - Sunset in the Park

This is from 2009, on my sister's birthday.  We had a mini picnic in the park and then wandered around taking pictures in the incredible light.

Day 175 - The end of a long day

This was taken on the Summer Equinox last year. There is so much I love about this photo... I was fasting that day, and I really welcomed the sunset, and what was more amazing than being greeted with this view? No editing on this one!

Day 152 - Mosque shining with light

I don't know how I missed this one before.  This is a picture of a mosque just after the sunset prayers.  I loved the colour of the sky, so I decided that I would take a picture of the minaret with this light behind it.  Love the light burst effect.

Day 130 - Beautiful sunsets

I have to say that I have never experienced more glorious sunsets than I have here! This looks like it could have been taken at home, but it was in Morocco, I assure you.  We were in the car and heading to the Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakesh after spending the day in Ourika, in the mountains.  It was a perfect way to end the day!