Ontario Wine Society

The Ontario Wine Society has its Annual Social and AGM today. The President of the club is going to hold an "Iron Sommelier" competition. Members and guests will compete to identify first the variety of the wine and then by process of elimination come up with this year's "Iron Sommelier". It should be fun.

Maori Performers

It doesn't seem possible that it's been almost a year since we visited New Zealand. Here's a photo of Maori Performers taken in Rotorua on the North Island.

New Lens

I picked up a new lens yesterday (18-200mm zoom with VR). I had to play around with it so took this photo of one of my toy cars.

Art Deco Stained Glass Window

This photo was taken inside the National Tobacco Company Building in Napier, New Zealand. Most of Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and a lot of the buildings were replaced in the Art Deco style of the day.

Whaler's Inn, Mystic

This photo was taken in Mystic, Connecticut and tweaked in PhotoShop.

Stained Glass Window

This photo of a church's stained glass window shows the name "Doyle Brothers". I tried looking this up on the Internet but didn't find anything. I don't know if these were the artists or the manufacturer of the window.

Matthew's Baptism

It was my great nephew's Baptism today. Matthew doesn't seem to mind the water!

Ladybug on Riesling Grapes

Someone suggested I post some of my grape photos on my photoblog. Here's one taken in Fall at Flat Rock Cellars. I hope this isn't an Asian ladybug which did a lot of harm to the wines produced in 2001.

"Pears in a Row" by Nadine Dennis

This is a photo of a painting by our friend Nadine Dennis. It's now hanging in the home of John & Julie Madill, Scarborough, Ontario.

Heritage Home

There's an area in Markham, Ontario where everyone lives in a heritage home. These houses are brought from all over Ontario and have to be over one hundred years old. They are then restored and brought up to modern-day standards. However, the outside must conform to village standards. Some people have even moved and restored old barns which they now use as their garage.

Church at Balls Falls

I was in the Balls Falls area at 8:00 this morning and drove by my favourite church. I had to take another photo! The morning was bright but still very cold. Only three days until Spring???

Winter's Back!

With only a few days to go until Spring, the Niagara Region got hit with another blast of Winter. This photo was taken at the Balls Falls Conservation Area.

Lonely Goose

This goose was photographed by the run-off pond just beside our house. He lost his mate who chocked on a piece of bread. Apparently a goose will not mate again and won't fly after losing a mate. Sad.

Rotting Apples

Just a reminder that Spring is not here yet. This picture was taken in Beamsville in early winter.

Signs of Spring?

Well, not really. This is an artificial butterfly taken at a Niagara College Open House. The plant is real, however.

Red Mail Box

This mail box was shot in New Zealand and solarized in PhotoShop.

Only 10 Days Until Spring

Spring Coming Soon?

Since it's the daylight savings time change today, we can start thinking of Spring and how the grapevines will look once again. This photo was taken in Jordan, Ontario.

Late Autumn Leaf

Taken in the Balls Falls area last fall.

Lake in New Zealand

This photo was taken in the Central Otago region of New Zealand. This is New Zealand's most inland region. It is also its hottest, coldest and driest.

Black Swan

This black swan was taken behind one of the wineries on the South Island, New Zealand

Barn in Niagara-on-the-Lake

This old barn with a few vintage vehicles was shot in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Christmas Cactus in March

This Christmas Cactus just came out in bloom. Given the frigid winter weather these days in Niagara, I guess the name fits.

What Is It?

This is a photo of a fermentation tank taken at Fielding Estate Winery in Beamsville, Ontario.

Thirty Bench Wine Makers won 2 awards at this year's Cuvee for their 2005 Riesling - Best White Wine and Best Riesling. They were also awarded a Gold for their 2005 Thirty Bench Red

Cuvee Weekend

This is a big weekend for Ontario Wineries. Cuvee is the "Oscars" of the wine world in Ontario. The best wines in various categories are judged by the winemakers themselves. The awards are made at a Gala which is being held in the Niagara Fallsview Casino. Other events this weekend include "Cuvee Enroute". About thirty wineries participate and a passport entitles the holder to visit and taste some interesting wines. On Sunday, the award-winning wines are usually made available for purchase at the winery.

Fast Food

This plane is a permanent fixture outside the McDonald's in Taupo, New Zealand

This photo has been enhanced in PhotoShop. First, the colour photo was changed to a Sepia tone, then it was adjusted using the solarizing filter. For another shot of the same barn (in Beamsville, Ontario), go to my archive for February, 2007