Sunday morning -- I awoke around 7am, later than usual. Stumbled downstairs to make coffee. Even on work days this is the first priority. I sipped it, waiting for the fog to clear, which it didn't. Gradually I realized that the fog was outside. I hadn't planned to do a photoshoot in the harbour this morning, but fog is too good to pass up. I skipped breakfast, skipped getting the guinea pig out, grabbed my peashooter (Canon S45), extra battery, umbrella, health card, and some coins for Starbucks, then headed out the door.
By the time I walked as far as the railway tracks that separate my immediate neighbourhood from the harbour area I could tell by the smell in the air that the fog was going to stay for awhile.
GO Train Station in Fog
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)The sky was brooding. At any moment it might unleash a rainstorm. I scooted to the harbour and was pleased to see the fog was hanging over the river. My first good shot was of the trees at the Port Credit Library park, just beside the harbour.
Fog, Library Park
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)The lighthouse was, as I had hoped, shrouded in fog and in the moist air the light was leaving tracers. I played my usual 'wait for the beacon to turn this way' game. It's easier to do with an SLR or a rangefinder. The LCD panel doesn't allow the same anticipation for the critical moment.
Lighthouse & Fog
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)The harbour itself was photogenic but I wish boats were moored in the docks. It's too early for charter fishing. One of my better harbour views was this one taken on the west bank over the charter-fishing docks.
Fog in the Harbour
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)It started raining and had the look of an impending downpour, so I ducked into the local Starbucks and cuddled around a Tall Bold and a Double Chocolate Croissant -- photographers' soul food.
Starbucks
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)And pour it did. I reviewed what I had taken so far and was satisfied I had some good fog images. The rain drove off the fog. When it abated, the sky had darkened considerably and there were some lightning flashes. I headed up the west side of the river through a chainlink fence that had been locked all winter. There I got my first closeup shot of one of the old harbour docks.
Old Dock
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)I had previously shot this deteriorating structure from across the river on the east bank. Sensing more rain on the way, I began retracing my steps. Halfway back to the lighthouse, I paused for this shot of the harbour with the silvery light and a lone cormorant too far away to be featured.
Rain in the Harbour
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)At the foot of the lighthouse the rain had left some puddles and I noticed the lighthouse itself reflected in them. One more round of the 'beacon' game, this time as a reflection.
Lighthouse Reflection
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)Then down across the bridge into the village of Port Credit.
Port Credit
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)And finally almost home, passing through the GO Station as the ominous clouds built up.
Lights & Storm Clouds
(click on image for a larger, sharper view)Home at last, and I thought I was ready to relax when I noticed the DVD rental sitting on my placemat. I had to get the DVD to Blockbuster before 10am to avoid paying a fine. Looked at the kitchen clock: 9:50. Grabbed the DVD, scooted down the street, dropped it in the chute, walked back home, fed the guinea pig, said 'good morning' to Marion, and downloaded my images.
(18-Apr-2004, Revised 17-June-2004)
www.NorthernJourney.com -- gene@wilburn.ca