Watching Boats

When my sons were small, we spent many hours on the edge of construction sites, watching the work in progress. 
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They never seemed to tire of dusty 
dump trucks and lean, lofty cranes that dwarfed all alongside them.

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While I think they have mostly gotten over their fascination with heavy machinery, I'm not sure my husband has. For yesterday's outing, he suggested a trip to North Vancouver's  Lonsdale Quay, a bit of a distance from our Surrey home. As drives are what we do, I happily agreed.

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He had been intrigued by a photo in the weekend paper of a massive ship-transporting vessel heading out to a scrap yard in China. This ship is, incredibly, loaded with a full-size log barge, an equally huge log ship and eight old tugs perched on top of those.

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The Development Way will take 25 days getting to China, where it will then lower a floating deck under the water and lift the ships up to release them in place. Wouldn't that be a process to watch?

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We were thoroughly intrigued when the tide eventually pulled the ship around to let us see the full scale of how wide this load really is.

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Of course, I took many  pictures of the waterfront, having a

personal fondness  for shiny red tugs and orange container cranes.

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 I was pleased to be able to include cormorants in some photos, since I see them infrequently, as well as our well-known Convention Centre  and ever-present ferries and freighters.

Since my eye is drawn more to details than the big picture, the fountains, murals and mosaic floors of the market competed for my camera time. 

Even the clean lines of the inner building seemed lovely to me.

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Alas...my eternal quest for the perfect seagull picture

 came no closer as I got this fellow on our way out

...one day I'll be satisfied with a shot!

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My World Tuesday

Life in our West Coast rainforest means that many birds stay all year round to enjoy the temperate climate, a definite boon for those of us who delight in their daily visits.

Chickadees, wrens and finches abound, chased away only briefly by the appearance of the loud and bossy Steller's Jay.

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I am posting these photos as my first entry into My World Tuesday, graciously hosted by Klaus, Sandy, Wren and Sylvia.

For a glimpse into other corners of the world, do stop by and visit at the following link...

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http://www.showyourworld.blogspot.com/

More Weird Water!

As is normal in the Fall, Vancouver has turned gray, damp and cold. Sunday afternoon found us taking a chilly walk through Surrey's Serpentine Fen.

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Because I was unimpressed with the photos I got, I thought to flip a few and see what happened.

Above at left is the original shot, taken across the river. When I turn it upside down, the sky seems to shimmer with light.

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Mallard Ducks were

lazily swimming up the Serpentine River.

Turning the picture upside down gives me a mirror image of the ducks.

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The Fen is a waterfowl sanctuary, so there are many birds to be seen. Several viewing towers around the property allow one an overview of the area.

The watchtower takes on a whole new look when reflected in the water.

Great Blue Heron,
original photo at far left.

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This top photo is the flip side of the one below it. I like the ghostly look of the trees, as if a heavy fog was rolling in.












The sun showed itself briefly, and lent colour to the day. I quickly snapped a few photos of stunted posts in the river.

The surreal effect created when flipping this shot over creates confusion...one cannot be sure what one is actually looking at...



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To see more water, click on the link below...I know you'll be glad you did!
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http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

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For Weekend Reflections on Friday, click on this link:
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http://newtondailyphoto.blogspot.com/
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Serendipitous Friday

In art, as in life, serendipity often plays a part...

On a prowl through local thrift shops last Friday, I came across a chunky picture frame. It had no glass, but was the colour of fresh cream, and was beautifully and intricately carved. At the price of two dollars, I considered it a bargain. In the next shop I visited, only a small bag of sphagnum moss caught my eye. As it was just ninety-nine cents, I decided to buy it, though I had no plan in mind to use it.

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I’ve developed a passion for chubby brown birds, so upon finding this lovely girl in a third store, I was quick to pay the dollar she cost, and nestled her into my carry bag with the frame and the moss. The beginnings of an idea began to form in my head…

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Since it seemed a meager day for treasure hunting, I headed home, stopping by a little nursery on the way just to have a peek.
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As I went by the counters, my eye caught sight of this adorable baby. Instantly, I knew I had a project! At four ninety-eight the tiny bird was more than my other three purchases of the day combined, but worth every penny.
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Once home, I gathered up coordinating paper to cover the edges and insides of the frame. A seedpod picked up from under my neighbour’s Japanese maple tree, and my standby matte medium were all I needed after that.

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In no time at all, this shadowbox came together. To finish it off, I wrote ‘fly’ in scrabble tiles over my little family, demonstrating the compelling mix of pride and sadness we all feel when it’s time for our own little ones to leave the nest!
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My nine dollars spent gave me a fun project to make, and brings a smile to my face each time I pass it.

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It is also a good reminder that not only do children have to fly; we momma birds must also spread our wings and soar as high as our imagination can possibly take us…
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Summer Cloche Party!

When Marty from ‘A Stroll Thru Life’ posted an invitation to her cloche party, I leaped right in and accepted! It did cross my mind that I have never done cloches, save for a terrarium in the seventies. No matter…I challenged myself to use one vessel in several different ways, and draw from only what I had on hand. Please let me know what you think….

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The first thing I brought out was an owl my husband bought for me when we were first married over forty years ago. I'm ashamed to admit it's been closed up in a china cabinet since then, so it was well past liberation time ! Because it reminds me of Harry Potter's Hedwig, I have added a few old books and a ring of ancient keys to set it in times past.

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This charming figurine cost me a dollar at the thrift store. She has a small hole the size of a nickel on her base, and slots in her dress. There are no other openings, so it’s not clear what purpose she originally served. I’ve placed her under glass to underline that women are often held up to a higher standard…are still compartmentalized and frequently experience exclusion.

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As I was photographing the white lady, I glanced over at this trio of small pictures. I am very fond of each of them…it seemed a natural step to group them together. On the right is, of course Jan Vermeer’s ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’. To the left is ‘Portrait of Harriet Maconochie’ by Scottish painter William Dyce. For the painting in the jar, I have only the name, ‘Fabiola’ written on the back. I have not been able to identify its painter and would love it if anyone has information to share with me.

The outdoors beckoned and since Marty had said birdcages would be perfectly lovely to use, I plopped a couple of my favourite birds into this vintage gem. I almost left this cage in the shop because they wanted five dollars for it years ago. So glad I got over that notion!

Naturally, the other birds wanted their share in the limelight so I put them under glass, (briefly) and they were quite happy to pose for me!

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And finally, as I had just purchased a colourful candle and holder, I quickly inverted the jar onto a pretty saucer for the last shot of the afternoon.

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I enjoyed this immensely, and may even have found a new hobby. I’m now eyeing everything in terms of how it would look under glass!

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An especially big thank you goes to Marty for this brilliant event! She can take a cloche and turn it into a splendid work of art. Click on the link below and you’ll see for yourself! Have fun checking out all the partygoers…

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/
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A Studio Picture A Day In May (Wk.3)

May 15th:

Buttons, baskets, boxes and
tape...all essential to the

well-stocked studio!

May 16th:

Glass jars full of ribbon

and lace wait patiently

for me to get to them.

May 17th:

The only thing my
studio does not have
in abundance
is space.

May 18th:

I believe there is
a little magic to
be found in my
storybook tins...



May 19th:

Postcards, Bizarro and
my collection of crosses
gleaned from many
thrift store trips.




May 20th: Sometimes, simple is best...

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May 21st:

Another typewriter, and
two chubby birds
nesting on old
school primers.