Jan. 29: Cuba

A day at the office in Cuba!

Jan. 28; Cuba

Megan and the two little boy cousins.

Jan. 27: Cuba

All cleaned up to go for dinner.

Jan. 26: Cuba

Flowers in bloom in January???

Only in Cuba!

Jan.25: Cuba

Bob enjoys the warmth and the water!

(and the lack of snow!)

Jan. 24: Cuba

Snug as three  bugs in a rug.

Jan. 23: Cuba

Maggie and Duncan enjoyed the waves.

Jan. 22: Cuba

This photo says it all for Topher!

Jan. 21: Cuba

I caught Duncan mid-air in the cannonball contest - rotation category.

Jan. 20: Cuba

Snorkeling is another highlight.

This time, it was a treat to share with Maggie.

She loved the bright colours of the fish...electric blues and yellows!.

We were able to feed them with  bread until they came swarming around our faces!

I have yet to try underwater photography.

Jan.19; Cuba

For me, sailing is one of the highlights of Cuba.

Wind, waves and exhilaration!

The rich colours of the sea and sky are amazing.

Jan. 18; Cuba

Early morning at Playa Turquesa, near Holguin.

Jan. 17; On Holiday

Tomorrow we leave for a week in Cuba.

This a photo from two years ago, also in Cuba.

Then, there were ten of us. Now, we have added Koda, and we are eleven!

I look forward to the colours and photographic opportunities there!

Jan. 16; The Canal Opens!

The Canal Opened today!

I had intended to take Aaron skating,ie, pushing him in the stroller.

However, the CBC gave the morning temperature as -24! That was not windchill!

It seemed unfair to expect him to sit still in the stroller and endure that cold.

This is a picture is us skating last year instead.

Jan. 15: Sunday Morning Swim

I belong to the Ottawa Y Masters Swim Team. This morning, (while it was -17 outside!!!) we had 50 meter time trials. Here is the start for one of them, with others are waiting their turn.

I love the colour of the water and the reflections of the starters on the surface.

Jan. 14: Fresh Snow: Blue Skies

After a ski lesson at Mooney's Bay.

Fresh snow, blue skies and -17!

The shadows on unbroken snow are fantastic!

Jan. 13: Women on Skis

The first day for Women on Skis was really weather appropriate!

Fresh snow was falling as we skied the hills and trails at Mooney's Bay.

The camera has captured the snowflakes swirling and the snow-covered skis, to really emphasize the snowstorm atmosphere.

You can find out more about this program at

http://nakkertok.ca/other-programs/womenonskis/

Jan. 12: Winter Landscape

It snowed most of the day in Ottawa.

This is a photo that I took a few years ago, on the ski trail leading from Little Meech Lake to Meech Lake, just before the big hill!

It is one of my favourite places, as well as one of my favourite pictures.

Jan. 11: The Ice -fall

Today I felt up to trying a ski in the Gatineau Park. Because of injuries, Judy and I stayed on the Parkway, while Odile and Linda ventured on to Trail #7.

This well-known ice wall landmark is near the MacKenzie King Estates.

I was hoping for Cerulean Blue skies to contrast with the snow, but I think Judy's jacket provides just a lovely pop of colour against the monochromatic backdrop.

Jan. 10: Backyard Critter

Bob faithfully fills his backyard bird feeder, and wages an on-going battle with the squirrels!

This little critter was making a valiant attempt to get to the bird feed, but was thwarted!

Most of my attempts at snapping wildlife, end up with blurred images, or out-of-frame emptiness. I was thrilled to get this squirrel in mid-air, as he bounced off the bird feeder.

Jan. 9: Monday, Monday

Every Monday I look after Aaron, my 26 month old grandson.

So far, I am not successful at getting good photos of him.

At this age, he runs to look at the digital display, to see the photo, before I even manage to take it, or he sports a goofy grin when he sees the camera.

However, I do like this photo that I took last May. He was focused on the flowers, not on me.

What's not to like about bright daffodils in January!

Jan. 8: The Paddle Tank in Montreal

Once a month, the paddlers on my dragon boat team (Yea Cascades!) travel to Montreal to practise in a dragon boat-specific tank. It is equipped with mirrors, like a ballet studio. The layers of mirror reflections fascinate me, when I"m supposed to be concentrating on my paddling technique!

 The athletic form and precision of my extremely talented and athletic team-mates, together with the mirrors, provide intriguing layers of colour, motion and shapes.

Question: How can I take a picture without getting the camera in the photo?

Jan. 7: Saturday Morning Walkers

This wonderful bunch of friends are the Saturday Morning Walkers.

Originally friends from Busting Out Dragon Boat team, the ladies have been meeting to walk for an hour every Saturday morning for the past five years. Walk and talk is followed by breakfast and talk. I'm an occasional walker, otherwise skiing or biking. Today, I"m still trying to rehabilitate my knee,and I ambled along with these great gals.

Their colourful jackets brighten up another day of flat grey light.

Jan. 5: Old Christmas Tree

Although there was fresh snow in Ottawa today, the sky was dull grey and the light was flat.

When I take photos, I look for shadows and reflections, so this flat light did not inspire me at all.

However, I went for a walk to try to find something wonderful, and found our old Christmas tree on the front lawn, with fresh snow to make it pretty, and a few bits of tinsel to tell a story.

Jan. 5; Purple Man

We came across Purple Man, a busker, in York, England this summer.

Although he was a 'statue' he did move in slow motion and interacted quietly with his admirers.

I marvelled at his creativity and at the whimsy and humour of his character!

His delightful entertainment made my day!

You can see more about him at

http://purpleman.co.uk/



Jan. 4; Wishful Skiing

Because of a knee injury, I am presently unable to go skiing.

So for now, I must be content to live through my skiing memories.

This photo was taken near Brown's Cabin, in the Gatineau Park, leading to the Ho Chi Min trail.

I love the shadows on the tracks, the brilliant blue sky and the pop of a red jacket.

The challenge is to ski with a small camera and to keep the battery warm.

Jan. 3: Coffee with Deirdre

 

This morning, I had the opportunity to get together with my friend, Deirdre. It is still Christmas Holiday, so, as a teacher, she was not at work.

Being with her reminded me of the many amazing adventures that we have had together. This photo was taken on The West Coast Trail, in 2005.

We hiked on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, for seven days, carrying 40 lb packs.

I love the contrast of our colourful gear, with the grey texture of the gull colony in the background.

Jan. 2: At The Spa

My dear friend Nancy, treated me to a Day at the Spa!

Obviously, I didn't take the photo, but I did set it up.

I love the way the waterfall droplets have been frozen.

And, yes, it was as cold as it looks!

Jan. 1 Chulla Bread

The day before Christmas, I always bake two loaves of the big, soft Chulla bread. We have one for Christmas morning and one for New Year's day.

I placed this loaf on a table that was flooded with sunlight and took the photo, to capture the shine and the shadow from the braids.

This photo is my way of sharing my family tradition with you.

Happy New Year!