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Earth Day Tribute: 4 seasons in Gatineau Park

Anita Mac — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:57:51 +0000

April 22nd is Earth Day. We all benefit for the natural beauty of our environment, no matter where in the world we live, travel or play!

For me, Gatineau Park is a 12 month of the year treasure. Found just outside of Ottawa, you will find me hiking, kayaking, cycling, skiing, snow shoeing….the list goes on! Regardless of season, the Park is there to enjoy, to protect and to sustain for the future! Gaylord Nelson once said: the wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans….and biodiversity…that is all there is. That’s the whole economy. I agree…it is the biological systems that are sustaining the wealth of the world…and for that, I am grateful!

Below is my photo tribute to Earth Day and Gatineau Park…may it long be sustained, protected and there to enjoy.

Early winter hiking in the Park (for more photos from hiking in the park: A Walk in the Woods: Gatineau Park)

Cross Country skiing in the Park (for more photos and essays from the park: Postcard from Gatineau Park: cross country skiing, Waiting for the snow to fall, Winter Water)

Kayaking in the Park, whether on Meech Lake or out at Lac La Peche, it is so peaceful and pristine out there! I am still discovering new places to go – there is so much to explore! (More kayaking experiences from Gatineau Park: Live The Photo: Lac La Peche, Kayak Camping Adventures in Lac La Peche, Found Time, Ducks on the water)

Gatineau Park also hosts a variety of competitions…there are the bike races and triathlons in summer, ski and snow shoe races in winter! Loads to do. Once the snow has melted, any day of the week, you will find groups of people cycling in the park. Ottawa is home to a very competitive group of road cyclists, as well as mountain bikers and recreational riders. Sunday Bike Days mean that the roads are closed to cars one day a week. The photo below is from the Women’s UCI Race – professional women cyclists from around the world come to compete in this event…it is an honour to host them every year! (Related links: Le Grand Prix Cycliste de Gatineau: UCI 1.1 Women’s Road Race, Le Grand Prix Cyclist de Gatineau – Women’s Racing at its finest)

And of course, Gatineau Park is known for the amazing fall colours as people come from all around the world to appreciate the explosion of colours as our trees light up the landscape!

Happy Earth Day! Thank you Gatineau Park!

Photo Essay: deserted railway bridge across the Ottawa River

Anita Mac — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:54:13 +0000

The sense of adventure extends to the world for me, but there are days where I like to explore my own backyard! Camera bag in hand, I set off along the Ottawa River with no idea what my theme for the day would be. Then, I found a hole in the fence and the world of the old train bridge opened before my eyes!

I am sure this was once a very busy track, but now it lays dormant, frequented by people out walking and running rather than trains.

Playing with depth of field and details in the structure.

The graffiti artists have not missed this bridge. I love the close up shot…the rusting metal, peeling paint and the simple details of the rivets in the girders.

It was a perfect day to be out…the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and after so many cold and windy days, there was no wind! The water was so calm…I love this shot of the melting ice, water and Parliament Hill off in the distance.

Related Links – photos in and around Ottawa:

A walk in the woods
Colours of Winterlude
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Yellow Pomonette (Tulip Festival)
A Day on Foot: walking Ottawa’s greenbelt

Time: Travel themed photos

Anita Mac — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:57:36 +0000

Time waits for no one and this week…I find myself late to participate in Where’s My Backpack’s travel theme: time!

And of course…a very famous clock from Prague – the Astronomical Clock. Tourists gather on the hour to watch the display.

A little closer to home – the Peace Tower clock at the top of Canada’s Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Happy travels…may time always be on your side!

Circles and Curves Photo Challenge

Anita Mac — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:58:31 +0000

Once again, I am finding inspiration from Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. This week’s theme: Circles and Curves.

Right now, I have a huge focus on going through the hundreds of photos from living my New Orlean’s Bucket List.

I was there for St Patrick’s Day, so you can only imagine the craziness! Parades of green day and night and many different shapes! Love the green circle sunglasses that were sprouting up everywhere! (Oops…those aren’t circles!)

Hard to miss the circles in the marching bands from the many parades or the musical instruments from the jazz performers that were everywhere! Check out the reflection…love this shot!

A trip to New Orleans is not complete without a visit to the historical and famous Lafayette Cemetery…

For part of my stay, I stayed at the Wyndham hotel on Baronne St. Loved the shapes….circles and curves would you say?

While at the hotel, there was a body painting convention…here we have circular pots of colour!

Starting to build up my Pinterest and Instagram portfolios. Click on the links to check them out and follow along in the photography and travel fun!

Nottoway Plantation in bloom

Anita Mac — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:08:35 +0000

When putting together my bucket list for New Orleans, I was told I had to add a plantation tour by many people. What could I do – I had to go! I was not disappointed – the plantation was fascinating. So much history behind the walls of the mansion. If you go – I highly recommend spending the night to soak it all in and have time to really appreciate all that the plantation has on offer. I wrote about stepping into old world charm at the Nottoway Plantation. I am sure you will agree – it is worth the drive to see these magnificent homes!

While I was there – the gardens were ablaze with colour – it was a sight to enjoy! Love how the vibrant flowers contrast with the white mansion.

The trees were loaded with blooms.

Up close and personal with the blooms.

I just can’t get enough of the colour!

Down by the pool…

A lovely spot to stop and reflect.

Love the vibrant colours. The property was stunning. Had a lot of fun photographing the flowers – just screaming of spring!

A Word A Week: Hats

Anita Mac — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 14:22:41 +0000

This week, the “A Word A Week” photo challenge is Hat. Keeping in line with my focus on travel – a collection of ceremonial hats from around the world + 1!

Ottawa – A reflection of Canada’s British heritage, Ottawa’s ceremonial changing of the guard draws big crowds every summer. (Related link: Canada Day on Parliament Hill)

London – This photo was taken on the Beefeater tour of the Tower of London (Related link: Walking London’s South Bank)

Prague – The changing of the guard in front of Prague Castle.

+1 I just couldn’t resist! Random hat in Prague!

If you would like to participate in the the word a week photo challenge, check out A Word In Your Ear for the weekly topic.

Trees of Barcelona – #FriFotos

Anita Mac — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:55:44 +0000

This week’s FriFotos topic…trees! With spring just around the corner…a little tree-inspiration from Barcelona!

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Red

Anita Mac — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:07:06 +0000

I am torn. Is my favourite colour red or blue? Regardless…it was easy to select a handful of photos featuring the brilliant colour Red in Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge!

Red…the colour of passion, a symbol of love! Love lock photo taken in Rome (Link: Do We Really Have To Say Goodbye? Love Locks Rome)

The ceremonial changing of the guard, Ottawa, Canada (Link: Canada Day on Parliament Hill)

The classic London telephone box.

Red tractors at the Carp Fair, just outside of Ottawa (Related Link: Carp Fair: 148 Years and going strong)

Que sera, sera….leaving the Snow Village in Montreal. (Related link: The Night I Slept in an Ice Hotel)

Red…such a vibrant and passionate colour!

A day at the InterContinental Montreal

Anita Mac — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:38:53 +0000

While writing about unique winter experiences in Montreal, I stayed at the Montreal InterContinental Hotel. After checking in, I was let loose in the hotel with my camera….needless to say, I had a little fun.

Loved the mirror in the Sarah B Bar…funky and fun reflections of the bar.

Shadows: #FriFotos

Anita Mac — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 23:33:55 +0000

Today’s FriFhotos theme is Shadows. Here are a few shadows from home and from my travels!

Walking on the Camino de Santiago (photo from You Are Never Alone on the Camino de Sanitago):

Cycling at home – self portrait in the shadow:

Bikes hidden in the shadows, Zadar, Croatia:

Happy Friday!