View allAll Photos Tagged Canadianprovince.
How about a pleasant afternoon hiking 2 km to Lighthouse Picnics, Ferryland, Newfoundland?
Construction was completed on the light in 1871, but was not electrified until 1931. It ceased operation in 1983.
Newfoundland's in the north Atlantic, and weather is often flaky, but it's worth the visit even in the rain. In the case of inclement weather, picnics are held inside the lighthouse.
While we were there, a good-natured Humpback Whale lolled on its side and waved a huge fluke at us for at least 15 minutes. Unfortunately it was out of range for the lens on my camera.
Candadian National Historic Site. This artillery fort was built in the 1890s to protect the coast and Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.
Today I had the uncommon good fortune to see inside this lighthouse, which was built in 1912. I climbed 40 feet to the top. It was a very special experience. See Sheringham Point Lighthouse exterior.
Fog envelopes the point. Viewed from top of Sheringham Point Lighthouse, Shirley, British Columbia, Canada.
Another glorious morning at the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Shirley, British Columbia, Canada. To see others in this series, go to my Vancouver Island album.
At Raptor Center, North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada. The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America.
This was the sight as we crossed the very short bridge over the Gordon River. We quickly found a spot to park and I starting clicking my camera. The bridge accomodated only one car at a time and I took shots in the middle, keeping my eyes and ears open for approaching vehicles. I felt some anxiety because it was at least 60 feet above ground and the railings were not even two feet high. The bridge is casting a shadow on the river in the foreground. View from the other side of this same bridge is my Gordon River2 shot in my Vancouver Island album.
Another lovely, summer morning in southern Vancouver Island on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Shirley, British Columbia, Canada. The Olympic Mountains, in Washington State, U.S., can be seen below the clouds.
At Raptor Center, North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada. These gorgeous hawks hunt in groups, similar to wolf behavior. They then share the food. This occurs most frequently in winter, when hunting alone becomes more difficult because available prey are larger. Commonly found in open, dry country. Harris's Hawks have been observed doing "back-standing," where two or three birds stand on each other. This is believed to assist the top bird in seeing prey and in cooling the lower bird(s) when the top one spreads his wings to provide shade.
View from the other side of the bridge when I took the Gordon River1 shot. See Gordon River1 shot in my Vancouver Island album.
Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada. Bald Eagles do not attain their white head and tail feathers until they reach sexual maturity in their fourth or fifth year. This one was perched high above Port San Juan, periodically swooping down for a fish. Only one foray was successful, but the fish was quite small. Meanwhile, two mature bald eagles, presumably the parents, were nearby and more successful catching fish.
Per "A History of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse," there have been more than 240 shipwrecks along the Vancouver Island coast since 1803. In 1906, the steamship SS Valencia hit a reef on the southwestern part of the island and sank. Only 37 of the 173 passengers aboard survived. In response to formal inquiries, Canada decided to build 12 more lighthouses in the area, including one at Sheringham Point in 1912. This is a Canadian "Heritage Lighthouse." See Sheringham Point Lighthouse Interior
Another fine day on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, during our Great Lakes Cruise! We visited the tiny hamlet of Killarney, after first cruising along the coast in a zodiac boat. It's a pity that they spoiled this charming light station by erecting the giant communications tower right next to it !
My 365-2023: #183 of 365
At Raptor Center, North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada. Native to Africa, the marabou stork is often called the world's ugliest bird. Some males achieve a height of five feet and a weight of 20 lbs. The largest ones can have a wingspan of 12 feet, the greatest of any landbird. The pink gular sac in front helps keep the stork cool. In breeding season, the male inflates the sac to attract females and to ward off rival males.
At Raptor Center, North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada.
See previous post of flying Turkey Vulture in my Birds album.
This bird got its name from its superficial resemblance to the Wild Turkey. As it has feet more like a chicken than an eagle, it is the only scavenger bird that cannot kill its prey. Its powerful beak, however, can rip through even the toughest cow hide. If a Turkey Vulture is disturbed or pestered, it throws up on whatever is bothering it.
Most birds cannot smell. Not so with the Turkey Vulture, which has one of the most sensitive noses of all animals. It can discern the scent of rotting flesh in concentrations as small as a few parts per billion in the air and up to 6.5 miles away! You can see through its nasal openings, really one large opening, which allows air to flow directly over the olfactory nerves.
A group of perched vultures is called a wake. Kettles are groups of vultures spiraling upward to gain altitude in thermal updrafts.
On our final day in Toronto, we went to the AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario, and the iconic CN Tower. 360 degree views from 1,122 feet in the air. We stayed at the Sheraton, which was a good location for exploring the busiest area of Toronto. It was a hazy day, as the smoke from the wildfires still threatens most of the Great Lakes area and more...
My 365-2023: #190 of 365
What they lack in originality in naming their only store, they make up for in charm In this tiny hamlet of Silver Islet on Thunder Bay, northern shore of Lake Superior, Ontario. Canada. A rich vein of pure silver was discovered on this small island in 1868 and was shut down by 1883. The former miner's homes are now summer cottages, and only a handful of people actually spend the winter here.
The population of vicious biting bugs far outnumbers the population of human beings here ! I left the island with about 20 bug bites on my face, hands and neck - even after applying insect repellent twice!
During our tour of the 5 Great Lakes, we had a brief visit to Kakabeka Falls on the Kaministiquia River in Thunder Bay on Lake Superior. It is considered the Niagara Falls of the North.
My 365-2023: #176 of 365
Given that this was the height of tourist season in Victoria, keeping the alley clear of other people was a real feat for the photographer. Thankfully, he got his shot and I got mine. Zoom in for the kiss and the dress. This is number two of two. See
Surprise Chinatown (Victoria) Visit from Bride & Groom
We visited The Sea Lion on Lake Superior via Zodiak boat, and the guide took time to be sure we each got interesting pictures taken through the arch.
"As legend has it, the Sea Lion of Silver Islet, also known as Nagochee, was a companion of Nanabijou -the Sleeping Giant. In the tale, Nanabijou mistakenly believes that Nagochee has betrayed him. In his anger, the giant puts a curse on the beast, turning him to rock. Each summer, scores of visitors to Silver Islet and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park make the trek to the spot where the remains of the faithful Nagochee still stands, longingly gazing out across Perry Bay on the world’s largest freshwater lake."
Severe forest fires in numerous parts of British Columbia created smoke-filled days and unseasonably warm summer temperatures on southern Vancouver Island. Smoke turned the setting sun into a brilliant, orange-red color and presented a unique photographic opportunity. I took sunset photos on two, consecutive nights. To see my shot from the night before, click August 2nd Sunset Shot
On our final day in Toronto, we had a zodiac boat tour around the port and the islands that define the inner harbor on a beautiful autumn afternoon. The masts are 165 feet tall, and this fine-looking ship is nearly 100 years old!
According to wikipedia:
The ship was built at Nobiskrug shipyard in Rendsburg, Germany and launched on July 26, 1930, under the name Wilfried. Captain Wilhelm Wilckens was her owner and master, and he operated from the homeport of Hamburg from 1930 until 1960. In 1960 she was purchased by Captain Andreas Kohler Asmussen of Egersund, Denmark. Asmussen renamed the ship Kajama after his two sons and his wife Kaywe, Jan and Maria. In the spring of 1998 Captain Asmussen suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while at the helm. In January 1999 she was purchased by Great Lakes Schooner Company of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and underwent a major overhaul.
Camera in hand for other photos, I was astonished to see this handsome young couple, in their wedding finest, appear at Fan Tan Alley in Chinatown with their professional photographer. They had just tied the knot and were kind enough to allow me to take a few images. It would have been interesting to find out why they decided to have a photo shoot here, but I didn't feel it was appropriate to chat them up while their photographer was waiting and being flexible with me. Zoom in to see the bride's beautiful, lace gown. This is one of two shots. See The Fan Tan Alley Wedding Shot
We spent a few hours wandering across the hillsides of Battle Harbour which is now a summer fishing station, formerly a permanent settlement, located on the Labrador coast in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Battle Harbour was for two centuries the economic and social centre of the southeastern Labrador coast. A Historic Trust maintains the site, and local guides, with their distinctive Newfoundland accent, are available to fill you in on the history of the village. You can even stay overnight in one of the lodges. It certainly was beautiful on a crisp autumn day!
We arrived at the harbor on zodiac boats, and you can see the Viking ship just beyond the hill on the left.
Actually, all the houses on Silver Islet are old; most date back to the time that the silver mine was being worked, from 1868 - 1883. The houses built during that era are now summer homes. Very few people live in this relatively inaccessible (and frozen) hamlet in the winter.
I layered on an image of an old textured wall to give this a more vintage look.
We docked at Havre Saint Pierre and took a short boat ride to Petite Ile au Marteau for a guided hike down to the old lighthouse. The island is carved of limestone, and the eroded cliffs were a unique sight.
Also known as Little Hammer Island, it harks back to a distant past when blacksmiths were believed to have worked here, shaping tools and lives. However, its earlier name, Walrus Island, tells a more profound story, reflecting the historical significance of the indigenous Innu tribes who once thrived along its shores. (The island itself also has a hammer shape.)
Red Bay is a tiny town that was once a Basque whaling station in the 16th century. It's now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and only about 140 people still live there. The only business in town is a restaurant. For everything else, they have to drive about 30 minutes. It was a cold, blustery day when we visited in autumn; in winter it must be bitterly cold and snowy.
We spent a few hours wandering around this small 19th century village located on a remote island off of Labrador. A vibrant hub for the cod fishing industry from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, it fell into economic decline and was abandoned during the decades following a devastating fire in 1930. Today the island's rugged landscape offers a striking backdrop to the well-preserved heritage structures and serves as a living museum.
My wife and I went to photograph the Fisgard Lighthouse at Fort Rodd Hill, near Victoria, British Columbia. As we began the 20 minute walk from the entrance, we encountered two very pleasant women -- volunteers in a large, golf cart-type vehicle. I mentioned that we were heading to the lighthouse and they offered to pick us up there before the park closed. We quickly accepted because the park would be closing in about an hour and a half and this would give us more time to take photos. Importantly, less walking would decrease stress on my wife's ailing knees, which the woman in the passenger seat understood because of her two knee replacements. She displayed her empathy by pointing to the long scars on each of her knees.
After a short walk, we found a high point from which we could photograph the lovely lighthouse without walking all the way down and my wife and I began clicking away. Following many shots from various angles, we started retracing our route back to the car. Within moments, the two ladies reappeared in their cart and said they had been looking for the guy (me) in the canary yellow baseball cap. We apologized for not meeting them at the lighthouse and thanked them profusely for their kindness in tracking us down. This was how we met Mary (driving the cart) and Kathy, strangers number two and three.
We expected to be taken straight back to the parking lot. Instead the ladies asked if we would like them to drive us down to the lighthouse, even though there was not much time before closing. We happily agreed and, to our surprise, they told us we could get out and they would pick us up in 15 minutes. What a break for us. Not only were we at the lighthouse without the long walk, but, better still, visitors had left.
As promised, Mary and Kathy came back and offered to give us a short tour of the park. Again, we quickly accepted and thanked them for their continued kindness.
These women were so sweet and exceptional that asking them to be part of my strangers project happened spontaneously. I told them my wife and I are both amateur photographers who post photos on Flickr. I explained the Flickr groups, 100 Strangers and The Human Family, and that their purpose was for members to photograph strangers with their permission, but that was only half the commitment. The other, equally important, half was to find out salient facts about the person being photographed and include that in a write-up accompanying the photo. Without hesitation, they both agreed.
When we returned to the entrance, my wife, also in these groups, went to interview the young woman, a parks employee, who was our first contact as we entered. I stayed with Mary and Kathy, took some photos and listened as they shared about their lives.
I asked if they were a couple and they said yes, they have been together 28.5 years. Kathy revealed how she almost died twice, the last time from an asthma attack. Mary related that, in 1999, prescription medications created a brain problem that was akin to a stroke. She lost her short-term memory and her ability to walk, talk and independently care for herself. Given her current vitality, there were no clues about this previous health issue.
It took Mary two and a half years to regain her functioning. She decided to go back to cross-country skiing, which she had done before her medical difficulties. Amazingly, five years after beginning to ski again, Mary represented Canada in cross-country skiing at the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver.
After Kathy's asthma scare, they decided to take a year and travel, RV-style, in the U.S and Canada. They were home in Whiterock, BC only three months when they realized they wanted to be on the road again. The couple ended up applying and being accepted to be camp hosts for Parks Canada (living in their RV 24/7 in the park) at Langley, BC and transferred to Fort Rodd Hill/Fisgard about four years ago.
Both Kathy and Mary agree that, in life, we should never give up, no matter how bleak things appear at the time. Kathy wishes there was more love in the world. From my brief experience, Mary and Kathy are more than doing their part in being loving.
I gave them my email address and got theirs. They said it would be nice if the four of us got together for dinner and I told them we would love to do that. It looks like we have made two new friends.
Find out more about the 100 Strangers project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers.
To view more street portraits and stories from The Human Family Group, visit www.flickr.com/groups
/thehumanfamily.
While my wife was lining up a shot of Fan Tan Alley, a narrow passageway to shops in the Chinatown section of Victoria, a woman who was walking toward us in the alley ducked out of the way to accommodate the photo. As she exited, we thanked her for being thoughtful and she responded with a friendly smile. This lead to a pleasant chat during which I explained my participation in The Human Family and 100 Strangers groups. She said she was also an amateur photographer, loved the idea and had time for me to take her photograph and tell me about herself. Thus began my wonderful experience with Susan.
The area was less than ideal for taking a portrait because it was teeming with tourists who stop off in Victoria, 3000 to 4000 per ship, after disembarking from the four to five cruise ships a day that visit this capital of British Columbia (BC) during summer.
I snapped a few shots of Susan against a building, but was not pleased with them. Later, my wife suggested posing her under the Fan Tan Alley sign and, although I did not think it would work, that is the one I chose.
Susan was born in Hawaii to American parents. She has lived in Langford, BC (a bit over eight miles from Victoria) since 1973 and loves Canada. Per Susan, it is a peaceful place, not fast paced and has a nice lifestyle.
Three years ago she found a new partner after being married for a long time and she is much happier now. Susan is at a point where she is going to live joy. She looks forward to a satisfying journey for the next season of her life.
Susan explained that she is a people person, very visual and likes to watch other folks. She made clear a number of times that the strangers groups are a neat thing and she was going to check them out on flickr. This was good because her willingness to cooperate was tested by me twice during our conversation. First, I noticed a bride in a gorgeous, lace wedding dress with her well-dressed groom and their photographer -- in the middle of Chinatown on a Friday afternoon! I was so shocked at this good fortune that I rudely walked away from Susan to take some photos of the couple. When I returned, rather than being upset, Susan was glad I took advantage of this stroke of luck.
Not much later, my wife pointed out a young man with a most unusual haircut who we had seen on another street earlier. At the time, I wanted to take his photo, but he was quite far from us and I chose not to run after him. Now, all of a sudden, this guy started walking down Fan Tan Alley. My wife and Susan both told me to go get the shot, which I did. Again, Susan was happy I got my pics. I really appreciated her flexibility and am not sure I would have been as patient if I had been in her shoes.
What is the most important thing you have learned about life, I asked. Susan replied that we should treat people with the same respect we want. Her advice is that we are all equal and everyone should relate to others in that way. She said we do not need prejudice in this world. I totally endorse that concept and told her so.
After more than half an hour together, we exchanged contact information, said goodbye and a delightful meeting concluded.
Go to my The Human Family/100 Strangers album for more strangers photos and descriptions.
See 100 Strangers to find out more about the project and look at pictures taken by other photographers.
Visit The Human Family Group to view more street portraits and stories.
While my wife was lining up a shot of Fan Tan Alley, a narrow passageway to shops in the Chinatown section of Victoria, a woman who was walking toward us in the alley ducked out of the way to accommodate the photo. As she exited, we thanked her for being thoughtful and she responded with a friendly smile. This lead to a pleasant chat during which I explained my participation in The Human Family and 100 Strangers groups. She said she was also an amateur photographer, loved the idea and had time for me to take her photograph and tell me about herself. Thus began my wonderful experience with Susan.
The area was less than ideal for taking a portrait because it was teeming with tourists who stop off in Victoria, 3000 to 4000 per ship, after disembarking from the four to five cruise ships a day that visit this capital of British Columbia (BC) during summer.
I snapped a few shots of Susan against a building, but was not pleased with them. Later, my wife suggested posing her under the Fan Tan Alley sign and, although I did not think it would work, that is the one I chose.
Susan was born in Hawaii to American parents. She has lived in Langford, BC (a bit over eight miles from Victoria) since 1973 and loves Canada. Per Susan, it is a peaceful place, not fast paced and has a nice lifestyle.
Three years ago she found a new partner after being married for a long time and she is much happier now. Susan is at a point where she is going to live joy. She looks forward to a satisfying journey for the next season of her life.
Susan explained that she is a people person, very visual and likes to watch other folks. She made clear a number of times that the strangers groups are a neat thing and she was going to check them out on flickr. This was good because her willingness to cooperate was tested by me twice during our conversation. First, I noticed a bride in a gorgeous, lace wedding dress with her well-dressed groom and their photographer -- in the middle of Chinatown on a Friday afternoon! I was so shocked at this good fortune that I rudely walked away from Susan to take some photos of the couple. When I returned, rather than being upset, Susan was glad I took advantage of this stroke of luck.
Not much later, my wife pointed out a young man with a most unusual haircut who we had seen on another street earlier. At the time, I wanted to take his photo, but he was quite far from us and I chose not to run after him. Now, all of a sudden, this guy started walking down Fan Tan Alley. My wife and Susan both told me to go get the shot, which I did. Again, Susan was happy I got my pics. I really appreciated her flexibility and am not sure I would have been as patient if I had been in her shoes.
What is the most important thing you have learned about life, I asked. Susan replied that we should treat people with the same respect we want. Her advice is that we are all equal and everyone should relate to others in that way. She said we do not need prejudice in this world. I totally endorse that concept and told her so.
After more than half an hour together, we exchanged contact information, said goodbye and a delightful meeting concluded.
Go to my The Human Family/100 Strangers album for more strangers photos and descriptions.
See 100 Strangers to find out more about the project and look at pictures taken by other photographers.
Visit The Human Family Group to view more street portraits and stories.
After a couple of days of smoky / hazy air due to Canadian wildfires, we had a gorgeous day on Frazer Bay in the Georgian Bay area of Lake Huron. We had a zodiac ride to admire the scenery and crystal-clear water, then went to Okeechobee Lodge for a festive barbecue to celebrate Canada Day.
My 365-2023: #182 of 365