We’ve had a couple of great years recently. The El Nino and La Nina years had very little snowfall such that I think I blew the snow (shame on those who snickered :-) only once two years ago and not until well after Christmas last year.
Not so this year. I blew the snow (*sigh*) last night for the second time in as many weeks. Sheesh.
We had a bit of snow on the ground back in late November. About a month ago, actually. Here is the (crisp) morning after. Love those shadows.
Panasonic gh2 & Lumix g vario 14-140 160iso f/4 1/1250
This snow did not really last, but then we got nailed on Friday the 21st. This was the aftermath …
panasonic gx1 & Sigma 19mm 2.8 6400iso (!) f/2.8 1/50
panasonic gx1 & Sigma 19mm 2.8 6400iso f/2.8 1/50
The “lumpiness” of this snow will telegraph its weight. There was a lot of rain mixed in with this snow fall and I struggled for over two hours to blow it more than 8 feet at a time. It was exhausting even with a self propelled snow blower. I pity those who had to move the snow by hand … every year, a few good men fall to heart attacks moving too much snow …
Hours later …
panasonic gx1 & sigma 19mm 2.8 6400iso f/2.8 1/20 (yes, it is very dark despite the image’s brightness)
That’s Nick coming to join me for a very late dinner. We hit BVR (Barrhaven Vietnamese Restaurant) for some well earned Pho and spring rolls.
Rewind to the morning …
We’re still being pounded after getting 30cm over night … the total will be 45cm at some point later. My Lilac bush is contrasted against the still falling snow …
panasonic gh2 & lumix g vario 14-140 160iso f/6.3 1/100
A wider view …
panasonic gf3 & samyang 7.5mm fisheye 400iso f/3.5 1/160
The street is coated pretty heavily …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/6.3 1/640
So off to the Wild Bird Center on the way into the office to see how pretty things really are.
The road was plowed to allow the workers to come in. What a great opening scene … a harbinger of beautiful things to come …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/6.3 1/200
Walking only a short distance into the woods, I was able to capture the incredible beauty of wet snow on the branches … right up to the tip …
panasonic gf3 & samyang 7.5mm fisheye 400iso f/3.5 1/160
panasonic gf3 & samyang 7.5mm fisheye 400iso f/3.5 1/100
So pastoral …
panasonic gf3 & samyang 7.5mm fisheye 400iso f/3.5 1/320
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/6.3 1/200
When you face the same direction as the snow had been driving, you get treated to a truly special moment …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/6.3 1/320
The contrast with the trees’ bark is something too …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/7.1 1/160
A lonely leaf wonders WTF happened
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/7.1 1/200
As you walk the trails (which are snow covered and have no other footprints), you note that there are suddenly branches in your way everywhere. This, of course, because the weight of the snow has them all sagging incredibly. In fact, there are warnings for days after the storm that there are branches coming down violently in Gatineau Park. I made a short film of this morning, where you get to hear the crack of a fallen branch at one point …
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, as many know by now I am really into isolating details. That’s one reason I need to shoot with telephoto so much.
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/7.1 1/160
The animals (deer, likely) have been through here at some point this morning …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/7.1 1/160
The Wild Bird Center is not hosting any sick birds in the outside pens. Duh …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/7.1 1/80
Someone will have to clean the feeders on the property once the storm has passed.
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 400iso f/7.1 1/60
Now, back to the aftermath … this was shot before Nick had returned home from work. Turns out he was held over for several hours (which was convenient, since it took me much longer than expected to do the driveway) …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 14-140 1600iso f/4 1/6
Yes, that’s 1/6 seconds. Slooooooowwwwwww. I got away with it because this lens is stabilized, so if you shoot several images you can generally get one sharp one.
Lesson: Stabilization is very helpful, but it is statistical in nature. Which means that shooting a single image with stabilization on is not a guarantee that you got a sharp image. Shoot several. The lower the shutter, the more you shoot to be sure.
same exposure as previous
On Christmas Eve, the scene is still just as beautiful as it was after the storm.
panasonic g5 & X vario 14-41 power ois 160iso f/3.5 1/500
I think the pool is closed for the season
panasonic g5 & X vario 14-41 power ois 160iso f/5.6 1/200
Let’s get a little closer …
panasonic GH2 & lumix g vario 100-300 1600iso f/4 1/4000
Yes, I brain farted that exposure. Could have shot it at 160iso and instead shot it many stops higher. Oops …
There is a habit that I just cannot seem to form. Before every shoot, check all your settings. I often just pick up the camera and fire away. Sheesh …
The neighbour’s birds are probably going to starve …
panasonic gh2 & g vario 100-300 1600iso f/5.6 1/1000
My Yellow-Twig Dogwood is still the prettiest bush around in the winter time.
panasonic gh2 & g vario 100-300 1600iso f/5.6 1/2000
See the next post for last night’s storm …
To check out all my snow images from this winter, go here.
