Worth a Second Look 3

I posted the photo above back in February of this year but the original (below) is from June 2015. I liked the original enough to post it. It's got a nice lines that run across the photo and up and down that make a dynamic opposition to the diagonal line of the skater's body. But after I had thought about it for awhile I realized that the color in the photo was distracting from those dynamic lines. I tried a few monochrome versions before I arrived at the above. As well as the composition I like how it exemplifies the kind of natural grace many kids have. This boy's stance, his one legged balance, couldn't be more perfect if he'd been trained in classical ballet.

Rainbow Park

Here's a view I photograph often, for two reasons. First is that I like it and second is that it is always the first view I see when I walk down to the West Song Walkway. It's always different according to the weather and the time of day.It's actually a small park called Rainbow Park - a few benches overlooking the harbor, a picnic table on that little spit, a doggie bag dispenser and a drinking fountain. It's a great place to start a walk either towards the city or west towards the West Bay Marina.

West Bay Walkway 2

Here's the view from Rainbow Park looking west towards the West Bay Marina at the westernmost end of the Inner Harbour.

West Bay Walkway

I've been neglecting one of my favorite spots this last few months so I returned to the West Bay Walkway for a stroll this afternoon. It offers such great views that I enjoyed revisiting it again immensely. Here we see the Coho car ferry leaving the harbor on its afternoon trip to Port Angeles, Washington.

Backyard Jungle

I've been experimenting with old lenses this week - today's photo and yesterday's were taken with a lens that is about 60 or 70 years old and proudly proclaims itself as "Made in USSR". It's a Helios 58mm lens I bought in a thrift store for $10 and I'm thinking it's probably the sharpest lens I own.

Garden Fireworks

With all the action downtown and on the beaches, it's easy to forget that some pretty spectacular things are happening in the back yard, too.

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub

Along the West Song Walkway there is this lovely little bay called Lime Bay and overlooking it is a great place to eat - Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub. I've eaten there several times myself and recommend the food highly.

Vic West Skateboard Competition

Today was the annual Vic West Skateboard Competition and as usual I was impressed by the kids who competed. They work so hard to learn the skills and it takes so much determination and dedication to crash and get up again and again until you've mastered it. (And lots of scrapes and bruises)

Southward

Probably the main cycle trail on Southern Vancouver Island is the Galloping Goose (named after the rail line it follows through much of its length). It crosses the Gorge (an inland arm of the Harbour) over an old re-purposed train trestle, from the centre of which the above view of the city invites contemplation. That's the Bay Street (or Point Ellice) Bridge in the foreground and (if you've got sharp eyes or click the photo to enlarge it) you can see the Johnson Street Bridge further back. The latter is open to allow some marine traffic to pass.

Bluebells

Though these Bluebells are not a native species, they have naturalized themselves so well they seem to be native and they are a joy at this time of year.

New Direction 2

We're getting a lot of mileage out of these Langford Street blossoms. It's a pity that these visuals only communicate half the experience. Even on a gloomy gray day like today the sweet scent is quite overpowering. There is no need to sniff the actual flowers, the street is full of the rich perfume. The video below is another attempt at moving around, maybe a little improvement over yesterday. I think this technique will work better when the moving through activities like a parade or a midway or the causeway. Thanks all for your patience while I try to wrap my old brain around new software.

New Direction

I went for a brief walk along the West Song Walkway today to try out a little upgrade on my video equipment because I've decided over the last few months that I want to do a little more video. I'm also working with a new video editor because the last one has not kept up with the various Windows upgrades. So, today was a very experimental day. What I want to produce is video that is a little more immersive, that lets me take you along with me as I move around this city. I can't say that today's effort was very successful but it is a step in the direction I want to go so I am sharing the video below though it is decidedly a very rough cut. As for the picture above, it is a little flock of American Wigeons having a snooze near where I ended my walk.

Langford Street

The bloom on Langford Street is just beginning. These blossoms are quite different from the hot pink blooms posted yesterday.

Finally!

Well, though it is now officially springtime, winter has not quite loosened its grip. The blossoms, however, will not be put off. I photographed these today on Skinner Street in Vic West. The blossoming plums that line Langford Street look like they will burst into bloom tomorrow or the next day.

West Song Walkway

Here's another from the Family Day weekend - lots of families out strolling on the West Song Walkway in Vic West.

February!

Yesterday's snowfall is almost gone today - a sudden warm spell has turned most of it into gray slush - so here's a photo from February 2011. It looks like February is our snow month.

A Lovely Blanket of White

Banfield Park is magical when there's a fresh layer of snow isn't it? - Fern

Westsong Walkway

Usually when I go for a walk locally I just walk along the West Bay Walkway that follows the shoreline of the westernmost part of the Inner Harbour. However, the northeastern shore of the harbour skirted by the West Song Walkway is just as nice and has some lovely vistas.

Shoal Point

Here's another archival shot from January 2010. This was my early exploration of long time exposures - this one was a 30 second exposure in the pre-dawn darkness. At the time I was quite pleased with the result and now, from a distance of 7 years, I still like this photo.

Snowdrops!

Well, these are always the earliest of spring flowers, but I was surprised to see these when I went for a walk today - a beautiful sunshiny day. I've just checked previous years' photos and I don't generally see these lovely little blooms until mid-January or later.