The Adventures of a Wanderer and Her Family
I’ve lived in Victoria for 28 years and how this gem of a park slipped under my radar is really hard to fathom! It’s a great park in Oak Bay with amazing views of the Olympic Mountains and also of Mount Baker and Victoria Golf Course! It will definitely be a regular place to walk with the family from now on!
Wildflowers line the shoreline here in Victoria, BC. The early morning light makes them even more beautiful! 
I love the way golden light makes the coastal grasses appear to dance in this early morning shot of Cattle Point in Victoria, BC. The effort to get up early sure pays off!
We spent some time exploring some of the local parks today including the beautiful Goldstream Provincial Park. This time of year the moss is so bright and beautiful and the flow of Little Niagara Falls is pretty full with the seasonal rain!
We’ve had a great year as a family and spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying being disconnected from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. It’s funny how when you get away from your regular routine and into nature, you can really reconnect as a family and remember what really matters!
I came across Jim Goldstein’s annual Your Best Photos project, and so I thought would participate. So here are my ten favourite photos for 2014.
Sandcut Beach near Victoria, BC
Fairy Lake near Port Renfrew, BC on Vancouver Island.
Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
On the Lake Oesa Trail, Yoho National Park, Canadian Rockies
Japanese Garden in Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC
Trail near Botanical Beach, Port Renfrew, BC on Vancouver Island.
I think that might be eleven, but that’s how I roll. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to visit these places along with my favourite people. I also wish to thank each and every one of you that took the time to take a look at my photo adventures. I look forward to more adventures in 2015!
The Spring always brings a huge variety of spring flowers adding joy to our walks around the neighbourhood. With my recent purchase of an old film camera, I was anxious to shoot some flowers around the neighbourhood to see how they would come out. Here’s a photo, shot on Pentax Spotmatic SPII with 55mm 1.4:
I love the look of film and how it forces you to slow down and be deliberate about your shooting, so I will definitely shoot more of it. I found this quote and it sums up how shooting film makes you feel:
“It means you appreciate the details, the nuances, and subtleties of your craft. It says that in a manic world that designs everything to be faster, you’re not afraid to slow down, to focus, to plan, and to trust yourself when you press the shutter.”
An added bonus is with an adapter like this, I can use the old M42 screw mount lenses on my modern digital camera. Of course, the old lenses lack modern advances such as autofocus. But, my Sony NEX-7 has focus peaking so it is really easy to use the manual focus lenses. With this set up, I’ve been enjoying the old Cosina 55mm 1.4 lens on my digital camera. I paid very little for the old film camera including a couple lenses. But, if you’re familiar with the price of a f1.4 lens, then you will see why this is a good deal! Here’s some of the fun I had with this set up:
Until the next time, thank you for taking a look! Enjoy!
Life has been very busy, and my good intentions of updating this blog once a week have fallen by the wayside. But, here’s a little update on what’s going on in my world of photography.
Firstly, I’m taking a photography course at the local college. It is an intermediate course covering off such things as flash, and the Zone system. We’re also assigned a theme each week, so it gets me out shooting in that theme. Our images get critiqued by our instructor, which is a little scary (terrifying actually) but the only way you get better is by hearing the good, the bad and the ugly! I’m also connecting with other local photographers. It gets the creative juices flowing! So, in one of our sessions I mentioned to one of the other photogs my interest in one day getting a film camera. She said she had an extra and so a deal was struck! Next class she brings this baby . . .
It’s a Pentax Spotmatic with a couple lenses, extension tubes, and a bunch of other goodies! So I’m geeking out over my first film SLR!! It’s older than I am, but seems to work alright. I had to take it down to a local camera shop to get the battery compartment open as it was corroded up, and the light meter wouldn’t work. Ten minutes later, they had it cleaned up and it works! I have yet to have my first roll processed as I’m still working on it, but I like the way shooting film forces you to slow down and think about your shots. I also taught my daughter how to use it so here’s a photo of her shooting with it.
I’ve also been saving for a new Ultra Wide-Angle lens and finally had enough (and it was on SALE!) so I got the Sony SEL 10-18 F4. I’ve been testing it out of late. Here’s a few shots with the lens:
Taken at Cattle Point in Victoria, BC. I’ve been working at these long exposure shots to improve in this area of photography.
Taken at Cadboro Bay
Taken at Cattle Point in Victoria, BC
Mount Douglas, Victoria, BC
So far the lens is sharp and I like it. The wide angle is something to get used to but I think it’s a keeper!
I’m on Instagram now and have a separate account for my photography. You can find me at: Carrie Cole Photography
So that’s a wrap for now! Thanks for taking the time folks!
Yes, we are THAT family! What do I mean? Well, the other day I was spending time with a close friend and she was explaining how her husband will spend a full day trying to search down a big tree in a forest, even after the fun factor has waned for the rest of the family. A big tree, she lamented! I laughed and said “I totally get it!” I was, of course, taking the side of her husband for we are THAT family.
I’m blessed with a husband who is crazy kind enough to agree to my crazy ideas. You see, when I see something cool on the internet, I want to go see it for myself. So, that starts the planning process if it is feasible, not dangerous, and is something we can do as a family, including our four year old. Those are the parameters. So, when I suggested we go find the tallest Douglas Fir Tree in the world, and we happened to be in the area, my husband again said, “why not!”
So we set off, but I’m not sure what I was thinking. It was my husband that read the disclaimer about the road which reads:
“**Please take note regarding driving to the Red Creek Fir: The
gravel logging roads from Len’s Main are rarely maintained or
not maintained at all. Use at your own risk. It is recommended that
you have enough gas, a spare tire which is in good condition (and that
you know how to change a flat tire). It is always wise when travelling
in the backcountry to let someone know where you intend to go and
when you will be back. In the event you have car trouble, stay with
your vehicle. It is best to visit the Red Creek Fir in the morning as the
road is rarely travelled after dark. Those driving rental cars should be
aware of rental contracts regarding travel on logging roads. This route
is not recommended for vehicles with low clearance (compacts, sub
compacts, sports cars etc.) SUVs, Pickups and 4x4s are best!!”
For anyone who just has to see it for themselves, here’s some directions.
So, it’s REALLY not suitable for cars! Take my word for it, you really are better off in a truck or SUV. It is bumpy, rocky and clearly not passed very often, as there were branches down along the way that needed to be cleared. My husband didn’t complain even though he had to clear the roadway from fallen branches. So, if you are going to go, bring some gloves or a chainsaw or something to clear the road. My husband had his gardening gloves but it was getting ridiculous after a while, and I even questioned whether it was a good idea! But, we pressed on, and my husband got a good workout.
Trailhead
So was it worth it? Well, you can judge it for yourself, but this tree is huge! We remarked how it is a marvel that it was even spared from being logged! In addition to this awesome old growth Douglas Fir, there are giant cedars that are awe inspiring! Along the road way there’s a really cool creek which cascades straight down. Truly impressive! A fun adventure for the whole family and another wonder of creation!
We live about 2 hours away from Port Renfrew, but we haven’t really spent much time out that way, so we planned a quick little get away with the family to explore and do some day hikes in the area. I can’t wait to dig into the photos, but in the meantime here’s one of my favourite spots. I’m a sucker for a lonely tree.
“Waiting For a Friend”
My friend Shelagh saw this shot and shared that she wrote a song about a lonely tree that goes “All the lonely trees, just waiting for a friend, to take their picture. I love the way they stand”.
Prints available at: http://goo.gl/VReeO4
I really can’t describe it any other way. Since I spied this tree at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, I have been obsessed with it. I especially like the way it looks this time of year, and I finally made time to go shoot it on a foggy afternoon with my favourite photographer, my daughter.
Someone has hung a bicycle in the tree from cables, complete with fake flowers in the spokes. My daughter and I imagined who had done that and why. Was it part of a movie, or a photo shoot? How would a model get on the bicycle. A long ladder or a climb up the gnarly oak tree?
We were visited by neighbourhood black cat, who took a liking to my tripod of all things. Skit scat cat, as I was not looking to move my tripod nor have it come down in the muddy bog.
We enjoyed seeing the Canada geese move through the tall grass with little more than their heads poking up above the grass. My daughter was equipped with a 35mm lens rather than a zoom, and it became a stealthy game to try to get closer to the geese for a shot.
I am thrilled my daughter shares my passion for photography, but not surprised, for she is very creative and has a good eye. I’m enjoying sharing my knowledge, and all and all an enjoyable afternoon for both!
Carrie Cole Photography 