Well here it is, Christmas Eve. For the first time in 6 years we have both my daughters home for Christmas. Covid-19 precautions have prevented us from doing our normal family traditions with the rest of the family. So I took the opportunity to do a set of Christmas themed Family photos.
Christmas Stars and Moon
It has been too cold for me to drag the telescope out, but I used my telephoto lens and captured what I think is a nice shot of Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon. Unfortunately the weather is going to be cloudy right up to Christmas so I will miss the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. ISO 400, F8, 6 Secs
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Ring of Kerry Virtual Challenge completed!
I complete virtually walking the Ring of Kerry in Ireland. This was my 6th Challenge this year and I really enjoy this one as well. We went to Ireland in the Spring of 2019 with some friends and spent a wonderful week staying just outside Killarney in the Gap of Dunloe. Killarney was the start and end point for this journey. With our friends, we drove the North half the Ring, which is known as the Wild Atlantic Way. I did this challenge with my daughter who is currently visiting with us from Scotland for 3 months. We are both going to walk the Cabot Trail next. These virtual Challenges are addictive!
Downtown Ottawa Christmas Lights
My daughter and I went downtown and met up with the Ottawa Shutterbugs photography group to take night photos of the Christmas lights. It was a bit chilly, but we got a good walk in and it was really nice to spend time with my daughter who is a phenomenal photographer usually based in Scotland.
Confederation Park 
Confederation Park 
Confederation Park 
Confederation Park 
Rideau Canal 
Elgin at Rideau 
Elgin Street 
National Cenotaph 
National Cenotaph 
National Cenotaph 
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 
National Cenotaph 
National Cenotaph 
Chateau Laurier 
Rideau Canal 
York St. Byward Market 
York St. Byward Market 
The Ottawa Sign 
The Ottawa Sign 
The Ottawa Sign 
Byward Market Building 
Cenotaph Tunnel 
Cenotaph Tunnel 
Cenotaph Tunnel 
Robb and Kendra 
Union Station 
Union Station 
Union Station 
Ottawa Skyline 
Ottawa Skyline
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Alight the Night
We took a drive an hour south of Ottawa to Upper Canada Village (UCV) near Morrisburg, Ontario. UCV if you have never been is a really well done tourist attraction that depicts the life of Canada in the 1800’s. Many buildings have been restored and brought to life with period actors recreating life from that period. Interesting fact: My mother actually attended the 1 room School House as a child. The building was brought in from its former location near her hometown and restored at UCV. A couple of times of year, they decorate the entire village. In October they run a display called Pumpkin Inferno which we went to last year and was just amazing. In November, December and January they run Alight the Night and they decorate the village in over a million Christmas lights. It really is something to see. For most of these shots I used my 10-20 mm Wide Angle lens. ISO 100, F13, and various shutter speeds depending on the light.
The Front Entrance 
The Store 
Lumber Mill 
Lumber Mill 
Moody Skies over the Village 
Church 
My Daughter and I 
Santa 
Santa’s Workshop 
1 room School House 
The Big Church 
The Big Church 
The Big Church 
The Big Church 
Ring around the Moon
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Navan Ponds, Orleans Karst
Through the Ottawa Shutterbugs photography group, I heard about the Navan Ponds that are supposed to be great for capturing bird photo’s. While I didn’t get many interesting Bird Photos the Landscape was interesting. On the way home I caught an combine making quick work of a field of corn in the setting sun and then I stopped at the Orleans Karst Pond to capture the last of the setting sun on an icy pond.
Remember, if you see any photos you would like on my Redbubble store, just let me know.
Please visit my online store – IMALAIRD PHOTOS. Please let me know if you like to see any of these photos in the store for purchase. Thank you!
Completed My 4th and 5th Virtual Challenges
I am pleased to announce that I have completed 2 more virtual challenges. I completed Hadrian’s Wall and the 2020 Challenge to walk 2,020 kms in 2020. These walks have helped with my physical and mental health during this crazy Covid Year.
Today, I started my 6th Challenge with my daughter. We are going to “walk” the Ring of Kerry in Ireland together. It is 200 kms long and I have actually been on parts of it. We are hoping to complete it by Christmas.
Sunrise Walk along the Ottawa River
This morning we took an early morning (sunrise) walk along the Ottawa River. It was surprising how many people were already out, but it was quiet and peaceful. I used my Kit Lens for most of the photos.
Please visit my online store – IMALAIRD PHOTOS. Please let me know if you like to see any of these photos in the store for purchase. Thank you!
Imalaird Online Photo Store
I have had many requests over the past couple of years asking if I would sell my photos. I really had no way to do that (both time-wise and technology wise) until now. I am happy to announce that I have opened an Online Store hosted through Redbubble. Not only can you buy my photos, you can buy interesting items with my photos on them. Please check out the store. You never know, there might just be something there for that someone special in your life.
3rd Virtual Challenge Completed
Is this a photography site or a fitness site? I haven’t been able to get out to take many photos over the last couple of weeks due to work commitments, but I have been out doing my walks around the neighbourhood for my Virtual Challenges. So this week I completed my 3rd Virtual Challenge – The Inca Trail. This was a 42.16 km/26.2 mile Challenge and I did it over 6 days.
So now I am onto my 4th virtual Challenge – Hadrian’s Wall, a 145 km / 90 mile walk. Hadrian’s wall was built about 122 AD to keep the Picts out of the civilized Roman Britannia.