Tag Archives: Landscapes

nature, Photography

A Land of Contrasts

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Iceland is traditionally described as a place of fire and ice. And that’s definitely true, but there are so many other stunning variations.

We visited Thingvillir National Park to find forests, barren lands, farms, lakes, geysers, and waterfalls.

Stark, foreboding, bucolic, serene, pretty – all these descriptors apply in breathtakingly beautiful diversity.

The barren lands will suddenly open into a healthy forest growing in the lee of an ancient volcanic crater …

… while farms thrive …

… among the beautiful lakes …

… and hot springs.

More pictures are coming.

Greetings from the land of beautiful diversity.

nature, Photography

Tom Thompson Country

Just south of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, is a hamlet called Bruce Mines.

One of the Group of Seven painters, Tom Thompson, did a painting of it that went on to become quite famous.

At the time, and as you can read above, Thompson had lost a large collection of his work during a canoe upset, but the painting of Bruce Mines almost made up for it.

Bruce Mines is very picturesque, although Thompson’s painting conveys much more ruggedness and struggle.

Presently, it’s a lovely lakeside hamlet that’s more about pleasure boating and swimming rather than the hard work that it took to live there in the early 20th century.

I will soon be travelling to Iceland and as a result will be temporarily closing comments here, but I’ll still be checking in on your posts. Cheers.

nature, Photography

Mindemoya Lake

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We very much enjoyed our rambles around Manitoulin Island where we discovered beautifully clear, lovely lakes.

Walking along on well-worn footpaths near the lake was delightful. It was wonderful to be able to admire the water quality, the birds and the utter tranquility.

We experienced a few black flies but there was a light breeze that kept them down on that day!

Happy Friday.

nature, Photography

Big Lake, Manitoulin Island

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We stopped to wander around Big Lake, which is on Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, Ontario.

It’s an incredibly lovely, clear lake, popular with campers and boaters. A wide range of water sports such as windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, swimming and paddle boarding are also common but I understand that anything with an engine isn’t allowed, so if you’re in a boat, you’re also getting your arm exercise!

Summer cottages, many of which can be rented, dot the lake’s beaches.

We had a lovely ramble around the water’s edge and saw this mother loon with eight very little ones!

The birch trees were wearing their new pea green leaves and we enjoyed walking inside their canopy. We encountered a few blackflies but nothing much, really. At a stop the next day they were terrible, but that’s another story!

Happy Thursday.

nature, Photography

Tobermory

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We drove from Markham (near Toronto) to Tobermory for our ferry trip across the mouth of Georgian Bay (off Lake Huron) to Manitoulin Island.

We had a restful evening at a very comfortable inn before our early morning departure. The ferry was in port in preparation for the next day.

After our evening meal and walk back to the inn, the sun began to go down.

The next morning dawned chilly but calm.

We passed the light house as we departed for our two-hour ferry ride to Manitoulin Island.

After a very smooth crossing, we continued our road trip, stopping often for rambles and photos.

Happy Wednesday.

Reblogs

#ScenicSaturday18th May 2024:

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This continuing series of posts depicts our beautiful world, encouraging viewers to share them and help save our unique home from human carelessness …

#ScenicSaturday18th May 2024:

A beautiful photo of the Greek island of Skiathos, courtesy of Stuart Aken. Please click the link above to read more about this island and to see more of Stuart’s beautiful photography.