I was driving on my way to my parents trailer for supper last night when I spotted this sucker slowly inching across the road.
Where he was coming from I have no idea but his destination was the marsh. At the rate he was going, he still had a lengthy trip ahead of him.
I pulled my car over to the side of the road and grabbed my camera. Several other cars slowed down to have a look and a few other folks got out and joined me for a look and this prehistoric looking fella.
This was one of the many images I captured of this snapping turtle. They're a fairly common site around these parts but I'd never actually stopped to photograph one. Usually I'm just trying to avoid hitting them and doing damage to the bottom of my car.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
And Boom Goes The Dynamite
I had a quality sports moment last night. They don't happen nearly as often as they used to for me.
Wednesday night is my usual golf night. Normally in the summer it's Men's League but that came to an end for this year a few weeks back.
I debated whether or not to go as the weather was not looking good. Rain was on the way but I figured I'd take a chance we'd get the round in.
We were playing a best ball scramble with about 16 guys or so. My foursome included Jim Conley, Dave Reid and Tom St.Denis. We started on hole one and we parred it. My tee shot wasn't horrible but we didn't use it.
Next we moved over to the second tee and waited for the group ahead of us to putt out and vacate the green. Dave had the first crack at it and didn't give us much to work with.
Nobody else wanted to go next so I walked over and tee'd my ball up. I went through my usual pre-shot routine tugging on the shoulders of my shirt and adjusting my hat. I never take a practice swing on tee shots.
I settled the club in behind my Calaway Diablo ball and quickly started my back swing. I was using a nine iron for a bit more distance as I've been getting a lot of loft on my tee shots this year.
Down my club came with full force as I contacted the ball sweetly in the centre of the club face. As expected it was launched on a lofty flight and a good trajectory towards not only the green but the pin as well.
I bent over to pick up my tee and lost site of the ball momentarily. The guys liked what they saw as the ball fell towards the earth and I stood up and located the ball just before it contacted the green about two feet right of the hole.
The ball took a short hop left and then began to roll gently toward the cup. I stood there in disbelief as I watched the ball disappear into the jar.
The guys let out a roar and I'm sure I was grinning from ear to ear as they gave me high-fives in celebration. Tom and Jim didn't even bother teeing off.
After taking the trip to the green, I made my way across the dance floor and using my divot tool I fixed my ball mark. I then gazed into the cup and spotted my Calaway resting comfortably in the bottom of the hole.
I reached in and pulled it out and safely tucked the ball away. I was done using that ball forever. I will eventually be given a plaque to commemorate the occasion and will affix the ball to it for a keepsake.
This was my second ever ace and although the first one was special, this one made me happier as I was able to witness the ball going into the cup. My first ace came on an elevated green and it wasn't until I got to the green and couldn't find my ball that we checked the hole.
It was one of those moments all golfers dream of and I enjoyed every minute of it. I just hope it isn't another eight years until I get my next one.
Wednesday night is my usual golf night. Normally in the summer it's Men's League but that came to an end for this year a few weeks back.
I debated whether or not to go as the weather was not looking good. Rain was on the way but I figured I'd take a chance we'd get the round in.
We were playing a best ball scramble with about 16 guys or so. My foursome included Jim Conley, Dave Reid and Tom St.Denis. We started on hole one and we parred it. My tee shot wasn't horrible but we didn't use it.
Next we moved over to the second tee and waited for the group ahead of us to putt out and vacate the green. Dave had the first crack at it and didn't give us much to work with.
Nobody else wanted to go next so I walked over and tee'd my ball up. I went through my usual pre-shot routine tugging on the shoulders of my shirt and adjusting my hat. I never take a practice swing on tee shots.
I settled the club in behind my Calaway Diablo ball and quickly started my back swing. I was using a nine iron for a bit more distance as I've been getting a lot of loft on my tee shots this year.
Down my club came with full force as I contacted the ball sweetly in the centre of the club face. As expected it was launched on a lofty flight and a good trajectory towards not only the green but the pin as well.
I bent over to pick up my tee and lost site of the ball momentarily. The guys liked what they saw as the ball fell towards the earth and I stood up and located the ball just before it contacted the green about two feet right of the hole.
The ball took a short hop left and then began to roll gently toward the cup. I stood there in disbelief as I watched the ball disappear into the jar.
The guys let out a roar and I'm sure I was grinning from ear to ear as they gave me high-fives in celebration. Tom and Jim didn't even bother teeing off.
After taking the trip to the green, I made my way across the dance floor and using my divot tool I fixed my ball mark. I then gazed into the cup and spotted my Calaway resting comfortably in the bottom of the hole.
I reached in and pulled it out and safely tucked the ball away. I was done using that ball forever. I will eventually be given a plaque to commemorate the occasion and will affix the ball to it for a keepsake.
This was my second ever ace and although the first one was special, this one made me happier as I was able to witness the ball going into the cup. My first ace came on an elevated green and it wasn't until I got to the green and couldn't find my ball that we checked the hole.
It was one of those moments all golfers dream of and I enjoyed every minute of it. I just hope it isn't another eight years until I get my next one.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Corn Field Sunset
Once again I've been just too darn busy to write anything serious lately despite plenty of interesting subjects.
Jack Layton's passing, Hurricane Irene or the recent storm right here in Ontario that spawned tornadoes and lit up the sky better than any Canada Day fireworks display.
But as always I usually have my camera with me when I'm out and about and on this particular night I was driving home from the trailer and watching the sky. The place where I thought I'd be able to get some nice sunset photos didn't really provide anything special.
However, as I was driving past this corn field the clouds in the distance were an amazing orange colour and I thought the tall corn in the foreground might make for an interesting silhouette against the sky. I thought the final result was worth sharing with you.
Jack Layton's passing, Hurricane Irene or the recent storm right here in Ontario that spawned tornadoes and lit up the sky better than any Canada Day fireworks display.
But as always I usually have my camera with me when I'm out and about and on this particular night I was driving home from the trailer and watching the sky. The place where I thought I'd be able to get some nice sunset photos didn't really provide anything special.
However, as I was driving past this corn field the clouds in the distance were an amazing orange colour and I thought the tall corn in the foreground might make for an interesting silhouette against the sky. I thought the final result was worth sharing with you.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Lightning Strikes Twice
I have been trying for a very long time to get some photos of lightning that don't suck. It finally happened for me on Saturday night.
Sitting by the campfire at Presqu'ile Park along Lake Ontario we watched during dusk as the storm rolled down the lake. Although we could see lightning, it was too far away to photograph.
Finally the storm got a bit closer and the group decided to head for our respective trailers and call it a night.
My night was just beginning as I set up shop under the awning with my trusty tripod and Nikon. Just as I was ready to start shooting, the lightning had moved off. I figured I had missed my chance.
I decided to change my focus to the light rays coming down from the cloud covered full moon. Some of those shots turned out pretty good but I was till disappointed I didn't get my elusive storm photos.
All of a sudden there was a flash in front of me and a crack of thunder. Holy crap, another storm front was moving in and I had another chance. I didn't waste the opportunity.
I managed to get four or five impressive shots of the lightning as it struck the lake and near the lake shore. I was a very happy photographer.
In this particular image you can see the lightning has broken into two separate strikes from one bolt.
On a night when I figured my camera would stay in the car, an unexpected opportunity popped up and I was glad I had the tools handy to get the job done.
Sitting by the campfire at Presqu'ile Park along Lake Ontario we watched during dusk as the storm rolled down the lake. Although we could see lightning, it was too far away to photograph.
Finally the storm got a bit closer and the group decided to head for our respective trailers and call it a night.
My night was just beginning as I set up shop under the awning with my trusty tripod and Nikon. Just as I was ready to start shooting, the lightning had moved off. I figured I had missed my chance.
I decided to change my focus to the light rays coming down from the cloud covered full moon. Some of those shots turned out pretty good but I was till disappointed I didn't get my elusive storm photos.
All of a sudden there was a flash in front of me and a crack of thunder. Holy crap, another storm front was moving in and I had another chance. I didn't waste the opportunity.
I managed to get four or five impressive shots of the lightning as it struck the lake and near the lake shore. I was a very happy photographer.
In this particular image you can see the lightning has broken into two separate strikes from one bolt.
On a night when I figured my camera would stay in the car, an unexpected opportunity popped up and I was glad I had the tools handy to get the job done.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Presqu'ile Lighthouse
With all the bad stuff happening in the world right now, it's nice to be able to get away for a bit and escape the madness.
Since I'm not one to bury my head in the sand, it's much easier to grab my camera and head out and forget mine and the world's troubles by getting creative.
Here is another recent photo I shot of the Presqu'ile Provincial Park Lighthouse at the point of the peninsula where Lake Ontario meets Brighton Bay. I liked the natural framing of the trees and the cool looking clouds which I thought helped to make the image more interesting.
I also thought the image looked better in black and white.
Since I'm not one to bury my head in the sand, it's much easier to grab my camera and head out and forget mine and the world's troubles by getting creative.
Here is another recent photo I shot of the Presqu'ile Provincial Park Lighthouse at the point of the peninsula where Lake Ontario meets Brighton Bay. I liked the natural framing of the trees and the cool looking clouds which I thought helped to make the image more interesting.
I also thought the image looked better in black and white.
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