Project365 128: Sakura Photo Walk - A return to High Park

Ashok and I returned to High Park for a sun rise photo walk. We wanted to get some good images of the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) which were at their peak. We had a good day and left as the crowds were beginning to build. Below are my picks with my favourite being "Sakura II". These Cherry trees were a gift from Japan.

(Facebook viewers, might like to follow the link to the original post to see the images in a larger format.)


Sakura I
1/80 f/8 ISO 400 EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ 105 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

The next picture is my top pick from the day. I really like the golden hues as a background. Right at sun rise time the blossoms are still shaded in blue as the trees as in a valley. About 60 minutes after sun rise (according to the book) is when the sunlight hits the blossoms. In this case the blossoms are some what shaded still, but the opposite shore of Grenadier Pond is getting the sun light.


Sakura II
1/250 f/8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 195 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Sakura III
1/80 f/8 ISO 400 EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ 105 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Sakura IV
1/250 f/4.5 ISO 125 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

Sakura V is an example of the warm sun light hitting some blossoms, while others are still in blue shade.


Sakura V
1/320 f/5.6 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 145 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Sakura VI
1/100 f/32 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 190 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Sakura VII
1/80 f/32 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 190 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

This took some patience as they were numerous tourists by the time I took this shot. I had to wait until they walked behind the trunks.


Cherry Trees
1/160 f/5.6 ISO 640 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 110 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Willow
1/250 f/8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Male Wood Duck
1/400 f/8 ISO 500 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 380 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Female Wood Duck
1/100 f/8 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 190 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Wood Duck Pair
1/80 f/8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 385 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Wood Ducks on the Look Out
1/80 f/8 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 380 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

We walked past this goose several times - always with one foot off the ground. I don't study Yoga, but it looks like there are poses named after geese.


Yoga Goose
1/250 f/4.5 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 185 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Cormorant
1/200 f/8 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 385 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


Duck
1/200 f/8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 140 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

Another golden hued image I love. Have you ever heard a swan fly - those massive wings make quite a thump-thump sound, not at all like the flap-flap-flap of a duck.


On Golden Pond
1/80 f/8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 380 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario


A Nest for Two
1/1250 f/8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 380 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

Anybody name this one?


Untitled
1/400 f/8 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 375 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

Time to fly - see you tomorrow.


Goose in Flight
1/1600 f/5.6 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x @ 385 mm Canon EOS 40D
High Park,Toronto,Ontario

Project365 127: Maple Tree Blossom

A busy weekend so catching up on my postings.


Maple Tree Blossom
1/3200 f/2.8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 90 mm Canon EOS 40D
Ontario

Project365 126: Street Tableau

My first thought when I set out on a rainy day was to find a sea of multi-coloured umbrellas or maybe one umbrella that stood out from a crowd. Although I did get a few images that came close to my vision, this image was my ultimate choice because of the contrasts; the jogger trying to stay limber while waiting for the light, people trying to stay dry while out for a walk, and the street person huddled under his sleeping bag.

They say you should only post your best work on the web, and this image has at least one serious technical flaw. The focus point is in the middle of the road. If I had a chance to re-shoot I think I would focus on the Tim Horton's cup.


Street Tableau
1/500 f/2.8 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 200 mm Canon EOS 40D
Wellington and Bay,Toronto,Ontario

Framing was done in Lr.

Project365 125: Double Dutch

 When I saw this patch of tulips and Dafodils the other day, I knew I wanted to feature them. I also thought they would make a good subject for a dutch tilt. Since tulips come from Holland as well, then the double dutch title seemed right to me.

The water color effect was made with Topaz Simplify.


Double Dutch
1/500 f/10 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 73 mm Canon EOS 40D
York and Adelaide,Toronto,Ontario

Also a sign of Spring - people out on their bikes!


Big Bike
1/125 f/13 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 70 mm Canon EOS 40D
York and Adelaide,Toronto,Ontario

Project365 124: Sir William Campbell House Garden

I have no idea what kind of flower this is; anybody care to identify it? A lovely day for a lunch time walk - lots of flowers to choose from.

A special greeting to Sam from Sick Kids who was also out for a photo walk. Check out his work on flickr .


Sir William Campbell House Garden
1/1250 f/5 ISO 400 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 73 mm Canon EOS 40D
160 Queen Street West,Toronto,Ontario

Project365 123: Ready and Waiting

Spring time in Toronto is not all Blossoms and Birds. There are cool rainy days and maybe even the odd freak day of snow. Even the weatherman can't promise too much about the future.

When I looked out my office window I instantly saw the image waiting to be capture here. I spent more time debating with myself about colour versus black and white. Obviously I choose the later. I did so because I thought it better fit the rainy day and allowed the abstraction of line, shape and pattern to be the more emphasized.


Ready and Waiting
1/100 f/7.1 ISO 800 EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 73 mm Canon EOS 40D
Royal Bank Plaza,Toronto,Ontario