Joanie's Excellent Adventures: 07/01/2007

Friday, July 27, 2007

Froggie Went a Courting...

Claus takes me to all the best places! This past week it was to the swamp. Yup, the swamp or Mud Lake as it is known by locals in the Britannia area. It had been quite a while since I spent time photographing nature's critters and I had a super time.

Mud Lake is home to turtles, tadpoles, would-be Princes, and a host of squirrels, chipmunks, birds and other unseen fauna. The day was hot and humid but inside the woods and along the shore it was cool and inviting as we set up our tripods, put on our longest lenses and captured image after image. Here are just a few of the critters we encountered.

It was easy to get caught up in the photography and spend all our time looking downward through the lens, but when we took the time to pull away from the camera and look out across the shimmering lake, it was a delight to see water lilies, blue sky and natures lines and forms reflected in the glassy waters surface.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Mystery Solved

Tonight the 11:00 pm news revealed the answer to my question of the day... "What the H** Was That?" At noon today, Canada's Air Force said good bye to its Commander, L Gen Lucas, as he handed over the reins to L Gen Watt. In honour of the occasion a Hercules transport plane was pressed into action and flanked by two fighter jets to fly formation over the city. What the occasion lacked in news coverage it made up for by the impressive show of might.

What the H** was that!!!

I was working at my computer shortly after noon today when I heard the rumble of jet engines. They sounded very low and very close as they approached from the south east. When I stepped out onto the balcony of my 16th floor apartment, the source of the rumble was evident. There, flying at what appeared to be only a few meters away, was one large passenger sized jet being escorted wing-tip-to-wing-tip by two intiminatingly close fighter jets. It looked very much like a Snowbirds flying configuration, but these were not Snowbirds. The planes were in sight for perhaps 20 seconds as they raced by in formation - a manoeuver in which the two fighter jets appeared to steer the big fellow towards the north, away from the Parliament buildings. Parliament is easily within sight from my balcony, a mere 5 minute drive or a half hour walk from my home.

In light of past events and constant media hype it certainly got the heart pounding. Attempts to find any word of the happening on the news or web have so far failed. Perhaps there will be word later today.

What a great photo opportunity missed. My camera was not at the ready - besides, by the time I saw what was happening, the moment had passed.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Market, Memories, and Moments in Time

If you haven't been to Ottawa's Byward Market in a while, summer is a great time for a visit. The area is alive with colourful market stalls, entertaining buskers, and an abundance of restaurants, bars and coffee houses. One spot worthy of a visit is Memories Restaurant, 7 Clarence Street. The food is good and the dessert is divine, so when you get an urge for something decadent, Memories is the place to go. As well as featuring luscious desserts, the restaurant features art works by local artists. I am delighted to have my photography on display in their indoor gallery until around the end of July.

Memories Restaurant, 7 Clarence Street, Byward Market, Ottawa

Photographs by Joan Anderson

The images capture moments in time... time spent in Ottawa, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and Canada's spectacular Baffin Island. Why not drop in for lunch or coffee and a dessert while you enjoy the view. All images are for sale, along with photo cards you will find at the counter. Enjoy.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Fun in the sun with Friends from Downunder

For almost nine years I called Brisbane Australia home, and only returned to Canada two short years ago. It's never far from my mind, as are the great friends I left behind. Tonight I had a pleasant reminder of my 'other' home when an e-mail from my friend Richard, a fellow photographer, made a noisy entrance into my Inbox. Richard introduced me to a local photography club where I met and made more new friends.

We had a grand time and I thoroughly enjoyed our photographic forays that gave me an opportunity to learn not only about the area but also about photography. We'd drive a bit and stop to check out the local sites, searching for photo opps as we went.

We found windows with bullet holes...

And characters with caps...

before sliding on home at the end of the day

with smiles on our faces and photos this big!

It was great to hear from you Richard. The pubs just aren't the same over here. Remember, when you or any of the gang are over this way, you are always welcome at my new home.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

A Time for Reflection

This past week has been a quiet one, a time for reflection. July 7th marked one year since my Dad died. We love you Dad and miss you terribly.

The week was not all tears though. The scale was balanced by two very positive events.

GALLERY EBA

I was delighted to have six of my images included in a photographic show at the EBA, a well known gallery in the Ottawa art scene.

PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE FARM

The second event was a photo shoot for some friends of mine at the Experimental Farm. They have two wonderful grandchildren who were a delight to photograph. It had been a long time since I was around little ones and these two, aged two and a half and one, were like little butterflies... only alighting for a second as they flitted around from one spot to another. Constantly in motion, they darted about checking out everything within running distance.

For the first time in many years, I too had the opportunity to check out cows, sheep, horses and rabbits; to walk in the park, smell the roses, and eat a few french fries that escaped becoming food for the gulls the little ones took great delight in chasing.
© Joan Anderson

Monday, July 2, 2007

Rainbow In My Backyard!

It has been raining off and on all day long, just like the weather man forecast. Not what I wanted to hear I thought as I sat watching the evening news. Then out of the corner of my eye, a sudden change in the quality of light caught my attention. I turned for a better look and stopped dead in my tracks.

WOW! And it's soooo close!

Ribbons of colour were literally sitting outside my window. A rainbow had come to rest in the backyard of the house across the road, and a second waited further to the south. What a treat - and I'll bet the owners of the home weren't even aware of the gift Mother Nature had given them on loan. For them a missed moment in time, and for me one of life's more colourful moments. Perhaps it was meant just for me.

Happy Canada Day!

Yesterday was party time in Ottawa. This little one had a super view of the celebrations taking place at Parliament Hill from atop Dad's shoulders.

I headed out about 10:00 am with my camera to checked out the sites at Majors Hill Park, Rideau Street and Parliament Hill. The crowds where huge, the talent was impressive, and the the masses were happy, well mannered, and full of pride in our great country.

From the time I hopped off the bus in the city centre, I experienced the generosity and power of advertising of some of the largest corporations in the area. First off the mark were some energy and high-tech companies who joined together and gave away thousands of T-shirts emblazoned with the Canadian flag and Canada Power... in both official languages of course. Next was the dairy industry and St. Alberts handing out free packs of cheese curds. Via Rail trumped them all by going green and giving away free maple trees. Mine is destined to become a Bonsai.

After wandering the streets in search of the definitive Canada Day photo opp, I found myself at Majors Hill park listening to free concerts and noting the pride with which new Canadians from all nations were wearing red to celebrate the day.

The band shell had great entertainers from across the country, notably one talented group that called themselves Red Maple Song Circle.

Taima from Nunavik, sang about her mother's recent passing, and Jay Knutson from BC sang of his Scottish ancestors putting down roots in Canada. Knutson's sense of humour was evident when he spoke of his ancestry. In addition to being part Norwegian, he is also of Scottish and Micmac descent... he calls himself a Mac Micmac.

It was a great day and all sorts came out to party. There were face painters, Snowbirds, smiling ladies, and the RCMP. And just in case you were wondering, Elvis was there too, wearing nothing but the Canadian Flag. Oh yes... what would a party be without a couple of British acrobats wearing nothing but their national flag! Hope you had a good one.

Joanie's Excellent Adventures