Carpe Diem II

Sometimes opportunity knocks when you least expect it. The day last August, for instance, when our tree services folks came to take a sample from one of our giant elms. Late August, annuals in their full glory, and there's a bucket truck out in my parking lot!

So after a short conversation with our tree guy, there I am in the bucket, heading up into the sky with camera in hand. What a view! This is one of many pictures I shot in that very special ten minutes.

Back to my roots...

Here I am, The Garden Shutterbug, yet most of my posts to date have been about everything BUT the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. So I'll come back to my roots for a moment and into the Gardens.

This shot is of a hummingbird feeding on Crocosmia "Lucifer" in the Courtyard. The hummingbirds were loving these funky red flowers much of the summer, making it relatively easy to hang around a few minutes and wait for a great photo opp!

Black & White

Oddly, or maybe not so oddly, I rarely think to set my camera to black and white. But when I do, the results are quite rewarding. In an old town like this, steeped in history, a black and white shot almost looks more realistic than a colour one. I must make a conscious effort to leave the colour behind more often - leaving me with a very classic looking view of my subject.

Critters...

Next to flowers, my favourite things to photograph would be Critters. It's always an exciting moment when you happen upon insects or wildlife in a garden, or on a hike... sometimes even in your own back yard. But the occasional trip to a wildlife park, or Oaklawn Farm Zoo provides a nice change from the usual subject matter!

Carpe Diem

Many of the best photo opps come from being in the right place at the right time... pure luck! In these photos, I happened to be in the downtown area as a heavy fog was hanging over the river and wisping into the downtown core, and there was not a breath of wind. I "ran for my camera" and spent about 15 minutes taking a bunch of photos... and then it was gone. The fog was dissipating even as I was taking the photos.

The first shot is of the Annapolis River, with the village of Granville Ferry on the far side. The reflection was gorgeous! The second shot is of the Garrison Cemetary beside Fort Anne, shrouded in fog...

So seize the moment!

Of Balancing Rocks and other things...

The Balancing Rock in Tiverton, NS... a pretty remarkable sight. But for me the beauty lies in the wild aster growing out of the rock face, a stalwart soul, with no other living thing nearby, surviving against all odds!

Happy Halloween

On a day that nature doesn't provide you with fodder for a foto, you can create your own subject. I had a fabulous time on "Halloween Eve" carving 3 large pumpkins I had grown in my garden. You can print patterns from various websites (just google "pumpkin patterns")... all sorts of neat, non-traditional patterns are out there. And be sure to invest a couple dollars (literally) in a kid's pumpkin carving kit - the tools are necessary to cut more intricate designs. It is rewarding - many of my little costumed visitors take a moment to study my creations and then to compliment me on them!

Shutterbugging in Annapolis Royal

For the shutterbug in all of us, there is no better place to roam with your camera than in the Town of Annapolis Royal and the surrounding area. Through this blog I hope to inspire others to share the places I have found, and ask others to share their special locations. Of course, one of my faves is the Historic Gardens. Let's have some fun, and explore this area with camera in hand!