Some of you may have noticed that I have not been keeping up with the daily posts for the A-Z challenge. It's time to reveal the reason: I lost my sister-in-law nearly two-weeks ago. In Memoriam of Janette Gaboury I managed to make some posts afterwards, but supporting my grieving brother and family take priority, as well it should. I will try to make some more entries, but I am not at home very often right now and between work and running out to my brother's place, I don't know how much time I will have. Thank you all for understanding. Jeff Gaboury
Posts
A-Z Challenge 2025 O is for Oriole I was very excited to get this shot. Capturing the bird at a perfect moment, just before it lands, through all of the branches and foliage, this shot was extremely challenging. Of course, many photographers would complain about all of the distracting branches and some of them would point out the powerful new AI tools that could remove the branches in front of the bird. But I'm on the fence about such technologies. This photo's imperfections are a part of what makes it "perfect" for me. The beauty of the bird and the moment, captured under difficult auto-focusing conditions is part of what makes this image so very special to me. I have other, clear photos of Baltimore orioles that where the bird is unobstructed and clear and there were fewer challenges for me, or for the camera. But this one still stands as my favouriite oriole photo and I'm not sure it will ever be surpassed.
A-Z Challenge, 2025 N is for Night Shot There is something comforting about being out at night, camera on the tripod, planning out how you want to plan out the shot and what you need to do to achieve your vision. It's a challenge, but a fun one. It can be a bit eerie though. You're alone, in the generally "less inhabited" parts of the park, or at least they are late at night. And you are in bear country. You reassure yourself that bears rarely attack people, but those reassurances are a little less compelling when you're alone on a beach, fiddling with your camera and wondering "is there anything behind me?" But the rewards are worth it!
West Point Lighthouse on PEI A-Z Challenge 2025 L is for Lighthouse Lighthouses are a feature of coastal waters, iconic structures that have served as beacons of safety and navigation for humanity since ancient times. The lighthouses of P.E.I are particularly emblematic of the island community, contributing to both the history and the charm of this amazing province. The "business end" of the lighthouse. There are plenty of lighthouses in Ontario, including a number that are local to me, but I'd never actually been able to go up to the top of one, until my 2019 visit to my sister in PEI!
A-Z Challenge 2025 K is for Kingfisher Alas, I cannot find a better photo than this one. Kingfishers are elusive and shy birds and very challenging to approach. Still, I'm rather proud of this one, caught in mid-dive. It was too far away for the level of detail I'd like and this pre-dates my getting a camera that's specifically designed for fast moving subjects - and I was very new to this. One day I will get a better picture of one of these beautiful and speedy little guys!
A-Z Challenge 2025 J is for Jay Blue Jays are the most common of the jays, at least here in Ontario. Their striking colouration makes them very attractive birds and they are quite tolerant of humans, so they are readily seen and photographed. Note, I missed yesterday's post. I cannot get into the reason for that yet, but I will at some point.
A-Z Challenge 2025 H is for Halifax One of Canada's oldest cities, Halifax is a fascinating place and I'd love to get back to it and explore it in detail. Rich with history and filled with fascinating buildings and locations, the short visit I had there last April just filled me with more desire to make it back, to take more photos and experience it in detail. A lovely city!
Fort George A-Z Challenge 2025 F is for Fort. There are two historic Forts in the Niagara Region, that both date from the War of 1812. Old Fort George is in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario and Old Fort Erie is in the town of Fort Erie. Both forts were destroyed in the war, with Fort George being destroyed by artillery fire in a night bombardment from Lewiston NY, early in the war and Fort Erie being blown up by the retreating Americans in 1814. Both forts were reconstructed as historical sites in the 20th Century and both are open to the public. There are many events held at both forts during the Summer, with Fort Erie hosting the really big "Siege of Fort Erie" battle re-enactment in August that I featured on Saturday in my "E is for Explosion" post. Old Fort Erie - Re-enactment Both forts also feature Ghost Tours at night. I still haven't been to the one in Fort Erie, which is something...
A-Z Challenge 2025 E is for Explosion!!!! Every year the reenactiment of the Siege of Fort Erie, at Old Fort Erie Ontario, culminates with an pyrotechnic explosion that simulates the real event that ended the siege, during the War of 1812. They really went ALL OUT for the 2013 event, celebrating the bicentennial of the historical event! There were other photographers there, so there may be other captures of this even, from a slightly different angle from mine. I'm VERY PLEASED with this image! This event is held annually and includes Canadian reenactors posing as British infantry and Canadian Militia, with Indigenous reenactors recreating the role of the Indigenous warriors in the battle, with American reenactors playing the part of the American troops, who'd captured the fort. This event is staged annually (it ceased during COVID for all the obvious reasons) and it's well worth seeing and experiencing.
A-Z Challenge 2025 D is for Dog. Maggie was a yellow lab, my brother Dave's and his wife Janette's dog. She had so much personality and she was a warm and wonderful companion on our family camping trips. Maggie's "sister" in my brother's family, was Winnie, or as I called her "My Travel Buddy". During the camping trip of 2005, (eight years before these photos were taken) when Winnie was still a young dog, I injured my knee rather badly in a hiking accident. As a result, I was unable to drive myself, so I rode in the back seat of Dave's truck with Winnie on this trip. She seemed to sense my injured leg and she was very careful to avoid it (everywhere else on my body was "fair game" for her paws, however! LOL). The bond I formed with her was extremely strong on that trip and I feel a deep pang looking at her pictures now, old and grizzled. Her and Maggie were best pals. And back when Birgit and I were married, we had...
A-Z Challenge 2025 C is for Cardinal. Cardinals are beautiful birds and exciting creatures to photograph. In the Spring, the males become very territorial and will defend their "turf" from all rivals. Here one is attacking his most detested and most bitter nemesis - his own reflection in the window of my brother's motorhome. My brother and I had wildly differing opinions on this turn of events! LOL
A-Z Challenge 2025 B is for Bear! I was in Algonquin Provincial Park in September, 2014 when we were treated to two female black bears, each with two cubs. They were in a blueberry patch and stocking up for Winter. One of the adults was chill and used to people, but this young mother was raising her first two cubs and she was a good deal more..."nervous". It did result in some spectacular poses though, although this "stare down" moment was a trifle unnerving! Note, I am no where NEAR the bear. This is taken with a powerful telephoto lens and also cropped! The cubs were adorably cute!
A-Z Challenge 2025 Well, I cannot seem to join the official A-Z challenge. I can't find the option to sign up. But I'll just do my own. A is for Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario Canada. This park, established in 1893 is 7653 square km in area - a HUGE space. It offers, car camping in multiple "campgrounds" within the park, along a long stretch of highway that runs East/West across the "narrow" end of the park. The larger part of the park is the "interior", where hardier folk can canoe deep into the wilderness. Teeming with wildlife, including moose, black bears, wolves and many types of bird, Algonquin is a nature lover's dream come true.