April 30: At the Park

Aaron and Hazel having a yogurt snack-break at the park today.

I took about a dozen pictures and this is the only one where both children were facing the camera!

Getting a face-shot of one child is tricky: two is almost impossible!

April 29: Bob's Birthday Dinner

Aaron helps Bob blow out his birthday candles.

There is interesting light coming from the window, just shining on the cake.

Megan took the photo.

April 28: Some Sun

The sun came out today - after a lengthy spell of gloomy skies.

These narcissus were happy to feel some warmth, I imagine, but they still hung face down.

I had to do some gymnastics to get their open faces in my lens!

April 27: A cold Night

Dragon boat practice is scheduled for tonight, a cold, gloomy and windy day in Ottawa.

It is currently 2 degrees and forecast to go down to -4!

I need to find all my very warm and dry clothes to get ready to paddle. A few weeks ago, it was also cold and I took this picture of the backs of Michelle and MJ, bundled up with hats and mitts.

I really like this photo with the spectrum of blues and the bright sky.

April 26: 'A' photo

There's certainly lots of rocks in this picture ... layers and layers of rock walls.

Only sheep and hikers are happy here ... oh and photographers!

Again, it is in the Snowdonia National Park, in Wales.

April 25: 'A' photo

My Camera Club met yesterday. We all submit photos to the group for scrutiny. Then the group debates the merits, selects the best photos and  ranks them as 'A' photos.

The above photo was one of my A s.

It was taken last September, in Wales, on a hike.

The gate was artistically designed as a tribute to a member of the  local hiking group.

April 24: April Flowers

I took this photo early on Monday morning, before the snow melted.

It looks like the tulip is wearing a crown!

Even though there were several other tulips in the original photo,

I was able to crop it and maintain absolute clarity.

The tiny droplets hanging from the bottom of the tulip are even captured.

April 23: Spring in Ottawa!

We woke this morning to this black and white 'spring' day.

Only the small yellow bird house tells that this is indeed a colour photo.

I took this photo with my iPod camera and posted it to my blog from that device.

I learned some new technology today!

April 22: Niagara at Night

The lights came on at 8:30.

It was very dramatic as they came on one at a time!

I was surprised that the lights were strong enought to allow this shot.

April 22: NIagara

The falls are always powerful and magnificent!

I wanted to get the falls 'blurred', so I used a longer shutter speed

 and set the camera on a wall to keep it still.

April 21: Niagara Falls

Bob hadn't been to Niagara Falls in more than 30 years, so we  had to make a trip there.

With so much mist, it is hard to see the falls!

April 20: Niagara-on-the-Lake

We drove to Niagara-on-the Lake for more cycling.

The orchard trees were all in full bloom!

April 19: Prince Edward County

I have to admit that this photo was taken a few years ago, when we were last cycling in Prince Edward County. This time, it was too cool for me to take of my ski mitts to take photos!

April 18; Prince Edward County

Rita's back yard looks out on Black's River.

The forsythia is on bloom but the trees have not yet leafed out.

Early morning gives soft light and long shadows.

April 17: Prince Edward County

This is my friend, Rita Taylor.

She owns and runs Colleen Cottage, a lovely B & B near Picton, in Prince Edward County.

Rita and I Have had two Nepali adventures together, in 2001 and 2011.

Bob and I are here cycling the scenic and tranquil roads for a few days.

April 16: Swim Meet

I love the challenge of capturing action shots.

This was a great challenge. The swimmers dives are frozen mid-air.

I was lucky to get the action at just the right second!

April 15: Swim Meet

My photo for today is Gabo doing butterfly, face into the camera.

Most of the photo is sharply in focus, except for his hands,

which is where the most action is, as his arms return.

I used 'sport' mode, or 'burst' which takes a sequence of pictures, then I picked this photo which gave  me what I wanted. Good swim, Gabo!

April 14: Swim Meet

I took loads of photos today at the swim meet, and asked others to take shots when I was swimming.

Kate Aldred took this great shot of Robin's start in the 100 IM.

Great form, Robin!

And it was her first ever IM!

April 13: Swim Meet

At the Quebec Provincial Masters' Swimming Championships this weekend.

Peggy, Kim, Robin, Carol, Jen.

We are all competative members of the Ottawa Y Masters Team  - and proud!

April 12: On Water

Katie ( steering), Peggy, Shannon and Debby.

Even near the end of practice, we were still smiling!

I had to straighten the horizon before posting this picture, because of the rocking of the boat.

April 11: On Water

The dragon boats went on the water on Monday, but I had my first practice tonight!

We were dressed more for skiing than paddling, but it was mighty fine to be on the water again,

and gearing up for Hong Kong Worlds!

Our spot on the Gatineau River is beautiful;  one goal is to take lots of photos this year.

April 10: Still Life

Maggie's still life painting reminded me about this one that I did last fall.

I like how the copper kettle and the silver cylinder reflected many different colours.

I like the way the light plays on the fruit, too.

Normally I don't like doing still life, but I was pleased with the result of this one.

April 9: Maggie's Painting

This still life watercolour was drawn and painted by my ten-year-old granddaughter, Maggie.

Ever since she was little, she has loved to paint. She is very responsible with my good brushes and paints, and has learned a great deal about how watercolours work.

Congratulations, Maggie!

April 8: Egg Hunt

It is hard (impossible! ) to get 15 clear faces in a group photo.

Bottom - Megan, Topher, Duncan, Aaron, Koda, Maggie, Hazel, Georgia the dog, Lucia, Kaia, Luis, Lee, Hamish the other dog.

Back - Peg, Bob, John, Karrie.

Thanks for coming, everyone!

April 7: Egg Hunt

We were blessed with wonderful weather for our family Easter Egg  hunt!

All the grand kids, and god-grand kids, were able to come!

Lucia, Hazel, Topher, Dundan, Aaron, Maggie & Koda.

April 6: Skyline Trail

An Easter Friday hike along Skyline Trail in perfect weather!

Bottom  Row : Maggie, Duncan.

Middle: Topher, Peggy, Margaret, Judy, Cheryl (the birthday girl!) Margo.

Top Row : Jennifer.

Hiking in the Gatineau Park with my grandkids and my friends ... How great is that!!

April 5: Algonquin

After yesterday's picture of the Beaver Slide in Algonquin Park, I thought about our canoe trip there last September.

This is one of my favourite photos from the trip - an early morning paddle in the mist.

Every summer, I live in hopes of having this opportunity - it is magical and mystical.

Thanks to Margo for being my paddle partner that day.

April 4: Photo Reference

My fabulous friends Dianne and Margo are relaxing in the foreground of this photo.

I left them and all the life jackets, out of the painting!

For September, we were blessed with glorious weather!

April 3: Art Class

This painting is based on a photo taken in Algonquin Park, Stratton Lake, last September.

It is at a waterfall called The Beaver Slide.

Nine friends went on a three night canoe trip.

We spent one afternoon lounging at this beautiful pond.

April 2; Daffodils

My daffodils are on 'hold'.

Earlier, when it was so warm, they came up and out this far.

Now with much cooler weather, they are 'holding' until the weather warms up again.

I would expect them to bloom in early May, not April.

We will see what happens.

April 1: Swim Meet Hardware

Bob insisted on showing Aaron my medals.

Aaron insisted on wearing them.

Here's the photo!

March 30: Toronto

I didn't take any pictures at the swim meet, because I couldn't concentrate on swimming and photography both at the same time.

Too bad - it was a great opportunity for some great shots.

Instead, here's Duncan and I at the top of the CN Tower, taken last summer.

March 30: Toronto

This weekend Bob and I are in Toronto, at the Etobicoke Olympium, for the Ontario Masters Swimming Championships.

This pool is a 50  meter, 8 lane pool , a fantastic facility!