Spider

A spider spins a web on my front veranda. There was a beam of light coming directly at the spider from the early morning sun. The second photo is a crop of the first.

Tall Ship

German Tall Ship visiting St. John's. This was taken on Sunday from the south side of the harbour. The Tall Ship leaves on August 1st.

Bumble Bee

Bumble bee busy at work on flowers in our flower pot.

Sunset & Oil Rig

This is a photo I took tonight in Conception Bay. If you look closely you will see an offshore oil rig in the distance to the left. The oil rig has been brought ashore for maintenance.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Photos taken this evening of flowers from flower pots on our deck.

Cruise Ship

Cruise ship Maasdam visiting St. John's on Tuesday. Note: postings will be sparodic over the next few weeks as I enjoy a vacation.

St. George's Anglican Church

This is St. George's Anglican Church in Brigus, NL. The church was built between 1876 and 1877 and is a landmark in the community of Brigus. Likely one of the most recognizable structures in the town, St. George's stands as a testament to the importance of the church in Newfoundland during the Victorian era. It is also a worthy example of the implementation of imported architectural styles into rural Newfoundland.

This building is one of the few remaining examples of a large outport church built at the height of Newfoundland Anglicanism. Of elaborate design, the layout is in contrast to many of the more simply designed churches built in Newfoundland at this time. Its original features include the Gothic stained glass windows, dry stone foundation and timber framing. It is a good example of the craftsmanship of the period, particularly that of local builder George C. Jerrett.

CBC Soccer Day In Canada

Sorry, forgot to post yesterday. CBC hosted a soccer game at King George V soccer field on Sunday. The game was between a team of local celeberties against a team of boys & girls under age 14. The centre photo is of Rex Goudie, Canadian Idol runnerup last year, singing the Ode to Newfoundland.

Soccer Ball

Today is Soccer Day in Canada.

Bike Wheels

Motorcycles parked at the St. John's waterfront on Canada day. I got down low to capture the wheels and the linear pattern or repetition of the wheels. I used a layer blending mode to enhance colours.

Wild Flowers

Wild flowers growing along walking trails near my home.

Dandelion Seed

I used a telephoto lens to get the first picture and a macro for the second. Very different results just from changing lens.

Transatlantic Balloon Flight

These are photos I took last evening of the explorer David Hempleman-Adams who is piloting a small gas balloon from St John's, Newfoundland to Europe.

Here are some facts I copied from the Toshiba website on the journey. You can visit the Toshiba website and find out more about the transatlantic flight by clicking on this link: http://www.toshibachallenge.com/?act=Home

This will be a new FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) world record in distance. The 3425 km journey could take four days, depending on the weather.

This is unique compared to other transatlantic flights because it is solo and in an open wicker basket open to the elements. No one has ever flown the Atlantic in a balloon as small as this.

David will be flying between 6000 ft to 15,000 ft depending on the weather track. As David is flying in an open wicker basket at this altitude he will be more susceptible to bad weather such as rain, ice and cold. The temperatures could go as low as minus 30 c.

In the photos above I show the balloon as it is being filled with helium, a picture of David being photographed in his survival suit, then in the basket of the balloon and finally the fourth picture shows him going over his check list just before lift off. It was dark when liftoff occurred and I couldn’t get a decent picture to share with you because of darkness.

HMCS St. John's

HMCS St. John's docked along the St. John's Waterfront.

Happy Canada Day!

Canada day celebrations on George Street this afternoon.