The Weather Network was right…
Today was a beautiful, cold, crisp and sunny day! My mood was immediately elevated and I thought it would be a good idea to go out and collect some images for the studio. Late this afternoon, I packed up the camera and headed down Doe Lake Road. I love the light at the end of the day, so I don’t venture out until the angle of the sun is low. There is more colour…
I stopped several times along the road. It was -18C and breezy, so my hands froze quickly if I didn’t wear my gloves. I find I cannot use the camera efficiently with them on, so my fingers often matched the purple of the shadows I was photographing! I took photos until after the sunset and when I got home, the ones that I liked the best – and will likely become paintings over the next few weeks – were some of the last ones I shot.
I drove a loop that took me through a town called Uffington. There is a rich history to these small settler towns in this area and it is surprising how many of the original families remain in Muskoka. The image below is of a home that looks only recently abandoned.
We are only a couple of days from the full moon. This means that it rises shortly before the sun sets. This made a scene that included a warmer sky and the tips of the trees were coated in the orange of the sun’s fading light.
At the very end of my drive, not far from town, I couldn’t resist a shot of the Brunton farm. This is a very old farm that has managed to stay in the family for generations. The town, although small, is close by and there have been many concerns over how recent growth and development will affect our few remaining farms. Farming in Muskoka has never been easy – the terrain is too rocky. So they are a rare thing….
I hear we have snow squall warnings now… But, then, I guess that makes these days all that much more precious.
I have always had a deep curiosity about the lives of people who settled this land. For some great images of abandoned houses in Ontario, I found this great site by a graphic designer and photographer from the Collingwood area. Abandoned Houses in Ontario
Thanks for your comment on blogcatalogue. Your blog is beautiful and I look forward to spending time here when I am not about to conk out. Tomorrow is my 3 month anniversary posting daily watercolors at Landscape into Art. Come by and say hello if you have time.
Thanks Suzanne!
I have just been over to say hello and look forward to your next painting..
These shots are gorgeous. I love the moon, especially in the winter – it has a different “look” to it, doesn’t it? It’s more brighter and seems a lot closer.
This is a shot that I took at my house during the winter a couple of years ago. The quality of the photo isn’t so great, but I had to get this shot! Click here…
(I hope that comes out – not sure if this accepts html or not.)
Great blog! Hope you don’t mind if I link to you. I would love to return! Thanks for the visit too!
If you can’t open up the html code – just copy and paste this into your browser.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4867/1316/1600/moonglow.jpg
See if that works. 🙂
Michelle:
I am presently in Marin County, California. Leaving for Monterey this morning. It’s been sunny and warm for the past several days but now the weather is returning. Course, weather here means rain and 40 degrees! 🙂
Your snowy photos make me miss my Montana home!
Deb – beautiful image! Thanks for sharing…
Kinsey – I couldn’t live without the snow…
Deb – Oops! One of your comments got caught in moderation…
The moon does have a very different look at this time of year – I love it too!
I am glad you enjoy the site. I really love yours too! You can imagine how dry my hands are after painting!! LOL!
Lovely photos, although I doubt I’ll EVER miss the cold & snow!
Hi Lana!
Thanks for visiting. 🙂