Thursday, December 05, 2024

Dirty tracks in the snow

Evidence, for now
London, ON
December 2024
This photo originally shared on Instagram


We’re all on some kind of journey.

Where we begin and end them isn’t always apparent.

Often we’ll cross paths, usually in silence.

We’ll leave some form of evidence along the way.

But it’ll be temporary, soon to be erased by time or circumstance or whatever random forces happen to roll in.

Each story either destined to live on as a memory in those who leave these tracks behind, and those closest to them.

Or simply fade away.

#ldnont #london ##oldnorth #ontario #canada #winter #snow #weather #wx #onstorm #street #streetphotography #night #nightphotography #photography #apple #iphone #iphone16 #shotoniphone

Related:
Chasing snow at night, November 2021
Winter's return, November 2020
Trackmarks, February 2007

Wednesday, December 04, 2024

Red drapes in a crowded mall

Hanging around
Toronto, ON
November 2024
This photo originally shared on Instagram


Texture matters.

Because everything can be virtualized.

Sometimes we just have to be there, and see and feel it for ourselves.

#toronto #ontario #canada #yyz #throwback #red #drape #eatoncentre #abstract #photography #apple #iphone #iphone16 #shotoniphone

Related:
Swirling, March 2022

Tuesday, December 03, 2024

Why does our dog hate her coat?

I'm wearing it under protest
London, ON
December 2024
This photo originally shared on Instagram


Some days dawn darker, and this Monday was one of them.

Yet dark day or not, the dog still needed her walk. So on went her snazzy coat - that she despises - and off we went.

Coat-hatred notwithstanding, it didn’t take her long to bury her nose in the season’s first snow. She jumped over - and occasionally into - snowbanks taller than her, and broke through fresh powder as she fruitlessly chased a squirrel who mocked her from atop the backyard fence.

The morning was still dark, an echo of a world that left fairness and kindness behind long before she was a puppy. But for reasons known only to her, all that mattered was the snow.

So she played. And I watched. And smiled at the blinkered innocence and joy of a happy dog.

And while it didn’t fix the planet, the temporary, admittedly trivial light in the darkness was a welcome change.

On the way home, I resolved to be more like her. I quietly wished we could all be more like her.

If only.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #winter #snow #weather #wx #calli #callitheschnauzer #dog #dogs #actofdog #schnauzerpuppy #schnauzersofinstagram #schnauzergram #schnauzers #dogsofinstagram #instapuppy #photography #apple #iphone #iphone16 #shotoniphone

Related:
Canine sphinx, November 2024
Our dog the photo model, September 2024
That Schnauzer stare, December 2023
Boop the snoot, October 2023
Sleepy puppy stare, November 2022
The king at rest, December 2014

Monday, December 02, 2024

One last fire before night

Orange-painted sky
London, ON
October 2024
This photo originally shared on Instagram


I stand alone in the deepening cold of an autumn evening and watch the sky light itself on fire one last time before extinguishing itself for the night.

I wonder how many times I’ve stood here, or in places much like it, and watched the heavens in awe.

I wonder if I’ve done this too many times, but just as quickly banish the thought.

Instead I wonder how many more of these I’m going to get. Because sunsets, like the days they mark, aren’t infinite, at least for mere mortals who stand alone in the chill and wait for the show.

Everything in front of us is a limited-time offer. As are we.

So we get out there and enjoy it while we can.

Makes sense, doesn’t it?

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #sunset #orange #cloudspotting #weather #wx #optimistpark #naturephotography #landscapephotography #photography #nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography

Related:
One jet in a big sky, September 2024

Sunday, December 01, 2024

Painted line of trees

At the park's edge
London, ON
October 2024
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Nature’s brightest paint is also its most temporary.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #throwback #optimistpark #trees #gameoftones #autumn #colour #leaves #naturephotography #landscapephotography #photography #nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography

Related:
Shades of orangeish, October 2011