December Desktop Inspiration

Now that winter seems to be decidedly on the way I chose to use a winter based theme for this months image. I guess this one could be titled "Fire and Ice".

Again, another example of where the light just before sunset can start having a magical effect on an otherwise ordinary scene. Here the warm red tones in the water are coming from the setting sun reflecting off an old red barn that was on the other side of the stream. The glow from the reflected light intensified about 10 minutes before the sun dropped below the horizon.

November Desktop Inspiration

Already into November and I want to hang onto every nice day that is left. To keep things on the warm side I decided to post one more Inspiration shot from our summer trip out West. This one was taken on Rialto Beach in Washington State. We were fortunate to spend about 5 hours there - including a fantastic sunset - but there is also enough to keep one there for days. There were a number of birds out on a spit past all the washed up logs on the beach. Here hundreds if not thousands of birds were gathered - mostly gulls - but in amongst them were a small group of pelicans. I photographed this one as he was heading out into the soon to be setting sun.

Fall at the Falls

Tews Falls is always an impressive sight. Getting there early in the morning one is rewarded with light on the face of the falls - something that usually lasts from 30 minutes after sunrise until 10 or 10:30 - depending on the time of year. At this time of the year I usually venture to the base of the falls and photograph the play of light and the rainbow in the mist at the base. This time I stayed at the top and captured the morning light just before the water drops over the edge. The tree cover at the top is still in full colour and the light coming in from the rising sun bathed everything in an intense golden light.

October Desktop Inspiration

It is well into October and time for a new Desktop Inspiration. The image this month comes from our trip out West - this time the image is actually one that Irena took and it is one of my current favorites. The tide pools at Shi Shi Beach were awesome - some quiet and peaceful where you could see all manner of colourful ...starfish while others were in constant flux from the incoming tide. As we ventured out onto the clam encrusted rock we always had to be mindful that the incoming tide didn't cut us off from the main beach. Although we could have stayed until sunset we had to head back to the car well before dark as it was an hour long trek through old growth rain forest just to get to the parking lot. We visited Rialto Beach the next evening and witnessed an amazing sunset and didn't have tyo worry about a trek back to the car - the parking lot was two minutes away!

September Desktop Inspiration

Back from 3 weeks out West - two which were spent in Washington State - what a fabulous place for scenery!!

 Washington has it all - beaches of all types, incredible tide pools, old growth rain forests, mountains, prairies, badlands, bald eagles, and volcanic canyons that aside from the lack of giant cactus would make you think you are in Arizona or Nevada. I'll be posting more images soon - with links to some image galleries - once we go through the 6000+ images we took. For now - the Desktop Inspiration for September - an image from Hurricane Ridge - possibly one of the most memorable hikes I have ever been on.

August Desktop Inspiration

About 20 minutes south of where I live there is a farmer who on certain years will plant a field of sunflowers. Being right next to a highway this swatch of yellow sunshine causes many who would normally pass by to stop and admire. It is not unusual to see a half a dozen photographers working at the side of the field at one time. Each in their own way are trying to capture the beauty on display - some are trying to bring their own unique interpretation of the scene - others are content to record the standard roadside view. In either case there is a window of about ten days where the sunflowers are pointing nicely in the same direction, thousand of yellow heads held high in all their glory.

July Desktop Inspiration

The Desktop Inspiration this month comes from Albion Falls - a nearby waterfall in the south end of Hamilton - which is at times referred to as "The Waterfall Capitol of the World". Although many of the waterfalls are not that large (some even dry up completely during a dry summer) there are many that will inspire.

I've taken friends to Webster's Falls - and although much smaller than Niagara - it has provided a richer experience in that you can easily get much closer to the falls and have a more intimate experience.

July's image is an attempt at showing a quieter more personal view of the falls. Albion Falls lends itself to this as there are numerous ledges in the strata creating a whole gamut of mini waterfalls to explore.

To view the whole collection of Desktop Inspirations you can visit my website. They are free to download and share as you wish. Have a great July!!