Sunlight lances through stormy clouds at Davis Bay. It was an unsettled but beautiful sky.

California Bighorn Sheep grazing by the roadside. Nothing seemed to faze these critters.

Sunrise refleced in Kootenay Lake. I am rapidly falling in love with the town of Kaslo.

It is always special to see the nation's symbol. This one is chowing down on the beaver equivalent of a donut.

Ah fog. Its pretty, its damp and it hangs around. Everyone loves it.

I seem to be obsessed with herons lately. More specifically, this fellow who seems to enjoy hanging out in the local harbour.

Howe Sound Morning

I just mised the magic light on this shot. When I got up the sky looked like it was on fire. Alas, when I got down to the water the colors had faded. Such is the transience of nature. Changeable ligth and weather condittions are what keeps me interested in the beauty of the outdoors.

As you can probably guess, I am fascinated by shots of misty coastlines, which is good considering that's all you see on the West Coast Trail. Oh and Lorien's foot is healing up quite well and she'll be able to tackle the trail again in no time....

Heron

There is something soothing about watching (OK, spying on) a heron doing his/her thing. To know that the bird doesn't share your concerns and worries, but is intently focussed on the task at hand, providing food, grooming, flying, whatever....it is humbling and at the same time empowering.

Despite our geo political conflicts, our environmental crises etc. the heron keeps its watch on the world.

Changing Vision

My art tends to focus on the Landscape, nature in the raw so to speak. While this is creatively stimulating I am trying to branch out, to adapt more of the works of Humanity to my images. It is quite a radical shift, but I find digital photography is speeding the process somewhat. My vision is always a work in progress, growing and adapting to my enviroenment and moods.



Before I would have to spend countless hours sketching and comparing, now I can take a few shots and view the effects on screen. If an idea works I can incorporate it into a watercolor. Technology can work to artistic advantage. (a hard thing for a pseudo-luddite like me)

The West Coast Trail, My view

If you have been following this blog for a while you may be aware that there have been lots of pictures of the West Coast trail on my blog over the last year or so. The trail is a unique and challenging adventure through some incredible scenery.

I won't go over the specifics of the hike or our experiences on it, those can be found here. (2005) and here (2006)

I would like to talk about my motivation for doing trails such as this. Putting the love I have for wild nature into words is incredibly difficult. Exploring the wilderness and experiencingthe varied spendour of nature fuels my creativity and spirit. My photographs and paintings attempt to capture at least a small measure of the uniqueness of the world.

Back to the WCT. For two years in a row I have strapped on my backpack and attempted this formidable trek. Why? Because Lorien asked me!!! (and because I love it) The sea and coastline have so many different moods that doing a trail at exactly the same time still yields a radically different experience.

Sea ciffs near Nitinat Narrows. This part of the WCT was very vertigo inducing.

An expanse of rolling surf in the rocky bay of the Klanawa River.

Fog, and more fog. Well necessity is the mother of invention so I got creative with shadows and sunlight.

A foggy sunset at Tsusiat falls. This was my favourite evening on the trail, although I think Lorien was tired....

Well, we're back from the West Coast Trail, and despite the fact that the trip was cut short due to a tragic pasta related injury we still had a great time. THis pic is quintissential WCT. Waves, rocks, mist and ancient forest on the way to the Klanawa river.

The colours kept getting better in this sunset. Now we are into the cobalts and magentas.

I love the feelings this image evokes. Tree silhouette against a hillside stripped bare by logging in the golden light of sunset.

Sunset from Mount Steele seemed to reveal an infinite number of blue and purple mountains.

Climbng up to Mount Steele, Lorien thought the Tet had played a nasty trick on her. The trail kept going up.....at least the views were good.