Map

map, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: Looking back at the year, what was your favorite memory? Illustrate it with a photograph.

This map is used courtesy of World Sites Atlas
In 2010, there is no doubt in my mind that my trip to the Arctic was the highlight. You can read about it in my August entries. Our trip left from Toronto. We flew to Greenland (Kangerlusuak) and boarded a ship for our adventure. The approximate itinerary can be seen below.



Our itinerary changed due to weather, ice conditions, and the need to meet the Canada customs agents who, due to hotel space, had to go to Qiqiqtarjuaq instead of Clyde River. What an experience!

Chocolate Store Window

Chocolate Store Window, originally uploaded by susanvg.

December 30
I passed this store window and thought it was delightful. Several things in the window are made of chocolate. If I had not been in a hurry, I certainly would have been enticed inside by the display. It's an art to create a good display. So many store windows fall short. But then not all stores are selling chocolate!

Low Evening Sun

Low Evening Sun, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The sun sets early; it cast its light almost horizontally and created strongly contrasted lighting. I'm not thrilled with this photograph. It doesn't do justice to what I saw. My photography course starts at the end of January. Hopefully, it will help me to better understand the settings on my camera to get just what I want.

Cleaning the Rink

Cleaning the Rink, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A few years ago, the city installed refrigeration equipment under the plaza near the chalet at Beaver Lake. This means even when the weather goes a bit above 0°C the ice stays hard. The rink is well maintained with plows and zambonis along with shovellers and sweepers so it is a popular spot for skaters. The nearby chalet provides rental skates and more importantly a cafeteria where you can get hot drinks.



One part of the rink is reserved for beginners, with cones and metal devices which can be pushed while those less steady on their feet learn how to skate. I've never been comfortable on skates, but love to watch as others glide around.

Snacking

Snacking, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A crisp day with many people out enjoying the winter possibilities. I went up to Mount Royal. Skaters, toboganners, walkers were all out enjoying winter. This horse was taking a snack while waiting for customers who wanted to tour the mountain in a less aerobic fashion. In summer the horses pull caleches (buggies) around Old Montreal. Some of them spend time on the mountain in winter, pulling these sleighs.

He's off with some customers

The camera pushes me to walk more, to search out interesting spots to share. Photography can be a challenge in this weather with fingers feeling frosty after a few photos without gloves. I spend time alternating between snapping photos and thawing my finger tips. But the air is invigorating, the festive spirit and sense of fun is contagious. Walking on the mountain always brings me peace.

Snow Laden Branches

Snow Laden Branches, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Definitely a white Christmas in Montreal. Though we have not had a major storm, we have had a fair amount of light snow that keeps falling. Today was our first sunny day in a while. A walk through Summit Park was delightful. Dogs are welcome there and I was one of few who was there without a dog. Many dogs were out cavorting in the snow. Some wore winter attire. This is one park where dogs are allowed to run free in the winter. They obviously enjoy the opportunity to run and play and make friends with other pooches.

       
Despite the sun the cold nipped at my hands as I took them out of my gloves to snap photos, but the cold air is also exhilarating. A walk on a sunny, cold winter day is a delight.



And the days are getting longer...

Moon Rising

Moon Rising, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Last night I was driving home and saw the most incredible moon. It was hanging low in the sky, huge and golden. I got off the highway to chase the moon. By the time I found a good spot for a photo it was higher in the sky.

With just my point and shoot I tried to get a good photograph -no tripod. I should keep one in the car. This photo doesn't do it justice, but here is the moon, caught in the branches. The water in Lake St. Louis has not yet frozen, so the lights are reflecting on this bay.

Slightly post-processed and cropped from another photo - lots of room for improvement.

Bush Wrapping

Bush Wrapping, originally uploaded by susanvg.

My friend, Jen, opened my eyes to the possibilities of wrapped bushes. Some Montrealers do this to protect them from the ravages of winter. When snow gets heavy it can break branches.

You have to use your imagination when looking at these new formations, This lot seems to be standing around - waiting for a bus? or just chatting (or is that chattering) about the weather. As winter progresses the shapes can change - sagging and stooping.

Here are a few more. What do they make you think of?

My Darling Clementine

My Darling Clementine, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The aroma starts as I begin to peel these little orbs of flavour. Clementines combat winter in so many ways. Their bright colour and flavour act like sunshine - a mood enhancer bringing a smile. Packed with vitamin C they arm us with virus fighting tools. They disappear quickly in my house and quickly get added to the shopping list again.

Winter Takes Hold

Winter Takes Hold, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A cold damp wind blew off the river. The current is strong here. Ice forms and breaks, carried off down the river faster than I was walking. There is something bracing about walking in the cold, bundled up in boots, jacket, hat, scarf and warm gloves. You can dress against the cold, but not against heat. And the joy of coming in to a warm place and sharing a cup of tea with a friend feels all the better after a walk.

Slowly now, the days will get longer, giving more daylight time to enjoy the crisp winter days.

Early Morning Frost

Early Morning Frost, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I woke up to a world painted white. Frost covered the trees; lacy branches tangled like a tatted doily. It was hard to keep my eyes on my work as the sun started to play on the snow. Despite the cold, I threw open the windows to snap photos, always looking for the quintessential shot of winter. Sun, breezes repainted the landscape; by afternoon the frost and snow disappeared from the branches. But winter has taken hold and the ground stays covered. This afternoon's solstice heralds the official start of winter but here we greeted the wintry weather weeks ago.

Ice Carolers

Ice Carolers, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Every year Longueuil holds a Christmas market with stalls selling local wares from jewelry to food to fur hats. Flutissimo played a concert there (indoors but still chilly with the church door opening and closing frequently as people came and sat a while). Unfortunately I never get a chance to really peruse the stalls as I have all my instruments with me.

Coming out of the concert it was quite magical as night had fallen and all the lights from the stall and on the trees were twinkling. Some people were huddled around a bonfire, warming up after time spent shopping.


If you read French, you can find out more about the Marché de Noël.

Last year I took some daytime photos, see them here.

Winter Sky

Winter Sky, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Winter skies add colour to an otherwise colourless landscape. The ground is covered in white. Trees are reduced to dark silhouettes. The lack of leaves opens up the sky which shifts in hues as the sun begins to set. Eyes gaze up, catching the last of the light before the long dark night.

Oils and Vinegars

Oils and Vinegars, originally uploaded by susanvg.

This is one of my favourite shops in the Atwater Market, Les Douceurs du Marché. It is owned by two men, who are more than helpful when it comes to selecting items from their enormous selection. One wall is devoted to oils and vinegars. My spouse is partial to olive oil from Greece; here you can find some which specify which grove it is from, much like with wines.

Another wall has every kind of sauce and marinade you can imagine from every ethnic group. You can burn your gut with the hottest hot sauces, enjoy every flavour of salad dressing and sample sauces from around the world. Do you need specialty rice? special grains? any kind of tea? I can spend a long time just admiring the variety. And I do buy. Shopping here always comes with conversation, whether about the origins of what you buy or about politics. Shopping here is personal and browsing is encouraged. It's a must stop every time I come to the market.

Today's basket included some gifts, tea and wild rice.

Recycling Woes

Recycling Woes, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I don't like to complain. But.... the city delivered this massive recycling bin and won't pick up recycling from our old smaller containers. Where am I supposed to keep it? My garage is at the bottom of a fairly steep driveway - I actually park my car in front of the house to avoid this steep slippery slope. This was our first really snowy recycling day. I dragged the container up through the snow (it makes a fairly good snowplow) - my aerobic exercise! Then I brought the recycling boxes out from inside the house and emptied them into the bin. As hard as this is on snowy days, it is positively treacherous on icy days. I avoid walking up and down the driveway. I guess I'll be putting out recycling only when the weather is good.

Shivering

Shivering, originally uploaded by susanvg.

One of my neighbours has two of these lions in front of his house. They sit there in all weather but I am sure this fellow would rather be indoors. He looks like he is suffering in the cold weather. He can't even see who might be coming along.

In the summer his friend suffered from vandalism. Some youngsters thought it was a good idea to push it over. These lions are very heavy; my neighbour had to get a small crane to set it back on its pedestal. I don't understand what goes through people's minds when they commit these acts.

Brockville Station

Brockville Station, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I seem to be taking a lot of pictures out of windows lately as I travel from place to place - a quick snap out of the car window when stopped, a view through the house window (so as not to scare the critter being photographed) and through train windows. This photograph had to be touched up to get back its colours.

The train from Toronto to Montreal stopped at Brockville station. The train itself, split in two there, with half continuing on to Ottawa and half to Montreal. I had time to admire this mural through the window. Many years of events are depicted here. It's how I sometimes feel as I get older, seeing the layers of history in one scene. I drive through the city and remember buildings that are no longer there, walk past places from my youth and remember people and events that happened. It's nice to have that fourth dimension to see, for those are our stories.

Watching the Birds

Watching the Birds, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I was at a friend's to play music and she has a well used bird feeder. I delighted in watching the chickadees and others swoop down and fill up. Her bird feeder also attracts others - big, fat, black squirrels. It was fun to watch one in particular who climbed up a bush, the branch swaying like a hammock. He positioned himself so that he could reach over with his front paws, grab a snack, and then return completely to his branch. Each time he reached, his hind quarters went up as the weight on the branch decreased. Once his weight was back he bobbed up and down as he consumed his prize. It seemed to work for him until one back paw lost its grip. Then the acrobatics began as he maneuvered to get a better grip and finally got all four paws on the feeder. Every so often, my friend sends out the squirrel patrol - her very friendly dog, Schubert. The squirrel (at least temporarily) left the feeder to the birds. I wonder if he knew he had been the source of great amusement.

Toronto Buildings

Toronto Buildings, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I go to Toronto a few times a year and each time I am astounded by the number of tall buildings. Montreal is not a small city (over 3.5 million in the Greater Montreal area) but because of our "mountain" there is a limit on the height of buildings. Toronto seems to like to build high. Across from our hotel they are building a 50 story condominium. Not only is the height sky high, but the prices are too. Toronto is a business city. Montreal is a little more laid back.

Snowy Trees

Snowy Trees, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The holiday decorations I like the best are those that Mother Nature adds. The snow on the trees brightens up the city. The frost on the windows - a magical garden is revealed. The sun adds diamonds to the snowy landscape. November is dreary with its greyness. Once the snow appears there is a sparkle adding brightness to the city.