When I was 17 I got my first dog, a male black lab, he truly was my best friend. We did everything together. He got me through a very challenging time with a boy in high school. He became my protector in the most gentle lab way to lead me away from an abusive situation.
When I was 30 I got my 2nd boy. My black lab, Elwood passed just a couple days after we moved into our home. Like he needed to be with us to ensure we were safe and then it was his time. My Becker helped us raise the kids, he was by my side through some of the biggest and hardest hurdles of my life. A time I honestly wasn’t sure if I or my marriage would survive. He was next to me always, he was one of the kids and such a comfort for me!
At 43, our boy Gunner arrived. Its amazing how life progresses. The day I saw him, I knew and my heart sank. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Beck yet, he truly had been my rock through so much. The week before we brought him home, it hit me as I walked through our living room… ‘What will I be faced with?’ this download stopped me in my tracks. I was hit with dread, worry, fear… and then puppy life carried on.
A part of me, failed my Gunner. When he was 6 mths old my brother died suddenly. In true lab being, he wanted to be with me all.the.time. He didn’t understand why mama was hurting. I couldn’t handle the overwhelm, the over stimulation and his training suffered. Just leave me in the corner and leave me alone. He wouldn’t let me do that. If I didn’t want to do anything with him, he was on the couch looking me in the eye. I honestly wasn’t sure I could survive the puppy toddler years. Yet, I did and it was so worth it!
Gunner has been the best addition, he was meant for our family, his first weekend at the cottage, my mom commented, its like hes been here before. He is glued to his mama, but fiercely loves his dad and kids too!
He’s our baby who has helped teach us boundaries, the power of sleep and 9pm bedtime, that clutter is fun for only the dog and trust… is everything 💖
The long weekend, after out on a walk with my dog, I returned to my vehicle and sadly upon opening the door my bag shifted when I was removing my 180mm macro lens and the lenses fell to the rocks. My 50L was repairable – thankfully, its a beauty lens! Its honestly one I don’t use much, so I am not sure if it wasn’t repairable if I would have replaced, but its also one of those lenses that, especially at f1.2, is incredible in low light, the bokeh is fantastic!
I had the new RF 24-105 f4L in my cart when I realized it was back ordered…
I kept checking the used section at Henry’s as well as their selection of gear is remarkable, they also come with a warranty. I personally insure my lenses at the replacement cost, although if you are reading this and you also do that – please review the values as I did a few years ago and they have changed significantly… I honestly did learn the hard way, however such is life!
Then one morning, refreshing the Used Canon RF webpage on my phone I saw it…
They had a 24-70 f2.8L lens available – I could push my budget just a little bit more I could get it… I got it!
Why did I choose the 24-70 f2.8L over waiting for the 24-105 f4L and saving about $500…
It was in stock – the 24-105 was sometime in later July.
24mm at f2.8 and 70 mm also at f2.8 – its a very versatile lens. I was never actually ever going to consider this lens, one due to the cost of it, and two because I do have the RF 28-70 f2.8 STM that I got last year before a trip. Being able to open up at 24mm vs 28mm – to some its not much, it can be though.
Seeing this lens available reminded of when I had the EF 24-70 f2.8L years ago, when the kids were young and the incredible bokeh in the images.
Ive been eyeing up the R7… for a while now. I love my R6MII – love it, its an incredible full frame camera. Being someone who also loves macro, wildlife, birds etc… getting a bit more extra reach with a crop sensor x1.6, had been on my mind since last year. I know I won’t be replacing any of my larger zooms anytime soon and lets be real, even though they are the EF lenses, they are all L and the quality and colour of the images is outstanding. So to balance that out… I will have a new blog post next week ;)
My equipment is a true investment in my passion – for me! My 5DMIII was my main camera for 12 years – even as a hobbyist my camera’s and lenses get a lot of use. Truthfully I love multiple bodies and lenses for the various things I may be shooting. So what I buy today, chances are will be here in 10 years!
Testing my new to me RF 24-70 f2.8L – these images are all Straight out of the Camera – except the black and white. SOOC are not edited in anyway. I wanted to test the colours, the bokeh and needless to say, I love it! The RF STM lenses I have are good quality, but if you have shot with the L lenses… you know this feeling! ;)
I LOVE the SOOC colours of the L lenses – they truly are unique!
I am so incredibly happy with the SOOC images, the colour the bokeh, just incredible! Especially after being so sad after the fall. Then seeing the 24-105 was back ordered. Ah this lesson in trust, expands in to all areas of our life ;) Thank you Universe for the pass! For the pure beauty of the 24mm this may spend most of its life on my R6MII!
If there is one thing that I have learned, in life, but especially in 2020 is that life happens – sometimes quick, sometimes happy, sometimes devastating, sometimes the best moment of your life – it happens. So never deny yourself the absolute pleasure in life – whatever that may be – that aligns with your heart and soul.
I am grateful for a husband who gets this, both ways. Who we are gracious towards together, understanding although we have similar loves and interests, its what we also have a passion for individually that is our true soul.
‘Go for it baby’, so I did and I love it!
One more because I also love this one… SOOC isn’t it fabulous!!!
I am now debating about selling my RP and my RF 15-30mm lens. I do love my RP, its a fabulous little camera – I refer to it as my point and shoot. Do I sell, or do I keep for that reason – smaller camera to (gently) throw in my bag. The RF 15-30mm I am honestly just not vibing with. I purchased it used, I used it on my RP while we were in Nova Scotia, I am just not that impressed with the quality of the images with this lens. Shooting at 16mm is awesomely wide, and is quite the difference to 24mm – however I really do think 24mm whether with my 24-70 f2.8L or my 24-240 Travel lens – would probably do… but Im not yet convinced. I purchased it used last year, I should push myself to test it more before making a decision! Especially when the passionate photographer in me, would have loved to have all my camera’s on my journey on my shelf, that brought me to where I am – which I love!
I was awake early this morning, about 430am, I did lay there and tried to go back to sleep, however I was awake so I embraced it. As the sun shone brightly into our room shortly after 6am I knew that was my call to just get up and let myself feel inspired. I did reach for my computer, I opened it and opened my blog and flickr pages, but then, something called me away. I suddenly had the burst of energy and inspiration to get started on some decluttering. The irony, I was specifically going to blog photos from our trip to Tobermory, however the photos wouldn’t be what I am sharing now – and I am loving the variety with the letter B!
Last weekend we were in Tobermory, we saw a few different boats there and this one below, Bruce Anchor Cruises, is the one we rode on around Flower Pot Island.
This is technically a boat, but also referred to now as a ship wreck!
We saw a few good sized bunnies around the camp site as well!
Buttercup flowers captured with my phone.
The bunny in the buttercup flowers.
Paddle Boards on the water in Tobermory heading towards the coast guard boats.
Another glass bottom tour boat on the water with a crew aboard.
The walking bridge in the trees on Flower Pot Island. Another view than what I shared in the last challenge.
The other glass bottom boat cruise line, Blue Heron Cruises coming in through the channel.
The MS Chi-Cheemaun, a great big ferry boat coming in to unload and load. This was very cool to see sailing in!
We took a walk down to the beach area at our camp ground – we stayed at Lands End in Tobermory, its a great camp ground! Very private, nice size sites, very clean bathrooms!
The path to the Beach captured with my cell phone.
The beach area, I love how the path and stairs are hidden within nature and are built with nature!
This butterfly stayed with us for a visit!
Phone snaps on my Samsung and on the water shots taken with my Canon R6MII + 24-240mm lens – its a great travel lens.
The Lens-Artists team will be taking a break for the next two weeks. Anne-Christine will be hosting the next challenge when we return on July 18.
Its 9am and I am sitting on the couch enjoying a warm cup of tea.
Realizing, I’ve actually been up for more than 4 hours, and I am filled with energy and gratitude, I have had a relaxing AND productive!
We could have went to our family cottage this weekend, a space we’ve had for now 4 generations and is a favorite gathering spot through the late spring, summer and early fall.
This weekend, we decided to stay home. After having a few busy weekends away from home, it feel good to be in our space for downtime.
‘To fall back in love with our home’ is what came through to me.
We’ve had an on-going to do list that has been nagging at me, and also balancing weekly evenings at home after work. After a good handful of years off and on of heavier duties, I have felt burnout and its hard on the nervous system. When IN heavy stuff, when life, life’s you its important in those times to lean in, rest and do the little you need to. As soon, you will have the flow begin to open and even though all may not be ok in the your world, it is in the moment.
I am SO proud of myself for not only following my nervous systems lead by starting my day early, I allowed myself to be led by the daylight. 6am it was shining bright in our room, I just love all of our natural light that floods in each morning. It was then I decided to get up, to get the dog going and just see where my morning led me.
I briefly picked up my computer about to do a blog post of our camping trip to Tobermory last weekend, when inspiration and energy hit. With having invisible illnesses, when this happens you flow with life, whatever this may mean.
Everyone’s morning routine is best when its what works for you, when you flow and it feels natural, no resistance. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. Focus on you and yours and beauty will always blossom!
This morning, that meant beginning to organize our hall closet, which then flowed into my den closet, which then flowed into our mud laundry room, which then flowed into our garage. Which also flowed into the basement.
We are taking a load to the thift store today, that is almost filling the back of the truck! My husband joined in and helped with organizing the counter in the laundry room. Flat surfaces can sometimes be too easy for things to gather. Practical organization makes me so happy!
Its now 925am and some mornings, this used to be my start, I love that I had the energy to get going and tackle things that have been on my mind for some time.
This weeks challenge was introduced by John. “My challenge this week extends the series of compositional tools I began in March 2024. That first challenge, #289, focused on Shape, Form, Texture, and Light. In Challenge #359, the emphasis shifted to Lines, Colors, and Patterns. Following Patti’s excellent exploration of subject‑focused techniques in Challenge #401, we’ll turn our attention to tools that shape visual space: perspective, depth, and scale. While these concepts might sound a bit technical, they are incredibly intuitive once you look for them, and you’ll likely find you’ve been using them all along. Revisit your archive or take a photo walk to find images that feature these spatial cues. You could share two images for each of the three tools, or focus on just one or two spatial choices. Please limit your selections to six images for the series.”
This past weekend we were camping in Tobermory with friends. It had been many years since I had been to Tobermory and at that time I was scuba diving, so I was beneath the water, not seeing the beauty that is above the water there! Sharing some of the images from our tour out and around Flower Pot Island is perfect for this challenge. The island and the various rock formations as well as the other boats that we passed by.
I happened to look over as we were cruising by this channel and saw the other tour boat heading through. In this photo the boat looks small, its two storey. I love how its framed between two smaller islands and all surrounded by water. The lush green and the way the rock formation comes out into the water adds another sense of depth within the image.
We were cruising by at a good depth away from the islands, this image was taken at 24mm – as wide as my lens could go. I was using my Canon RF 24-240mm lens – its such a great versatile travel lens! I really like the depth within this image with the water and the rock formation.
Around the island from this view, is this. The depth of the rocks within the trees and the water in the foreground, beautifully peaceful to me, just draws me in!
I just love this image below, the various textures, the way I feel like I am pulled into the image and the colours, so peaceful and relaxing! I feel like walking on that bridge would feel like walking in the forest!
Flower Pot Island in Tobermory – the rock formations are incredible! They are massive and yet, from this perspective do not look so momentous.
A much bigger boat than we were on, the Chi-Cheemaun was pulling into the Tobermory harbour, that was very cool to see. I have seen the boat up close and personal, its even more beautiful when its sailing on the water like this.
Thank you John for this week’s theme. I love being being able to get a different view on things within photography that lights my heart up.
In John’s closing, “If you’re sharing a Lens‑Artists Challenge response for the first time, welcome—we’d love to visit your post. To participate, publish your take on this week’s theme, link back to this page, and add the Lens‑Artists tag so others can discover your work. You’ll find more details on how the challenge works here.”
I went for a Body Talk session the other day, something I knew deep in my heart that I needed.
I am astonished still of how incresible energy is, how amazing spirit is and how the universe leads us.
Sometimes the path isn’t as clear, and others its blazingly obvious. However lofe keeps going and when our nervous systems can’t, this is when the imbalances can easily shift to the negative.
Before 2020 we used oils all.the.time. on the kids and especially each night before bed, it was our routine. It continued through those years however they also grew up, those nightly oils weren’t happening all the time, the Reiki treatments where becoming less and my mind, consumed with so much more.
I fell out of my routine many times, my routine became someone else’s routine that I was following. I was in autopilot, far more than I liked.
I felt like I had to.
When things were falling apart outside of my control, I had to do what I could. I couldn’t let my kids see my pain, that wasn’t fair to them. They stepped up anyway and I am so grateful for that.
The treatment the other day was a firm reminder, you aren’t doing what you know works… use the oils, use the energy. Listen to your heart, first and always.
The devil keeps the mind occupied with things that really aren’t needed in our daily lives, like mindless scrolling other people’s lives of mindless things.
Coming over to my blog or substack and its like a breath of fresh air. Ahhhh did I just realized it, its not filled with influencers, its filled with real, authentic people with ethics and values. Who believe being their best self, whatever that may be, helps the world be a better place.
If everyone focused on what truly lit their heart up, the world would be the best place!
When I am not at work, I love being home, I love being in my space, I love enjoying nature, quiet walks with my dog, and all with my camera!
Photography isn’t for everyone, frankly neither am I, however it is my soul spark and I always allow myself permission to let my heart light up when I see gorgeous sunlight or a breathtaking view.
Allow whatever lights you up, to flow through you, as the gift you were meant to give.
This evenings blog brought to you from my soaker tub. The wait was over a bit ago, as they say, was it worth the wait, and it certainly was! A beautiful Epsom salt + oils bath after dinner.
The tall rock formation of Flower Pot Island in Tobermory, looks very cool in black and white!
I love the various textures of this image, the water, the rock, the trees – nature truly is incredible!
We have had a lot going on and I forgot to book the boat tour to go see Flower Pot island when we were in Tobermory. Days before, tickets were available, parking was easy to find, a kind man drove us over in the shuttle and provided helpful suggestions for the best photos – right side of the boat on the top, the captain, he said, was also talented to get the boat turned around the ship wrecks so you can easily see from the top. We arrived to the top of the boat with Bruce Anchor Cruises, found two seats at the front on the right side of the boat. I am grateful we remembered our coats, it gets cool on the water in certain directions. Such a beautiful cruise on the water to see Tobermory!
I read that I had an ‘On This Day’ Post from June 17, 2022.
I remember this day, I remember this post…
It was my calm week… I remember like it was yesterday, thinking finally, my husband has healed from his accident and 3 surgeries.
June 17, 2022, this was days before I found out about our sons severe skin and autoimmune illness. I was in the bliss of my husband finally healing from his fall and 3 surgeries, not being as needed, having a little bit of time for me… and to figure out our new “normal”.
Here we are 4 years later, exactly.
Our son, has now had 3 surgeries, seems to finally be healing now and… our daughter was just, last month, diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.
One day… I hope to feel and find this peace again <3
