Watching the wunset on the old year and thinking about the new. My heart goes out to all those in South Asia that are struggling at this time.

This flower was almost too bright to imagine. This picture was obviously taken last spring. It is pretty drab here right now although there are still ffowers blooming in scattered places.

A winter sunset over the sodden fields at Brunswick Point in Ladner. It was cool and windy with lots of subtle colors in the sky.

The twisted forms of arbutus trees can be found up and down the BC coast. This one makes its home on a rocky outcrop at Secret Cove.

A nice dose of summer in the depths of a cold (in the rest of canada!) winter.

A peaceful winter ferry ride across Howe Sound yielded this cloud shrouded image. It was very cold on deck (for BC at least!!) but the fierce ocean wind didn't seem to ruffle the water very much.

Another beautiful monring in Roberts Creek. The Sun made its brief but beautiful appearance and bathed the beach in a red gold glow.

Sunset from the ferry comming back to the Sunshine Coast from Vanocuver yesterday. The sky was full of heavy clouds but the sun managed to shine through at the end of the day.

Baroque Frost

This morning every leaf and branch was painted by frost. Delicate curlicues and filligrees covered Roberts Creek in magic

Douglas Fir Elder

Each Douglas fir tree has iis own unique character. From the shape of its crown to the ridges and furrows in its bark, ceach is an individual.

Winged Rogue

A photograph of the common Crow taking a stroll by the sea. These intelligent and resourceful birds are found almost everywhere, making a racket and getting into mischief.

Symphony of Water

An autumn morning walk along Roberts Creek in Cliff Gilker Park yielded this photo.
The various sounds the creek makes as it travels from the mountains to the sea are sweeter than any tones I can coax from my mandolin. It roars over falls, splashes over rocks and meanders through pools. This picture attempts to capture those sounds in one image.

Great Blue Heron

I just couldn't seem to sneak up close to this guy. Whenever I got within 20 feet he took off!! This picture and the one below were taken this morning. There were two herons, two eagles, an osprey and many ducks, spamhawks (seagulls) and crows.

Bald Eagle

I managed to snap this pic as the eagle took off and cropped the eagle out of a far larger area of sky. . I think I need a better telephoto lense.

Abstract in Wood

Out for a walk on the beach today I got lost in the textures of this old gnarled stump. This stump has been exposed to the wind, rain and salt air for years and has a weathered wisdom about it.

Winter Creek

This creek on Cypress mountain were still unfrozen on our trip there on Monday....after the cold temperatures of the last couple of days thisw little creek is probably covered in snow.

Sunrise Roberts Creek

A morning walk to the beach yielded another beautiful sunrise. It is very easy to take great pictures in such a spectacular area.

Autumn Berries

Not quite sure what type of berries these are but they are beautiful.

Roberts Creek Cascade

The faint beams of sunlight piercing the forest canopy and hitting the cascade created a unique effect. This was a difficult shot as I had forgotten my tripod. Handholding to get the water blur is very difficult.

Cypress Under Snow

I saw this young Cypress tree this morning at Yew Lake on Cypress Bowl. It was bowed and strugling under a weight of fresh Snow. The image had a compelling simplicity about it.

Raincoast Sunshower

Takinga boat up the fjords of tBC's inside passage is a spectacular experience. THis painting is an attempt to capture some of that magic.

Dean Channel

Floral Abstraction

This painting is an abstraction of a single rhododendron blossom. I started with a detailed drawing of the blossom and let my brush create abstract shapes based on my feelings about the flower and the beautiful spring day outside.

Floral Abstraction

Paradise

A rather colorful and fanciful interpretation of the giant spruce trees of Carmannah valley, one of my favourite places.

Paradise

A Walk by Lynm Creek

I was out for a hike along Lynn Creek with my dad a few weeks ago and it was one of those magical misty days. The mountains were alternately veiled and exposed. We had a great time but didn't see any bears.


A walk by the Creek

Gumboot Cafe

Here is a picture of the Gumboot Cafe in the heart of downtown Roberts Creek. It was tricky getting a picture without cars whizzing by :)

Ah bustling downtown.

THe Gumboot

Roberts Creek Morning

Early morning is my favourite time of day. Everything seems fresh and optimistic. Also you never know when that sunny dawn will turn into a day of drizzle on the Wet Coast.

Sunrise on the beach

On the Rocks

This picture and the one below it were taken on my morning beach walk. The sun was absolutely spectacular and the sky was sublime. ( I'm running out of words!!) There was an eagle flying above as well but my lense was not powerful enought and he came out as a tiny speck.

On the rocks

The hand of God

I was walking in the woods afer a night of rain and the sunlight reached through the forest canopy like the hand of God, painting the lichens and mosses with a delicate golden glow. I tried making a painting from this image but it was just too much.....some things just can't be improved upon.

Beams of light

Contemplating Sunset, Davis Bay

I almost felt as if I was intruding on this fellow's contemplation. The photo was taken at Davis Bay this Summer. (It was raining so hard the last few days that I had to go back to the warmth of July for inspiration)


Contemplating Sunset

Glacier Mist

The mist rising off of the icefield below hid all signs of the glacier and wreathed the peaks in mystery.


Above the Saskatchewan Glacier

Arbutus

One thing we on the Coast have in abundance is arbutus trees. These red and sinuous plants are inspiring as they twist above rocky outcrops.

Arbutus

Brandywine Meadows

A misty and Rainy day at Brandywine Meadows.

Squamish Mist

San Juan Sunset

AS beautiful evening just across the line.

San Juan Sunset

Walter

Black Bears seem to figure prominently in the lives of us Coaster, especially this year where they have become daring in the desire to get a last meal in before hibernation.

This guy however is from Pennsylvania. (thanks Evelyn)


Walter

Stump of a Giant

Life is so abundant in the Coastal Rainforest that even a stump supports abundant ferns, bushes and other trees.


Stump of a Giant

Giant Trees

Old Growth Douglas Fir trees are some of the largest trees in the world. Their furrowed and wrinkled bark has inspired many of my watercolor paintings.
There are very few places where these giants have escaped commercial logging. The Elaho valley is a spectacular example.

Douglas Fir

Walk in the Woods

It can sometimes be hard to find evidence of autumn on the Coast. This small clearing covered in dried leaves reminded me of my childhood in Montreal.



Dry Autumn Leaves

Wandering the Shoreline

In the Woods
Here is a picture of me for all those folks who are currently viewing this blog. :) I am standing in a grove of arbutus trees at Secret Cove.

Island Mist 

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my first attempt at a blog. On this site I will be posting my photos, paintings and sundry thoughts on the world, art and music.