FoHat

THis was my first outing this year of using infrared and believe me, its like starting all over again. I made evey mistake I could ,starting by puting on the wrong filter  for the early morning lighting, putting on the filter on in too moist conditions, shooting into the direct path of the sun without a lens hood. while rowing a boat having two different cameras wrapped around my neck, alone on a lake, it was fun, but also a lesson on poor photography. Never the less,  I was able to salvage a few of the photos, these are not the greatest photos but, well, I'll relearn  this art of infrared over again as the year goes on. This trip, even the colored photos did not turn out as I thought they would have. I took over 150 photos and over 1/2 had orbs all over them

 

It happens, once again changing filters in too moist of condition with not taking time to make sure err.  well for the few color photos that did turn out,  they can be seen at my flickr postings    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenrap/     

Ok it isn't really 5 O'Clock, its only 1:ooam but its still late and I really should be asleep. But thoughts fill my head, yet one one speaks to me,

 

 

 

 

guess I'm alone. 

 

 http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/01%20Its%20Five%20OClock.mp3

 

Can you imagine blind, not seeing, what different life would be. I go out and take photos, and am amazed at the wonders i get to see, the colors, shapes, the vastness.I get to see these things, experience them.

 I guess I take this all for granted. I love this gift of sight, to be able to see, and what a true gift it is. I spent some time looking at other peoples photos both on Flickr and live,its nice to see what other people have seen , how they visualise their world around them, and its all good, footsteps in the snow, a dried up flower, a bird, a bridge, these are all things that other people have seen in their lives. And its all magical!But sometimes I feel Blind, not through my eyes, but by what I sometimes do not know. We can all imagine what other people may see or feel or what they were trying to capture in their photos taken. I try to not be blind to other peoples life, but I'm sure at times I am, For the times I am blind... I a sorry.

The last line of this set of songs is " You got the World at your Fingertips, No one can make it better then you" has been running through my head for over 34 from when I first heard it. I can not even tell you over the years how many copies of this album I have owned, many.I believe the music of of "The Twelve dreams of  Dr. Sardonicus" has play a major part in my life. Life is a trip that we are all on, and yes only you can make it better. Each morning when I wake up, Life has just begun, Iwant to experience it ,I want to see the mountains rise, I want to see them touch the skys. ok enough is enough, this album is a work of art, it inspires, these three tunes are the last 3 of the album, give them a good listen and close your eye and wander.    

Tried getting out to Hicks Lake this last weekend but the road was still snowed in for the last bit so parked along the side and walked in. was about 1/2 mile walk to the park gate, then walked around the south end of the lake. Very nice looking area, but didn't have enough time to look the area over well as it started to rain hard. Driving back down, took a photo of the road ( after I had almost made it back to snowless roads) but believe me,  the snow was higher the other way  he he. Stopped at a small pond on the way down, took a few photos then tried going to Deer lake, but once again snow was too deep as I got with in a mile of the park. Give it a few more weeks and these roads up in Sasquatch Provincial Park will snow free and I can get out and explore thise area better. Stopped at Harrison lake for a few minutes, seen some geese so took a few more photos, at this point it was rain very hard.Ok time to get some more work done, going to play some Canadain Musis for you all, some East Coast Blues by the Name of Matt Minglewood hope ya enjoy.  http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/Track04.mp3 

Todd Rundgren has always amused me even going back to his Nazz days. The Man is a True Wizzard, be it a ballard or a rocker, in my books this guy can do no wrong. on the weekend I was playing his "Healing " CD and I got to say, I surely did feel much better after listening, and you got to smile after listening to "Golden Goose", maybe a little corny, but so true because we all want a egg from the golden goose! don't tell me you don't  . Went to a few places this weekend, got a car that had 3/4 tank of 2 year old gas in it so tried burning it out he he. One of the places I went to was behind the old town of Kilby, on a previous vist had noticed an old building in the forest south of the town and was able to figure out how to get within walking distance of it. Was worth the effort, looked around a bit but the area was really overgrown. After, went up the Can Forest RD but the road was washed out heavy, water flowing rapidly over a large section of the road. Strange being in a mountain valley with snow 2 feet high  and very little area for turning around, I could hear the water rushing long before I got to the area of the washout, was more interested of getting out of the area then taking any photos so drove back a few k  then got out and walked around at a safe distance.Sunday went to Lighthouse park in West Vancouver, posted a few photos of that on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenrap/   Beautiful weather, Finally, may there be many more.Anyways its late and I should be sleeping, give a listen to Todd and tell me what you think of his music  http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/Todd%20Rundgren%20Golden%20Goose%20Shine.mp3

With all the large amounts of snow in the mountains there some major road closes due to avalanches so I stayed in the Valley for the weekend. Ok Ok do you really think avalanches would stop me, I just didn't have lots of gas money to spare.Ened up going to Kanaka Creek Regional Park and walked for a few hours. It was a rainy, foggy day when I first got there, and slowly burned off a little after a bit. Nice park, easy walking some walking along the river, some walking inland.More Rain heading this way for the beginning of the week fun fun fun,  but what can ya do. Speaking of rain, here is some Chilliwack To listen to    http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/06%20-%20Rain-O.mp3

 

Was going through my photo albums and had some RAW photos that I had no way of opening till this last week so I thought I would

share. haven't taken many Raw photos as had no software to deal with them, so was mainly taking jpeg. The raw files are neat, theysurehold up the photos better, now will need more camera memory to use it he he. Was up in manning Park on the weekend and man is there a lot of snow there. I was taking some photos of an old cabin that was bearly visible because of the snow when this huge Raven flew over and landed at the top of a tree. This bird amazed me, the sounds that it could make, I was maybe 200 feet away from him/her and he/she could make this low noise that viberated the area, I could actually feel the noise that it made. for me, that was the hi-light of my trip   anyways better get to supper, he is some tunes for a Thursday night, catch ya all later       http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/02%20-%20the%20homecoming%20-%2016.12.mp3

Finally got out into the mountains this weekend, been fighting the flue since New Years day. Went over to a friends on New Years Day to work on his computer and he was sicker then a dog, by the time I left later that night, my throat was burning and I could hardly talk, but his computer was ok thou. I rushed home and took 14 drop of Grapefruit Seed Extract, but it was too late, I woke up the next day and felt like I had been through the wringer all night. I made it through the rest of the week taking my GSE and throughtI had the flue licked but the workload and the rain kept the flue hanging on. The First weekend of the New year and I was in no condition  to be out in the rain. Being sick is a full time job, being sick for more the 5 days is down right hard on a body and this flue that is going around is something I would not wish on even an enemy. You can only cough so much before you wish you could just pass out and get some rest. I think I'm on the mend, the worst is over and it was nice to get out and breath in clear cool air. Had a nice walk where I was there was maybe about a foot of snow, the temperature was just above O c and everwhere there was mist. Never got many infrared photos as for some reson the mist would almost white-out the photos if there was too much mist. Posted the infrared photos first as didn't get around to geting the color Photos off the camera yet, Monday was a long day errrrr, 13 1/2 hours of dealing with  pipe-breaks and more water then I wanted to ever see coming down from a ceiling. Had a Wendy's Chili for supper, watched the tv for a bit and now it time to rest. will try to get the colors posted soon.

Some mellow King Crimson for this Monday Night Listening   http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/03%20Epitaph%20King%20Crimson%20In%20The%20Court%20Of%20The%20Crimson%20King.mp3

The Last Sunday of the Year, and it turned out Great, not the warmest day, but hey,  it didn't rain or snow. Went out to Marshlands Park

and walked around abit and enjoyed the weather. After Christmas spending, didn't have much money left for any long trips he he.The difference of walking out in the mountains and walking in a park close to the city is in the park, on a Sunday, there are people, I tuned them out and did my own thing, had a good time. Posted Infrared photos first ( only posted one here and posted the others on my Flickr page )  which can be viewed here :  http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenrap/ 

being lazy. Will try to get the color photos posted within the next day (or 2)

 Was surprised to find out that a old Spirit album never released was dug out of the archives, it was a soundtrack for  the seldom-seen 1969 Jacques Demy film "Model Shop". The last track is and early version of the song " Aren't you Glad"

Most of the songs are without singing but a few are, none the less a jem worth listening to.  http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/12%20-%20Arent%20You%20Glad.mp3

 

Maybe if I listen to this song long enough I will convince myself spring has come. Hummmm, its not working.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/Pink%20Floyd%20-%2005.%20Grantchester%20Meadows.mp3

All over the world and every day and every minute there is a photo somewhere being taken and each and every one of those photos, like the moment it captures, has a story.The story may be brief, or it may be long, or maybe not even known. The picture might even show it's story, or hints of what it could be, but thenmaybe what is shown is not really true.None the less, for some reason we have taken these pictures, we show them, or hide them away, post them for others to see, and sometimes we wait to see what other people may say.

The picture that I posted today may indeed have a story, but is it of interest to tell. What can you see, what can you not see, or does it really matter at all. Maybe tomorrow Ill tell it all.

Tunes for today:

Decembr 18: With a little more light, what was hidden is now shown. The 2nd photo shows a little bit more. for the last year, reporters were camped out here day after day, freinds and family would come and wait, with tears and anger. Somebody even put up a Christmas Tree with 26 angels on the tree, but all that is gone now, all but a statue standing in the courtyard.

 

 http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071207/pickton_trial_071207

Goodnite all.

 

Ok Time is a major factor in keeping up in Spaces and that is something I seem to always be running out of. If I could make more of it I would, but then, where would I put it he he. Winter is on upon most of us, well at least above the 49th Parallel ans yes, even here on the West coast we are getting our taste of Jack, we have seen the other side of the zero, and even whiteness has touched us. Last weekend while heading out into the mountains, driving down the highwaycars were having a hard time staying on the road due to ice, but I kept a light foot and motored on only stopping to fuel up until civilization was behind me. Calmness is the first thing ya notice out in the snow, no sound, only a few birdssinging and the crunching of snow under feet. It was cold, but not unbearable refreshing. The weekend beforeI ened up working straight through the weekend without any days off so this was nice. I took a path way that took me out onto a bluff overlooking some marshland and I stood up on the bluff looking all around me, what a view. some of the ponds I came upon were totally frozen already, but still not safe for venturing on. One little lake that I came upon had a fair good path for walking around the lake and a little ways around came to a area that a stream was passing by and a wooden foot bridge. Nice area, took many photos, my lens kept wanting to fog up due to the coldness and running water. Found some areas that I want to further explore in coming weekends as long as we don't get too much snow. all for now,  keep warm

Headed out early to get out in the mountains, weather was not that great but that was ok, Stopped in Agassiz at the local backery and picked up a laof of bread and some cheese buns then headed up a forestry road west of Harrison Lake. Stopped at a small lake that had a log jam at the one end  and did some photots and walking.It rained, it snowed but nothing serious, the temperature more or less stayed just above 0c. One thing about fall time is the sun only gives ya to about 4:30 before it is getting dark so ya have to make the most of those lighted hours.

OK, lets try this again. I'm back . THis is what happens when ya haven't done this i a while, I was typing for the last 5 or 10 minutes then i misstakenly hit some key and it all dissapeared .SOO, now I have lost my train of thought humm.  For those of you out there that seen my photos on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenrap/, I did try to get out most weekends to leave my mark on the world, get rid of the week's mind clutter, get some neat photos of this great country, and for the most had a good time.Holidays came and went, made the most of it as I could, seeing as much as I could never staying in one spot too long. And ya, it rained!  Its rained lots this year, and it seemed to pick the weekends to even rain more, there were some sunny days though, I think.Other then Holidays, didn't take as many long trips this year, but still got out and around. Posted only a few photos this first time to meke sure live was working fine, these are some negative's that I took on the last weekend, just fooling around stuff getting used to the different camera.  I gave one of my camerato younger family and had one of my other camera die on me the summer, all the rain errr.Ok thats it for now, will try to make this a habbit again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is becoming a habit of not getting arround to posting til late Sunday nite. Not that I have anything important to say, which I don't. Was up in Golden Ears park on Saturday, trails were muddy, but not a soul on them, at least where I was. Sunday walked around Deer lake on the west side first, the side I had never seen, stopped and cleaned my filters, made the misstake of remounting them right away and got moister in between filters, causing the photos to look like the fog had moved in. Bummer. When I started the walk it was sunny so on the infrared camera I had put on the 950mn filter, but as the day went on it got cloudy and I did not bring with me the lighter filters so tried opening up the amperature a few notches, but that doesn't work well with infrared mode. This opening the amperature with the 950mn filter tends to make the photos look washed out, where as with the 850mn, it can handle  the upped amperature a little better. well, I'm cutting this short as its getting close to 1:00am Nite all.                                                        Small Faces

Ok,  this is the first chance I have had to able to actually write a blog, even thou I had already posted photos and new song this afternoon. Been very busy these last few days, had to work Saturday til 2:00pm so it ended up being a short weekend for me. Loke most of western Canada, the temperature over the weekend started getting colder, Sunday was cool with a fair strong wind chill but still wanted to get out of the city and people (the phone would not stop ringing he he).Heading east on  highway #1 out of the city, the skys were dropping a mixture of rain/snow and the clouds were hanging onto the mountains.So I pulled out the trusty Trails of the west coast map out after fueling up in Mission, backtracked westward and headed to a small lake fair close to the Stave Lakes area called Rolley Lake. Easy to find, easy to get to, lots of downed trees in the park thou. The park map mentioned there was supposed to be a water fall east of the lake but after wandering arround in the woods east of the lake for over an hour, could not find the water fall , but did find the creek, could not find a path that followed it down stream, ended up walking arround the lake. The west side of the lake is more scenic, with the boardwalk path and bushy/grassy area, rather then trees and more trees like most of the path arround the lake. Only ran into a few people and that was on the west side area. Hopingthe weather is nicer next weekend as it is a long weekend and would like to get way away, way way away. Rolley Lake is not the most picturistic lake I have been to but it is a easy 2 hour walk around the lake and surrounding area. The air was fully scented with all the fallen trees and the main trail wide and easy going, most of the walking is in the cover of the trees so the windy day was not as cold.

Just a Quick mention of the song playing. This song " Message from a Drum" was from the group Redbone, one of the few Native Indian pop rock groups to ever get radio air play. They had a string of hits back in the 70's starting with Maggie, Witch Queen of New Orleans, and Come and get your love. Ok, off to do some blog hopping,  Happy BEGINNING April All!             

 

OK, I Couldn't stay in all weekend especially when Sunday morning the rain had stopped and the sky did not look like rain. Got most the things done that I wanted on the car and around home so went out for a 3 hour walkthrough Burns Bog.Wjat is Burns bog you asked, well quoted from

http://www.burnsbog.org/  "Burns Bog is a raised peat bog located in Delta, British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest undeveloped urban landmass in North America. It is also the only known raised peat bog in a Mediterranean climate." Kind of like a swamp but with peat bog and trees,and lots and lots of water. The park pathways are boardwalks mostly and if you try standing on the ground, it is soft and spungy and you can start sinking into the bog if you walk in the wrong area. Many areas of the park were flooded over so had to to different paths to go around these areas. Walked for a long time, but but only got to see a section of this large park, will have to explore it again. The boardwalks were very slippery in some areas due to the amount of rain water  so riding a bike on these paths would not be recommended after a rainstorm, I seen a few acidents while I was walking. Overall, a great place to go for long walks and its only a few miles from where I live, glad I went. This weeks song is by a group from Scotland Called Stoned the Crow. All three of the albums I have of these people are Great, but misfortune happened when guitarist Les Harvey was electrocuted onstage and died during a gig at Swansea University, all but ending this group chance to fame. Bassist/vocalist Jim Dewar quit the band to join Robin Trower's fledgling group, and singer Maggie Bell went on to do solo work.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/01%20-%20Stone%20The%20Crows%20-%20The%20Touch%20Of%20Your%20Loving%20Hand.mp3   

  Have a Great week all

Last night went for a walk along Stanley Park's Sea wall but when I got home, Chatted with my Brother Vic on msn so didn't get a chance to post. I couldn't believe how dark it was along the seawall path, at times bearly able to see a few feet infron of me. Sooo, due to lack of light, most of the photos did not turn out good. It can seem strange that it was so dark, yet the city lights lite up the other side of the bay, which would try fooling the camera sensor into thinking there was light to shoot with when I was tring to shoot with shutter open to maximun, sometimes causing the camera to close the shutter too soon. I'm not trying to make excuses for the bad shoots, just saying that when it is totally dark, but lots of light on the other side of the bay, the camera will get confused he he. It was a nice walk thou, very few people using the path, thou it was a little tence walking around Lost lagoon, very dark, but could hear sounds of movement often. The air was cold and salty and the path was at times a little spooky, but overall, would perferr to walk it at night then durring the day anytime. When I first got to the park, seem some objects running across the road heading up towards the Aquarium enterance so went and had a look. There was a familly of Raccoons that were going from garbage can to garbage can, having a feast on all the leftovers. I could tell by the way that they were travelling that this was most likely a nightly route that they were on, they were quick and worked in pairs, grabbed what they could, then onto the next can. Very neat to watch. Later while walking along the Lost Lagoon path, came across another lone Raccoon going along the water edge, most likely searching for bird eggs.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to get out this weekend as I have a hundred things I have to get done on the car and around home, (spring cleaning and maintance) but who knows waite and see. Was Blessed with the chance to Chat with "BareFootin' Randy" tonight, a good friend whom I have been chatting with for over a year now. This guy is a real chear up type of person, the world needs more people like him. Made my night  for sure, anyways once again past midnight so better click "Publish Entry" Once again sorry photos are not the greatest quality, but still worth a quick glance to see the Sea Wall at night he he.Sorry, forgot to mention as Randy pointed out, Playing is Joe Walsh's "Life of Illusions"  http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/7/31/148817/Joe%20Walsh%20-%20There%20Goes%20The%20Neighborhood%20-%2005%20-%20A%20Life%20Of%20Illusion.mp3