Saturday, March 31, 2007

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.

Friday, March 30, 2007

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.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

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.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

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.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Whaler's Inn, Mystic

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

Monday, March 26, 2007

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.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Matthew's Baptism

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

Thursday, March 22, 2007

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.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

"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.

Monday, March 19, 2007

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.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

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???

Saturday, March 17, 2007

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.

Friday, March 16, 2007

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.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Rotting Apples

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

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Signs of Spring?

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

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Red Mail Box

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

Sunday, March 11, 2007

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.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Late Autumn Leaf

Taken in the Balls Falls area last fall.

Friday, March 9, 2007

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.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Black Swan

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

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Barn in Niagara-on-the-Lake

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

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

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.

Monday, March 5, 2007

What Is It?

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

Sunday, March 4, 2007

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

Saturday, March 3, 2007

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.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Fast Food

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

Thursday, March 1, 2007

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