David Bull Photography

and a new project begins....

2011-12-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

I have been driving around the city of Calgary for quite a bit now. On a recent trip I was inspired and now I have made it my new project. The uncelebrated corner store. These are not the same as the ones in the little strip plaza. These are neighbourhood institutions that in some cases have been around for a generation, or two.

These were and are family run businesses. The person at the register would know your name, your brother or sister`s name and what brand of smokes your father smoked. That of course was at a time when as a kid, you could stop in a grab a pack of your father`s favourite brand and the clerk knew that your word was good enough and pass them across the corner.

I even remember going to the Starlite in Windsor and buying a bag of chips for fifteen cents. How`s that for dating myself. Anyways, I am using this topic for the start of a new photo series. Keep in touch and see what I come up with.

a friend and a hero

2011-11-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

I used to be a member of the Moose Lodge here in Calgary. One of the highlights of being a member there was the day I met a wonderful lady who I now have the honour to not only call a friend, but a hero. Why do I call her a hero you ask. Well she works hard at telling the stories that needs to be told.

This photo is from a shoot for a project that she is currently working on. I have included a link to her web site. Check it out. I assure you that it is well worth the visit. http://www.phylliswheaton.com/

from Grandma...

2011-11-26T21:04:00.002-07:00

Growing up, we usually found a pair of these under the tree on Christmas morning. The ones for us boys had a bow tie on the top. Our sister's had a flower. This was also the case in my cousin's house.

Then as my cousins and I got married and had kids, there would be a pair of knitted slippers beneath the tree for our wives and kids. All handmade by Grandma Burgess.

Well Grandma has been gone for a few years now. She's one of the many ghost's of my Christmases past, along with a long list of loved ones who made Christmas and Christmas mornings special. They live as fond memories that I will once again look back on this Christmas morning.

Now I have taken to going to winter craft shows in community centers or church basements looking, searching for slippers for the coming cold season. It was either this or hire some gray haired granny to make them for me. The fact that they are not wrapped to be found under the tree I will have to get over.

I will deal with that on Christmas morning. I will sit in my chair reflecting back on my Christmases past. I can still remember the tag signed, 'to David from Grandma with love.'

There

2011-04-27T16:30:00.001-06:00

Gerber Daisies and photo filters...

2010-11-20T10:35:00.006-07:00

Having been snowed in this past week I thought that I would do a little experimenting with some photo editing software. These are the results of my time spent in the digital photo lab.

November 11, 2010-Time passes

2010-11-11T15:57:00.002-07:00

Today was the first time that I have taken in a Remembrance Day service since I have moved to Calgary. I had a vested interest in this year's service. It was my son's first parade as an Air Cadet, 528 Buffalo Squadron.

I shot a bunch of pics, but this one here touched me the most. I just find this so moving, so powerful that it found it`s way here. I cannot look at it without feeling emotional about it.

To all veterans-For all of my freedoms, all of my life's liberties, for of my rights that sometimes I have taken for granted-Thank you Veterans. To you all I owe a great debt of gratitude.

The Prince House

2010-10-17T07:53:00.002-06:00

This house is now located in Calgary's Heritage Park. It's plans were found in Popular Science Magazine and built by Peter Anthony Prince. It's original location was on Prince's Island, which is on the Bow River in downtown Calgary.

Peter Anthony Prince was most noted as being the founder of the Eau Clair lumber Co, of Calgary.

I truly am Blessed

2010-07-21T21:47:00.002-06:00

This Kailey and she is my God daughter. These past couple of weeks she has been around the house and it's really a nice feeling. The noises, the activity and the feeling of young energy about the place. Then I think it's not all that long ago our own little kids would natter about the digs. So it has taken me back to the days when Alex and Becca were that age. The only difference is thankfully the Barney videos have been long turfed out! So no need to slit the wrists this time around.

It has also made me feel old. I look at Kayley and think, where did the time go. Before I knew it I am a middle aged guy with as much of my life ahead of me (being hopeful) as there is behind me. This situation has truly caused me to reflect on my place in the cycle of life....kids do do that.

Good grief, what will happen when we start with the grand kids. I could only wonder at this point. I will have some new one to torment.

traffic jam in K country

2010-06-30T12:41:00.002-06:00

I was born and raised in Windsor Ontario. I am used to traffic jams, especially the ones across the river in Detroit. Been in Calgary now for over four years. You wanna talk about traffic jams. The Deerfoot freeway is a parking lot on a good day. Then there is Kananaskis country, also known as K country.

Well this is what a traffic jam looks like in K country.... YAHOOOO!!

If you are a parent...

2010-04-12T17:33:00.002-06:00

If you have teenagers in the house you know how this story goes. The dirty dishes have just been washed and put away. The left overs in the fridge, counter tops wiped down and the lights turned off when all of a sudden. The fridge door is cracked open and a face cranes in for a good look around.

"I am hungry and there's nothing to eat!" Echo's down the hall. You know where I am going. Yeah teenagers with there heads stuck in the fridge. All kinds of food there and yet 'there's nothing to eat!

Needless to say, it is the only light that they do know how to shut off! cause all they have to do is close the door!

Having some fun with the New Camera

2010-03-10T18:03:00.003-07:00

Bob just happened to be around when the new camera came out of the box. So I had a little fun with it, and with Bob. He didn't care much. He really doesn't care too much about anything.

Lake Minnewanka

2010-02-17T10:06:00.002-07:00

I am still getting messed around by the insurance company for the replacement of my camera equipment, so I have dived into my collection of photographs and found this. Yeah sure Banff is great and all, but you cannot go there without stopping in at Lake Minnnewanka. Truly beautiful. This will definately become a favourite stop for us. Next time we will pack a lunch and stake out a spot on it's shores and soak it all in.

The lake is 28 km long and 142 m deep, making it the longest lake in the mountain parks of the Canadian Rockies this is the result of a power dam at the west end of the lake.The most recent dam (1941) raised the lake 30 m and submerged the resort village of Minnewanka Landing that had been present there since 1888.

Because of the presence of the submerged village, submerged bridge pilings, and submerged dam (the one from 1912) the lake is popular among recreational scuba divers.

Waiting for December 20, 2009

2009-12-18T11:24:00.005-07:00

On December 12, I received an email from a dear friend of mine, Phyllis Wheaton, about the upcoming screening of the movie short that Alex starred in an I acted in. To say the least its been an incredibly long week of waiting. The whole family is excited about this Sunday night.

Not is it only a reason for a family outing, but we all get to share in Alexander's first foray into the world of acting. He was amazingly professional in the way he carried himself on the set for two whole days. A lot to ask for an 11 year old who has the attention span as long as his father. We each get a copy of the movie and a copy will be headed to Windsor for the grandparents.

I just read my friend Kim Wilson's blog about her daughter Bug wanting to audition for a community play. http://networkedblogs.com/p21476625 I know what she is going through, I have two performers in my household who both take what they do very serious. Bug I cannot wish you good luck but all I can say is go and break a leg!! you will do very well.

UPDATE- here is the link so that you can watch the movie (aprox 12 minutes)
just cut and paste it in your browser window http://gallery.me.com/phylliswheaton#100000

drive by photography

2009-11-26T22:41:00.002-07:00

There's a self label that I have named my hobby and its called drive by photography. Its all part of my philosophy in life. Anyone who knows me, is quite aware of the fact that to me-getting there is all part of the adventure. That is one of the benefits of being relatively new to this part of the country. There are lots of unexplored country for me to discover.

That's why my camera has never been too far from my side while I sit behind the wheel. You just never know what you are going to come across. So you have to be ready to capture what you see, while it wasn't critical here when it comes to traveling in the mountains and you're dealing with wild life it is completely different.

Just a warning, if you travel through the mountains as a photographer in a white pick up truck keep in mind that the bears are conditioned to run from white pick up trucks. This is due to the fact that the conservation officers drive white trucks they know that there will be a sore back side to follow. After all this conditioning of CO's driving white trucks around to shoot bears with rubber bullets, the bears know better.

Now if you are a 'drive-by-photographer' don't be scared to get out and walk around to get pictures from different angles. Sometimes if you zoom in on something specific, you may get some really interesting photos compared to the whole item. If you don't you may regret it later. Being careful not to trespass. If there is something that you have to shoot, try and get the property owner's permission. Take the time to explain what you are after and why.

This one time outside of Windsor, I drove past this fellow who was buring debris in the ditch out front of his farm house. He stood there naturally posed with his chin resting on his shovel watching the fire. I pulled onto the should, approached him and asked if I could take his picture. Looking at me like I was nuts-he agreed. The photo turned out great, I even printed up an 8x1o and gave it to him the next time I was in the area. His wife was thrilled with the photograph and was amazed at the fact she actually had a great natural photo of her husband.

Peace Keepers Memorial- Calgary Alberta

2009-11-21T10:15:00.002-07:00

Pictured here is the bronze statue from the Peace keepers memorial in Calgary Alberta. It is of a Canadian Soldier Cpl. Mark Isfeld giving an Izzy doll to a village girl. (More about the Izzy doll below)

Another part of this memorial is a wall feature that carries the names of the Canadian Peace Keepers as well as diplomats, killed in the line of duty.

The Izzy Doll Story

Master Corporal Mark Isfeld, for whom the dolls are named, was killed in an explosion while clearing landmines in Croatia in 1994. Not too long before he died, he had asked his mother to create little dolls that he and fellow members of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment could give to the children they encountered every day. After he died, his parents, Carol and Brian Isfeld, continued to organize the knitting and distribution of the dolls until their deaths.

Now, Shirley O’Connell, of the Order of the Eastern Star, continues Mark Isfeld’s legacy at the request of the Isfeld family. Members of the order collected the handcrafted dolls from women in communities throughout Ontario and turned them over to Major Chris Ayotte, who will ensure that the dolls reach their destination. The order and the Canadian Military Engineers Association provide a network of military engineers who assist in the collection and delivery of Izzy dolls to deployed troops, to be given to the children they encounter every day.

Some dolls have recently been distributed to children in Afghanistan and Jamaica. Izzy dolls are also being distributed throughout Africa via a partnership with International Community for the Relief of Starvation and Suffering Canada.

Since December 2005, the Order of the Eastern Star has provided more than 18 000 Izzy dolls to the CF for distribution worldwide.

Breakfast

2009-11-12T11:40:00.003-07:00

Yes, I know its been posted before. Well there have been some developments about this photograph on the site www.panoramio.com I felt that it was appropriate for me to share with you. I have cut and paste the one comment from a person named hideho and my response to it here for you to read.

hideho-Google earth is avenue for every kind of "meaningful" and "meaningless" photo conceived. I , for one do not think it is a site for "cruel" or "insensitive" photos. This is a homeless person, clearly. You can't see his face, but you can see his condition. If you're trying to make some sort of "statement" here, say so. "Eating breakfast" hardly covers it, sounds condescending, mean. Photo should be removed. Find something else "artsy-fartsy" to post. Shame on you!

Well after much deliberation I replied to hideho. It reads as follows-

David M. Bull- Yes Hideho shame on me. In fact shame on us all. "A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable" a quote by Mahatma Ghandi. If this is true then we are all guilty for letting this happen. Whether you judge this photo as cruel or insensitive that is fine. How is this any different from the photo of the little girl running through the streets of Vietnam with chemical burns? see

http://www.macvsoq.cc/burnedlittlevietnamese_girl.htm

As I am a photographer and an observer of the state of the human condition, the truth lies in what I see and capture through the lens of my camera.

You also say,'if you're trying to make some sort of "statement" here, say so' Well its been said that a photograph is worth a thousand word. So I have more than clearly stated what I think.

Thank you for your comments and I do appreciated your feedback.

Time to go Old school

2009-11-07T13:35:00.002-07:00

Waiting for the process of the settlement of my insurance claim, today I pulled out the old AE1 and dusted it off.

I will post the results of my 'reacquaintance' of an old friend in the coming days. It was weird yet familiar as I advanced the film and pressed the shutter control. I didn't realize just how much I missed that solid sound of the shutter. It was a moment of heartfelt joy, so indescribable.

"This guy is a little weird," you think as you read this. Well times change and I was reluctant to switch to digital format. Yet in my three and a half years of living in Calgry(yes I intentionally dropped the second 'A' I will explain in a moment) the lab has lost three rolls of film. This is a constant fear of any photographer. In fact the professional photographers from National Geographic had a system to make sure that the fruits of their labour somehow made it back to head office.

They would number each roll of film that they shot on assignment. Then they would seperate the even numbers from the old numbered rolls. Packaged seperately, they would then ship the odd numbered rolls in one parcel and the even numbered rolls in another package. That way of the post office lost one parcel. The photo editor was able to get some of the pictures from the field.

Now back to the Calgary without the second 'A'. I was on a movie set a couple of weekends ago. When I was asked how long I had lived in Calgary. I was puzzed and asked how did you know I wasn't from Calgary. It was explained to me that I was found 'out' because I pronounce the name of the city as CalGARY. People from these parts pronounce it CalGRY. They don't pronounce the second 'A'.

Its kind of like the newcomers to Windsor and how they pronounce the street names. IE-Ouelette or Pierre or Tecumseh Rd. Newcomers pronounce these names as Oolette, Pie-arre, Tecumsah. Go figure!

fun with a macro

2009-10-19T20:46:00.002-06:00

One of the fun parts of photography, is the ability to get up really close. So close in fact that you can give everyone a different look at the things around them.

It leaves them wondering what the image is really of. Some of the greatest moments comes from watching people look at my work as they wonder.

JOHNSON CANYON

2009-10-14T22:33:00.005-06:00

Pictured here is one of the many water falls in Johnson Canyon. Carved out by the many millions of years of rushing water.

We only went an hour into the canyon this day due to the fact that we happened on it by accident.

This location is on the 'to do' list for further exploration, hopefully I'll have my replacement camera in my possession and all figured out by the time we return.

Those that travel with me know, that they will never be sure what we'll see on any given road trip. There never ever seems to be any complaints. So the adventures will continue.

this is the best I can do....for now.

2009-10-10T12:08:00.003-06:00

Yes, this is the best that I can do for now. "What is he talking about?" you ask.

Well, I was robbed this week. All my camera equipment,a garmin, dvd player(less remote which was left) and a $50.00 winter Costco coat. A winter coat from Costco you say? Yes, it was and the irony is I finally got around to replacing the zipper on it. The new metal zipper cost me more then the whole coat. I was all set for the comming winter(s). But I regress.

The biggest insult about this whole situation is the pilfering of my camera. It feels like a violation of my being. Those that know me personally, know that my camera is never too far from my side. An extension of my body. Something that I know almost as intimately as my partner.

This guy is weird- you think to yourself. Well if you ask any photographer. You'd pretty much get the same answer. They're always in the background of any gathering waiting patiently for the right moment to capture.

The best part of this whole situation is I have the disks that make this camera work on the computer. However the saddest part is the images that were on the memory card. Gone forever.

Major Paeta Derek Hess-von Kruedener

2009-10-01T17:32:00.003-06:00

On July 25, 2006 Major Paeta Derek Hess-von Kruedener was killed, murdered actually, in Lebanon. His position was 'mistakenly' bombed by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). He was a United Nations observer who was in an outpost that was occupied by the UN for thirty years.

Major Hess-von Kruedener was an acquaintance of mine. I trained with him while I was a member of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment. He was one tough man. An impressive soldier. A father and husband.

Sir, I salute you and thank you for your service to my country. Hess, you will not be forgotten.

Patricia....

2009-09-21T22:38:00.002-06:00

People come and go through our lives. Sometimes we don't even give them a second thought. It could be the person who just walks past us in a mall, or a person who drives past us waving a rude jester out the car window... for whatever reason. Or a person that looks up and smiles at you sincerely.

Then every once in a while someone comes a long and shakes your whole world up. A carefree spirit that is able to bring out the child that is lost deep down in your being. Patrica is a friend of the family who is able to relate to the kids in the house easier then anyone. Sometimes people just think she's nuts, and really you can't help them for thinking that.

She brings an energy to any situation she's in and when she leaves....she leaves you exhausted. Shaking your head. Wondering what is next.

First Fish

2009-09-11T23:16:00.002-06:00

The prize catch for Alexander which put him in contention for the fishing contest. The prize for his award winning competition a brand new fishing pole!

some neighbours that stopped by for a visit

2009-09-10T21:18:00.001-06:00

a Visitor at our Picnic

2009-09-05T12:42:00.002-06:00

The portable barbque worked overtime as we enjoyed the wonderful day out at Sheep Riverr Falls.

Hot dogs on the barbie, kids playing in the water when all of a sudden a visitor shows up to be photographed. I managed to get a few good pictures of our self-invited guest. Moments later off he went.

country roads

2009-08-16T20:51:00.002-06:00

Being relatively new to Alberta, every trip is a new adventure with new places to be explored, and things to see.

One just has to take the time to enjoy the 'getting there' part of the journey. To slow down a wee bit and see what is along the road. This picture reminds me of the hit country song -Truck got stuck click here for video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDY6bWT5oTM .

The bald eagle

2009-08-07T18:32:00.003-06:00

Yes it is an American national icon. That aside, it truly is a specatular sight to behold, a bald eagle effortlessly in flight. This one was photographed during a recent trip to Banff National Park.

It was breath taking.

Wildflowers of Alberta

2009-08-06T22:13:00.002-06:00

Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Well since there was no roses to smell, some of Alberta's own beautiful wildflowers will do the trick nicely.

I can't be bothered with the bending down and smelling them, so I just do what I enjoy doing the best, taking pictures. The flowers last longer that way. Enjoy and again, thanks for stopping by and checking out my photoblog. May God bless you as he has me.

Black Bear

2009-08-05T14:51:00.002-06:00

This past weekend was busy. But no matter how busy life gets, there is always time for a road trip. A chance to explore some new part of the country. This time we found ourselves in Jasper National park. Trust me it was a splendid trip. Seeing this fellow, just past the south gate of the park, made it all worth while.

Finally after three years, I managed to get my bear picture. With all the pics I shot that outing this was the best of the bear pics.

Now, I have a problem....

2009-07-23T17:14:00.002-06:00

This past week I happen to find myself in beautiful Banff National Park. A park that is owned and operated by the Canadian Government and ultimately us the taxpayers of Canada. I don't have a problem with that. However while I was there, two young park rangeretts pulled up and went about checking out the washrooms. They drive around in a Smart Car.

Over these past many many months the Government of Canada, along with the American government, and the province of Ontario along with us, the taxpayers became shareholders of Chrysler and General Motors. Huge bailouts of these two corporate entities that went into the billions and billions of dollars. (I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY BAILOUT!)

What I have a problem with is Parks Canada, which is another entitiy of the Canadian Government, purchases a German built car(s) for it's fleet of vehicles. The government of Canada owns shares in Chrysler and GM and yet they don't even support and purchase cars from one of the two companies that we have a vested interest in? Am I the only one that has a problem with this??

back country roads

2009-07-18T15:35:00.001-06:00

Time passes by, paint weathers on vehicles creating texture for the lense of the camera to capture. Another American icon stands up to the test of time.

lines

2009-07-08T17:20:00.003-06:00

Sometimes, just driving around a photograph just happens. Just waiting there for someone to capture the image as it presents itself. In this case it presented itself everyday for the week I was there.

I love playing with lines, and when you put a twist on it, people actually stop and take a double look at it. Where any other time, like myself, they walk right by and never give it a second glance.

One of the best things about being a photographer is the ability to take something mundane and look at it from a different point of view.

STANG...

2009-07-08T17:09:00.004-06:00

An American Classic poised at the ready for the next cruise, the next...great adventure. You can almost hear the road calling, taunting, teasing you out for the next ride.

In a case such as this, getting there (whether its an hour long cruise for a coffee, or ice cream) would be just as enjoyable as actually arriving.

Truly what more can I say.

Fallen Four Memorial

2009-07-02T20:12:00.001-06:00

In the early morning of March 3, 2005, four Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer were shot and killed during an investigation at a farm located north of Mayerthorpe, Alberta, Canada.
Cst. Peter Schiemann, Cst. Leo Johnston and Cst. Brock Myrol, all from the Mayerthorpe Detachment and Cst. Anthony Gordon who was called into the investigation from the Whitecourt Detachment, were fired upon by a lone gunman, said to be the resident of the farm.
This tragedy was unprecedented and unspeakable, and as our nation began to mourn the deaths of these fine officers, support poured into the community and the Detachments of Mayerthorpe and Whitecourt from across Canada and the United States.
A national Memorial Service was held in Edmonton on March 10, 2005 with over 2000 RCMP,and Municpal Police Officers from all over Canada and the United States attending. A sea of Red Serge, as far as the eye could see, marched up the Avenue to the Butterdome Universiade Pavillion in a demonstration of respect and brotherhood.
Back in Mayerthorpe, the community was pulling itself back together, and in the months that followed a group of dedicated volunteers formed the Mayerthorpe Fallen Four Memorial Society & The Kids 4 Cops Association. Their vision was to creat a tribute to the four fallen RCMP officers and ALL peace officers across the nation.
With the incredible support of ordinary citizens, corporate sponsors and assistance from Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels of government, the vision of the Fallen Four Memorial Park was realized. On July 4, 2008, four life-sized bronze statues of each of the officers and a center obelisk dedicated to all fallen peace officers, and those who continue to serve, were unveiled.-from the brochure at the visitor's center
Dedicated to CST BROCK WARREN MYROL, Reg.#5187429 YRS OLD CST. ANTHONY FITZGERALD ORION GORDON, Reg #4967328 YRS OLD LIONIDE(LEO) NICHOLAS JOHNSTON, Reg.#4856832 YRS OLD CST. PETER CHRISTOPHER SCHIEMANN, Reg.#48064 25 YRS OLD

Politics in America

2009-06-21T19:31:00.004-06:00

One of the many things that I admire about Americans, is how they take the game of politics as a blood sport. They live for that day when they visit the ballot box and excerise their right to vote.

This image was shot in the true heartland of America. A few short days later, the McCain/Palin ticket went down in a burning defeat at the polls. Truly an exercise in democracy, sadly to the likes of which we will never see in Canada.

Johnson Canyon

2009-06-09T22:55:00.002-06:00

What a find this place is. Johnson Canyon is a photographers bonanza. Of the many photos I shot that day, this is one is my favourite.

...Orange?

2009-06-03T23:40:00.001-06:00

This image was taken on a Christmas morning, with my latest addition to the camera bag at the time, a macro lens.

Once I received the image back (the orange was shot with my Canon AE1) I had fun with the photoshop program. Had it blown up to an 11x14, hung it on the wall in the kitchen and it challenged the senses of my house guest ever since.

This fun little project has since grown into one of my all time favourite photos.

To all Vetrans

2009-05-29T23:45:00.003-06:00

For all my freedoms,
all my life's blessed liberties, that on most days that we take for granted....thank you.

The sacrifice, and the hardships that you went through, whether it was on some far away battlefield in Europe, or in the skies, or on one of the many seas.... your service to my country. To all free countries will never be forgotten.

Whether you wore a blue Beret on a peace keeping mission or a cap badge of your own fighting unit, you have paid a price for my freedom and the freedom of my children. A debt of gratitude to you I owe.

Thanks

old homestead

2009-04-17T22:23:00.003-06:00

For a few years I drove past this old place. It always intrigued me. It is located on Highway 3, southeast of Blenheim Ontario.

I would often stop and just look at the old place and wonder about the people that lived and grew up within its four walls. I even managed one time to walk up and peak in through one of the front windows. As I peered in through the broken panes of glass, I could feel the history come alive. I wondered if they had the exact same struggles that my family had. Meeting a mortgage payment, kids being sick, worry about being able to afford medication for their sick kids. All the usual stuff.

I wondered if they had to drive to the big city for work every day. Did they freak out over the cost of gas going up and up? Or were they farmers that worked the land?

Serenity on the Lake

2009-03-04T20:21:00.001-07:00

Having lived in Calgary for about three years now, the one thing that I find myself missing the most is....the water.

Having lived in Windsor Ontario for the first 40 years of my life, and having travelled extensively around southern Ontario, I was never any more than a mere thirty minute drive from a major body of water. Whether it was Lake Ontario, Erie, Huron or pictured here Lake St. Clair.

This particular lake is a sportsman's paradise. Be it boating or fishing. You can fish for Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Perch and Muskie. In fact it is one of the hotest muskie fishing spots in the world.

This.... this is My Canada

2009-02-20T16:50:00.009-07:00

One day for father's day, my loving wife and kids gave my a charcoal bar-b-Que. "Big deal," you say. Well it was a big deal. Yes I do enjoy a propane bar-b-Que. Yes it's faster to cook on, easier to use, and a lot easier to clean up after. However, sometimes getting there is as much a part of the journey as arriving. That's what a charcoal bar-b-que is all about.

I went shopping and found the most perfect pieces of beef to christen my new old fashion toy with. Started the charcoal and patiently waited as the black hunks of coal turned to grey. Then I put the steaks on, grabbed an ice cold beer and enjoyed the moment. The enticing aroma of cooking beef rolled across the cul du sac that we lived on.

Neighbours started coming out of their homes, wondering where this delicious teasing aroma originated from. Steaks done to my satisfaction, I pulled them off the grill and went inside to enjoy my feast. I can still taste that steak, and it was the best ones I have had in years. Nothing finer then a hunk of mad cow cooked to perfection on a charcoal bar-b-que. Served with sauteed mushrooms, onions and a baked potato.

Then came dessert. This is where the story really comes to focus. Out came the marsh mallows and a stick. All of the kids from the neighbourhood were running around and playing when one of them stopped to watch what I doing. She moved in a little closer, curiosity getting the best of her as I impaled the last of two marshmallows onto my roasting fork and held it over the dying heat of my hibachi. The intense heat slowly turned the two delights into a crisp golden brown.

I turned the fork ever so slowly over the coals, cooking my dessert evenly. She still looked on with new amazement. Marshmallows cooked to my satisfaction, I brought the end of the fork closer and pull one off and plopped it into my mouth. The little girl's head tilted to one side. She has never seen this done before. I slid over to one side of the porch and motioned for this young girl to come and sit beside me. She firmly parked herself and turned to me. I slid the last marshmallow off the fork, handed it to and smiled as she held the sticky, crisp marshmallow in her little hands. Then she looked up at me, dark eyes smiled as she raised her hand to her mouth and took a small bite. She giggled as a piece of it stuck to her lips. Then she quickly placed the rest of it in her mouth, got up and ran off looking for her own stick.

The rest of the kids at this time had stopped to watched as this little girl first tried this new treat. They to ran off and looked for sticks. Next thing I know, we had a little marshmallow party on our front porch.

This is my Canada. When you look at this photograph it is my version of the United Nations in it's simplest form. This marshmallow party represents Canada, India, Pakistan, El Salvador, Romania and England. All that was needed was a charcoal bar-b-que, sticks and yes.... a bag of marshmallows.

the Right Honourable Stephen Harper

2009-02-18T19:05:00.003-07:00

This portrait was taken on January 22, 2006 in Windsor Ontario at the Hilton Hotel. The day before Mr. Harper led the newly formed Conservative Party to it's first minority government. Mr. Harper did a whirlwind tour of voter rich southern Ontario. He only succeeded in winnig one seat in Essex.

I waited outside by the tour bus after the rally for the opportunity to meet Mr. Harper. I approached him and told him a little fib. "Sir, you have to pose for me." He turned and looked at me as I continued," You see the last politicain I photographed was Mr. Harris before he was elected and he won."

"Well," he struck a pose for me, "Shoot away!!" Pleased with myself I took several pictues and scored an autograph from him as well. Imagine that, lying to a politician!!

The irony is, just a couple of weeks earlier a friend's son asked if I had photographed anybody famous. Then this opportunity came about.Now this portrait and autograph are a proud addition to my portfolio. The funny thing of it, depending on what part of the country I find myself in, is the reaction I get when somebody is looking through my portfolio. Back in Windsor the response has been-if you were that close to him why didn't you slap him in the kisser. Out here in Alberta, people are in awe that I got to photograph him up close and personal.

ah HAH!!

2009-02-15T17:29:00.004-07:00

Some days I just get the urge to grab my camera and go. There's usually no real objective in mind other than to get going and see what the becomes apparently clear in my view finder. Sometimes I don't even bother taking the camera out of the bag, and then there are other times I used to just load up a roll of film and shoot.

A roll or two later, I find myself out of film and just head to the lab to see what happens. Then there are the days when it becomes apparent what I was supposed to shoot.

Some divine moment when all becomes very very clear. Its what I call a AH HAH! moment. This photograph was one of those days, or one of those moments. It happened along the Gnatcho Trail in Windsor Ontario's East end.

Now I have walked through this park hundreds and hundreds of times. Alot of those times I was dragged through the park by a hundred and ten pound bloodhound. So I really couldn't stop and 'smell the roses'. This time I found exactly what I was supposed to shoot.

A couple of years later, I got around to getting this particular photograph enlarged, matted and framed to hang on the wall of my home. That particular day became one of the most difficult days of my life. A day that my whole world ground to a halt. The day that my dear mother passed away.

I picked up the enlargment of this photograph and looked at it. My hands shook as I realized the symbolism behind it all. It was the meaning of my mother's life. How she gave to all, how she touched so many people in life. How she was there for so many people and was someone that anybody could count on, even when the chips were down.

If there is one way and one way only to honour my mother, its to be half as good in dealing with people, that she was. I love you mom. May God Bless your soul, as he has blessed me with being your son.

Little Girls are made of....

2009-02-09T19:13:00.004-07:00

What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, and everything nice, That's what little girls are made of.

One of the greatest things about my wife being an ECE(Early childhood educator). Is that there was always kids around. I have learned lots of great things from all of the little ones that have come and gone over the years.

One of the best lessons I have learned is the wonderment of life. The curiosity of things around them as they start their journey of exploration. The caterpillar on the fence, the leaf on the deck or a bird chirping in the tree.

Riley is one of the young people that my wife has taken care of over the years. She was a child who took in all of life's wonders.

Another lesson that I have learned is that kids, well they keep you young. If not young at heart. Not all that long ago, I met up with Riley and her parents. I couldn't believe how grown up she had gotten. A beautiful young lady. A spitting image of her mother. You see, I have known her mom, dad and grandparents for years. Her father stood up for me when I got married. He was one of my life long friends. I have great memories of a driving lesson with Keith, but that will have to wait for another day....

The one day I took great pride in, was when her parents got married. You see, I did a little conniving to introduce her dad to her mother. Her mother was a great gal that I got to know at this little dive of a coffee shop on Windsor's west end (Its long gone now). Everytime I went into the place to play Tetris, Kimmy aka #3 always served me my caffine fix. Then one saturday night, I brought Keith into this coffee shop and got them talking. Keith was a little ackward, I wasn't much smoother, and I just kinda helped them to get to know each other. Then they took it from there.

Keith's parents hold a special place in my heart. When I first met his dad, Mr. Wilson sat me down and we talked. We talked for hours and hours. He made me feel very welcome in their home. The kettle was always put on for tea whenever I later visited the house. Mrs. Wilson was always asleep as she always worked nights at the hospital. But I was touched by her generosity as well.

You see, my daughter was born in 1993 at Grace Hospital. The same hospital that Mrs. Wilson worked. That night a fuzzy bunny rabbit toy was found in her crib at the hospital. Mrs. Wilson had delivered it earlier that day. It became the feature toy in Becca's Canadian Baby Photograph. An enlargment of it was quickly delivered to the Wilson's home.

Then Keith and Kimmy began to have kids. I think they figured out how it happens. Cause, like us, they stopped at two. First was Ian and then Riley. Then to sit back and watch these guys go through life. Overcoming the same obstacles that my wife and I had to. Observing the same milestones that my kids hit just a few years earlier.

My family and I have since moved to Calgary Alberta. We still keep in touch with the Wilson clan. Emails fly back and forth, or updates on Facebook. They are still part of my life. Only the distance has grown bigger in miles. Then one day I open up a box of old photos. There are many that have made their way out here.

I grabbed a few pictures and started to flip through them. When I came across this one. It was one of my all time favourites. I remember the day I picked up the package from the photolab and flipped through them. I was thrilled at how well this particular photo turned out. I couldn't wait to give Riley's parents a copy of it. To mark another milestone in both of our lives.

Is there..... a Doctor in the house???

2009-02-07T13:57:00.002-07:00

Not a day goes by, whether its in Alberta or in Ontario. That there's a news story about the state of health care in this country.

Waiting lists for specialists. Lack of doctors in outlying areas of the country. A doctor retires, and the mad scramble to find a new doctor that is taking on new patients. On and on and on. Heck there was one day that a doctor in Windsor just snapped, he went absolutely nuts and stormed out the front door of the clinic he was working at. Never to be heard or seen from again.

Well thankfully there's hope in our family. Hopefully he will make house calls after he gets his degree from medical school. He may even aspire to be a Generel Practioner or an ENT specialist (ears, nose and throat).

My son (me swelling with pride) The Doctor!!

Kent County Farmer

2009-02-07T13:37:00.002-07:00

One day, on the way home from Clearville Campground(In the County of Kent) I came a across this interesting old farmstead. So I did a country U-Turn. Back tracked and pulled into the long meandering drive way.

As I pulled up to the end of the driveway I met the farmer who was on his way out to the impliment shed. I asked him if it would be okay to shoot pictures of his farm. He stopped turned and looked at me.
"Whats it for?" I explained that it was for my portfolio.

"Is it gonna cost me anything?" Oh no sir, I like old barns and it just something I enjoy doing. He shrugs his shoulders and said to go ahead.

So I walked around framed a few shots, and clicked away. I took pictures from all angles. He watched me as Iworked my way around. When all of a sudden the picture of the day came to me. There he was, hands on his hips, watching me so intensely. I quickly snapped his picture. Thinking that this would be a great portrait in black and white.

So here we have it. I even enlarged a copy of it for the next time I was out that way. Do you think I could remember where this farm was located? Not a chance.

DATE LINE....SUV REPORT

2009-02-05T20:37:00.002-07:00

One day while driving to an appointment, one of my favourite radio commentators, Rush Limbaugh, played his "SUV REPORT".

It was a funny and real compilation of reports from the 'Liberal media'.

Reports such as....
-SUV rolls down driveway and kills cyclist on street
-SUV locks baby inside and suffocates child in 90f heat wave
-white SUV leads Los Angles Police on three hour high speed chase on freeway
-SUV drives over parking curb and pins smoking teenager against wall of variety store.

You get the point. Like in the last point, did the teenage mock the SUV and it got so mad it had mindlessly attacked the teen? Was the SUV responding to the teen because the teen was smoking? Was the SUV offended by the teen's second hand smoke?

I have even noticed the SUV response in the Canadian Media. "SUV strikes and kills moose outside of Kenora". So much for reporting the fact that the moose just mindlessly walked across the Trans Canada Highway.

Just like in this photo. Did the SUV just randomly attack and kill this 'poor defensless' raccoon and quickly speed away? Or did the raccoon just mindlessly walk onto the highway and start eating some other roadkill before, he to became roadkill?

No Shoes Charlie- Kingsville Ontario

2009-02-04T20:45:00.010-07:00

The town of Kingsville Ontario has been one of my favourite towns to visit for years. I have spent many summers as a kid in this amazing little town.

The years have flown by. I still enjoyed visiting this town. I would usually end up my week of sales in this town on Lake Erie's north shore. Then on one sales trip this fellow caught my eye. That was over ten years ago. Then everytime since then I seem to notice him sitting either in front of the Bank of Montreal, or down the street a little further in front of the drug store. He was always dressed the same way -shoes off, shirt off and suspenders. Then on this particular day I saw the humour of it all. Sitting in front of the bank's 24 hour teller sign with the arrow pointed at him . I laughed my ass off as I set up and snapped this photo. I then called him, NO SHOES CHARLIE.

This photo was taken some time between 2003 and 2004. Then last fall I was back that way. I drove through Kingsville. It still felt like home. I looked for him, no luck. I learned from one of the locals, that this fellow had since passed away. I stopped for a moment at a loss for words.

I never did get to find out what his name was, or what he did for a living or if he was retired. I was never in a situation where I could stop and actually spend the time to say hello. I was always in a hurray to get to the next appointment. Locked up in my own little world he became a 'drive by' familar stranger. Just someone I grew to expect to see whenever I drove through town. This familar stranger's passing saddened me.

Humour in Life

2009-02-01T11:49:00.006-07:00

I drive alot. A whole lot. It's one of my releases in life. I like to explore and see new and different places. This approach has given me lots of photographic opportunities. It also drives the wife and kids nuts to because 'Daddy' never comes and goes the same way twice in a row.

We used to have our trailer out at Clearville Camp ground in Kent County. A straight drive of 45 minutes to our house in Windsor. However, we never did a straight shot there or back. Well anyways we came across these signs on one of those trips back home from the trailer. Driving the back country roads, you happen across alot of funny things to look at.... something that just makes you laugh.

Little River Acres

2009-01-26T15:01:00.001-07:00

Originally known as the Villages of Riverside. Fort Appache the Bronks was the monicor given to the area by the Windsor Police Service.
Then one day a couple of neighbours started talking over the fence. Conversations swirled around crime, illegal dumping,the abuse of the crosswalks and the state of the fences along then named Village Drive.

The conversations turned into action. Neighbours banded together and took control of their neighbour hood and a movement took hold.

The Villages of Riverside became known as Little River Acres. Under the direction of City Hall and with full support of Mayor Eddie Francis the hole area became designated a Community Improvement Plan (C.I.P). This is a residential equivilant to a Business Improvement Area(B.I.A.)

With the all that support a grant from the federal government was obtained.The movement became a force to be reconned with. Whoever said that the average citizen doesn't have a voice and cannot affect change, has only to look at what has been accomplished in this community.

Willistead Manor

2009-01-25T16:16:00.003-07:00

Willistead Manor is a historic house located in the former town of Walkerville, Ontario now Windsor, Ontario. Willistead Manor was designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn. The house was built in 1904-1906, and was commissioned by Edward Chandler Walker, the son of Hiram Walker. It is named after E.C. Walker's late brother Willis Walker, who was a lawyer in Detroit, MI, and who died young.

Contrary to popular belief, Hiram Walker never lived in the home. One of the unique features of the mansion is that it contained only one bedroom. Mr. and Mrs. Walker never had any children, and the coach houses to the manor provied ample room for guests. After Edward passed on, Mrs. Walker didn't care to keep living in the big home alone, and she left the house and grounds to the town of Walkerville. When Walkerville was amalgamated with Windsor in 1935, it obtained ownership of Willistead.

Hiram Walker was the founder of Hiram Walker Distillers which is the producer of Canadian Club Wiskey.

Kahn later designed, in 1917, the massive half-mile-long Ford River Rouge Plant. The Rouge grew into the largest manufacturing complex in the U.S., with a work force that peaked at 120,000 workers. Then in 1928, Kahn became famous for designing the landmark 28-story Art Deco Fisher Building in Detroit, considered one of the most beautiful elements of the Detroit skyline.

One of the things I miss about Windsor...

2009-01-20T16:19:00.004-07:00

I stole this photograph from the Windsor Star-It's not mine---

One of the things I miss about Windsor, is the water. Being a life long resident of Windsor/southern Ontario is at any given time you are never further away then a half an hour drive from a maj0r body of water.

The average Albertian has no idea just how close Windsor is to it's neighbour Detroit Michigan. One thing I remember in all my forty years of living there is when you meet someone who is from another part of Canada, is how amazed they are at the close proximity to Detroit. This has a huge cultural impact on both cities.

Here Kitty!!

2009-01-19T19:53:00.002-07:00

Too bad they don't stay this young and cute, well I guess the same could be said about kids. The wonder of discovery at this age. The innocence of a kitten.

The Coffee counter

2009-01-15T13:24:00.005-07:00

The coffee counter, and it doesn't matter which diner or coffee shop it is located in, has and will always be important to me. I have often been amazed at how two complete strangers can sit at a coffee counter and talk to each other as they knew one another all of their lives. Some folks that you sit beside and chat about the weather or politics. Yet you may never even know their last name... maybe not even their name at all. They just become familiar strangers in your life. Just someone y0u expect to see every time you go into that particular establishment.

Some of my best and not so best of friends in life I have met just sitting at a coffee counter. My wife, I have met across a coffee counter. She worked at the old Classic Donuts on Wyandotte Street and Hall Avenue in Windsor. Ontario. That place is long gone now, just the memories of the many many hours spent in their linger in the minds of the old regulars. They know who they are. They also know what they mean to me. Yet as I travel through life, and to other coffee shops or diners, I will meet more familiar strangers. We will talk about the weather, politics, and now our kids. It is quite comforting how the pattern works itself out again.

You sit down, served coffee by a vetran waitress, who has a few stories to tell of her own. You fix your coffee to your liking. Glance at the paper, then the guy or the gal sitting next to you says something in passing. From there it grows. If you go back again, same time different day you see the person you chatted up before and you both pick up where you left off.

Some of the diners, have a regular reliable menu that you can choose from to tame your hunger. But it is usually about the coffee, and the other customers sitting at the counter. Complete stranger or not. Some place to go and just talk.

Just a note from the Blogger

2009-01-08T18:07:00.003-07:00

As you look at my blog, you will see photos from both southern Ontario as well as Alberta, and many points in between. I have been taking photos for a long time, and I have decided to use this blog as a way of showing visitors my point of view on life.

I take a lot of pride in my work, and I am very pleased to be able to share my work with you. I also have photos on this site. Please feel free to visit there as well. Just click on the link. http://www.panoramio.com/user/246118

Feel free to leave a comment here . I know some of the images on this site will evoke emotions. As they do with me as well, not just because I took the image, but what the image means to me, what it represented to me at that point and time in my life.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT DAY!!

On the Gnatcho Trail

2009-01-08T17:30:00.006-07:00

What a wonderful area of Windsor this trail network is!!

You walk the trails of this park system on Windsor's far east end, and you step right into a mini eco system. Everything you could imagine happens in this wonderful area.

The creeks in this area are popular for spawning carp in the early summer. In the spring and fall you will be witness to many species of migratory birds flying overhead in an ancient ritual. This pair of ducks, you could almost walk right up to them and tap them on the head and say WAKE UP!

The park has many heavily treed areas that attract nesting birds early in the spring. So heavily treed that it is hard to imagine that you are in the middle of a city. The fall brings a wide pallet of colours to suite any camera buff!

There is a parking lot just east of Riverdale Road at the end of Little River Road. From there you can take the trail through Little River Park. Then you have a choice where It jaunts north for a wee bit then it meanders along Riverside Drive, all the way out to Tecumseh Ontario. If you continue south at this junction you will cross McHugh Street and then a set of tracks and connects to Penang Lane. If you head down that street it will conect you to Tecumseh Road East. The City of Windsor encourages you to bring your four pawed pets along, as there are many stations where you can get doggie scoop plastic to clean up after your pet.

The only down side to this area, there is no bathrooms or water fountains at this park. So be prepared before you head out. You would think that the City of Windsor would look at this as an opportunity for improvement. Maybe even incorporate washrooms with an interpretive center or snack shack that could be rented out to private enterprise.

Deadman Flats Alberta

2008-12-11T13:30:00.001-07:00

This whole day started by getting out of bed at 4am and scurrying out to Kananaski Country. I staked out a spot just north of Eau Claire camp ground and waited for the sun to meet me. So I grabbed my sleeping bag, reclined the front seat and nodded off asleep while waiting. An hour later, in a state of groogienes, this feeling of being watched over-came me. So I rubbed the eyes to focus better- turned and looked out the side drivers window, and found myself eye to eye with a deer. Who started at me as if to say, what the *&^% are you doing here??That was the funniest part of the trip.

The sun still wasn't cooperating, so I decided to head back up to the Trans Canada. Instead of going home, I set my sights on Deadman Flats for breakfast. As I pulled up to the Husky, This mountain lit right up for me. It was a spectacular sight to behold. By the grace of God, I am able to caputre the majestic beauty of all his creation-with my camera!!

The Blackfoot Diner/truck stop

2008-12-07T21:25:00.003-07:00

I was thrilled when I stumbled across this place, and it has become one of my favourite places to visit ever since. A true diner in every sense of the word-right down to the sassy waitresses... and best of all it has a coffee counter!! The coffee awesome and it is BOTTOMLESS. The place is open 24 hours a day.

A full menu is offered. However I find the best value for breakfast to be the workingman breakfast. It includes a pancake, eggs any style, sausage or bacon and toast. If you want a real treat ask for the homemade syrup, or you will end up with the factory made stuff.

An incredible beef dip sandwich is also on the menu. If you are up for something else there is a multiple choice of daily specials to choose from.

WARNING WARNING!! No matter what you eat, make sure that you have room for dessert. My I suggest the mile high lemon merangue pie!!! Truly a feast for the eyes.