Jammin'

Another bright and beautiful day today and the causeway was almost as busy as mid-summer. I was lucky to catch one man band Dave Harris doing an afternoon performance when he was joined for a few numbers by Marty Lewis on harp and vocals. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

The Causeway

Although the curvature caused by the fish-eye lens is quite pronounced in this photo I like this view of the Empress Hotel from the small square at the northern end of the causeway.

Inner Harbour Causeway

Once school's back in the tourist season dies down a bit though the cruise ships continue to keep the Inner Harbour busy until mid October. Here, through a 17mm fish-eye lens, is what the Causeway looked like last week.

Plasterman

I couldn't let summer pass without at least one photo of perennial causeway performer, "Plasterman", whose living statue mime enthralls everyone, and especially enchants kids -->

Serena Jack

Accomplished musician Serena Jack fitted in perfectly with the beds of flowers on the upper Causeway this weekend. She provided some lively jigs and reels for an appreciative audience.

Shadow Play 2

The same sun that makes those interesting shadows in yesterday's post poses a real difficulty for photographers since causeway performers almost always sing and play with their backs to the sun. It is very challenging to get a good photo of a performer when the sun is behind him or her. Sometimes however, that can become an advantage - if you like shadows. Providing the shadow above is Blake Andison, a very talented young singer/songwriter.

Shadow Play

The Inner Harbour Causeway faces westward so that in the late afternoon and evening interesting shadows form on the sidewalk and back wall.

Smiley Brothers

To continue with the line-up of this year's buskers on the Inner Harbour Causeway, here are the Smiley Brothers. I've not seen or heard them before but it's obvious they've been making music together for a long time - very smooth, original arrangements of pop classics. Stop and listen if you are lucky enough to see them - you won't be disappointed.

Harbour Nolan

Here's a young busker who has more right to play on the Inner Harbour Causeway than most. His name is Harbour Nolan and, as you may have guessed, he was named after Victoria's Inner Harbour. He sings and accompanies himself on the ukelele, plays a foot drum and high-hat cymbal and blows a mean harp too, a true one-man-band.

Theme Park

I've mentioned before that sometimes during the summer months I get the feeling I'm living in a giant theme park when I'm in downtown Victoria. I got that feeling yesterday evening when I was enjoying the mesmerizing music-box mime of Pierre St. Pierre and one of those horse-drawn carriages trotted past.

Swan Walker

Here's a veteran causeway performer I've not featured so far this year - Swan Walker. Swan adds a distinctly Caribbean flavor to the causeway and though he plays a lot of calypso and reggae music he has a wide repertoire of other popular music as well as his own distinctive compositions. In addition to guitar he also plays a pair of steel drums. If you see him on the Causeway make sure you stop and listen - you won't regret it.

Portrait Problems

Regular visitors here will have noted that I've been posting a lot of photos of performers lately. One of the reasons is that my photography interests lately have been in two directions - portraiture and landscapes. In part these two interests stem from two lenses I have - an 85mm lens (the focal length generally agreed to be most useful for portraits) and a 20mm wide angle lens that should be good for landscapes. I've been having more success with portraits but I feel that I tend to end up with the same old head and shoulders composition. Today's two photos illustrate two different choices for composition. Above is what I usually end up with - the subject (in this case, the lovely Esther-Ruth Teel and her Celtic harp) is pretty much centered in a 3:2 frame. Below is a different crop of the same photo - a close-up of just head and shoulders but sharing a square frame with the harp. I think I prefer the version below but I will be interested in any opinions visitors care to share.

Country Dave Ryerson

Well, I didn't get to see the yachts when I was down at the Inner Harbour (see yesterday's post) but I did get to sit down and listen to one of my favourite causeway performers, Country Dave Ryerson. Country Dave has been entertaining visitors and locals for many years now and I never tire of listening to him.

Dining on the Causeway

As soon as the weather warms up al fresco dining spots blossom on the sidewalks of old town Victoria. Above is what Milestones Restaurant looked like this Easter weekend - probably the prime location in the city as they are right on the Inner Harbour Causeway.

Spring Music

Another sunny day today and much warmer brought loads of people out to stroll around the Inner Harbour Causeway. And there was lots to enjoy - refreshments, art and crafts and music. For perennial performer, one man band Dave Harris (above) it was his first outing this year and I enjoyed sitting in the sunshine once again and listening to his music. Later another veteran busker/musician, Country Dave Ryerson joined Dave for the photo below. The contributions these musicians make to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Causeway year after year cannot be too highly appreciated.

Will

While on the Causeway on Monday I stopped to listen to Will. His repertoire was almost as old as I am so it was pretty comfortable listening.

Satisfaction

I find photos like this very satisfying. I don't have the ability to set them up but when they happen I am pleased. This pair of skateboarders were taking a break on the Inner Harbour Causeway yesterday afternoon.