The Urge Strikes Again..

After speeding across Abbotsford to try and get high enough to get some shots of the sunset, and missing it by minutes, I decided that I would not go home empty-memory-carded! So, I called up a fellow photog. buff (Pam!), picked her up in Mission and we started on the hunt for some great photos! We started out by going back under the bridge that I was at last week, but too chicken to really go far all by myself! So, we ventured a little further under the bridge this time. Funny how having another person with you, and going at 8pm instead of 2am, makes things alot less creepy!

This shot is of a train coming across the flats towards the bridge to get into Mission. I thought it would look neat if I left my shutter open..

I'm surprised this photo worked out..the shutter was open at least 20 seconds..and the horse barely moved!
Here's the same bridge from last week, but this time we were almost under it. I like this perspective better! One more while we're at it!Here's the same farm that had the horse, but from a different angle. The moon started to make it's presence known and things got really gorgeous from here on out!After we left from under the bridge, we just started driving! Took Hwy 7 thru Mission and towards Deroche. I decided to make a pit stop on a dyke close to where my dad high grounded his boat a few years ago (long story..quite humourous now!). I believe it's the Nicomen Slough or something. Anyhow, it was gorgeous, so I pulled over. Pam looked to her right and refused to get out on account there was a large corn field on her side of the car. She said she gets freaked out by the corn fields because of a horror movie she saw..and I stopped her explanation and said if I heard it, I too would not be getting out of the car, so I went out on my own! About 5 seconds later, I heard this high pitched screech go from the passenger side of my car and lasted until it was next to me..it was Pam! hehe She had freaked herself out sitting in the car and had to come stand next to me! Turns out, it was some horror movie about aliens coming out of the corn fields..hahaHere is Harrison River near Harrison Mills/Kilby. It's not the clearest picture, but our cameras had troubles focusing. Pam again got freaked out here because she was reminded that we were in Sasquatch country..literally! There are signs everywhere..Anyhow, she kept hearing "large animals" swimming and splashing in the river, so I looked around and remembered I had fished there a few years ago with my dad..and it's the same time of year..the Salmon run! We heard salmon after salmon jumping in the water! Oh, how I wish I had a rod and reel!Lake Errock..this is the spot that Pam wouldn't go to..she waited in my car..cuz I snuck down the driveway of an empty looking house and went to their beach front for this shot..Only problem was, I kept hearing branches cracking and leaves falling. And if you know me well, you know that even playing hide and go seek makes my bladder fill and I get all excited and have to pee REALLY bad! So, on my own, by a lake, surrounded by trees, strange noises..I set up my tripod, started the camera, took 5 steps back, took the fastest pee I ever took, snapped off 2 more pictures and ran back to the car!Another gorgeous shot of Lake Errock
Ah..the last shot of the nite. It might be Agassiz, or Rosedale. I'm not sure. It's on the highway in between Kilby and Agassiz and I pulled over and ran over to the side of the road for this shot. It's not the best, but it was the best of the 2 I took. Problem was, this stupid dog kept barking and barking and it was annoying me..not to mention the loud rustling I heard coming from about 15 feet from my car..again, I was in Sasquatch country! I ran quite quickly back to my car after this shot! And then peeled out of there! Ya, by the way, I'm not the person you want to watch a scary movie with..nope, don't do it. You'll regret it.

Inspirations come at the oddest times..

I suppose it helps that I'm a night owl..cuz when I get the urge to go out and take photos, it usually comes at the oddest times. Tonite, I was compelled to leave my home at nearly 1am to go out and see what I could get! Glad I listened to my urges..hehe

This one is taken from up in Highland Park, a mountainside view of Abbotsford and Mission. The view used to be so much better before a bunch of rich snobs decided to develop it into a neighbourhood!

I then ventured down to Matsqui Village and made a pit stop. The brightness of the moon caught my eye and I knew there was a little slough/creek under the bridge. Glad I checked it out!
Another perspective.. After I left the village, I ventured down to the Matsqui Park, under the Abby/Mission Bridge. As I parked my car at the "do not enter" gate and hoofed it in with my camera and tripod, I started to get a bit (okay alot) nervous! I mean..honestly..how stupid am I to go into a park that closes at 8pm and is probably riddled with nasty homeless people? Well, like I said, when I get the urge to get a photo, it's hard to resist! I just hoped that if I stepped on someone sleeping, that they'd have a shopping cart to slow them down when they were chasing me!

But, ignoring my fears were worth it, hey? SO pretty! Oh, this is on the Abbotsford side of the Fraser River, looking towards Mission.

Same place, but looking at the train bridge instead. As I was walking away (cuz I had TOTALLY creeped myself out at this point..every horror movie I'd ever seen or tried to ignore ran thru my brain...)I noticed a train coming, so I reset up my tripod and waited..can you see it moving on the bridge?

Kelowna Regatta

The Water Warriors went to Kelowna for our final regatta of the year and placed 4th in the top women's division. Pretty good, despite treacherous paddling conditions! Saturday's races went well, but Sunday was insane. 2 foot swells and a hard wind made for a 2 hour delay plus the race officials cutting the 500m course to 250m, starting us at the halfway markers and racing us towards the start line, to avoid a head wind. It helped..but it was still nasty! They sent the women out in that weather, and then promptly cancelled the mixed division finals because it was too dangerous! Typical! Women and children first, I suppose!

Notice Shelly's form (our coach sitting in the drummer's seat..or is it sitting??) She's what gets us to that finish line that sometimes feels like it's 2 miles away.
This was taken on an awkward angle, and it looks like we placed 1st, but we actually came in 2nd in this heat. Lost by 1 second. BUT..our time was 2:18...VERY fast! Doing out cheer, while breathless!Shelly showing us her approval.
Ahh..a tradition started 2 years ago..by me of course! We pick one poor sucker and wait all weekend for them to use the out house, and then wait outside with a paddle archway "honor guard" and surprise them! The plan was to nail Alanna, but by Sunday afternoon, we still hadn't caught her, so when we saw Marion go in, we scrapped the Alanna idea and went for Marion!
And then Alanna returned from where ever she was and announced she had to pee..hehe Luckily, she missed Marion's honor guard, so we quickly grabbed our paddles and ran to the johnny on the spots and waited..and waited..and waited..(cuz she was "thinking") and then..she came out! Yep..she screamed her head off! TOO FUNNY!And like the good sport she is..she walked the cat walk like a pro!Final race on Sunday..you can notice a nice big wave taking shape under Shelly at the front of the boat. We were no where near dry when we were done! But..we were still happy with our finish!
Notice how happy we are? Despite the wet...heheI wear a hat so I don't look like the other ladies in this picture..hehe Kidding! It keeps the hair outta my eyes..and everyone elses views!
Our Sat. nite "surprise for Shelly Purple Party"! Dollar store finds and tickle trunk scraps made for some VERY interesting outfits!Lara's daughter, Sasha, fed the ducks my pizza crusts and they became fast friends. This one played tug of war with Sasha! And they left a nice present on the grass..And I picked it up! GROSS! My purple outfit..and yes, those are my home made pasties! heheSharon always has the best outfits and wigs! I think she's the real life Marge Simpson..When it got dark enough..I put on my glow in the dark ears..

A few of the crazies we saw that nite...

Here's Shelly wearing some of her purple gifts she received..including the bra! The funniest part was watching her try and squeeze into those goggles, though!

Me and Chels..2 more weirdos on the team! Lovin' the pig tails!

Night shots in Kelowna

After our "Purple Party" on Sat. nite, I took my tripod and camera out to the dock behind the hotel and snapped a few pics. These are a few of my favorites.
Next door is Manteo's, which bought the Lakeshore Inn..where our team stays during the Kelowna Regatta. This will be the last year for the hotel, as Manteo's is expanding and the Lakeshore is being demolished. :-(
I love this one! The water looks so smooth!

Dinner at Granville Island

Lucky me, I got treated to a dinner by Menna out at Granville Island! She came to Vancouver for a visit with her parents while I was in Kelowna for dragon boating, and I was able to see her for only a few hours the night before she flew home..but we made sure to have a traditional Krista and Menna photo shoot! Good thing I had my tripod!

Can you find me? I was playing peek a boo!
Menna posing..I made her stand perfectly still so I didn't have to use a flash..would you believe it was actually almost dark?? This is me trying to climb a pole..I failed..
Love my night shots!Posing in front of the Granville Island Hotel before I have to leave

After I left, I was driving around trying to find the exit and ended up at Bridges Restaurant..and even thought I had to get on the road so I wouldn't be late for work..I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get these shots!

So pretty!

Photo Rights

Sorry to have to mention this, but I feel I need to protect my photos! Please notice the request above the "About Me" section regarding using my photos without permission. I feel I must stress that I am the rightful owner and don't like my work being taken without my knowledge. Thanks!

Playin' with sand

After taking some family pictures at Harrison Lake, I popped into the Sand Castle Competition at the beach. Teams come from around the world to play with our sand, and the results were amazing. The teams that are currently in the building stages had one weekend to complete their sculptures. The completed ones were done on previous weekends. The competition goes until the beg. of October, so you can imagine how amazing the the sand trail around the lagoon looks!

I was just setting up this picture to get a shot of these fellows from Japan working on the details of their sculpture when the lunch break air horn went of just prior to me hitting the shutter! So, I have no idea how they didn't fall off the top of that thing, cuz I sure jumped a mile! You'd think they'd use a better method of alerting all of the builders..after all, they're working on very fragile canvases!

The magic begins. Who would have thought that they used big ol' boxes to build their castles! I thought it was buckets and shovels!
This poor lady from France had the worst job! As she was moving around the muck in these forms, her team mates were tossing mud and water up into the form she was standing in..creating a mud bath every 5 seconds or so!
Another one of the mud slingers Washing off for the lunch break. Each team has their own "watering trough"
A few of the castles that were built. I think this one was done by a team from Norway or Finland

The sleeping wolf
Not sure what this is..but the detail caught my eye.
How do they make sand DO that?? This one was called "Connect the Dots" and I have NO idea why

I took this one for my brother..hehe Yep..a mining sculpture!
This may have been from the US team I liked this teeny little paper airplaneThe airplane was with this sculpture..in comparison to where this lady (actually supposed to be a girl, but she was naked, and I don't promote child porn, so it's a lady to me lol) is sitting, it would be at the bottom left of the picture.

I really liked the lily pads and how these figures reminded me of the Willow Tree figurines

I sure liked this one..it was the back side of the one with the figurine looking ladies. Simple, yet interesting!