With an opportunity to stop and enjoy the ducks, I welcomed this with open arms and with gratitude! Being on the way home from hockey, I had both of my cameras with me, one with a zoom and the other a wide angle lens.
There is something that just feels so magical to me in the first image, with all the details, the edge of the water, the snow, trees, ducks, snow on the branches. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend enjoying this space at the Sulphur Springs Conservation Area outside of Hanover.
Driving up, is so welcoming. As I walked up to the water, the ducks were near the edge, they backed off briefly before convening in front of me, playing, swimming, eating, floating – adorable ducks just being ducks living their best life.
I am so often in awe as we drive through the various bushes of the snowmobile trails. I just love when I remember to look up and grab some shots.
This was dusk, in the bush, incredibly quiet, couldn’t hear anything other than the people we were with. Shot on my Canon RP + RF 15-30mm wide angle lens. I admit this isn’t one of my favourite lenses. However this combo for wide angle and on the move, is perfect! Especially when lighting was at dusk.
I am excited to begin my post with a big win for me to finish off 2025 – Over the holidays I actually did something I had been wanting to do for a while, I completely organized my photos from personal to my art images I share!!! I love that when I think of an image – I can find it. Even those images from 10 years ago, frozen berries on a tree with snow, that still pull on my heart strings, are within my collection. See a couple previous posts or under the Pam and photography for the new links. Im really happy with how Ive sorted them.
For my final 2025 post, I felt inspired to pull an image from each month as my favourites – that post is here :) This post is images I would have also shared!
This is an image from this year, that I filed under abstract. It was with my macro 35mm lens during a spring tour and it never really focused on anything, yet I just couldn’t part with this image.
Geese family this summer down at the Saugeen River.
One of the many bee’s from 2025!
Almost the new year, we were under many blankets of snow! Even the trees.
This morning while driving with my husband, I mentioned to him about stopping somewhere on the way home for me to take photos. He is very compassionate towards me when I ask for time to take photos. It typically doesn’t take long and yet it fills my heart up so much. As we were leaving the location, I thanked my husband and then what came out of my mouth, wasn’t as expected, I said to him “its healing me”… I looked at him, not expecting that to come out, and yet it was 100% truth.
This year wasn’t the worst, however in the collective 2020 years 2020-2025 were hard. Ah, what just popped into my head, as I typed hard, its time to get into the flow of life – much like the feminine energy, also the left side of our body. When things feel hard, we are in resistance, aka out of our control – this can feel so hard. This year was the push to the edge, in so many ways…
My brother died in November 2024, there are still people who I *thought* were close to me, who I haven’t seen. A real-life, life lesson for me and its ok. For far too many years I have abandoned on myself for others, time and time again. Relationships are to be like boomerang’s, goes both ways. Time for me to focus on me – wholly without regrets, fears or worries.
For a long time I didn’t want to go out, going to work felt ok because Im with those people daily, there is a comfort level I am so grateful for. Going out in public, no. I could cry at the drop of a hat. Which I did and was also ok. That also honestly lasted until the beginning of December when I caught up with an energy worker I hadn’t seen in a while and he was able to help balance.
I spent a lot of time in my own bubble or with my people, my husband, our kids, our dog, our extended family and some friends.
Sometimes when our heart is hurting the hardest and we don’t know what to do… we do what we love, we allow our heart to allow the light and love back in. Even the simplest of actions. Me taking photos of flowers and trees and bees and birds time and time again may seem monotonous to someone else, and yet being in nature capturing that image feels like a part of me is set free. Even on days I did not want to do anything, by getting up, grabbing my camera and getting outside in some form – got me moving!
Macro photography for me makes me focus on the small details, pulls my focus in on something that catches my eye. Slows my breathing, for intentional conscious shots. Observing nature at its finest and capturing the beauty.
A reminder that life happens in the moment and sometimes, those ‘everyday’ moments are 100% worth capturing. Like the boys heading out to mark trails before the holidays, with the dumping of snow we had already begun to get, they had to use sleds to check and fix. Ive learned as much as a kid may complain about having photos taken, they 100% appreciate the final tangible result!
We went with the little’s and saw Santa at the non-motorized parade in Holstein the middle of December!
Seagulls at the beach!
The weekend I took this photo below, was the last weekend of the season at our family cottage. A weekend where we had extended upon extended family and it was wonderful. While on the beach, the sun was still high, making its decent to set. Although the sun is completely blown, I love the rays off of it and the sun flares in the image as well.
For me when dealing with loss, energy is comforting and this moment, these images – there were many – were so heart warming.
I am grateful for the healing effects of photography for me.
I also at times felt like I was re-teaching myself. I would get in a lighting situation and freeze forgetting what to do. Settings that were second nature to me completely slipping my mind.
I was so grateful when the blossoms began coming out in spring. The darker months are harder. That is one thing I definitely noticed the past year. In the evenings when its so dark outside so early, its affected my motivation and energy levels vs during daylight hours. These blossoms, are so worth the wait!
As we’ve stepped gently into 2026, I step forward with gratitude, patience, love and understanding, especially for myself.
Be sure to check back on Saturday, January 10 at noon eastern time when Anne will be hosting our next challenge.
You can learn more about how to join the Lens-Artists challenges here.
I am someone who has a shared love of pen to paper as I do with our online technology with calendars and scheduling. Ive tried only digital and have found having a daily space to put pen to paper helps so much!
This weekend I spent some time coordinating calendars from last year of the birthday’s and anniversaries as well as upcoming events we have. I enjoyed my breakfast bowl and tea in hand got to organizing my yearly diary planner and calendars.
When doing this, my time is best spent SILENT so I can focus between them all and not miss any ;) as I did last year.
With all the snow we received over the Christmas and New Year holidays – our local trails began opening up! Yesterday was the first ride of the season and it didn’t disappoint!
This section of bush, many locals may recognize.
I just love when we have winters like this! The snow covered tree’s, driving through nature like this – for me is my perfect ‘winter forest bathing’ experience! Especially when out with a great group of people – who when leading are awesome to stop in these great spots so I can capture this years beauty!
This was a complete fluke capture and I just love it. I did capture someone with two little ones with them. Adorable!
Its so pretty and peaceful!
I need a sign on me, Photographer – Makes Frequent Stops ;)
My husband stays behind me and watches, we do this safe. Im so grateful we got out for a little photo run on the first ride!!! Need some more cold days and the trail should freeze up even nicer and fill in some wet spots!
A goal I had on the ‘back burner’ for a while was accomplished over the holidays before the new year! Spread your wings… let me introduce 2026 to you!
There are some images that even though they may be 10+ years old, are still favourites of mine… so I re-organized my entire photo library of all personal and art photography.
As a hobbyist photographer, when I look around our home much of the art on our walls, is from our life. Even moments like this above, I can remember where I was, at the Hanover Sulphur Springs Conservation area. An awesome spot for birds! I shifted my organization – much like we have been decluttering within our home – ruthless at times. When is the last time this was used or worn… For ease and peace! I am excited to share this!
Write a poem (up to 20 lines) as a conversation, text thread, or inner dialogue. Let the two voices go back and forth — negotiating, hesitating, contradicting — but never quite landing on a plan. Play with repetition and everyday details to build tension and show who these people are. Slip in small observations that make the moment feel real. And when you get to the end… leave it unresolved.
The phone rings do I want to answer part of me says no, let it go I listen to the message a reminder, boundaries are ok You can’t be the saviour of all Rest is allowed but should we help regardless respect within, with choices made time is valued and honored Sacrifice for others no more the choice is yours for peace 2026 brings equal respect Rest is allowed and boundaries are ok!
Who can resist small town winter snow covered streets – not this girl!
One of my favourite streets in town for the beautiful big old trees!
January 1st is for doing things that fill your heart, for me of course I had to go for a photo drive through town, I had to be out anyway so I grabbed my camera to come along. I was lucky to grab a few more shots down at the bridge, I pushed myself a little bit too hard. My leg, from falling, is still tender, even carefully getting in and out, my 15 min outing was heart filling!
