Fireflys

We had just settled down to enjoy our campfire when I noticed the amazing pattern made by the sparks drifting up from the fire. To get the wet wood burning I had used more kindling than usual. The kindling was softwood, and it must have been rich in resin, because it made a lot of sparks. I set my camera on manual and experimented with shutter speeds until I got a satisfactory image. I like this one because it looks like an abstract painting.

On the Beaver Pond Trail

This is one of my favourite photo spots in Algonquin Park, and that is saying a lot when you considerate that Algonquin is one of the most photogenic places on the face of the  planet. This is on the Beaver Pond Trail at about the half way point, after the wooden stairs. A short creek connects the two lakes visited by the trail. The upper lake is probably only there because industrious beavers maintain the dam in the foreground of the photo. The sky was brilliant blue on this day. I love the way the trees form a frame and divide the image in a natural "rule of thirds" vertically.

I used Photoshop Elements to adjust the perspective of the image a bit because I had to shoot from such a low angle, and I lightened the shadows a touch to bring out some detail. Those were my only adjustments. I know that it looks like I increased the colour saturation, but that is not the case. It was just a perfect day with perfect light.