I confess that these images are from the archives but it is very much what it looks like out there right now. I will venture out later but as we woke up to -20° Celsius I’m waiting for the mercury to rise a little. Enjoy the last few days of 2011!
All images © Karen McRae
life
It’s A Wrap
Well Christmas is all wrapped up for this year. And it snowed! It snowed most of the day on the 25th and it was beautiful. Today we managed to even get out for a short ski and more snow is on the way later this week.
It actually feels like Winter now.
A few days before the snow fell I came across these wrapped trees along the highway. I found them a little haunting in their figure-like resemblance. The way they are mysteriously cloaked and how they gently bend. The way they are lined up in rows like… like what?… an audience for the passing cars?
They are whispering amongst themselves.
All images © Karen McRae
Gifts
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with grace, peace and love. Thank you to all the inspiring people out there for sharing such amazing creativity. It is truly a gift you are giving. xo
Nature’s Gift-wrap
Everything was sparkling this morning after several hours of freezing rain yesterday encased our little part of the world. Once the sun made an appearance it was as if the air was crackling with electricity. The continual pops and cracks of ice breaking, falling and dripping from the trees onto the glass encrusted surfaces below. Gentle explosions releasing everything from natures fleeting gift-wrap. A winter wonderland… without snow …still waiting…
All images © Karen McRae
Compositions
There is something about a square format for photography and art that really appeals to me. I often work on a square canvas and can spend hours editing compositions. In fact I have a hard time going anywhere without looking at everything as a potential composition. This can be a bit of a challenge when driving but it’s just the way I think, I’m very visual. The more time I spend drawing, painting and making photographs the more I think about these details. I can’t stop looking.
All images © Karen McRae
Grey is the New White…
rain is the new snow and warm is the new cold. Truly is doesn’t feel like winter when it’s 10° Celsius and you can walk around without a hat or gloves. Not a trace of snow. December, is this really you? I realize it could all change quickly but winter has been moving in at a snail’s pace.
All images © Karen McRae
Snail’s Pace
A Haiku
by Issa 1801
at my feet
when did you get here?
snail
Found just under the surface, before the winter.
© Karen McRae
Turtle Love, Leeches and Chance Encounters
Yesterdays post made me think of a chance encounter with some turtles a few years ago in the late fall. It was near the same spot I was taking pictures at yesterday. There are times where you’re in the right place at the right time to experience something you might other wise never see. In this case it was turtle sex. Big snapping turtles. Amazing creatures that look all prehistoric and ooze coolness.
The pictures aren’t great and I was wishing at the time I had my polarizing filter on to cut down on the reflections, but I didn’t. A polarizing filter can, at times, make a world of difference to your images, this was one of those times… She says regretfully…
The male was on top of the female at first (I think!) and that’s her foot sticking up in the air.
When I looked at the images later I was astonished to see all the leeches that were covering the turtles legs. I didn’t notice them when I was taking the pictures. Initially the turtles didn’t notice me but when they did they broke apart and the female quickly buried herself in the mud.
And the male stalked right up to me near the shore and gave me the evil eye. I can kind of understand his disappointment. Sorry bud…
All images © Karen McRae
A Favourite Place
I am fortunate to live just a short distance from a world class cross country ski area with over 200 km of ski trails. Gatineau Park in Quebec is a gorgeous hilly park with all levels of cross country skiing, you could never get bored there. Of course it doesn’t look like this just yet, but soon I hope! We spend quite a lot of time there skiing in the winter and a bit of time climbing in the summer. These pictures were taken during a previous ski season. I hope we turn white before the holidays!
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 