Finding Joy in the "Little Things"

Where did 2007 go, especially the last month?!? I'm back to wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2008. I have named this year's Christmas image "Little Things" to celebrate how small gestures and tiniest details can have a tremendous impact on the big picture.

I have always been attentive to detail. As an outdoor photographer, sometimes the greatest challenge is to isolate meaningful detail within a chaotic environment. Nature has its own grand plan, but to capture and communicate, within a two dimensional frame, the essence of a place, brings me joy. When other people get excited by one of my images, it multiplies that feeling tenfold.

I'm excited about a lot these days. I've had a great year, capped off by the trip to Utah and a couple of recent developments on both the home and work front. I will be taking time over the holidays to enjoy the company of friends and family. I am under no illusion that this will be a restful couple of weeks, but I hope to carve out some time to work on a few photo projects. Watch for some updates to my main website www.lauratucker.com and some news about upcoming workshop opportunities.

Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Something Unexpected

There are so many things about this image taken along Scenic Byway 12 that are unexpected that I just had to get online and post it. First, the moment itself was an unexpected delight. We were driving from Capitol Reef National Park en route to Zion, when everything came together all at once. It was one of those highway corners that no doubt causes people to exclaim with joy any time of day. What we were given was a spectacular sunrise. It was exhilarating, working with the light and against time, as this magic light is fleeting.

The experience of reviewing my images that night was significantly less exhilarating. How was it possible to kill one of the most spectacular sunrises I had ever witnessed? Well, that was then and this is now. I'm reviewing my images to select a "Top 20" to show before a presentation tonight. This imaged beckoned to me, asking for some attention. After a few tweaks and a crop, it now represents that morning's glorious display. It's amazing what a little time can do with both the memory of an event and the objectivity of my eye.

The Solitary Tree

My eye is always drawn to The Solitary Tree. It speaks to me in many different ways. Often, the tree is just on the outside of a community of trees - a forest that provides shelter. This tree is perched on top of a cliff, exposed to the elements. Its position is not precarious. It's getting everything it needs to survive. The universe is open to the tree - it adds character to the tree as the years go by and provides space for the tree to grow. Over the years, the wind may twist the tree and leave tracks of time on its exterior, but the basic character of the tree is unchanged. As everything changes with time, the ground may eventually erode from underneath this tree, causing it to shift its position in the world in order to thrive.

Today I am this tree.

Henrieville, Utah

Driving from Bryce Canyon to Escalante, my attention was grabbed by this abandoned corner store in Henrieville, Utah. I'm pretty sure the Coca-Cola sign had everything to do with my attraction to this site. My dad worked for Coke most of his adult life, and I spent my high school summers working at the Coca-Cola office in Toronto. I looked up Henrieville online tonight to see what I could learn. Its population in 2000 was 159, and the population of its zip code 84736 in 2007 is 961 according to another site I found. In either case, Henrieville is truly a small western town.


After days of shooting the "grand landscape" at Bryce Canyon, it was a lot of fun to settle in and work at closer range at this site. In fact, I noticed that I was feeling quite refreshed after an hour or so of shooting; I was exercising different visual muscles.


Texture is one of my favourite subjects. Narrowing my vision to the details of a structure gives me the opportunity to express my vision by creating abstract images. Sometimes I the feedback I receive when I show my images is that I made something out of nothing. The first couple of times I heard this comment, I wondered if it was derogatory. It may have been, but I also think that making something out of nothing is a defining characteristic of photography as art. What does a photographer do? We go out into the world, beyond the creature comforts of a studio, and bring home a vision of the world that is uniquely our own.....on a good day, anyways!

Zion National Park

After the relative isolation of Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, entering Zion came as a bit of a culture shock. Located about 150 miles north-east of Las Vegas, Zion is more accessible than the previous parks and towns we visited. A few years ago, the main canyon was so over-run with vehicle traffic that a shuttle system was implemented to reduce smog and the headache of not being able to find parking in the canyon. The up side of the increase in human traffic was the corresponding increase in the amenities and restaurants in Springdale. (Check out The Spotted Dog restaurant if you're ever in town. The owner had fabulous taste in the kitchen and the photographic art hanging throughout the dining rooms.) There's always an up side!

I took this picture on our way into Zion for the first time. We had stopped at the side of the road to gawk at the magnificent canyon walls. There is no denying it - drastically different from the other parks we had visited, Zion is a knock-out in it's own right. I had been fighting to make "nature" images, trying to crop out any sign of people and our trappings. I remember turning around and leaning on my tripod, gazing to look at the way the sky was mimicking the crest of the canyon wall. I envisioned the shot from the other side of the vehicles, but I was either too tired or lazy to make the walk. So I thought, "I'll just take a grab shot" to show what it was like.

Looking through the camera mounted on my tripod, I started composing the image. I tried to go over the cars, but that didn't work. Then I gave in and started to work the cars in to the image. Once I had the shot lined up, it made me laugh out loud. Before I had realized it happened, the vehicles had become an integral part of the image. It wasn't a grab shot after all, this image was telling a story.

Who Else Thinks This is Funny?

Another one thanks to "The Fun Camera"....Sign on the Best Western outside of Zion National Park..... (W)ho makes the pies???

Click on the picture if you need to see a slightly larger version :)

P.S. We've reached a milestone - over 1000 visitors since the inception of the blog - a milestone!

The Fun Camera

Just before leaving Kelowna for Utah, I made a last minute purchase - "The Fun Camera". For months I have been berating myself for not having a small digital camera I can take anywhere with me. Hiking The Chief this summer without a single picture to capture the experience must have pushed me over the edge. I also knew that for all the times Beth and I have traveled together, we have no pictures of ourselves - photographers are much happier BEHIND the camera. So, with just enough time to charge a battery before heading to the airport, I picked one up.

After a crash course on the plane to Calgary, The Fun Camera has been a terrific addition to my Canon arsenal. I made many images that I would not have made the time for otherwise, including gems like the one above. I re-discovered old skills like how to "point-and-shoot", and developed new skills like holding the camera steady with my arms extended and how to take a self portrait with one arm extended. This last skill is not to be under-rated - it's not easy to take a flattering self portrait. In fact I'd say it's impossible. But here's one of Beth and I after climbing out of Spooky Canyon. For having had a nose to nose encounter with a rattlesnake and having lost the desert trail back up out of the canyon, I'd say we look pretty good!


I'm on my way home from a very windy Las Vegas in the morning. However, I will continue to blog about the trip in order once I've had a chance to review my images from Capitol Reef and Zion National Parks.

Spooky Canyon

For my first visit to a slot canyon, everything about the trip to Spooky Canyon was a delight. After receiving the tip to go to this more remote slot canyon where there would be fewer interruptions, we set out from Escalante and followed Hole in the Rock Road to our destination. The hike down the canyon was steep, with a couple of scary moments - a couple of mind over matter slopes and a rattlesnake at the bottom of the gorge, but it was worth bringing all the gear for this beautiful canyon.


Despite its name, Spooky Canyon was incredibly peaceful. The narrowest passage was about 10 inches wide, requiring dragging equipment and crawling into corners when there were passers-by.


After the long hot hike down into the canyon, the cool air of the hidden slot was refreshing. The light was reflecting off the walls, creating patterns and textures to die for. It is easy to see why so many photographers become addicted to these beautiful crevasses in the earth's crust.

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Hello from Bryce Canyon, Utah! I'm posting this image as a teaser, and to let my family and friends know I'm safe, sound and having a great time. I'll be back tonight to write after another day of shooting. Happy trails.....

....Well, I'm back. After a couple of long shooting days at Bryce Canyon National Park, I'm ready to reflect on some of what I've seen. Bryce is located between 8000 and 9000 feet. The air is cooler and thinner up here! Yesterday we got up before sunrise and headed out in the dark to Sunset Point. Having arrived after dark the night before, I had only other photographers' images to help me imagine what might appear before my eyes.

The first morning, Beth and I were the first to arrive, and we successfully staked out the best vantage point at Sunset Point. The canyon at sunrise did not disappoint. As the sun edged its way up due east, it gradually illuminated the canyon, revealing it in all its splendour. All around the bowl of the rim were the hundreds, if not thousands, of hoodoos that form The Silent City, carved in the rock over thousands of years. It is truly spectacular.

The mornings were cold, but it was well worth getting up early. This morning we chose Inspiration Point, and enjoyed a short hike along the Rim Trail wearing headlights to guide us in the dark. It was quite a sensation, knowing the canyon was just a few steps to the right. Once settled for sunrise, I realized we were walking along the top of the hoodoos of the future.

Bryce Canyon is not easy to photograph! At least not without feeling like an imitator. There are images of Bryce Canyon everywhere. Regardless of wanting to "make it my own", these hoodoos are a magnet for the camera. After getting this out of my system, some of my favourite images don't show the canyon at all!

View from Knox Mountain

Happy Thanksgiving from Kelowna! I'll be heading out with my camera a little later on this beautiful day. These images were taken a couple of weeks ago from Knox Mountain, just minutes from my home. I'm looking south over Okanagan Lake towards Peachland. In the background is Okanagan Mountain Park, which burned in the fires of 2003. In the foreground of the top image is part of downtown Kelowna, including The Grand Resort and Hotel, and Prospera Place where the Kelowna Rockets play and concerts are held. I'm looking forward to seeing Michael Buble there in January.



In the second image, another prominent Kelowna landmark is in view - the lumber mill. The mill is at the base of Knox Mountain. I like that you can see one of the houseboats at the bottom left that populate the bay, just beyond the mill. The day was relatively cool, but must have been good for sailing as the boats were certainly out. The last thing to notice is the new bridge that is under construction. Kelowna is an ever-changing cityscape. It has to be to accommodate the rapid growth as more and more people make this their principal and second residence.


The final image here was taken by swinging my camera around to the right, just in time to catch this woman running one of the trails with her dog. I'm dying to get out there today, so that's all folks! Happy Thanksgiving :)

Harvest

As September draws to a close, the Okanagan Valley is at the height of the harvest season. The hay is cut and in bales, and the trees in the orchards are heavy with fruit. The Fall Wine Festival started on Friday, and runs through to next weekend. I read in the paper that it is the only wine festival in North America that takes place at during the harvest of the grapes. I bought some coronation grapes at a fruit stand along the highway today and they are absolutely delicious - like candy on a vine.



These images were taken last week along Glenmore Road. I have driven by these fields several times, wishing I had a few minutes to stop when the sun was low in the sky. I got my chance and had a lot of fun playing with the light on the field. I love shooting backlit scenes like this. They are challenging, because the sun has to be kept out of the lens to avoid lens flare. But it is worth it, because the light and the textures can be quite dramatic. I am very satisfied with all three of these images, particularly the one below - the field is iridescent, a golden green that glows. I like the way the line and texture flows. creating the glow of the end of a late summer's day. Seen in an abstraction like this, it is easy to understand where the phrase "the fabric of the land" originated.

Can't see the railway for the trees....

After such a long gap between entries, I feel I must apologize for the delay. I have been across the country and back to a wedding in Toronto, among other things. Art Walk was a wonderful experience. I learned lots, and enjoyed the company of many other artists in the Okanagan Valley. This was one of the first public showings of my work and it was a real joy to watch the expression on people's faces when they saw my work. I'm looking forward to participating again next year. Last week I delivered three large art prints to "State of the Art" gallery on Bayview Ave in Toronto. The images I selected were seasonal - Osoyoos in Winter (Winter Wonderland), Change of Season and Red Embrace from the galleries at www.lauratucker.com. They look great enlarged to 30x45 and printed on canvas!

The image I chose for this blog entry is one of my favourites. The colours have not reached their peak across the country just yet. In fact, I'll be in Utah around the time they peak this year, photographing autumn in Zion, Bryce Canyon and other US national parks. I couldn't help but celebrate when I heard how strong the Canadian dollar is. Although it's bad for the BC economy, I'm selfishly hoping it holds on for a few weeks.

Anyways, this photograph reminds me of a poster of a watercolour painting I bought as a second year university student, many moons ago. I never loved its colours (it was in tones of pinks and greys), but I did love its texture. A couple of years ago I was in Sundridge, Ontario for a wedding over Thanksgiving. I spent a half day photographing the autumn colours. Although we have mountains and water here in British Columbia, there is nothing like the autumn colours in Eastern Canada. That year was particularly brilliant.

The colour and texture epitomize my style of photography, but there is something else I like - is it an image of a forest, or is the main subject less obvious - the railway running through the forest? There are no perfectly straight horizontal lines in nature. I am shooting across a rail bed. Thank goodness the wind was perfectly still. To get that depth of field using a telephoto lens would have required the shutter to be open for quite some time. The combination of things that have to go right to get an image like this is exactly what I love about outdoor photography, and what so many people fail to appreciate. There are no accidents.

First, you have to get there. Second, you have to know what tools to use to capture what is in you mind's eye. Next, the conditions have to be right. Then, you compose and deliberately create. I'm looking forward to an autumn full of creating this year.

Art Walk 2007

Labour Day Weekend - who can believe it! I can attest to the fact that this is a chorus heard across the nation this weekend as students (and teachers) prepare for the new school year and family holidays draw to a close. Maybe it is because I used to be a teacher that September 1st functions like a New Year's Day for me. Time to get back to work, so to speak - I worked pretty hard this summer. One of the luxuries of being single is being able to plan vacation time outside peak season. And who wants to go anywhere when you live in the Okanagan Valley, anyways? I'm looking forward to a trip to Utah's National Parks later this autumn - ten glorious days of shooting red rock canyons with my photographer friend, Beth, the most Canadian American you could ever hope to have as a friend. (Hi Beth!)

One of the events I have been looking forward to this year is Art Walk in Lake Country, just north of Kelowna. I'll be exhibiting eight prints for show and sale next weekend. Art Walk is an annual arts festival featuring artists from the Okanagan Valley. I'm looking forward to it. Last year I checked it out and was pleasantly surprised. I hope I don't spend more money than I make!

Before I head back out with my camera, I'll say a word or two about the image above. This image of Okanagan Lake was taken at the end of an easy hike at the base of Knox Mountain near Paul's Tomb, at the beach. Lately I have been going up and over Knox Mountain without a camera, but this image is a good reminder of a great location close to home. Maybe next time I'll forego the exercise in favour of a photo opportunity. But then again, didn't I just say that September 1st is my New Years??

The Stawamus Chief

The Stawamus Chief is a massive granite rock formation located in Squamish. As you drive up the Sea to Sky Highway, it is a very imposing sight - a shear rock cliff that seems to go up forever as you drive by.

Early in the summer, my friend Darlene and I discovered that we both had a common goal - to hike "The Chief". I had hiked to the first peak five years ago, while visiting Whistler on business. I remembered it was much more difficult than I anticipated, and being an inexperienced hiker, there were some pretty challenging moments on the way up and particularly on the way down. I had always wanted to go back a little better prepared than the last time. Part of being better prepared meant not doing the hike on my own, so it was great to have a friend who wanted to tackle it.

And so, the training began. We would hike Knox Mountain here in Kelowna a couple of times a week. As it turned out, this was pretty good training for the 700 metre ascent up the back of The Chief. At dinner the night before, I was feeling pretty confident and said, "Maybe it's not as hard as I remember..."

Yeah, right - it was much harder than I remembered, but well worth the effort. I'm wishing I had pictures from the top that day, but I resolved to carry only the water I could drink and the food I would eat. One of these days I'll get a small camera, just for fun! For now, you'll have to imagine the view after the climb. It was a beautiful, sunny day, with puffy clouds dotting the sky. We hiked to the second peak, so had a panoramic view of mountains, lakes, Squamish, even a glacier off in the distance. It took us just under 2 hours of stairs, rocks, ladders and ropes to reach the top. The half hour or so we spent basking in the sun at the top was heavenly.

After we returned to sea level, I grabbed my camera and made these images. The Chief is difficult to photograph because of its size and location. I used a wide angle lens to get as much of it in the frame as possible, positioning my camera just so to avoid the power lines running just above the frame. I'd like to try to photograph The Chief from across the valley using a telephoto lens the next time I make the trip, and of course the hike! Yes, I'd do it again in a heartbeat and maybe one of these days I'll be able to keep a bounce in my step and a song on my lips like the guy we nick-named "Skippy". Skippy and his friends passed us not once, but two or three times. The last time we saw him, even his friends were cursing - "don't you ever stop singing?!?@#@!?"

Other memorable moments included helping Mimi, a rather large dog, from behind. She was frightened and her owner could not reach down to lift her up. I guess you never know where your hand is going to end up on a day like that! We passed Mimi and her owner, thinking they would never make it to the top. After we'd been there about 15 minutes, there was Mimi, running around, trying to find her way out of the nightmare she didn't sign up for.

All in all, it was a great day, a great hike, with many rewards over the course of the weekend. My only regret is that we didn't have someone take our grimy picture at the base of The Chief, covered head to toe in dirt with big smiles on our faces. Next time, for sure! I seem to be developing a fondness for hiking up things. Next up is The Grouse Grind in September, which means I'd better start hauling my butt up Knox Mountain again.....

Capture & Communicate Your Creative Vision - OPAW 2007

It is the end of the day, and I want to reflect on the remarkable experience of my first photography workshop, co-facilitated with Judy Burns. Although I regularly facilitate meetings and teach people in my consulting role, it has been a long time since I found myself at the front of a classroom of any kind. What a remarkable experience to help people better understand and use an art form they are passionate about to communicate their vision of the world!

We asked our fifteen workshop participants to produce a body of work with a common theme - to communicate a sense of place. That "place" could be literal, or it could be of their own creation. We took them down to Kelowna's City Park, and let them loose on the waterfront. After one evening shooting session, Judy and I each showed the results of our own effort at this assignment. The two collections of images presented two entirely different ways of seeing and engaging with the space of the park. We returned to City Park early the next morning for a second session, followed by a furious editing session where everyone sorted through their images and assembled their presentations.

When it came time to see everyone's images, it was absolutely thrilling. Without exception, our "students" took the assignment to heart. They tried new techniques, wrangled with new equipment, and most importantly, opened themselves to feedback from the group.

Having attended several successful photography workshops for my own development, I know how hard every one of these lovely people worked. The energy that we put in as instructors was rewarded with a similar gift in kind. After this experience, I am motivated and inspired to get out and create for the love of my craft.

Thanks to all who participated for your detailed and constructive feedback both during and after the course.

(Note: for anyone who is reading this and is interested in hearing about future workshops, please visit the workshop page at www.lauratucker.com and fill out the online form.)

Assignment - "Play"

As part of our weekend workshop at the Okanagan Photographic Arts Workshop, I gave myself the same assignment that our participants received. The goal was to produce a thematic body of work that gave a "sense of place" to our site - the Kelowna waterfront at City Park. Prior to shooting, I gave some thought to the theme I wanted to convey - "play". If there is one thing that Kelowna has to offer residents and tourists alike, it is a playground, especially in the summer.


I had anticipated images of adults and their toys - boats, sea-doos, parasailing. And while they were present, I was especially captivated by the children that day. These three images are a selection of some of my favourite images from my presentation to the class.


The workshop itself was a very rewarding experience. I will follow up with an article about it after a good night's sleep!

Afternoon at Hardy Falls

I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to spend an afternoon with my friend Melanie. Photography is one of her passions, too, so it was great to go and spend a chunk of time with someone who doesn't mind slowing down to spend the time necessary to capture some quality images. Hardy Falls is in Peachland. We hiked in from Mel's place, but I understand there is a relatively easy way to access the falls off Highway 97. (What fun would that be?!?:)) With my new camera and old, heavy tripod strapped to my back, we climbed down the rock wall adjacent to the waterfall. I'll say no more about that experience except to say that I am no mountain goat, and a lighter tripod is now at the top of my shopping list!


Anyways, I loved the waterfall - and it's so close to home! There were plenty of places to perch on a rock with the tripod and take these long exposure images. It had been a while since I've photographed moving water. I love the way the water paints its path on the image, creating a simultaneous sense of movement and serenity. The trick to is to be very careful about exposure - you want the water to be white, but not so much that detail is lost in the highlights.


Although this next image looks like it might be an underwater shot, it isn't! These plants were growing on the rock wall, just above eye level. I've used one of my favourite techniques here. When the subject matter is right, a "dreamscape" can be created using one sharp image superimposed by the same composition, deliberately blurred to create the painterly, or dream-like effect.


Here's a picture of Mel, hard at work creating her own images! Whatever it takes to get the shot :)

A note to follow up on last week's entry: the talk at Mosaic went very well. Next up is the Okanagan Photographic Arts Workshop next weekend at the UBC Okanagan campus. We'll be taking our workshop participants to an undisclosed location to unleash their creativity. Can't wait!

Okanagan Institute Presents - Discoveries

I know this is last minute, but I thought I would publicize my first photography speaking engagement here in Kelowna. The feedback I have received on the article and images in Okanagan Arts has been extremely positive. As an adjunct to that article, I have been invited to participate in the Imagine Summer series of readings at Mosaic books this Thursday, August 2, at 4:30 pm.

I'm presently preparing some prints to bring along with me and hoping I will come up with something absolutely brilliant to say! It's been a while since I've spoken to a group, but I am one of those oddballs who actually enjoys public speaking.

Just writing that down makes me remember my first public speaking experience. I don't think I was much older than ten, and I took home several awards for my speech "Life in the Year 2000". Yes, I regaled my audience with predictions on fashion, transportation and entertainment. My vision of the future when I would be at the ripe old age of somewhere in my 30s was a cross between The Jetsons and Star Wars. I'd love to have a copy of that speech now. It was published in our newspaper and my friend Louise, who never threw anything away, had every copy of every edition of that paper. I wonder what happened to them...

Anyways, I don't think I'll have a stack of cue cards or commit anything to memory for Thursday's session. The theme of the afternoon is Discoveries - I couldn't come up with anything more appropriate than that. Two of my cousins gave me a card as part of a going away gift before relocated to Kelowna. It hangs on my fridge today. It reads:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER."
(Unknown)

I read that card every morning. It helps when I am homesick for family and friends, causing me to second guess my intentions and wonder if it would be better to play it safe in life. It's funny how a little thing like the right card is not a little thing at all.

Enough pondering, I have prints to make!

For any one local who is interested, the website pictured above is http://www.okanaganinstitute.com/

Wish me luck!

Top of Terrace Mountain

At 1950 meters (6400 feet), Terrace Mountain is the highest peak in the Kelowna and Vernon area. The lookout trail is accessible by taking Bear Creek Forest Service Road and then Esperon Forest Service Road on the west side of Okanagan Lake. I wouldn't attempt it unless on a quad or a heavy duty 4x4. This ascent was a definite highlight of a recent day trip. Much to my surprise, the "look-out" is the peak of the mountain. The road goes right to the top! From there, you are rewarded with a 360 degree view of Vernon to the north-east (the first image), Winfield and Kelowna to the south-east.


To the north is Short's Canyon, pictured above. Missing from my digital images are the peaks of the Coast Mountains to the west. There was a lot of good stuff, so many of my images are on slide film. I still love to treat myself to Velvia once in a while. I will post some once I get them scanned.


As you can see, the weather was unsettled that day. This thunderstorm moved north along Okanagan lake, passing us by up top of the mountain. I was reminded again of a trip to Arizona when my friends and I were caught in a canyon during a thunderstorm. This was far less traumatic, as there was no lightning, and the storm passed by at a safe distance.


This final image is of the Duo Via lakes, which stood out like a couple of sapphires from my vantage point. If you look closely, you can see the beginning of pine beetle kill at the closest edge of the smaller lake. No doubt this landscape will be dramatically altered before too much time passes. After a day like this, I am left breathless at the sight of beautiful landscape, as always. However, it is becoming difficult to escape a sense of dread as the race against the pine beetle continues - it's like the tortoise trying to catch up to the hare.

Secret Hideaway

Up in the hills, far above Kelowna, lies a secret hideaway. In my last blog entry you got a look at its upscale "facilities", now I'm showing you a little bit of the inside. It was hard not to feel like a voyeur, setting up my tripod to capture a snippet here and there of this rustic retreat.


We must have just missed the occupants, as the wildflowers in the coffee can were still fresh. The walls literally tell the story - people do enjoy themselves here!

Outhouses of the Wild West

When this woman heads up into the hills for a day of the great outdoors, there is one concern that dominates all others - am I going to have to pee in the woods? I was well into my thirties when my lack of experience in this area sent two of my closest friends into fits of hysteria deep into a canyon in Arizona. Here in the semi-arid climate of the Okanagan Valley, hydration is extremely important in order to avoid headaches and nosebleeds. I think the nosebleed thing is a little unique - my nose hasn't fully acclimatized, even after two years. Anyways, this concern was amplified as I was traveling with a male companion with whom I wouldn't normally discuss bodily functions. (Note - for me, that includes the entire gender...) So, off we went, up, up into the mountains in search of scenery and minerals. I packed a full compliment of water and threw the essential roll of TP into my bag with a groan that may have been audible at fifty feet.


Never in a million years would I have expected to have the relative luxury of using outhouses in the middle of nowhere throughout the day. I'm not joking - when I needed one, they'd just turn up! Not only that, they got nicer as the day went on. The first rest stop, I'm going to call "A Room With A View" - both in and out. How I wish I had taken a picture of me in the "window". Moments after I stepped out, a huge logging truck went screaming by on the road. I think I would have gone into cardiac arrest if it had been any earlier.


If you know me as a photographer, you know that I have a thing for hardware, so I made use of the subject material to grab a couple of artsy shots before sauntering along, pleased as punch for dodging the bullet.


A few hours later, we arrived at one of the most interesting places I've ever seen. I'm not even sure how to describe it, but someone has put a lot of effort into constructing a little getaway in the woods. One of the first things I noticed was this sign pointing to the "men's room", which I surmise was anywhere a safe distance from the "house". I never discovered if there was an actual facility, because my attention was dominated by this glorious structure in exactly the opposite direction.


No view here - this commode was completely enclosed and in immaculate condition! The day was taking on an unusual theme, but it was completely justified. We were killing ourselves laughing and we hadn't seen the best of it yet.




Whoever these people are, they have the best sense of humour. Don't bother to ask me where this place is. Even if I remembered how to get there, I wouldn't tell, just out of respect for their ingenuity and their creative use of Bart Simpson.


The things you see in the woods! Have a great week - hope this made you chuckle.

Laura

Destruction of the Mountain Pine Beetle

The older I get, the more sure I am becoming that there is no such thing as coincidence. I've recently gained some recognition for being able to tell a story with images and words. Yesterday I went for a ride up in to the mountains just outside of Kelowna, and today I have a story to tell.




If you live in Canada and read or watch the news, you've probably heard of the Mountain Pine Beetle. This insect has been ravaging the forests of the BC Interior for several years now. The warmer winters and containment of forest fires have created ideal conditions for the survival of this hungry species. I've driven through some infested areas before, but I had no perspective on how rapidly the forests are being torn down in an attempt to contain the beetle and harvest the wood from the dead trees before it rots or turns blue, which makes it undesirable for the major lumber markets.




My guide for the day was Roger, a friend who has staked a claim up in the mountains and offered to take me and my camera off the beaten path when he went out prospecting for the day. These pictures were taken at his claim site; a site that just last year was a dense forest. Not having been up to the area since the snow melted, Roger's surprise at what we found was evident. I'm not sure how much of his work has been affected by the dramatic change in the landscape, but I suspect the impact is significant.




If every picture tells a story, then I'm naming this one above "The Last Stand". This group of trees was left to stand in the midst of the clear cut. From what I learned yesterday, it's likely they have a function. We covered a lot of ground yesterday and I saw some fantastic things that will be material for the next few blog entries, but these images have made an impression. Is there a certain beauty in them? I think so. As most photographers know, it is best to accept what you are given on any day of shooting. The story will reveal itself. It always does.