Tuesday, October 27, 2009

International Day of Climate Action

I put on my event photographer hat and joined in the protest. This was the biggest rally in Vancouver since the anti-war action in 2003.

Fortunately the weather held up and even improved during the day - the gloomy clouds disappeared over the course of a few hours.

Placard bearer

Sign waving on the Cambie Bridge.


Crowd

The crowd gathers.


Oxfam banner

This gives some sense of the number of people.


"Canadians care - climate action now!"

The banner that was hung from the Cambie Bridge.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Autumn colours/Fall colors

I'm not sure if the autumn leaves are a more intense colour this year or whether I'm just noticing them more. Maybe it's because I missed most of it last year since I was away for nearly all of October. Anyway, there were some spectacular colours around UBC last week, and here is a selection.


Main Mall with E

This is the view down Main Mall, looking north from Agronomy Road. Every one of the oaks seems to be at a different stage of colour.


Red Ivy on Frank Forward Building

The colours of ivy were never something that I was aware of in Melbourne, maybe the ivy is a different type there that doesn't change colour. This is actually the outside of my building, and looking out the window with the sun streaming through the red ivy leaves (on some days) is a real pleasure.


Winding away

I like the way the street curves in this shot. This is a quiet back street that runs parallel to Wesbrook Mall. The brilliant yellow of these trees are visible from the bus loop.


Oak parade

Another shot along Main Mall, looking in the other direction. I'm often struck by the stately pillars of these oak trunks, no matter what the season.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Ghosts of Sunshine Past

Now that the rainy season has well and truly hit Vancouver (50 mm forecast for today after 20 yesterday), I thought I'd blog about some sunny photos from the last couple of weeks (and hopefully get up to date!). These are all from in and around Vancouver.



Selection of squash

This selection of squash was on display at the Brackendale Fall Fair, which is just north of Squamish.



Stump

From a lookout close to the summit of Lynn Peak, on the North Shore.



Sunset illuminating North Van

While not sunshine per se, the sunset was reflecting off the buildings of North Van.


And that's it for this installment - watch this space!

Monday, October 12, 2009

A snapshot of NYC

These pics are over a month old now, so it's high time they were blogged about. I took a lot of photos in New York (for me, anyway) and as a local friend was flicking through them on my camera while I was there, she commented on how it is always interesting to see what people who don't live there choose to photograph. In particular, she mentioned my fascination with the water towers on top of many of the buildings, and the chains for locking up bicycles. In Vancouver, most people who like their bike to be there when they get back us a U-lock, whereas the New Yorkers seem to prefer a heavy duty chain and a solid padlock.


Morphing

One of the more touristy activities was going to the Top of the Rock viewing platform. But it was such a clear day that it was well worth it. And not very crowded. Nicole was leaning against the glass looking out, looking like she was morphing with her reflection.


Northwest

An incredible view, and a brilliantly clear day.


Trench man

Always a lot of roadwork happening.


Locked

The heavy duty chains preferred by New York City cyclists.


Bleecker & Bowery

I was really impressed with how this shot turned out. All I wanted to do was get some traffic blurring past, but the combination of the light from the full moon and the glow of the city on the clouds give it a great atmosphere.


Water tower

One of many water towers.


Joshua

A portrait of Josh on the New York Water Taxi heading out to Long Island City. It's difficult to catch Josh unaware - he has a sixth sense about when a lens is pointed in his direction.


PS1 beer

Beer at MoMA PS1 - somehow this sums up the whole experience, which was fairly surreal.