The Joy of Low Tech

Last weekend I visited Vancouver Island. I left my camera at home. This was deliberate - I didn't want to be weighed down with gear as well as luggage. Predictably, some of our destinations proved to be photographically irresistible, so I grabbed the tool at hand: my Samsung S3 Smartphone. Here are 2 shots from the Horticultural Center of the Pacific, and one from the spectacular Orveas Bay Resort, near Sooke. 

Japanese Garden, HCP

Fire In The Sky, HCP

Bench In Flowers, Orveas Bay
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Colony Farm

I recently had a late day outing to Colony Farm Regional Park in Port Coquitlam. I have lived here for decades, yet have never heard of it, much less visited. It was peaceful, green and bisected by the lazy Coquitlam River. We explored the Community Garden, which was bursting with summer's bounty and glowing in the evening light. Such a pretty place....

Echinacea

Tableau

Evening in the Grove

Sweet Peas

Under the Bridge
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Early Summer

I know, it's not really early Summer any more - we are well into it, and isn't it glorious? In early June I returned to Linda Steele's beautiful Morningside Creek property. The landscape had changed once again - with blossoms blooming at every turn. I usually take a tripod, but seldom end up using it. This time was no exception.

Breeze

Woodland Flowers

Poppies
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Bramhall

One of our childhood homes was in Bramhall, Cheshire. It was great fun to return to our former house on King's Close - its current owners were kind enough to invite us to lunch. They also took us to Bramhall Park, a tranquil green space with meandering streams and picturesque ponds, forests and trails. The Park is home to Bramhall Hall, a stately 14th century Tudor manor house. It now serves as a museum, but was closed for renovations during our visit. Maybe next time.....

Ladybrook

Gate House

Pond

Bramhall Falls

Rope Swing I

Bramhall Hall
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Stockport

More from the trip to the UK - our stop in Stockport included a visit to the Market, a favorite childhood destination. It's a fascinating place, offering up an eclectic mix of merchandise from buttons to cakes to underwear to wonderful English cardis. Overlooking the Market is  magnificent St. Mary's Church, a Gothic masterpiece that opened in 1817. I was lucky enough to see a bell ringer in action - amazing!

St. Mary's Window

Marketplace

Station Approach

Road to the Market

Call to Worship
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

The Mysterious Forest

Meanwhile, back at Linda's lovely property in Surrey, Winter is in full force. While we don't have snow, the trees are bare and inscrutable, and the ground is littered with storm tossed leaves and branches. Bear Creek, the dreamy, meandering stream of summer, has become a turbulent torrent. Take a look. 

Branches

River in the Rain

Echoes of Fall

Rockin' Chair

Wild Waters

The Hollow
Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Winter

Welcome to 2016! I spent the Christmas break at The Glen, where Winter has definitely taken hold. Snow is everywhere, and it shows no signs of leaving. Here are a few impressions. 

Adirondacks In Snow

Snow Field

In The Trees

Into The Woods

Winter Forest

Copyright 2016, Kathy Neudorf

Night Magic

Christmas lights are magical, aren't they? I love the big, glittering displays, and tonight photographed a neighborhood attraction. Instead of more traditional shots I moved the camera with a slow shutter. Out came these fun abstracts! There is something exhilarating about creating effects in camera. Editing is minimal - they either work or they don't. I'm enjoying this!

Angel Wings

Fire Storm

Light Waves

Snowman And Friends

Splash

Splash I

Star, With Angels
Copyright 2015, Kathy Neudorf 

Roots and Wings

In late September/early October my sister and I spent 2 weeks in England. This was my childhood home, and I had not returned since leaving at the age of 12. Our purpose was to visit old haunts, connecting with the past and discovering how it fit into the present. We journeyed from North to South to West by train, bus, and occasionally by car. Our first stop was in Stockport, staying at the Copper Beech Guest House. This is a historic, charming B and B, hosted by the warm and welcoming Liz Bailey. Stockport is urban and industrial, yet Liz and her husband Mike have turned their back garden into an oasis.

Chairs

Inlay

A Gnome's Home

Pond

Stone Flowers

Tiny Falls
Copyright 2015, Kathy Neudorf

Another Day in Paradise

Autumn is upon us, and I was lucky enough to spend another day with the Brass Band Art Group, at Linda Steele's property in Surrey. The change in season has not diminished the charm of the place, and once again its magic took hold. Our task was to start a project called 'The Four Seasons', where we will interpret nature as it changes throughout the year. Hmmm. Not sure that got done, but I sure had fun!

Autumn Abstract


Water I

Trees and Grass

Water II

Leaves and Branches
Copyright 2015, Kathy Neudorf