Same trees. Different view.

Pray here, if that's your thing
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

These trees really do make you feel small, don't they? As if you're an insignificant, transient being standing at the very altar of a place that's been slowly evolving since the beginning of time.

Come to think of it, that's exactly what we are. Mere blinks of history, easily missed when we zoom the timeline out. We think we run this place. Dominate it, even. Well, we think wrong.

As my daughter and I walked through this resonant valley cloaked in a hushed silence you could feel more than hear, we kept reminding each other that we needed to come back, needed to spend more time here. 

And indeed we will. But we're under no illusions: We'll still be all but invisible, historical afterthoughts through the broader lens of how the planet tells time.

But for a couple of all-too-temporary visitors to this magical place, that'll be more than enough.

--

 BTW, this scene looks familiar, no?

I shared a very similar shot three photos ago. Have a look in my feed. I'll wait.

And we're back...

These are the same trees, only with a slightly different perspective: Wider angle, lens angled up instead of straight-on. This one was shot a minute after the first, another example of seemingly small changes netting big differences.

But perhaps these two images aren't so different after all. They're really only two ways of looking at the same scene.

Which, come to think of it, feels like yet another life lesson.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #silhouette #forest #trees #tree #nature #naturephotography #landscape #green #light #perspective #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

#IfYouReadOneThingToday - Drew's Brain

#IfYouReadOneThingToday, make it this piece by journalist @drewmagary, who walks us through his experience suffering a brain hemorrhage and fighting his way back.

 

This is deeply resonant to me - and hopefully to you, too. And he's a hero for sharing it.

The Night The Lights Went Out

By Drew Magary

Deadspin

May 2019

#longreads

Taking an overdue walk in the woods

Hearts fluttering in the breeze
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Our daughter and I did something on Saturday that we haven’t done in far too long: We picked up our cameras and took a walk in the woods.

We didn’t have much of a plan beyond walking the few blocks to the trail and letting whatever moved us be our guide.

We hadn’t done that in a while - photography for the sake of photography. We hadn’t been using our cameras much, and it felt a little strange to feel their weight in our hands.

And comforting. Because while smartphones have taken over as the dominant everyday photographic tool for most of us, nothing feels quite as affirming as that moment when you first cradle your camera in your hands. No smartphone can touch it.

So we wandered through the forest and stopped whenever something or other reached out to us. We chatted endlessly about technique, and marvelled at a trail we had never taken previously, despite living a short walk away.

I’m happy with the pixels we brought home, but even happier to have had the opportunity to spend some quiet time with my kid, looking for inspiration through a lens, and finding it within, and beyond, the glass.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #parenthood #walkabout.#green #leaf #leaves #forest #trees #tree #nature #naturephotography #sun #light #photography #Nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography #dslr #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Seeing her through clear glass

First light, redux
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

She lets me poke my lens in her face far more often than I have any right to ask.

But she's way prettier than I will ever be, so it's just as well that I point the lens toward her.

Now you know why I hide behind the lens. With subject matter like this, it's a great place to be.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #firstlight #Nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography #d750 #dslr #live #laugh #love #levy #photography #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Where the forest covers the sky

Life not quite at rest
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

It's difficult to stand deep in the woods, under a canopy of trees this lush, and not feel a little humbled.

It's resonant here. Hushed. Disconnected from anything that might get in the way of silent reflection. The rest of the world can wait a while.

These trees first sprouted long before the city that now hems them in was even a glimmer in a developer's eye. And I imagine most of them will outlive us all. Assuming we don't allow those developers' glimmers to go any further. Who, after all, would ever want to live life without forests nearby? Who wouldn't want a spot to temporarily turn everything off and soak in the shady green?

Because everyone deserves to have a refuge like this. Even if we don't get out here as often as we'd like. 

That last thing is, of course, entirely within our control.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #silhouette #forest #trees #tree #nature #naturephotography #landscape #green #light #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

A plethora of bananas

Bet you can't eat just one
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Bananarama is (still) a thing.

Indeed, was this ever not the case?

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #grocery #store #loblaws #fruitography #bananas #yellow #shopping #retail #random #stilllife #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Seeking safety under a threatening sky

Connecting
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

As the skies grew angry yesterday afternoon, I stepped outside to secure the deck amid the strengthening winds.

I quickly finished up and pointed my camera skyward, only to scramble back inside at the sound of an enormous crack.

After the storm, we learned a tree across the street had half its canopy stripped away, but thankfully no one was injured, and it somehow managed to miss nearby homes and cars.

But I was struck by this hastily captured shot, where the threatening sky almost seems to reach down to the earth, while the tree seems to reach up to it, almost oblivious to the danger. Danger or not, trees need light and water. And when the sky turns from azure blue to threatening grey, they have little choice but to stand their ground and do what they can to survive.

In many respects, we’re much more like trees than we might have thought. We, too, have little choice beyond looking to the sky and hunkering down when things get rough.

We, too, hope to hold onto what we have and who we are, so we can emerge unscathed and thankful once the storm has passed.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #weather #wx #storm #onstorm #sky #clouds #monochrome #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Lost acorn on concrete

Where's Scrat when you need him?
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

I came across this single acorn lying on the sidewalk in the early morning sun, and the only thing that filled my brain at that moment was hope that it would somehow find its way to a place where it could take root and grow.

Indeed, this is something of a universal truth, isn't it?

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #random #suburban #street #stilllife #abstract #nature #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Every day is #NationalDogDay

This is my pillow now
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

The calendar tells us it's #NationalDogDay, but let's not kid ourselves: EVERY day is dog day around here, and I'm certain we're not alone.

Calli Finnegan Levy is, as you can imagine, an integral part of our little family. She doesn't speak our language, but she is ridiculously well understood. Hardly a day goes by that I don't wonder what's happening inside that little Schnu* head of hers. It must be a fun place.

As you can see here, when she isn't freaking out at rabbits in the backyard or whining for treats, she spends a lot of time curled up in a ball on her favorite pillow. Or blanket. Or human. Or all three. She's not too picky when it comes to finding a place to crash, and we're not too picky, either, about sharing our home with such a remarkable being.

We're lucky to have her, and I'm reasonably certain tomorrow will be another day worthy of celebration simply because she'll be a part of it. 

--

* What is the meaning of "Schnu"? Calli is a Miniature Schnauzer, so we've evolved the term "Schnu" for her, largely because it's short, it sounds kinda fun (like her), and she seems to respond to it. I'm pretty sure our neighbors think I'm insane, because I talk to her while we walk. But it seems to make her happy - and it makes me feel, I don't know, more content - so I don't expect the chatting-with-my-dog thing will stop anytime soon.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #calli #callitheschnauzer #dog #dogs #schnauzerpuppy #schnauzersofinstagram #schnauzergram #schnauzers #dogsofinstagram #instapuppy #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Watching the city come alive

Seize the day with light
Toronto, ON
September 2015
This photo originally shared on Instagram

You never quite know what the new day will bring, but it never hurts to look out the window first.

There's so much potential here, so many stories waiting to play out, so much barely contained anticipation of what will - or could - happen next. I'll never get enough moments like this, where anything seems possible.

I shot this five years ago, so I already know that this particular day lived up to the promise of the skyline-silhouetted sunrise, and then some.

But even as I stood there and drank in the scene of the big city coming alive, I already knew that I was in for a good day. Sometimes you can just tell.

#toronto #yyz #ontario #canada #throwback #photography #sunrise #sky #urban #landscape #building #architecture #architecturephotography #buildingporn #architectureporn #design #lines #streetphotography #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Stories from the desert

Texture and life
Somewhere in Nevada
November 2018
This photo originally shared on Instagram

A fascinating story plays out in the sand and stone far below my airplane window, with small communities fighting to survive amid some of the most challenging topography on the planet.

There's a certain poetry to the sheer breadth of the scene. Desert formations seemingly clawed out of the Earth's crust, built and evolved over millions of years with sheer contempt for life or continuity.

And in the middle of them all, farmer's fields, neighborhoods, homes, all carved out of the seemingly hostile landscape over a miniscule few decades, defiant for simply being there.

They call this flyover country, a place to be ignored as we move from here to there, populated by people whose opinions seem to matter less than those who inhabit the coasts. Of course, "they" weren't elected by anyone to decide which parts of the planet matter more than any others.

And while I may be miles above the heads of invisible folks just going about their lives in a place they call home, I quickly come to appreciate just how much of their story I can tell from the topography, and how much I wish I could spend some time at ground level and learn a little more.

#las #vegas #lasvegas #throwback #landscape #desert #nature #landscapephotography #naturephotography #mountains #road #trip #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #flight #flying #aviation #avgeek #google #pixel2 #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Always pet the dog first

See the softness
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Mondays are hard. So touch a soft puppy if you can.

Or stare at this photo and channel the unconditionally sweet energy of this dog.

Or any dog, for that matter.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #calli #callitheschnauzer #dog #dogs #schnauzerpuppy #schnauzersofinstagram #schnauzergram #schnauzers #dogsofinstagram #instapuppy #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Leaves in the fading light

Safe haven at night
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

The scene: Saturday, 9:29 p.m. It's been just over an hour since the sun went down and made way for the streetlights to cast their yellowish light on the streets below.

I'm walking the dog as she sniffs her way through our usual route, her nose firmly pressed to the ground, seeking treasure I try to avoid thinking about lest it make me queasy. She doesn't pay much attention to the shadows around her, or to the silhouetted canopy far above her, which shouldn't be much of a surprise given the way Schnauzers operate.

But I can't avoid hearing - and almost feeling - the rustling of the leaves in the gentle evening breeze. It's been hot and humid for an age, so a comfy night like this is almost an invitation to linger outside for just a little longer.

And so we do, protected by the friendly roof of thick branches and leaves, swaying gently in the shifting air, reminding anyone within earshot that their job isn't done just because the skies have gone dark.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #silhouette #night #trees #light #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Staring Atlantis in the nose

Protector of all
Merritt Island, FL
December 2019
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Does this light make my nose look too big?

#kennedy #space #center #ksc #kennedyspacecenter #florida #fla #spaceshuttle #shuttle #atlantis #ov104 #rocket #science #rs25 #aviation #avgeek #spaceflight #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #Nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography #dslr #zoom #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Really weird butter

Natural texture
London, ON
April 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

I'm rather enjoying this new #LookDownShootDown photographic thing I've started, so here's another one. This time, we've swapped out the ice cream in favor of butter. Really weird butter.

I take it as proof that the cows are playing games with the dairy equipment again. Silly moo-moos.

Don't for a second think I'm the only one with permission to play with stuff in the kitchen. Go have some food fun with your own lens, then post it to social media using the hashtag. I guarantee you it's COVID-free and at least somewhat nutritious.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #butter #dairy #moo #abstract #texture #food #foodie #foodporn #instafood #foodphotography #foodstagram #random #stilllife #photography #google #pixel2 #teampixel #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Introducing: #LookDownShootDown

A frozen world's last untouched moments
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Let’s play a game, shall we? We’ll call it, “Looking down at foods just after we’ve opened them up.”

Or, if you’re into hashtags, #lookdownshootdown.

I’ll start with this monochrome view of vanilla ice cream just before an impromptu late-night movie-watching sundae extravaganza with the fam.

There is no after photo. This series is all about the befores, and my gut (ha, see what I did there?) tells me you all have many to share, as well.

Can’t wait see ‘em.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #icecream #abstract #texture #snack #food #foodie #foodporn #instafood #foodphotography #foodstagram #random #stilllife #monochrome #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Leave the last donut for me

Not long for this world
London, ON
August 2020
This photo originally shared on Instagram

I try to avoid eating too many donuts.

There are many reasons for this. Because I'm not 18 anymore, when I could eat limitless anything and shrug it off. Because food back then was rocket fuel, and I was your typically non-stop teen.

And if we're being blunt, donuts are horribly unhealthy at any age.

But a pandemic has a funny way of subtly shifting our behaviors. And bringing home the occasional treat "just because" seems to be one common example.

Because in the pursuit of random, unexpected smiles in my house, I've decided a slight nutritional lapse every once in a while is a reasonable price to pay.

Sometimes we ditch the donuts and go with apple fritters. Or ice cream. Or whatever happens to be strategically placed in that last stretch between the bakery section and the checkout aisle. Those grocery folks are sneaky.

But I'll do anything for that moment of levity and light when I get home and everyone helps unpack. When someone discovers the treat amidst the expected piles of veggies, packages of pasta, and boxes of granola.

And we make plans for when and how we'll share in this unexpected dessert. Together.

Because whatever the treat may look like, the only part that really matters is how it manages to bring us together.

Those moments of light amid darkness really aren't that tough to manufacture. Start with a little sugary something-or-other in a messy-looking box and see where it ends up.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #chocolate #donut #donuts #snack #food #foodie #foodporn #instafood #foodphotography #foodstagram #random #stilllife #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Erasing the shadows

Shine, differently
London, ON
June 2019
This photo originally shared on Instagram

You'd think returning to the same scene day after day - like this light bulb - would be an exercise in relentless monotony. I'll politely suggest you'd think wrong.

Because there's always a new way to look at the familiar, an opportunity to shift your perspective, and perhaps open your eyes in ways you hadn't previously considered.

Because it isn't so much what we see, but how we choose to see it.

And if we're only allowing ourselves one kick at the can, so to speak, we miss out on all the stories that would have been told, the secrets that would have been revealed, the nuances we would have felt if only we had taken the time to return. To learn more.

And to think the first time I ever laid eyes on this I thought it was just a simple light bulb.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #random #light #bulb #led #power #light #lines #geometry #stilllife #photography #google #pixel2 #teampixel #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Extraordinarily ordinary architecture

Straight lines against the sky
London, ON
August 2016
This photo originally shared on Instagram

This rather plain-looking building may never win awards or be an iconic tourist draw, but that hardly means it isn’t worthy of a second look.

Think about that for a moment: We’re often so focused on celebrating the spectacular that we ignore the everyday. We fail to take the time to take it in, and appreciate it for what it is.

In doing so, we miss the opportunity to see the ordinary from another perspective. And we lose our curiosity to discover the untold story of the mundane, likely because we’re content to passively consume the known story instead.

To wit, Paris is filled with structures that would take a lifetime and then some to explore. Yet all we ever talk about is the Eiffel Tower. Why is that? Why can’t we feel similar wonder when looking at any old building?

And why do I suspect this isn’t just about mere buildings?

#ldnont #ontario #canada #downtown #concrete #building #architecture #architecturephotography #design #buildingporn #architectureporn #urban #photography #blue #sky #google #pixel2 #teampixel #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything

Snow rises from the desert

Amazing what a little altitude can do
Somewhere in Nevada
November 2018
This photo originally shared on Instagram

Once upon a time, we had the luxury of going places without worry. Or, to be more direct, at all.

And when we did, I'd often stare out the window and drink it all in. Fellow plane passengers would sometimes smile dismissively at the guy who defied the norms of adult travel and seemed to actually enjoy the experience. But there was, and is, something about seeing new sights from far above that'll never get old for me.

And so we come to this scene somewhere in the desert approaching Las Vegas. From a packed flight on an old plane, we got to witness an incongruous, natural wonder - snow-capped peaks rising out of an otherwise lifeless desert, proof positive that the universe is a pretty remarkable place to be.

Well, not everyone got to witness it. Only those of us who took the time to look out the window.

Maybe when we all take to the skies again someday, we'll all be more inclined to look outside in wonder.

Maybe missing out on scenes like this will make us want to treasure them just a bit more than we might have in the past.

#las #vegas #lasvegas #throwback #landscape #desert #nature #landscapephotography #naturephotography #mountains #road #trip #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #flight #flying #aviation #avgeek #google #pixel2 #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins #family #everything