For the drama queen she is, sometimes Stella is quite adventurous.
Images
Sundogs
I was in a hurry to get to work this morning. Have some time off next week and wanted to get to the office to start early. Saw these most amazing sun dogs over my right shoulder. Kept driving, kept driving. Finally said ‘damn it I have to stop, I’m early anyway, may never see something like this again’ and stopped.
I’ve seen sun dogs before but never, ever, hand-width high. What an astounding, awe-inspiring sight this was. Photography is taking me to, maybe back to, a place of wonder and astonishment about my world. What a great journey this is!
The banana belt
This part of Ontario is called the ‘banana belt’. Compared to Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Kapauskasing, it is a balmy part of the world. On a -17 morning in the heart of winter, it seems a bit of a misnomer.
Thistle heads
Frost and wind-blown snow soften and add colour to these thistle seed heads I found by the roadside. We often miss simple, unadorned yet lovely sights, sounds, experiences because we are too ‘busy’.
Beauty can be found even on a -14C morning if we are open to taking a moment from the busy-ness of our lives to seek, to appreciate it. I am trying to learn to stop, to look, to see. My photography seems to be helping open me up to it.
NOT a duck in a dog suit . . .
. . . describes Achilles, here shying away from a tiny wavelet breaking at his feet during a visit to Lake Erie. ‘Ain’t gonna get wet, don’t wanna, no how, no way, can’t make me.’
He’s never gotten more than his feet wet and that has only happened walking through puddles. Chili has never taken a swim. I’ve encouraged him but have never made nor will I will never make him.
Because he’s a stray I’ll never know the reason for his antipathy to water. Some mysteries are destined to remain such.
Snowy owl
There have been numerous reports on eBird this winter of an ‘invasion’ of these amazing birds spreading into this part of the world, far to the south of their normal range. There have been at least two sightings in the part of Lambton County I regularly commute through so I’ve kept an eye out in the fields out as I thought to do so.
I happened to glance up, saw this individual as I passed the hydro pole it perched on, said ‘Wow’ and braked hard to a stop. Whipped out the Fuji camera (like yesterday the winner of the ‘PlayBook or Fuji? decision process) and took a few photos. Then decided to risk having the owl fly away as I backtracked to a position up-sun of it and managed to capture a couple photos.
I never expected to see one of these magnificent birds. Fate, karma, whatever, blessed me. How blessed I am.
Duck in a dog suit . . .
. . . is what I sometimes call Stella. Here she is swimming in a warmer time, in a warmer clime.
The romance of the winter sun
While stratus clouds at the east edge of a snow squall blushed at the first touch of sunlight, the steam plume emitted by a power plant remained in shadow, awaiting the suns’ kiss. The corn stubble already feels the suns’ faint, frosty caress.
Contrail with colour
I deliberated this morning over whether to bring the PlayBook or the Fuji camera. Turns out it’s good I opted for the former.
I saw this contrail far to the southeast of where I stood this morning and zoomed in on it. If you look closely at the contrail you can see colours refracting out. Further, the tendrils below are (I think) heavier ice crystals precipitating out. A very pretty and different view of a very common sight in North American skies.
Home made bread
It’s such a humble thing and few people might think of making their own bread. Faye found a book at our library – Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day – and began experimenting. She liked it so much that she hinted she’d like to add the new edition to our cookbook library. For once I paid attention and gave it to her for Christmas.
Making your starter batch is quite simple. Even I can do it as I proved on Sunday. Takes little time, as does shaping each loaf. Our breads have turned out with a lot of what I call ‘body’ – chewy with a crisp crust that gives my jaws a workout, lots of flavour. Store bought bread isn’t nearly as satisfying, not to mention having some unpronounceable ingredients.
Yum.
previouslytexan 