Two days after our near disastrous paddle on a foggy St. Lawrence, we made it out under much better conditions.

A very Merry Christmas to all my flickr contacts!

Where the geese are headed.

Rather windswept as the distorted tree attests to. The sun had set, it was cold and we swung back to the protected shore and headed home to warm up by the fire.

Completing the series of my recent postings of Channel Tower and Lighthouse, Lake St. Francis, St. Lawrence Seaway. That's another Osprey flying above.

It was cold and windy so we paddled on the east of this point of land along the north shore of the St. Lawrence at sunset. We tried to paddle past the point but the cold wind blew us back.

Paddling on a glorious sunset on the St. Lawrence river. September sunsets on the water are our favourite.

From tonight's sunset paddle on the canal. A paddler's perspective.

A snap as we rowed by them in our canoe.

An evening paddle in the marshy section of this small pond. A slight sun dog to the right, a small dog in the foreground.

It's actually been awhile since we last paddled this section of the St. Lawrence River. Quite long ago since it was so calm allowing an extended shot with my DSLR.

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Explore, 115, July 15, 2018

With the wake of our canoe on the calm water of Hoople Bay, Lake St. Lawrence.

Canoeing along one of our favorite islands on the St. Lawrence, Hoople Island. One of my Flickr contacts claims November is the bleakest month. I disagree. From the canoe, at this time of year the play of light on the water can be amazing. More to follow from this bleak paddle. . .

Misha's shadow from our canoe along the old Cornwall Canal. Just her and not us, I can't explain it.

From a paddle of a flooded creek in the Riverdale forest. Just had to get one in for the month of February. Our second of the 2018 series, Paddle On.

We tried to enter this frozen bay hoping that the canoe could break through a thin section of ice but it wasn't possible. We did pass this island swinging into the open St. Lawrence and found another bay to explore. On our way be came across a huge flock of gulls (next post)...

The point of land we were looking for when we got lost in the fog. The lamp lead the way.

Paddling a wide section of the St. Lawrence river about 4 kilometre from the shore of St. Anicet, Quebec.

One of the bays on the north side of the St. Lawrence river near Cornwall, Ontario already has solid 3-4 inch thick ice. Theoretically it could be walked on but we prefer to remain in the canoe and paddle along.

From our recent paddle on the Seaway, participating in the annual poker paddle for the Alzheimer's Society. The bird on the tower is an osprey. Birds on the lighthouse are cormorants.

A pair of ducks trying to decide which direction to jump off a log as we approached from our canoe.

I went over the top with this vivid image of our last of September paddles. I've always enjoyed the play light on water as viewed from the canoe during this exceptional month. I'll try and tone things down going forward in October ;-))

While paddling the cornwall canal we came across this goose laying on eggs in a nest built on top of an old steel pillar. Can't imagine the hatchlings will survive as this is open to ospreys and hawks that roam the canal.

Our one and only paddle this month and considering the awful conditions (4 celsius, rain and brisk winds) we debated on going but Misha was keen and obviously very happy in the canoe.

At one point we lost sight of all surrounding landmarks while paddling on a foggy St. Lawrence river four days before Christmas. We paddled in circles looking for shore.

Numerous contrails in the sky over Cornwall as we paddled the canal during a 6 PM sunset.

After record setting cold temperatures this past week, the water is starting to freeze up. Fortunately, we still have access to some open water.

From "The Lake" at the Toronto International Boat Show. The canoe is the 14 foot Prospector, kevlar fusion laminate, manufactured by Swift Canoe Co. What a great paddle to start the year!

Best viewed large

Well, it's that time of year again when the clocks are turned back an hour for daylight saving time. So, for us to go paddling after work it will be in the dark.

Pickerelweed, a water plant with arrowhead shaped leaves and bluish flowers. The leaf shape shows better in the shadows on the water surface.

Not a good thing to for my dog to walk on the top of my canoe cover while paddling in the middle of the St. Lawrence river. Fortunately she obeyed my command to sit back in her pouch.

From a sunset paddle on the old Cornwall Canal. This is SOOC in vivid HDR mode, trying to glorify this location.

We paddled along the shore of the canal to view this incredible sunset and reflections on the water. Multiple contrails populated the sky from all the flights over eastern Ontario at 6 pm.

Proven on the large view.

Some of the finest water this world has to offer from the St. Lawrence River. You're welcome to have a sip....cheers!

Heading towards the light over the wharf and the exit of out Winter Solstice paddle. Slow shutter speed to add some motion blur to the foggy conditions. I dramatized the set, there was no real danger during our paddle on a misty St. Lawrence river. It was a wonderful experience to be isolated like this during the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Holidays. More dangerous driving home on the highway!

Channel Tower and Lighthouse, Lake St. Francis, St. Lawrence Seaway. Taken while participating in the poker-paddle in support of the Alzheimer's Society on Lake St. Francis near Lancaster, Ontario.

Southwest wind brings warm air but stirs up the water on this section of the St. Lawrence. In order to keep from being tossed in the waves it's important to quarter them and maintain momentum with balanced paddling. If you look closely the waves are actually coming from two directions (west and south) and meet perpendicularly. This is caused by the combination of strong current flowing east generated by flow of water through the Cornwall power dam and the wind coming up from the south. I was able to briefly stop paddling for a few quick shots. Soon after this we headed back to shore with the wind at our back making for a very quick return to our put-in.

The Moses-Saunders Hydroelectric power dam, Cornwall, Ontario.

One last look paddling-on, first of September.

A goose nesting on the top of a beaver lodge. Trying to hide from view.

Our fist this month. Again, another evening canoe trip down the Cornwall canal, cold and overcast. Dull, grey sky that glowed with twilight for a few minutes after sunset. Captured the colour off the gunnel.

Another hot and humid summer day (record setting heatwaves around the world). So nice to get on the water where the temperature drops a good 10 degrees as the wind cools as it tracks the St. Lawrence river out from the west.

Water covered with fluff (seeds) from cottonwood trees. Lit up by a strong sun reflecting on the Cornwall Canal.

My focus for September. Hopefully the conditions will allow for some interesting paddles.

A lovely place for a spring paddle.

Tonight's fiery sunset, enhanced with vivid-HDR in-camera processing, while paddling the Cornwall canal.

One of several images taken on the first of September on the water. It was a great sunset paddle. The color changes as the sun broke through the clouds was amazing. More to follow.