That's My World Tuesday - The Ladner Dock

Today I'm going to show you a couple of shots from down at the Ladner dock. As I mentioned in my last "That's My World" post, we live in the delta of the Fraser River. However, there are several tributaries that flow into the salt water and we're at the southern tributary. Lots of boats moor up at the local dock and sometimes you can buy fresh fish from the fishermen. You can also rent boats, canoes, or kayaks and go exploring up the waterways. Be sure to click on the photos to enlarge them.

Hmmm....where shall I take you next week? The country, perhaps?

A part of the marina.

Lifeboats are always around for anyone who runs into problems.

This meme is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, and Fishing Guy. To see who is participating this week, to check out the photos, or to join in simply click on "That's My World Tuesday" over on my sidebar under "Photography Blogs" and you will be instantly transported.

Monochrome Monday - Old Hay Shelter in Wales

Click to enlarge.

This is an old hay shelter I saw at the Welsh Living History Museum at St. Fagan's in early November, 2006. What a fascinating place to visit! I'd love to return and see it again on a sunny day in the late spring or early summer. But even though it was a grey November day, we were lucky it didn't rain and were able to wander around at leisure without a big crowd. The reasons I like this shot in black and white are because it recreates the idea of it being old and it also recreates the dismal dreary day.

Skywatch Friday - Here and There

Click to enlarge the photos.

If you've been reading my blog here for a while, you'll remember that I've been pining to return to Italy. Yes, two years ago right now I was having the time of my life as I was avoiding the season of SAD. But as fall is upon us and our blue skies are becoming more and more rare, you'll understand why I long for the beautiful azure skies and cosy warmth of autumn in this Mediterranean country. Here are two photos contrasting the sky over Steveston (above), a fishing village about 20 minutes from my place, and the sky over Sicily (below) - same time of year. To join in or view participants' photos, simply click HERE.

My World Tuesday

Welcome to the inaugual "My World Tuesday" hosted by Klaus. This looks like it'll be a really interesting meme for those of you who enjoy travelling. It will be a kind of "virtual travel" spot where we will post photographs of our own home areas. Go on over to Klaus's website to read more about it, join in, or even just to view participants' photos.
My first offering is this one that I took around this time last year along one of the tributaries of the Fraser River. I live in the delta of the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada, that the explorer and fur trader Simon Fraser followed back in 1808 all the way to its mouth that flows into the Gulf of Georgia, a part of the Pacific Ocean. His exploratory efforts were partly responsible for Canada's boundary being established at the 49th parallel (after the War of 1812), since he, as a British subject, was the first European to establish permanent settlements in the area. Nowadays, you'll often see rowers out on the many tributaries, practising for everything from school meets to the Olympics, which by the way will be held in Vancouver in 2010.

Click on the photo to see it in a larger format.

Monochrome Monday Maniac

Monochrome Monday is the brainchild of Aileni and if you're interested, go to his site HERE to check out photos from other participants. And, as usual, just click the photo to enlarge it.

Last week, I was longing to be back in Italy where I toured for a month back in the fall of 2006. So I posted a photo for Skywatch Friday of an area in Tuscany that was so beautiful and scenic. In keeping with my desire to be back in Italy, I thought I'd post this shot, taken in Sovana on a blistering hot day. After wandering around the town, I headed back to the parking area, hoping that everyone else would hurry up so we could get into the air-conditioned car. As I was waiting, I noticed the back of this brick house, so I hopped up onto the concrete ledge beside the car and took the shot. When I uploaded it, I noticed all the shadow effects so changed it to black and white to see how it would look. I like it much better than in the original colour. Hope you like it, too.

Skywatch Friday - Tuscany in the Fall

Click to enlarge photo.

On this date two years ago, I was in Italy enjoying the sun and warmth of that stunningly beautiful country. This is one of the picturesque villages that I visited and was lucky to catch this shot. As I strolled around the outer wall looking down over the countryside, I saw the village church steeple rise up ahead of me. Below the village stand typical Italian cypress and Mediterranean pine trees. Only a couple of puffy cotton ball-type clouds floated past on the gentle breeze.

As I look outside at the grey skies and rain today, how I wish I were there again!

To join in or to view participants' photos, simply click HERE.

Wordless Wednesday - The Ark

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Monochrome Monday Maniac

This is at Britannia Heritage Shipyards in a section of Richmond, BC, called Steveston. At the turn of the twentieth century, Steveston was the busiest fishing port in the world, with fifteen salmon canneries, six hotels, numerous saloons and gambling dens, and up to fourteen windjammers simultaneously loading canned salmon for world markets. On a Saturday night, 10,000 people thronged the boardwalks, including Native Indians, Japanese, Chinese, European immigrants, and sailors from the seven seas. The nine remaining buildings of this shipyard are the oldest remaining structures on the mighty Fraser River. You can read more about this heritage site here. My photo was originally in colour, but then I decided it would probably look more authentic in black and white, so I switched it. Then I thought I'd try it in sepia tones, and I like that even better. Click on the photo to enlarge it. What do you think?

Monochrome Monday is the brainchild of Aileni and if you're interested, go to his site here and then to his sidebar to see who participates. Please join in if you like monochromatic photos, but be sure to at least check out the Monochrome Maniacs and let them know what you think of their photographs. Thanks for checking in and I'd love it if you were to leave a comment.

Skywatch Friday - Heron Cloud

Just after hearing about my longtime friend Kathy's death, I went walking at my local beach. It was a stunningly bright day. There were few clouds in the brilliant blue sky, but there were two that caught my eye. I posted the "angel cloud" here and you may remember it. But today I'd like to show you the one that looked like a giant heron floating on the gentle breeze. I'd love to be a bird soaring on the air currents watching life go on below me - just once.

To join in or to simply view stupendous photographs of the sky, click here.

Monochrome Monday - Villa Ravello

Be sure to click on the photo to see it in a larger format.

This is one of my favourite photos that I took while in Italy in 2006. I happened to notice this private villa while ambling around a neighbouring public one and I was taken right away by the wrought iron gate. Looking across and to the left I saw the house with vines covering its face. It just looked so nice and "Italian" so I took a quick shot before continuing on at the villa where I was "supposed" to be touring. When I returned home and uploaded my photos, I found this one and, in my mind, it took me right back to the exact spot. Originally, it was in colour, but I really like the mood it evokes in the black and white format. Hope you like it, too.

Monochrome Monday is hosted by Aileni so click here to see the names of the participants or to join in. The more the merrier.

Bridge to Infinity

On September 15th, I got together with two blogging buddies, jmb and liz, at Bridges Restaurant on Granville Island in Vancouver. If you missed the post I did on our outing, click here. We sat outside on the patio in the brilliant sun with stunning views of the Burrard Street Bridge and the yachts that were moored just off the deck. The sky was such a brilliant, cloud-free indigo that I just couldn't resist taking this shot. Yes, Vancouver does get rain in the winter but on days like this, I'd live nowhere else in the world.