Author: Robb Towns

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Almonte and Pakenham Staycation

We took a weeks vacation and mostly vacationed in the exclusive resort of Las Basement, but we did manage one day excursion to a couple of my favourite little towns just west of Ottawa. Almonte has the best little waterfalls to photograph. There is also an amazing little Ice Cream shop on the main street. Doing long exposure photography of these falls has been a goal of mine since last August, so it was great to get out and capture a few. ISO 100, F22, 1-2 secs – ND16 Filter (except for the b&w photo)

  • Almonte Falls
  • Almonte Falls
  • Almonte Falls
  • The Laird and Lady Towns
  • Almonte Falls View
  • Almonte Falls
  • Abandoned Wagon in the Forest

We then traveled to the little town of Pakenham where there is a 5 span stone bridge. This is another place I have always wanted to photograph. Since it wasn’t too far from Almonte it was a must do.

  • 5 Span Bridge
  • Reflections
  • 5 Span Bridge

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A last look at Comet NEOWISE

Had a nice evening south of Blackburn Hamlet where we randomly met up with another couple who were also trying to photograph the comet. It was fun to help them with their settings and I think we captured a few nice shots of the comet together. Most of these photos where 3200 ISO, F3 and 1-2 seconds long.

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Long Exposure, Night and Comet Photography

I had a fun evening of comet chasing tonight. It took two trips out to get some photos of the comet. The first trip out I only had a general idea where it was in the sky. I took some photos of the highway and the sunset from the bridge I was standing on while I searched for the comet. I never did see it, so I went home and looked though the photos and in the Bridge photo just above the street light I could see the comet. I went back out the bridge, but the lights were so bright I couldn’t see anything in the sky. So I went to the next bridge down the highway where I knew there were no streetlights. I got a few comet pics. Not quite a crisp as I would have liked, but I am still happy.

  • Jean D’Arc and 174
  • Jean D’Arc and 174
  • Jean D’Arc and 174
  • Sunset over Orleans
  • Find the Comet
  • Big Dipper
  • Skate Park
  • Skate Park
  • Skate Park
  • Comet NEOWISE
  • Comet NEOWISE
  • Comet NEOWISE
  • Comet NEOWISE
  • Comet NEOWISE
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A Lily Garden

On one of my walks I came across this beautiful little garden full of Lilies and tucked away in the shade was a bunch of wild flowers. Couldn’t help but stop and take a few photos

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Convent Glen Canada Day Fireworks

We were invited down the street to a friends backyard where we had social distanced BBq and then watched the community provided fireworks show. It was our first visit with them since Covid locked us all down. A really nice way to spend Canada Day.

  • Hand made Dragonfly
  • Hand made Dragonfly
  • Hand made Dragonfly – squirrel photobomb
  • Wildlife Waiting for Fireworks
  • Yard Art
  • Moon shot
  • Moody Moon shot
  • Celebrate Canada
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
  • Convent Glen Fireworks
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Virtual Challenge – End of June Update

End of June update on my virtual Lands End to John o’Groats walk. I am in Newbiggin-on-Lune in the Eden district in Cumbria England. In June I walked 195 kms or 121 miles


1032 kms / 641 miles completed – 712.2 kms / 442.5 miles to go.
59% done in 50% of my goal time. The pin with my photo in it is my current location, the red pin is my pace pin. I am 167 kms ahead of pace. At my current pace I should cross into Scotland 2nd week of July.

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Remote Photography

Camera and Wireless Technology is amazing. Tonight, my daughter Kendra was walking along the Harbour in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland and she was watching the sunset while thinking that her Dad back in Ottawa, Canada would love this! So with the wonders of video technology she called me and for the next hour we wandered the Harbour together taking photos and screen shots, all at my direction. We’re calling it ‘Remote Photography’. Kendra was holding her camera phone and I took the pictures. These pictures were all taken between 10:30-11:15pm her time. We are so thankful that we can do things like this even though we are 3000 miles away from each other. It makes missing her and Orkney a little easier.

  • Kirkwall Harbour Sunset
  • Feet Selfie
  • Kirkwall Harbour Sunset
  • Kirkwall Bay and Wideford Hill
  • Kirkwall Bay and Wideford Hill
  • Kirkwall Bay Sunset
  • Kirkwall Bay Sunset
  • Kirkwall Harbourfront
  • Portrait of Kendra
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Remote Flash Photography

So I bought a couple of remote flashes recently and I have been curious to see what kind of results I would get. I watched a few Youtube videos to see how to get what I hope would be at least good results on a first try. What I mostly learned is that I have more to learn on this. I am happy with these first attempts though.

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Sunset at Petrie Island Beach

Petrie Island beach is about 5 minutes from our house. It is a true gem in the east end of Ottawa and for Orleans in general. My goal this evening was to capture the sunset. I used my new 10-22mm wide angle lens and I was able to capture a few shots that I am really happy with. One special photo was of a group of young ladies that had come down to the beach with their parents to take photos. These young ladies were all dressed in their prom dresses. The 2019/2020 School year has been tough for these graduates with many strike days and Covid19 shutting schools down since March.

  • Class of 2020