path gone

path gone, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

This used to be a wilderness path on the north side of Prince's Island Park that led to the Bow River. The upper part of the photo is the rushing river. The calmer bottom part used to be the path.

the bog

the bog, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

This used to be a wilderness path on the north side of Prince's Island Park. Recent flooding caused by month long rains and melting mountain snow has pretty much turned the path into a bog. The ducks don't seem to mind, though.

bird watching

bird watching, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

A young robin watches me taking photos of wrens at breakfast. It would seem the birds are as interested in watching me as I am in watching them.

Just bought the Canon 70-300mm lens. Decided to go with Canon because it is a faster camera than Pentax when it comes to action. We'll see. Just noticed that it also has macro capabilities -- 1.5m/4.9ft -- that I didn't anticipate. Hmmm. Bonus!

Oops converted to art

Untitled, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Sometimes oops' can be converted to art.

These goslings were shot overexposed. I forgot to check my camera settings, which were set at manual for dark room light. Still, with a little mid-level adjustment and the addition of Photoshop's poster edge filter, I thought it turned out kinda cool. Might even frame it.

172/366... June 20/12 ... urban Bigfoot

172/366... June 20/12 ... urban Bigfoot, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

On the way to work early Wednesday morning, I spotted these bare footprints in the park. I was about to take a shot when this couple came and stomped through them. I tried to make it look like the foot was sneaking up on them. Still wondering why anyone would run around barefoot at 8:00 am.

urban clearcutting 1

urban clearcutting 1, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Four healthy trees in front of City Hall were cut down, Saturday. When asked, one of the workers said they were requisitioned to cut them down to make a clearer view space.

IMHO... There's something disrespectful about chopping up perfectly healthy trees, for no good reason. I'm still choked about the huge trees they removed last year near the Bow River to make way for the new Riverfront path. Seeing this just made my day.

Carifest 2012 - Parade - grrrr, arrrgh

Carifest 2012 - Parade - grrrr, arrrgh, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

This past weekend (which blew by in a blur), I volunteered with Len to shoot the Carifest Showcase, Parade, and Sunshine Festival. It was a blast, as usual; although the dim lighting situation during the Showcase made getting good photos a challenge with my 50-200mm lens.

Here I'm having fun with some boys dressed as warriors for the Parade.

More photos -- Carifest 2012 -- on Flickr.

155/366... June 3/12... Ride the Road Tour 2012

155/366... June 3/12... Ride the Road Tour 2012, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Police lined up, waiting to guide today's Ride the Road Tour. Aside from a little crash between police bikes, this year's Ride the Road Tour went pretty well.

This was the second Ride the Road Tour that I volunteered for. Unlike the first one, where I got lost and went the wrong way, I actually rode this one. In fact, I had the opportunity to ride a tandem bike!

This year I volunteered my photography skills and met a fellow who was selling his parents' tandem bike. His father was concerned about dumping his wife accidentally, so they decided to get separate bikes. After racing after the North Spoke group, tandem riding seemed like a great idea.

Actually, it was probably a good thing that I wasn't in front of the pack. As the group neared 8th Street and 11th Avenue SW two of the motorcycle escorts crashed into each other. I didn't see the crash, but I saw one bike slide across the lane towards the cyclists. No cyclists were hit, but one was pretty shook up at how close she was to getting hit.
Here's a piece that CBC did on the crash:

I took a bunch of photos and sent them on to the organizers of the road trip. Since I was doing this for them as a volunteer, I don't know if I can post them to my Flickr account. I'll have to ask, I guess.

Still it was a great day. Tomorrow, or maybe Tuesday, my body will remind me how great it was.

CPL 100th Birthday Party @ Central

CPL 100th Birthday Party @ Central, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Sometimes my job is the best, especially when they ask me to take photos of events. Today the Calgary Public Library celebrated its 100th year. This little girl was playing with a balloon while waiting to perform a Pow Wow dance.

Disability on the Move 2012

Disability on the Move 2012 - 4, a photo by Wanderfull1 on Flickr.

Speak Out - Disability on the Move! Friday June 1st, 2012

Dozens of people with disabilities marched to break down barriers this Friday, June 1st, 2012 in an event known as Speak Out: Disability on The Move A festival of movement!

Speak Out is to proclaim June 1st, 2012 the right to move just like everybody else.

Led by Grant Neufeld, demonstrators gathered in Olympic Plaza where they beat on drums, and made a lot of noise proclaiming their rights. They then made their way to the Central Library and listened to speakers in the John Dutton Theatre.

The event actually started at 10:00 am with various theatre groups performing on C-Trains.

For more information visit the Disability Action Hall web site.