photoshopphlake

Sphere

2012-01-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

This sculpture called "Sphere" by Fritz Koenig used to be at the World Trade Center. It is now a memorial in Battery Park in New York City.

New Facade

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Colaneri winery in Niagara has completed its facade. The bricks, trim and wall colours differ but make a striking appearance.

Take A Gander At This

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

A goose displays his wings at the St. John Conservation Area in Niagara.

Donald Ziraldo

2012-01-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

During the Niagara Icewine Festival, Inniskillin founder Donald Ziraldo made a few welcome appearances at the winery.

Winter Wildflowers

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken along the Welland Canal near Lock 2.

Snow And Shadows

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken along the canal bank near Lock 2.

People From The Planet D

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

During the Niagara Icewine Festival I assisted Chef David Penny at Inniskillin while he did several cooking demonstrations where he used and paired Icewines. Members of the media attended this demonstration. The couple on the left are Dave and Deb from the blog "The Planet D." If you go to www.theplanetd.com you can see their pictures and read about the experience.

Marshmallows And Icewine

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

People attending the Niagara Icewine Festival at Inniskillin this weekend had a chance to roast marshmallows and enjoy them with a glass of our Vidal Icewine.

Night Sculpture

2012-01-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

I was taking pictures of sculptures outside 13th Street Winery after dark this week. This one reminded me of a Lawren Harris abstract painting so I cropped it closer to resemble one.

Winter Work

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

This image shows a portion of the extensive repairs being made to the tie-up and slide wall below Lock 2 on the Welland Canal. A section collapsed two years ago and repairs are still being done in the winter when the canal is closed. As we live about 200 metres from the site, we get to hear all this equipment (especially the red pile driver) quite loudly.

Finally, Some Snow!

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

It took until mid-January before we got any snow that stayed on the ground in Niagara. We took my grandson Owen snow sliding Friday. It was lovely and sunny but -8 Celsius. Still, he had lots of fun.

Inniskillin Taste Treat

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Our Chef David Penny at Inniskillin prepared this beautiful scallop during a cooking demonstration last weekend. I participated in the demonstration by discussing the icewines used in the cooking and paired with the food. (Riesling Icewine) All that was part of the Icewine Festival that continues in Niagara until the end of January.

Number One In The World

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

I set up this shot while I was working at Inniskillin during the Icewine Festival last weekend. Our Vidal Icewine is the number one selling wine in duty free shops around the world. It's also the number one selling icewine at the LCBO in Ontario. Probably because it tastes so good.

Taste Treat

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

These are Vidal grapes used to make icewine in Niagara. The Icewine Festival began on Saturday and I spent much of the day letting customers eat the frozen grapes and taking their pictures at the ice bar.

NYC (17) Tight Spot

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

I know I couldn't get my van in that space.

Advertising Genius

2012-01-16T00:01:00.001-05:00

This is my co-worker Yves at Inniskillin. He and I shared the outside duty at the ice bar this weekend during the Icewine Festival. While I was out I took pictures just like this one of dozens of tourist couples and groups, making sure that I got the name Inniskillin into every picture.

NYC (16) Reflection

2012-01-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

Seen on a building in NYC during our December trip.

Icewine Pucks - Niagara Icewine Festival Is Under Way

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

After the juice has been extracted from frozen grapes, the remaining cylinder of compacted grapes and stems is called an icewine puck. The basket containing the icewine puck is taken via tow motor to a device that chops it out so the basket can be used again. At Inniskillin the waste material is sold to a local greenhouse operation where it is turned into electricity to run the facility.

Cormorants

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

A flock of cormorants has taken to swimming and resting on the bottom of the drained Welland Canal below Lock 2. Over the past decade or two cormorants have become a common sight in Niagara and the trees along the canal are popular for nesting.

Lock 7

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

The St. Lawrence Seaway Authority has drained the Welland Canal from Lock 7 to Lock 1 this year. These workers are standing at the bottom of the canal surrounded by the massive gates of Lock 7.

NYC (15) Happy Hans

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

My grandchildren enjoyed the statue of Hans Christian Anderson in Central Park.

NYC (14) Aqua Window

2012-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

On our first day in NYC we did a great deal of walking. Heading back to the hotel after supper, we walked over 30 blocks north along Madison and stopped to look at many store windows.

NYC (13) Golden Statue

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

It had been a dull, cloudy day until our tour bus reached the southeast corner of Central Park. The sun came out and this statue of Victory and William Tecumseh Sherman began to glow.

Birthday Girl

2012-01-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

My daughter Cheryl with the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park, NY. Happy Birthday!

Icewine Maker

2012-01-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Arguably the best icewine maker in the world is Bruce Nicholson of Inniskillin. Bruce and his crew spent long hours Wednesday picking and then pressing frozen Vidal grapes.

Mostly Empty

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Welland Canal closed last Saturday and sections are draining to allow maintenance to take place over the winter. This view, looking north below Lock 3, includes the Homer Bridge and Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines.

Liquid Gold

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is freshly pressed juice from frozen Vidal grapes. Inniskillin machine harvested most of its icewine grapes on Wednesday. The Icewine Festival in Niagara begins on January 13th.

NYC (12) Big Apple/Big Balls

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken just north of Times Square during our visit last month.

Dry Cleaning Special

2012-01-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

The window of a local dry cleaners had an interesting display on Christmas Eve. Nice to see the elves would be well-dressed.

NYC (11) A View From The Empire State Building

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

One of my favourite NYC syscrapers is the Chrysler Building, the pointy, Art Deco edifice left of center. For one year it was the tallest structure in the world but it was eclipsed by the Empire State Building from which this shot was taken.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

I wish everyone who visits my blog a very Happy New Year!

NYC (10) Mary Poppins

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000-05:00

We all agreed the best part of our trip to New York was seeing Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The adults and children all loved the marvelous production. I took this shot hand-held at the end of the show.

NYC (9) Central Park In Black And White

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Our NYC hotel was only half a block from Central Park. Aspects of the city just seemed to be perfect for black and wine images.

NYC (8) Man Oblivious To Art

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Whenever we go somewhere where there is a profusion of public Art I find an image of someone seemingly oblivious to it. This was taken across from the Staten Island Ferry dock in The Battery.

NYC (7) NYPD

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

This New York City police officer was on crowd control in The Battery where there's a huge bronze statue called The Wall Street Bull. He kindly took a photo for some of the tourists when we were there.

NYC (6) Power Plant East River

2011-12-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

There were times when I thought NYC should be photographed in black and white. This power plant on the East River offered an excellent opportunity. Taken from the Empire State Building.

NYC (5) Bryant Park

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

People skating at Bryant Park. The building in the background is Celcius Restaurant where we had a very nice meal on the second floor.

NYC (4) Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

This Christmas ball was the only item we purchased on our trip to New York City. We bought it on the Empire State Building. Merry Christmas everyone! Happy whatever holiday you celebrate.

NYC (3) Ring Them Bells!

2011-12-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

These members of the Salvation Army were soliciting funds by ringing bells and dancing to Christmas music from a beat box. Standing in front of Macey's they had lots of people walking by.

NYC (2) Statue And Ferry

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

One of the best ways to see the Statue of Liberty is to take the FREE Staten Island Ferry ride which goes right past.

NYC (1) Grand Central Station

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

We just got back from 5 days in beautiful New York City. This picture was taken, hand held, in Grand Central Station.

New Facade

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Construction work on Colaneri Winery in Niagara continues. On a recent trip we noted the new facade has been completed.

Anniversary Glass

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

Every member who attended the Ontario Wine Society tasting last week was given an anniversary glass.

Light and Shadows

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

An interesting combination of light and shadow taken in an historic home in Niagara.

Victorian Christmas

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Natural ingredients like oranges, cloves and pine were used to make Victorian Christmas decorations in McFarland House in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Christmas Cactus

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken at the Niagara Parks greenhouses.

Christmas Display At Niagara Falls

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

My favourite photo op is going to see the Christmas display at Niagara Parks greenhouses.

Frost In New York

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

The New York side of Niagara Falls was turned into an ice covered wonderland on Sunday as mist from Horseshoe Falls covered everything and then froze.

Lady Slipper

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken at the green houses at Niagara Parks.

Rainbow's End

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

With very little mist at Niagara Falls on Sunday there was only a partial rainbow to be viewed.

End Of The Pier

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

This was the view from the end of the Port Dalhousie pier on Saturday. It was our first day where the temperature was below freezing in the daytime and the wind made it feel very cold out there.

O Christmas Tree

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Port Dalhousie Yacht Club in St. Catharines has a Christmas tree strung up on a crane in the marina.

Christmas At Colenari

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken at Colenari Winery in Niagara.

Vidal Icewine Grapes At Inniskillin

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

These are Vidal icewine grapes at Inniskillin. December has been mild so the grapes haven't even frozen once this year.

Chilling Out

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

A bucket of Inniskillin Sparkling Icewine (my favourite) awaiting the attendees at a dinner at the winery.

Inniskillin Sunset

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken last weekend at Inniskillin. I was asked to photograph the second Great Estates of Niagara wine club dinner and took this shot just before the members arrived.

Good Earth Christmas Tree

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

We attended an open house at The Good Earth Cooking School and Winery Friday night. The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated.

Sunset At Fielding Winery

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Going to a party at Fielding Winery Friday night I caught the sun setting over the vineyards.

Self-Unloader

2011-12-04T00:01:00.000-05:00

There were dozens of trucks lined up to off-load the REDHEAD Friday evening.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine from Columbia has asked me to provide him with 3 images representing Niagara Falls, NOTL and the local wine industry. I've been going through thousands of images trying to find something appropriate. I suggested this as one representing NOTL.

Star

2011-12-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

I put the Christmas decorations up at my house last weekend. This star is on top of an outdoor tree.

Lovely Orchid

2011-12-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

One of the many lovely orchids at the Niagara Parks greenhouses in Niagara Falls.

Peller At Sunset

2011-11-30T00:01:00.001-05:00

Taken outside Peller Estate Winery in Niagara at sunset.

Green Leaf Red Stem

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken in a puddle along the Welland Canal Pathway.

Cobblestones

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

On a trip to Oxford, England, we saw first hand how a cobblestone roadway was built.

Turville Windmill

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000-05:00

I recently purchased a wonderful BBC version of The Day of the Triffids. At one point the main character walks down the pathway seen in the left of this image. With the windmill there as well, I knew right away the scene was shot in Turville in Buckinhamshire, UK. I recognized it from this picture I took back in 2009. I also recognized the church and pub in subsequent scenes. The town has quite a connection to the entertainment business. The windmill was used in the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the church in the town was used in The Vicar of Dibly.

Elora Gorge Falls

2011-11-26T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the Elora Gorge Falls in Elora, Ontario. The little island in the middle of the falls is called "The Tooth of Time."

On The Ottawa

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

Kayakers on an expedition on the Ottawa near Deep River, Ontario.

Ottawa River Scene

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Marg and Caroline on the Ottawa at Deep River.

Riding The Path

2011-11-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

Taken on the Welland Canal Pathway south of Lock 7.

Observation Deck

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken at Point Pelee National Park in November 2008.

Solar Star

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken at Hinterbrook Winery on Lakeshore Road in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I caught the sun shining through the panels in the thousand square foot solar array.

Sunring And Spruceglen

2011-11-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

A sun ring encircles the wheel house of the CSL Spruceglen as it makes its way into Lock 2 on the Welland Canal.

Painting The Elephants

2011-11-19T00:01:00.000-05:00

An artist works on one of Shawn Reimers panels in the new St. Catharines Mural at the train station.

Top Of The Escarpment

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

The CSL Assiniboine in Lock 7 on the Welland Canal in Thorold.

Harvest End

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-05:00

The Ontario Wine Society Niagara Chapter recently held our annual dinner at Peller Estate Winery. Except for Icewine grapes, nearly all of the grapes have been harvested this year.

In The Tall Grass

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Seen in a ditch along the Welland Canal Pathway south of Lock 7.

Highbush Cranberry

2011-11-15T00:01:00.000-05:00

The red berries of the highbush cranberry provide wonderful Fall colours along the Welland Canal Pathway.

Pathway Bridge

2011-11-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

On this bridge, the Welland Canal Pathway crosses over the old (Third) Welland Canal.

This Blog Is Five Years Old Today

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

I posted my first image on November 13, 2006. My grandson, Owen, has been featured in many of my posts because he's adorable and can balance a bubble on his nose.

Along The Welland Canal

2011-11-12T00:01:00.000-05:00

Looking south toward Lock 2 on the Welland Canal.

Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

New Mural In St. Catharines

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Niagara artist Shawn Reimer has produced another mural in St. Catharines. This one is at the local train station. Shown here is one of the panels representing military history at the station. Considering that tomorrow is Remembrance Day I thought this was an appropriate image to post.

Busy Spot

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Two ships, CSL Niagara and Algoma Progress, wait while the CSL Assiniboine leaves Lock 7 on the Welland Canal. There appears to be a great deal of ship traffic on the canal these days.

Magic Trick

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

At Peller Estate Winery Saturday night I perfected my floating champagne glass trick.

On The Pond

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Taken on Martindale Pond in St. Catharines.

Say Cheese!

2011-11-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Crewmen on the Huron Pacific pose for a group photo as the vessel passes me on its way into Lock 2 on the Welland Canal.

Sun Ring

2011-11-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

We've had some crisp, frosty mornings lately and Marg and I set out on a walk along the Welland Canal the other day. I said to her that this was the kind of sky where you might see a sun dog. As I said that, I looked up and saw a ring around the sun. Click!

Grape Harvester

2011-11-04T00:01:00.000-04:00

A grape harvester operating at the Seeger farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Seagull and Sun

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-04:00

Taken Monday morning on the Welland Canal below Lock 2.

Leaves

2011-11-02T00:01:00.000-04:00

Taken in a puddle beside the Welland Canal.

Owen The Pirate

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

My grandson Owen out looking for pirate booty on Hallowe'en.

Loading Up

2011-10-30T23:59:00.002-04:00

Taken Sunday on Line 3 in Niagara.

Dufferin Islands

2011-10-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

Taken at Dufferin Islands, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Fall In Oregon

2011-10-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

Young trees in a housing estate in Beaverton, Oregon, show their fall colours.

Winery Dog

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

This dog at the Mt. Hood winery in Oregon seems to have been into the grape juice. A poster dog for the joy of wine?

Golden Glory

2011-10-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

Taken in Centennial Park in St. Catharines.

Last Of The Monarchs

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

Seen last weekend in Centennial Park in St. Catharines.

A Little Scuffed Up

2011-10-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

No longer brand spanking new, the Algoma Mariner sailed grandly through the Homer Bridge on the Welland Canal this weekend. Christened in Port Colborne just two months ago, the dry bulk carrier is the first new ship purchased by Algoma Central in 25 years. The wheel house is more than 200 metres from the bow, possibly explaining a few of the scrapes along the ship's side.

Big Green Dragonfly

2011-10-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Taken on the Welland Canal Pathway north of Lock 1.