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  Is your internal travel bug longing to spread its wings and fly? Seeking tropical adventure? Are you missing your tropical getaway? If so, you are not alone. Sadly, this year many of us are unable to travel due to the pandemic and travel restrictions.
 Spring often provides an excellent opportunity for travel. There are so many amazing places to explore. Travel is that opportunity to explore and embrace the natural beauty of a new destination. As a photographer, I am gifted with the ability to share a visual story of our magnificent world.
  Below is a stroll down memory lane, a snippit of my tropical travel photos to inspire your future travel. The beauty of travel enriches our lives. Unique excursions provide a break from the mundane, resulting in magnificent and magical new experiences. Joy can be found in experiencing new flavourful foods to expand our pallets. New cultural experiences and history provide knowledge. Travel has always been that opportunity to develop new life-long friendships. For those who love to travel is is all about “seeing it with your own eyes”. There is nothing like a first hand nature or wildlife encounter. My first ocean encounter with whales and dolphins left me hooked. I hope my photos will make you smile and excite the travel bug within you. Check out the new tropical images I have just released to my Animals & Botanicals Gallery. Start dreaming and planning. This too shall pass, and the world will be ours to explore.
  Until then, let’s look local. Perhaps this is the opportunity to support local business and seek new adventures in our own backyard.

  Well here we are, February already! The days are getting longer allowing us that extra bit of time in our day. No matter where we were in the world, the seasons have always guided us. Although the celebrations have not always looked like they do now. Our traditions and calendar has evolved.

  February, along with January, were added to the calendar around 700 B.C. by Numa Pompilius. February’s name was derived from the Latin word februo, which means “purification rites.” Historically, February was placed at the end of the calendar year. The purification tradition continued with the Romans during their Lupercalia festival and renamed it “februarius”. 200 years later January and February were relocated to the beginning of the calendar year. In an attempt to align the calendar with the solar season, Julius Caesar creating the Julian calendar. He added days to February as well as a leap year day. Celebrations were very much connected to the seasons and solstice patterns. Some things have changed, and some remain the same.

  February can be cold and confining in Canada. Yet, there are many interesting and special days in February to brighten those cold Canadian days. Whether past or present, celebrations are more about our opportunities to create connections and give gratitude.

  My passions are built around that need for connection and gratitude. Connection to nature, connection to memories, connection with others. Truly, I am beyond blessed to be able to take all of my passions and combine them into my dream business. I’m all about the celebrations. So here are a few we look forward to.

  Many Canadians were delighted with the predictions of Groundhog Day.

• Shubenacadie Sam (NS) 
• Two Rivers Tunnel (NS) 
• Fred la Marmotte (QC) 
• Wiarton Willie (ON) 
• Oil Springs Ollie (ON) 
• Manitoba Merv (MB) 
• Balzac Billy (AB)

  Don’t forget our friends south of the border who anxiously await Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania to emerged from his burrow. While it is just a fun and festive tradition, I’m going to hope that an early spring is in the forecast. I’m just itching to start planting and get into the garden.

  Then of course there is Valentine’s Day. While this day is traditionally meant to be a day for sweethearts, it has also become a day to acknowledge your love of all those important people in your life. The richness in life is within our connections with others. Now more than ever, those connections are so important. It’s amazing how a text, or a quick call can brighten someone’s day.

  Not into the mushy Valentine’s Day message? That’s ok. February 13th is Galentine’s Day. While this started as a fun day to celebrate female friendships, it has expanded to include all forms of friendship. Missed Galentine’s day? No worries, February 17 is also known as International Random Acts of Kindness Day. You can use this day to create or reconnect those connections. I have added many new cards to my collection to make that connection simple and meaningful. Choose that special image that you know will bring a smile to someone’s face. The world is truly a beautiful place full of incredible people. Hold a door, smile at the store clerk, make a donation to your favourite charity… the list goes on and on. Never underestimate your ability to create a positive impact even with a tiny act of kindness. Studies have proven that the gift of giving is actually more beneficial to the giver than the receiver. So helping others truly helps ourselves. It’s a win, win.

  The unbelievable macro world of snowflakes! I can never get enough.

  Magical macro snowflakes, snow capped mountains and sparking sunsets. Winter is what you make it.

  With a new year comes new resolutions, adventures and new opportunities to embrace and capture the spectacles of nature. If you haven’t figured it out, I have a wee bit of an addiction to photographing snowflakes. I couldn’t possibly write my first blog of 2021 without including some of my most recent flake favourites. Yet, why stop there? Magical moments are often created around the little joys in life. We all have those moments that make us smile. For me, one of those magical moments came when I awoke to a heavenly horizon sprinkled with hoarfrost crystals. I scrambled to get my gear and head outside as the sun was perfect. The ideal conditions to photograph these unique formations only appear a few times a year where I live. Hoarfrost develops when air is brought to its frost point by cooling. When the temperatures dip below freezing, direct condensation transforms water vapour into fabulous frost that decorate foliage and ground cover. Add in a colourful sunrise or sunset, and you have something special.

  Click the link below to see the dozens of new cards I have added to my e-card winter collection. My hope is that they bring you joy and help you stay connected.

  Well here we are the end of 2020! Who knew what an impactful year it would be. Full of ups and downs, tears and joy.  A year that would forever change our lives. I had far more time this year to wonder my property. Time behind the lens was my recharge. Time behind the lens grounded me. There, I embraced nature’s beauty and found some joy in a year like no other.

  I also did something that I haven’t done in a long time. I started writing poetry again. While this started as an attempt to keep my brain busy; it resulted in a creative outlet to organize my thoughts and emotions. I am the eternal optimist. I believe that positivity creates positivity. Not to downplay the negativity that we all experienced this past year. It is that balance of positive and negative events. Each so powerful because of the other. It is with immense compassion and heartfelt respect that I hope we can all find peace within the tragedy of past year.  After all…

Well here we are, embraced in autumn. I hope you had a fabulous month. Thanksgiving, Halloween, and all those beautiful autumn colours. There truly is so much to be thankful for. That may seem odd while we are all dealing with so many changes right now. Staying connected is so very important. Please take a moment to visit my website and view the new Autumn E-Card Collection I have created to keep you connected with those who matter most.

Pursuing Your Passions

  Summer is drawing to an end. Slowly the leaves are changing and the temperatures are cooling. The beauty of living in a diverse four season country is the feeling of new beginnings as the season changes. A break from the summer heat to cozy clothes and autumn colours. Each season holds an opportunity to embrace the comforts and joys of the season.

  My garden is still buzzing as harvest begins. The bees are busy gathering the last of the pollen from the fall blossoms. Potatoes, onions, beets, carrots, and so much more, are all awaiting to be dug. I have truly enjoyed the fruits of my labour this year. Our garden holds more than just produce. It has become a restful and relaxing place to photograph.

  Please feel free to browse the new images which have been added to my e-card gallery. I have not only been busy in the garden; my time has been consumed by a new and exciting project! Something new is coming! I can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned!

  August is that time of year when the weather allows us to get outdoors and embrace all that nature has to offer. August has been a whirl wind for me. Busy with tons of time behind the lens and opportunities to pursue my passions. This summer has been very different for most of us as we adjust to the new normal. The optimist in me has chosen to embrace the change to a slower pace and use the time to evaluate my focus, both behind the lens, and with regards to other opportunities.

   Every time I click my shutter I have a goal. Some goals are as simple as capturing the beauty of nature. More often than not, it holds a secondary goal. Awareness, education or the goal of creating connection. That need to support human connection has always been a huge personal driver for me. Now more than ever I believe maintaining our connection with others is key to our mental health and well being. I sure know it is for me. Take a moment to brighten someones day; pick up the phone, shoot them a text, or send them an e-card, it can be as simple as that.

  I hope you enjoy the new e-cards I have added to help you stay connected.

  I hope everyone had a fabulous July. I apologize that you are reading this late. Due to unforeseen technical difficulties with my website I was unable to publish my blog. I am happy to say that I believe the glitches have been resolved. A huge shout out to Shayne Lawrence at Catch This Design Inc. for all her support and technological know how in resolving the problems. There is absolutely no way I could pursue my goals involving my website without her.

  My website has become an extension of me. A place where I hope I can inspire you with the beauty of nature in the hopes of conserving it. A place where I can connect with you, for this I am extremely grateful.

  Finally! Summer has arrived! It was a long snowy winter and a wet rainy spring. I am so ready to embrace the hot sunny Okanagan summer. There are so many fabulous opportunities to get outdoors. The hot summer sunshine brings me never ending moments behind the lens. Blessed with the endless possibilities of everyday adventures, I absolutely embrace all that summer has to offer. 

  As a result of our global pandemic much of our connections with friends and family has been minimized and our summer adventures have been altered. Our current conditions have created the ultimate opportunity to embrace the staycation, so that is exactly what I plan to do. I have been embracing every opportunity to enjoy the luxurious local landscape that surrounds me. As always, these excursions are based on low carbon footprint adventures. Hiking various ecosystems is my happy place, my connection to nature. Each location provides a stunning backdrop of varying forest flora and fauna, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Alone, or with my family, each adventure provides a healthy outlet and rejuvenating experience for our mind, body and souls. Every time I walk away with the greatest appreciation for Mother Nature and I am immensely inspired to protect it. Every adventure encourages my goal of creating the ultimate e-card gallery for you. E-cards are the most viable way to stay connected while protecting and preserving our precious environment. This is my ultimate goal. 

  I hope you enjoy the new e-cards that I have added to the collection. Feel free to view my e-card gallery and browse. Choose from over 150 images to stay connected with family and friends.  

  Mid June and we are getting closer to the official start of summer! Every season holds incredible and unique beauty. Yet, summer is often greatly anticipated. No matter where you live, summer has historically been filled with outdoor events and opportunities we often look forward to all year. While this summer is going to look very different, on so many various levels, I choose to be the optimist. This new world may hold new restrictions but it also can hold new opportunities and adventures we never imagined. Life is ever changing. How we choose to adapt and evolve is our only control over our advancement and happiness. Positive perspective is powerful. Perhaps, this is the time to recharge, refocus and regroup. An opportunity to create closer quality connections within our circles. A time to shop local, support our own communities and those within it. Staying local also enables us to lower our carbon footprint. While we may have restrictions on having physical visits, I am grateful for the technology that connects us. It is so very important to keep in touch. This is the time to think outside the box, to create beauty and joy within our world. I have created new e-card categories and many new e-cards for you to share the beauty of nature and to help you stay connected. As summer embarks upon us, please take time for yourself to enjoy the spectacular sunshine, wonderful warmth and lazy longer days.