doing some shooting late at night at Union Station...

Amphibious Assault Vehicles

a plane landing at the Brampton airport during a perfect sunset

Well, maybe not so little! These five were part of a larger pride of lions walking along the edge of the waterline near Lake Ndutu. They certainly aren't looking for mittens out here. When the females of this crowd mature they will remain with their birth pride. They will likely spend their entire lives there. Males, on the other hand, will leave the birth pride at maturity. They will either find a pride of their own, live in a bachelor group with other males, or live out on their own. Living alone as a lion is not an easy task. Hunting is best performed by a lion pride and not a single lion. Life as a lion is harder than it seems. #ILoveWildlife #ILoveNature #WildlifePhotography #Lions #ILoveAfrica #ILoveTanzania #Canon #BigCats #Bringit

The water glows crimson as the sun sets over the Bosque del Apache refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico, where sandhill cranes have gathered for the night. A peck at the pond yields a splash of blue! Cranes stand in the shallow ponds scattered around the refuge grounds. The water provides an increment of safety for these birds during the night. Many a coyote, bobcat, or even a mountain lion would love to make a nighttime snack out of any one of them. Even if the water does not keep predators away, it offers the birds an early warning. Predators on the run will likely make a splash. It may seem a little too simple, but it's been working for millions of years. #ILoveNature #ILoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #Wildlife #SandhillCranes #Cranes #Canon #Bringit #DrDADBooks #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

Sunset over Pigeon Point Lighthouse

 

Just a very cool scene I came across during a drive out in the country at Sunset time...

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Strobist Info:

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Camera Left: Paul Buff White Lightning X1600 in 36x48 inch LumoPro Softbox. Triggered with PocketWizard PlusX.

 

Camera Top: Over Subject: LumoPro LP180 in LumoPro 36 inch Octobox. Triggered with PocketWizard PlusX.

here is a shot looking at downtown TO from the west side..

this is the fountain in Gage Park, this was late at night.. it's not running yet.. hopefully soon as the weather gets better..

 

This building is on the Chingcousy Park grounds.. not sure what it is for but looked great with the setting sun behind it this summer evening..

 

via Buffer

Here doing some real Street Photography

here is a favorite tree standing tall on a very private golf course here in Caledon, Ontario..

Another year, another 100 things about me. If you missed out on the first installment, go here.

 

I’d love to see the evolution of man in time-lapse photography, from single-celled organism to today.

 

I don’t believe that men think about sex every 7 seconds. Unless when the study was conducted, a naked woman passed by the doorway every 7 seconds.

 

The first time I ever cleaned my own toilet was one of the most humiliating and disgusting times in my life.

 

Staring into the heart of a fire is very relaxing to me

 

I love when a young woman’s body glistens, whether it’s with sweat or she’s covered in baby oil.

 

I’d like to milk a cow before I die

 

My favourite flowers are: Calla lilies, heliconia, and tulips.

 

I find it incredible that the human heart beats day and night without me even thinking about it. What a little champion!

 

I find that meditation is the antidote to Murphy’s Law

 

I pray for Jack Black’s demise.

 

My favourite food is Chinese. Or Thai.

 

Every time I pass a pretty girl, I wait for the breeze she creates to hit my nose, then I take in her scent.

 

I still don’t own an iPod

 

I think the Nissan 350Z is hotter than any Porsche on the road today.

 

I agree, mean people suck. But, I’m tired of hearing about it.

 

There are four qualities I’m constantly on the lookout for when meeting new people. Someone who is: 1) Intelligent 2) Well-Traveled 3) Open-minded 4) has a Sense of Wonder about the World. The first can be found relatively easily. The first two, a little less. The third is hard enough to find by itself, let alone combined with the first two. If the first three elements are in place, the fourth is nearly always there.

 

I vote sporadically, but will try harder.

 

If no one’s in the room, I’ll lick the plate clean of spaghetti sauce.

 

I once held my breath until I passed out.

 

I once woke up at night to the sound of, what I can only describe as, a cross between a pig squealing and a girl shrieking. Whatever it was, it ran passed my window fast.

 

I also once awoke to the sound of someone breathing about 2 ½ feet away from my head, but no one was in the room. No matter which way I turned my head, the point of origin would not reveal itself. I ran out of the room. When I came back, it was gone.

 

No matter how many years go by, I still feel 16

 

My older brother looks younger than me

 

I hate when people utter the phrase, “Well… job security,” when faced with a pile of work. What kind of mutant mothers did you pop out of? And why are you all American? Get away from me!

 

I can’t quite grasp why people are loyal to the companies they work for and tolerate mistreatment by so-called “superiors”.

 

I think Jack Nicholson looks like a used car salesman when he’s sporting a mustache.

 

I think grown men look funny driving Toyota Echoes and Yaris hatchbacks. If there’s any way for a guy to get laid less, than by not owning a car at all, it’s by owning one of these cars. Sex comes before reliability, my friend.

 

I like when women cook for me. I think it's sweet.

 

After discovering Zeppelin in 2003, absorbing their catalog of rock masterpieces, and concluding my obsession with them, I found it incredibly hard to listen to any other rock n’ roll music. They set the bar so high.

 

My birthmark has all but disappeared

 

I’m convinced meteorologists are overpaid hacks and should publicly apologize every time they’re wrong.

 

I’ve never tried marijuana, want to try mushrooms, and that drug Sting spoke of in his book, Broken Music.

 

Legalize it. What the hell, legalize ‘em all.

 

I’ve listened to Cheech & Chong’s Greatest Hit well over a hundred times.

 

I AM A MIGHTY OAK IN A FOREST OF SAPLINGS!

 

I am a self-help survivor

 

My favourite pizza topping is Canadian Bacon

 

I’m amazed at how many erogenous zones women have. How a light nibble on an earlobe can make your body shudder with delight is beyond me, but I’m all for it!

 

I think being employee of the month is tantamount to being called the best slave on the plantation.

 

I have pleaded with something or someone outside myself to get me through tough times.

 

I wish the people in my life well before I go to sleep every night

 

I believe you can learn something from everyone, even those you hate.

 

I desire peace most when I’m under the greatest stress

 

I believe that those who are truly wise do not let age, sex, jealousy, or socio-economic status get in the way of learning from others.

 

I’m often contrarian in conversation, not with the intent to argue, but either to bring another view to the table, or just to make a conversation fun with a completely-out-of-left-field idea.

 

The more I talk about my greatness in a fun way, the more women smile and like me more.

 

I’m an idea man.

 

Golden showers don’t appeal to me personally, but I loved Dave Chappelle’s comedy sketch about R. Kelly peeing on girls. I’ve sang along with the song : )

 

I don’t have blind faith in expert opinions. I listen, but only believe if I feel what they say is true for me.

 

I’ve become quite adept at reading the body language of people in downtown Portland. I can tell from blocks away, with a high degree of accuracy, who’s going to ask me for change, a smoke, to sign a petition, sign up for OSPIRG, or buy a Street Roots.

 

I walk fast. The worst people to pass, in general, are white people. They rarely give an inch (give an inch, make a friend).

 

One of my goals as a kid was to have $100 in one bank in each of the U.S. states.

 

I stuck my fingers in a fan with a metal blade when I was a kid. From what I’m told, the ends of three fingers were dangling from their stumps.

 

New Orleans has a special place near my heart.

 

I love beignets

 

The three things I think about most are: 1) how to support myself without working for someone else. 2) photography 3) women & humour (I can’t separate the two)

 

Levi’s 501’s are my favourite jeans.

 

I discovered the power of Karma in ‘95

 

I once knew the most wonderful woman in the world. Unfortunately, she was married. Otherwise, you’d be reading the words of the happiest man in the world.

 

I believe evolution works like an exponential moving average. More emphasis is placed on the most recent generation’s strengths and abilities than all previous generations to deal best with today’s challenges. But, they’re all part of the mix.

 

I also believe our DNA isn’t static and changes as we go through life. Actually, I read a couple years back that my belief was proven true.

 

I’m a little more intelligent than I let on

 

I fear the world is becoming culturally homogenous

 

I wonder why only the Chinese and Italians get a section of town named after their country.

 

I wonder why there’s no cheese in Chinese food. Anybody?

 

I’ve found that the rain in Spain really does fall mainly on the plain

 

Root to tip: 6 and a half inches.

 

I’ve never been caught. You know.

 

I once had a dream where I had a gun, and everything I shot turned into a bubble gum bubble that expanded a few feet before it exploded.

 

I thought the first 2 Harry Potter movies were terrible, skipped the 3rd, and enjoyed the 4th. Ralph Fiennes was an excellent choice to play Voldemort.

 

I don’t often know if my travels are the result of my need to take pictures or if my picture taking is the result of my need to travel.

 

I’d like to run in a marathon some day.

 

I’ve driven from coast to coast.

 

I’ve not yet made a single print of any one of my digital pictures

 

I’ve never been to an opera

 

I think root beer floats are overrated. Ice-cream is great. Root beer is great. Together the pair makes an abusive couple.

 

I try to appreciate people for who they are and not concern myself with what they’re not.

 

I think the intricacy of snowflakes is overwhelmingly beautiful.

 

I had one of the best sandwiches of my life at a 7-Eleven in Las Vegas

 

Political correctness offends me and I’m suing for pain and suffering

 

I don’t know if I could be a comedian, but I think I could pitch some good ideas

 

I’d like to spin saltwater taffy all alone in an attic with a lone 60 watt bulb and jazz playing in the background.

 

I have a romantic vision of getting my pool game to a high level and touring America’s pool halls and meeting people.

 

I have another romantic vision of playing slide guitar down on the bayou to the alligators and swamp frogs.

 

I make myself laugh more than other people make me laugh.

 

One of my favourite quotes from LOTR was Gandalf telling Frodo, “Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgment.” Awesome!

 

I love going somewhere cool I’ve been before and taking someone who’s never been. Seeing the world through another’s eyes is a kick.

 

I’ve noticed that people like to see the wonderful qualities about themselves reflected back to them through another’s eyes.

 

I have a theory that we’re all gods who were bored because we knew everything there was to know, so we created this world where we could temporarily forget all we knew and see the world with new eyes.

 

I believe that time goes faster as you get older because you’re seeing and experiencing fewer and fewer new things that create the memories that create your sense of time. The challenge is to always be looking at things in a new way, from a different perspective, and magnify the intensity of a memory. Time can be slowed. I’ve done it.

 

I believe that beginner’s luck is the universe’s way of encouraging you to try new things.

 

I wonder why there’s a universal law stating that it takes more effort to create something than to destroy it.

 

I’m a seeker of profound wisdom

 

I understand the benefits of arrogance and humility

 

I think conversation skills should be taught in school

 

I hate when people use the word “should”

 

I think today’s school system is behind the times

 

I highly appreciate the art of comedy

 

I believe there’s no form of comedy more pure or raw than stand-up. It’s the Texas No-Limit Hold ‘em of the art.

 

I believe that a big part of success is just showing up

 

I love dates. The fruit.

 

I believe that a pretty girl can never be too girly.

 

I don’t think there’s a single move a beautiful woman can make that isn’t cute.

 

When I see old dilapidated, abandoned, singular houses by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, I wonder about the big dreams the first owners must have had when they settled there and how their dreams must have dried up.

 

I love watching Jimmy Page play guitar.

 

I love the call-to-march opening drum beat of Sunday Bloody Sunday

 

I think the homo-erotic relationship between Bono and The Edge is intriguing

 

I believe in going too far. You’ll never know where the edge is unless you do.

 

Fubuki is my all-time favourite Flickr Hero. He hits every note that sings to my heart and mind.

 

I think black and white shots of old dolls are creepily compelling

 

Snow geese fly off into the eastern evening sky in New Mexico's Bosque del Apache refuge. They will find a shallow pond to sleep in for the night. The water helps protect them from potential predators. Even if predators enter the water, the sounds of splashing will alert the geese to the potential danger. The pastel colors of the evening sky are surreal. It is a most beautiful time of the day. #ILoveNature #ILoveWidlife #WildlifeaPhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #Canon #SnowGeese #Sunset #DrDADBooks #Bringit #Photography

Having some fun the other night in a tunnel... I love how everything turned out...

"A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind. Live passionately, even if it kills you, because something is going to kill you anyway…."

A peregrine falcon sits on its throne, overlooking its domain. For a few minutes it is content to share its land with a visiting photographer. Like most raptors, peregrine falcons have keen eyesight. Many will leave an area long before an approaching photographer can get a meaningful shot. Approaching in a vehicle can sometimes help, as it can act like a blind. The birds don't recognize the vehicle as a human or living form. Approaching on foot is usually unsuccessful, but not in this particular case. Perhaps it is simply nearsighted, perhaps it is just feeling a little forgiving, perhaps it just doesn't mind sharing a few minutes of this glorious sunny day with a visitor? This visitor was very grateful for peregrine hospitality on a glorious day in early winter. These are magnificent birds, worthy of our praise and protection. #ILoveNature #ILoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #NewJersey #Nature in #America #USA #WildlifeConservation #Canon #DrDADBooks #Bringit #LBI #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

First photo from the flower power series I'm working on. "Flower power was a slogan used during the late 1960s and early 1970s as a symbol of passive resistance and non-violence ideology. It is rooted in the opposition movement to the Vietnam War."

Having some fun the other night in a tunnel... I love how everything turned out...

Male African Elephants spend most of their adult life away from family groups, and either live on their own or in smaller groups with other males. Females from a matriarchal family group generally demonstrate aggression against males. Here, two males have wandered in across the Serengeti to enjoy the water at several small ponds located near a kopje. Now they take the path of least resistance and follow the road. A stormy sky looms in the distance. Male elephants enjoy a vagabond life. #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Elephants #AfricanElephants #Canon #DrDADBook #Bringit #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

this is the American side at night

We approach a small group of sandhill cranes, that have flown thousands of miles to observe humans at Bosque del Apache refuge. They move off slowly from the water to the brush, and suddenly stop. I can image the conversation that they might be having.....

 

"Okay, if we stick together in this brush we can hide and watch the humans over there. We need to be as still as possible! We don't want to scare them off!

 

Are you sure we can't be seen?

 

Absolutely! This brush is perfect camouflage.

 

Now observe as the humans place those metal boxes in front of their faces. They begin to emit a low rattle or series of clicks. This is thought to be part of their mating ritual. They are not very successful. Most leave after hours of fruitless attempts, alone. You can see them glaring at the boxes and shaking their heads in disgust.

 

Look at that human on the left! See how he opens his mouth slowly? That's called a stress yawn. It is thought to be an act of non-aggression. It signals to other humans that they can approach without threat of harm.

 

Wow, these humans are complex! We only yawn when we are tired or bored.

 

Well, it's just not the same when humans are involved. Trust me, it's all got to do with communication.

 

See how they approach the water's edge slowly. Some stand and others kneel. Still, others will lay on their bellies. This all has to do with status in their clans. The most successful alpha males and females have the largest metal boxes and tend to stand or kneel. There are a few with big boxes who lay on their bellies, too. We have not quite figured that out yet.

 

Did you hear that? There was a low trumpeting rumble from the human on the right. He emits a foul gaseous odor that is meant to keep intruders away. Do you see how the other humans are moving away from him? It's a subtle but effective method of demarcating territory. Occasionally, males will urinate to demarcate their territory. We never see females do the same. We are not certain as to why.

 

These humans are a very interesting species. It was well worth the trip to see them! Maybe we should start a workshop and charge sandhills to come?

 

Great idea!"

 

#ILoveNature #ILoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #Canon #SandhillCranes #DrDADBooks #Bringit #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday #ASandhillSees

Like many of the great rivers of the world, the Rio Grande used to overflow its banks annually, creating lush floodplains and sculpting new ponds, marshes and routes that could be unpredictable. This activity was wonderful for wildlife, since extensive vegetation grew in the floodplains, but it was terribly inconvenient for humans who tried to settle its banks. Humans started creating dams and irrigation ditches, until eventually the once mighty Rio Grand was reduced to a shallow stream. As a result the floodplains disappeared, and so did most of the wildlife. In the early 1930's work began to restore the floodplain to the area of the Bosque del Apache refuge and in 1939 FDR established the Bosque as part of the national system of protected lands. Today, the refuge staff uses a series of dams, gates, and ditches to recreate the wetlands that used to exist in the area. As a result, wildlife has returned and thrives within and around its boundaries. Tens of thousands of Sandhill cranes, light geese, and ducks use the area as a winter haven or stopover on their migration paths. It is one of this country's best places for seeing these and many other birds. #ILoveNature #ILoveWildife #ILoveBirds #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #BosquedeoApacheNWR #TheBosque #PintailDuck #Ducks #Canon #DrDADBooks #Bringit #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

With a fleeting glance, a snowy owl circles overhead. Our irregular winter visitors are the largest owls, by weight, in North America. Even so, one can see just how thin and translucent his wings really are. On this cloudy morning, available light allows us to see the distant wing through the closest. Nature is an amazing engineer.

Even with 500 - 600 mm lenses, these birds can be difficult to photograph. Like most raptors, they prefer a "jealous sky," free of humans and other predators. I have seen and heard of many who would attempt to fill the frame of their iPhones or cameras, equipped with smaller lenses. In doing so, we only scare these birds off. The constant pestering can potentially be harmful, and also makes it difficult for other visitors to enjoy seeing them. Try to be respectful of nature and fellow visitors. #iLoveWildife #iLoveNature #iLoveBirds #Wildlifephotography in #NewJersey #Nature in #America #USA #SnowyOwls #DrDADBooks #Canon #Bringit #WildlifeConservation #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

Ninth photo from the Flower Power series I'm working on. "Flower power was a slogan used during the late 1960s and early 1970s as a symbol of passive resistance and non-violence ideology. It is rooted in the opposition movement to the Vietnam War."

 

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With certainty, there are many places that people can photograph snow geese. These are some of the most successful birds on the planet, with their populations expanding at an amazing pace. But photographing them against the landscapes of New Mexico is somehow special. The mountains, pastel skies, beautiful sunsets and sunrises, and unpredictable weather changes make for such an interesting palette. A photograph that might otherwise be uninteresting against a blue sky, suddenly takes new form when the ground rises up to meet the heavens. Bosque del Apache NWR is one of this country's top bird viewing sites. It's well worth the trip. Friendly, informative people and programs at the refuge make it a great place to spend a few days. #ILoveNature #ILoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #SnowGeese #BosquedelApacheNWR #Canon #Bringit #DrDADBooks #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

Some photos are all about content and creativity, others tell a story. To me this photo is more about story than anything else. As the sun comes up near Lake Ndutu, a lion pride takes a morning stroll. A young cub looks back at Mom as they walk. If you listen carefully you can almost hear her asking, "Mom, can you tell us that story about when you were growing up again?" It's life in the Serengeti. A life that is being threatened by poachers across Africa. Unless we can conquer the root problems that make poaching a necessity for some, visions like these may someday only be seen in archives. That would be a terrible tragedy. #ILoveAfrica #ILoveWildlife #Lions #WildlifePhotography #Canon #Bringit #BigCats

In keeping with my theme of colossal pachyderms the latter part of this week is this photo. This elephant seemed to think it was hiding effectively behind some of these scrubby acacia trees. It finally peeked out around the side of this tree. Then again, perhaps it was right? Any photos of this big boy behind the tree were useless. Only when he revealed himself did it make for an effective photo. Perhaps we should add "avoiding the paparazzi" to the list of smart things that elephants know! Elephants are intelligent, emotional animals. They demonstrate levels of compassion once thought only to be the realm of humans. #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Elephants #DrDADBooks #Canon #Bringit #Photography #WildilfeConservation #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

Our Daily Challenge - Violent

206:365

 

this is the boat house in Chingcousy Park here in Brampton, Ontario.. I love what the city has done with this building.. looks awesome

 

The presence of exceptionally large ears give this fox the overall appearance of a bat, hence the name, "bat-eared fox." Along with large ear size these small canines have exceptionally good hearing. Strangely enough, their diets consist mainly of insects, and their favorite insect is the termite. The majority of their diet consists of termites, and they mainly eat other insects when termites are not plentiful. Rarely they may consume birds and small reptiles. Over time they have developed smaller, specialized dentition appropriate for the task of eating these small insects. They may be amongst the more liberal of Serengeti animals, exhibiting a reversal in parenting roles. Males take on most of the parenting, and cub survival is directly dependent upon the male's attendance to the den. I wonder what termites sound like? #iLoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in the #Serengeti #Africa #BatEaredFox #DrDADBooks #Canon #Bringit #WildlifeConservation #Photography #Picoftheday

pigtail posse for Flickr Group Roulette

 

...obviously, pigtails are optional...

 

View On Black

 

explored...highest rank: #77...

"In seventeen and eighty two

Above this nation's skies so blue

The eagle took a maiden flight

For liberty and human right.

 

Immortalized upon the seal

Native arrows it does wield

Symbolizing might and strength

An olive branch for peace at length."

 

Text and photo from "One Nation."

 

#OneNation #BaldEagles #ILoveNature #ILoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #DrDADBooks #Canon #Bringit #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

More of my evening spent roaming around an empty office building... good times...

Snow geese pass their winter days in search of food and evening shelter. They comb the fields and shallow waters for food during the day and look for sheltered bodies of water to swim in during the night. They form large flocks during migration and frequently move from place to place together. They are some of nature's most successful animals. Despite the changes in the world due to human encroachment on nature, they still manage to thrive. Their numbers are ever increasing. #IloveNature #IloveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #Canon #Bringit #SnowGeese #DrDADBooks #ItsSnowingGeese #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday

Nowhere is the demonstration of motherly affection more apparent than on the Serengeti plains of Tanzania, and nowhere is it more apparent that cats will be cats no matter how big or small. #BigCats #Bringit #Canon

  

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