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Where did 2015 go?
I’ve heard it said that the older you get the quicker time goes. Now the older I get, the more I think it’s true. It was about seven months ago the last time I wrote but it doesn’t feel like it was that long. I had good intentions but a bit of writers block along with other commitments seemed to prevent me from sitting down and sharing my thoughts and images. So here I am at the end of December with some of my favorite photographs and memories from the year that came and went so quickly.
The winter of 2015 was record-breaking in terms of snow. The driving and shoveling were awful but the photography was spectacular and the best I’ve experienced in recent years other than perhaps the ice storm of 2014.
“Shadow of the Twilight” – Kennebecasis River, Rothesay, NB
“Everwhites” – Saint John, NB
“Blowing Smoke” – Bay of Fundy, Saint John, NB
“Fallen Snowmen” – Kingston Peninsula, NB
Once the snow finally melted and spring arrived I began exploring the province and found some beautiful gardens, waterfalls and fun wildlife. If it wasn’t for my wife’s keen eye I wouldn’t have captured the painted turtles or had the opportunity to show my kids a beaver if I hadn’t taken a friend from India on a trip to a local park.
“Shell Game” – Painted Turtles, Hampstead, NB –
How many turtles you see?
“Spring Fever” – King Square, Saint John NB
“Forest For The Trees” – Cambridge-Narrows, NB
“Nature’s Carpenter” – Little River Reservoir Park, Saint John, NB
“Utopia” – Welsford Falls, NB
“Simplicity” – Public Gardens, Saint John, NB
The summer was likely the highlight of the year as I was able to take a whale watching tour off Brier Island, Nova Scotia where the Bay of Fundy meets the Gulf of Maine. Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate as much as I’d hoped for, but seeing humpback whales within 50 feet of our boat was an absolutely amazing experience and brought a new appreciation for God’s creation.
“Waiting to Exhale” – Humpback, Bay of Fundy, N.S.
“Leviathan” – Humpback Whale. Bay of Fundy, NS
“Peek-a-boo” – Humpback Whale. Bay of Fundy, NS
Autumn was all about the color this year. In the sky, trees, on the water as the sun was setting and with the added bonus of the blood moon. Of course those who know me it is also always about spending time by the amazing Bay of Fundy.
“The Golden Hour” – Cold Stream Pond, Enfield, Maine
“La Lune Rouge”
“Season of Change” – Hampton, NB
“Rising Tide” – Bay of Fundy, Saint John, NB
Ansel Adams once said “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” – For me it definitely applies~ Most often I feel that God is the real artist not me, I just happen to be there to record it. It’s a privilege.
So what did I learn? I can drive 5 minutes or 5 hours and always find something that is remarkable and I just need to slow down to see it. When I’m exploring I’m trying to find the extraordinary and create images that people haven’t seen before, but I truly believe it is also about finding the common uncommon again and looking at the things we see every day in a new way and appreciating them.
Here’s to 2016. I hope you are able to take some time this year to get out and experience some of God’s handiwork and appreciate it for yourself.
Duck Cove Photography 