The Flatiron

The Flatiron
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

This weekend we ventured to Downtown Toronto. Not my favourite place but we had planned a trip to take in the Contact Festival and "Doors Open Toronto" this was our only chance.

There were two things I really wanted to photograph, this being the first of them.

Arriving in Downtown bright and early we were greeted by fog. I'm sure not everyone would be as pleased as I but fog removes the distracting visual noise from a scene and softens the impact of modern life.

I like this image, the massive skyscrapers are gone, vanished in the mists of time as it were and we are back 100 years to the days the flatiron was built.

So the image had to be sepia toned, black and white to give the 'feel' of what it was like back then, the vignette removed more of the modern day distractions.

Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be. ~Duane Michals

The way we were, Central GMC

The way we were, Central GMC
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

Central is where I take my car when it needs 'attention' and every-time I go I see this bright red GMC pickup.
Yesterday I had my Bronica loaded with Fuji Acros B&W film and as I walked past it whispered in my ear "now is the time to make an image of this fine piece of automotive history".
So I did,
I decided before I fired the shutter it needed to be 'sepia toned' and I needed the 2 signs in the image.
I am pleased with the result.

Be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence.
Minor White

Einstein Cafe Magnolia's

Einstein Cafe Magnolia's
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

On Saturday I spent several hours crawling around in the mud at the UofG Arboretum hunting the elusive Trillium, Trout Lilly and Jack-in-the-Pulpit.
What I really wanted to capture was the magnificent Magnolia.
After leaving the Arboretum with dirty knee's and several images. I went over to the Farmers Market in the downtown. As I drove away I caught sight of the Magnolia's outside the Einstein's Cafe.
I couldn't believe my eye's!

Too me Magnolia tree's in bloom speak of Spring, their flowers only last a few days but what a show!

The Trillium were forgotten .... :-)

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

Young 'un

Young 'un
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

No I haven't finished prattling on about Algonquin. You have to go there to appreciate why.
Every Spring we go to see the moose, you would think that I have enough moose photo's now but that's only part of the reason I go.

To witness these magnificent creatures close up and free, to observe and listen as mothers interact with their young is a big part of it.
This very young male was at this point separated from "Mom" as she had crossed the highway merely feet from us.
He tried to follow, hesitated, went back but realised Mom wasn't coming to get him so very gingerly he climbed up to the road, looked both ways as good children do and plucked up the courage to cross.
Yes Mom was waiting and watching as Moms always do :-)

"What is man without the animals?
Without the beasts men would die of a great loneliness of spirit." -Chief Seattle


Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers out there, human and animal :-)

Blowout

Blowout
Originally uploaded by Alan Norsworthy

Another trip to Algonquin is over but the feeling lingers on.
Great times, great scenery and magic around every corner.
This year my wife Cathy came along and she too fell under Algonquin's spell.

This was a lake sized beaver pond last year, now it's gone. The damn upstream blew out (or was blown up) which in turn, we think, blew out the lower damn draining both ponds.

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. ~John Muir

I couldn't resist an extra quote this week 
and I think my companions will agree with this one ...

I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees.  The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.  It has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day.  It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful.  Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy.  ~Hamlin Garland, McClure's, February 1899