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Photos of Canada

Brockville in Ontario.

Historic district of Brockville in Ontario.
Historic district of Brockville in Ontario.

The historic area of Brockville in Ontario is surprising for its architecture, its large mature trees and the presence of a very well-planned marina. At the end of each day, many vehicles come to park along the boardwalk which provides a beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River near the Thousand Islands Archipelago.

The photo above shows one of these old buildings covered with ivy and other vines. The unstable weather on this day allowed us to capture a towering cumulus cloud (TCU) in the background, which adds to the overall atmosphere.

Isolated tree near the historic area of Brockville in Ontario.
Isolated tree near the historic area of Brockville in Ontario.

While walking around the historic district of Brockville, we spotted this huge tree standing alone at the curb. Although it is not protected by other trees in the area to endure the storms and high winds over the years, it managed to survive and reach maturity without too much damage.

Both pictures were taken with a Canon 5DSr full frame camera.

Click on the link for more pictures of the Canadian provinces on my blog.

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Street photography

Two pilots who will not give way to the other one

Two Porter Airlines Bombardier Q-400 on the Toronto Billy Bishop airport
Two Porter Airlines Bombardier Q-400 on the Toronto Billy Bishop airport

That is what happens when there is only one taxiway and both pilots refuse to give way…

You have certainly realized that there are no conflict here and that, a fraction of a second later, both Porter Airlines Bombardier Q-400 aircrafts continued taxiing, one towards the ramp and the other one towards one of the runways of the Toronto Billy Bishop airport in Ontario.

Few seconds before, I was watching both aircrafts getting closer with each other. Being of the same format, it was possible to get a special effect. Every fraction of a second counts when doing street photography so I took several shots and chosed the one that allowed the minimal space between the two aircrafts.

For other street photography pictures:

Street photography

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Photos of Canada

Toronto’s architecture : photography with a Canon 5D MKII in 2016 part 2

Here are some photos of Toronto that were taken in February 2016 with a Canon 5D MKII DSLR camera. The photos were all saved in RAW and JPEG files to facilitate any additional work that could have been required with an image editing software.

Architecture and photography both offering unlimited possibilities, I did not impose any limitations. The primary goal was to profit from any opportunity that would arise while profiting from the softer light offered by the winter season.

Toronto Harbourfront, Winter 2016
Toronto Harbourfront, Winter 2016

The first article with regards to photography in Toronto that was published on my website showed only one subject: the CN Tower. It was published during Winter 2016:

Photography in Ontario : the Toronto CN Tower

In the present article, I develop other angles of Toronto which is a city in constant evolution and where you can find multiple styles of architecture. In the picture below, a recent rain shower helped to add unexpected reflections.

Toronto and CN tower by night. Winter 2016
Toronto and CN tower by night. Winter 2016

Some architectural subjects are naturally imposing. This is the case when all you have to do is look straight ahead, enjoy what you see and immediately try to compose an interesting photo.

A good example is the interesting reflected shapes that can be seen on the windows of a building. I could not help to take the picture below as I was surprised that a windowed building could send back images that were so totally different from each other. I am curious why there is so much distortion between the windows…

Toronto building reflections (2016)
Toronto building reflections (2016)

Instead of taking pictures of the newly designed Art Gallery of Ontario, I used its reflective properties to capture something a lot older, which was the design of the row of older houses on the other side of the street.

Some houses are reflecting on the Art Gallery of Ontario (2016)
Some houses are reflecting on the Art Gallery of Ontario (2016)

It is also possible to add variety and fun to a photo session by looking for special shapes, angles or contrasts that are not already obvious.

As I was walking downtown, I passed by the Brookfield head office. The architecture of this relatively new building is quite interesting. The architects were able to preserve the facades of older surrounding buildings by integrating them and assigning each one a role inside the new construction, possibly because the city required their protection in case of any new development.

But it is only once I was leaving the sky rise that I found the idea for the next photo: a vertical wide-angle shot from which all lines would be straight, all this possible by using the advantages of the Canon 5D MKII full frame sensor coupled to a Canon 14mm 2.8L wide-angle fixed lens. Image sharpness was insured through manual focus, a tripod, a remote trigger and the mirror lock-up function.

Toronto Skyrise, Ontario 2016
Toronto sky rise, Ontario 2016

The last photo is essentially about contrasts: the colour contrasts (light and dark) and the density contrasts that one can find in different constructions of Toronto.

In the foreground, we see the aquarium, with its pale and inviting colours, as well as lots of space where only few people are visible. In the background, there is the exact opposite, with very dark high-density condo towers, very close to each other, where every inhabitant hopes to have an interesting view on the Lake Ontario. All this in a photo divided in two parts and cropped very tightly to increase the differences and eliminate any visual distractions.

Contrast between the Ripleys Aquarium of Canada and the condominiums in the background. Toronto, Ontario (2016)
Contrast between the Ripleys Aquarium of Canada and the condominiums in the background. Toronto, Ontario (2016)

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada

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Street photography

Street photography in Toronto, Ontario

Street photography in Toronto: love at first sight!
Street photography in Toronto: love at first sight!

While wandering through the streets of a big city like Toronto, in Ontario, it is quite common to see very interesting graffitis. A new visual experience can sometimes be created simply by shifting to the side.

By standing exactly in a position where the enraged animal will be right against the car, more tension can be created. The car is now positioned between a not so friendly animal and a panel clearly indicating that this is a tow zone.

This is one little creation allowed by street photography, since everything is about positioning oneself and seeing a possible new interpretation to a normal scene. The photographer must nonetheless respect the principle that demands that no objects be moved or no special requests be made to a person in order to obtain a desired effect. Everything has to be untouched and it is the photographer that has to position himself in order to create the desired effect.

The photo was taken with a Canon 5D MKII camera.

For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:

Street photography

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Photos of Canada

Photography in Ontario : the Toronto CN Tower

It is always difficult to find new ways of taking pictures of such a popular touristic attraction as the CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario. This tower, with its 553,33 meters in height, is one of the most elevated free standing structure in the world.

Here are six photos that present the CN tower under a different perspective. It was necessary to take those pictures at different times of the day (including dusk and night) in order to obtain more diversified and original pictures.  I used a Canon 5D MKII camera for all the photos. I hope you like the shots!

Skating near the CN Tower inToronto, Ontario (2016)
Skating near the CN Tower inToronto, Ontario (2016)

CN Tower during nightime in Toronto, Ontario (2016)
CN Tower during nightime in Toronto, Ontario (2016)

Toronto's nature and the CN Tower (2016)
Toronto’s nature and the CN Tower (2016)

CN Tower and railway at night. Toronto, Ontario (2016)
CN Tower and railway at night. Toronto, Ontario (2016)

The CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario in 2016
The CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario in 2016

The CN Tower at dusk in Toronto, Ontario (2016)
The CN Tower at dusk in Toronto, Ontario (2016)

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada

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Street photography

Street photography in Toronto, Ontario

Of graffiti and garbage cans

Of graffitis and garbage cans in Toronto
Of graffitis and garbage cans in Toronto

The lady on the wall seems to be annoyed by the smell coming out of those garbage cans that have been placed right under her nose. It would have been better if somebody had at least thought of closing the lid…

A safe bike…or maybe not

Street photography in Toronto: what's left of a bike that was locked for more security
Street photography in Toronto: what’s left of a bike that was locked for more security

There are two versions for this street photography taken in Toronto, Ontario in 2016. The first one, that is the positive side of the story, shows that people are locking their bike piece by piece. It takes more time, but at least the bike is safe…

The second version, less positive, represents what is left of a bike that was locked by the front wheel only…

For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:

Street photography

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Aviation photography

Aviation photography: plane spotting at the Toronto Lester B. Pearson international airport (CYYZ)

Air Canada Airbus A330-343 C-GHLM in Toronto 2016
Air Canada Airbus A330-343 C-GHLM in Toronto 2016

Here is some information aimed at helping tourists visiting Toronto, who like photography and aviation, and would think of booking one day during their visit to head to the Toronto Lester B. Pearson international airport (CYYZ) for a plane spotting photo session.

Initial planning

If you can, get a scanner or download an app on your cell phone to get real time information on air traffic around the airport: you will then know in advance the type and nationality of inbound or departing aircrafts.

http://www.torontopearson.com/app/#

Search for websites giving you access to Toronto airport VHF frequencies and program your scanner if you decided to get one.

http://www.canairradio.com/yyz.html

Have a look at different plane spotting websites for the Toronto airport: there are many precious advices from experienced plane spotters that will prove useful in heading to the best spots and avoiding common mistakes. I used the two links below:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zdHrYLKKTr6s.kVyJADEEDD94&hl=en_US

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zoK-gCuBpw20.kihycrsJLTH8&hl=en

Print two or three maps of secondary routes around the airport so that you can orient yourself when there is a change in runway use due to different winds or if you use a taxi ride to move around the airport: the driver will always ask you details on how to get there since those secondary routes are not a common destination for him (and chances are that he will not know where to go if you ask him to head to threshold of runway 05. Basically, he needs road names, not runway numbers).

Cessna 560XL S5-BAV Toronto 2016
Cessna 560XL S5-BAV Toronto 2016

British Airways Boeing 777-236 G-ZZZA in Toronto 2016
British Airways Boeing 777-236 G-ZZZA in Toronto 2016

Before leaving your Toronto hotel

Before you leave the hotel, look at the Toronto weather forecast, among them the TAF, to know the wind pattern for the day. The Nav Canada site has everything you need to know and there is a possibility to choose between coded or plain aviation language.

https://flightplanning.navcanada.ca

The Environment Canada site is also very useful:

https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html

Don’t forget to bring many snacks as well as a bottle of water since you will possibly be at a good distance from a restaurant for many hours, depending on which runway is in use. The same goes for additional batteries and memory cards for the camera.

Don’t forget the scanner, the cell phone (to call a taxi driver or get access to the arrivals and departures information) and all the photo equipment needed, as well as an abnormally high number of clothing layers necessary in case of winter photography: eight hours almost immobile outside in February calls for an appropriate preparation if you want to appreciate your experience. If you economize on clothing, it is certain that you will have to shorten your photography session.

I chose February for its very interesting light and not for its temperature! Most of the shots in this article were taken in only one day at the Toronto airport, between 10h30am and 18h30.

American Airlines MD-82 N482AA final 05 Toronto 2016
American Airlines MD-82 N482AA final 05 Toronto 2016

From the hotel to the airport

If you chose to stay at a downtown hotel in Toronto, the best way to get to the Toronto international airport is to use the UP Express train, from the Union Station on Front Street. Its use is very simple and departures are made every fifteen minutes. In February 2016, the cost was CDN $44.00 for a return trip to the airport, while a taxi ride cost $130.00.

UP Express Toronto 2016
UP Express Toronto 2016

The UP Express ride only takes 25 minutes and the train stops at Terminal 1.

It is preferable to avoid using your car around the Toronto international airport since some secondary roads are private and no stopping is allowed. You will take more time to look for police than to enjoy your plane spotting photography session.

Once you are at Terminal 1

Once you exit the UP Express at Terminal 1, get your scanner and monitor the ATIS frequency (120.825) to get the latest information on the runways in use for take offs and landings. For my photo session, the ATIS announced that runway 05 and 06L were in use, both for arrivals and departures. I took a taxi, showed the map with secondary roads to the driver and within few minutes I was where I needed to be and started the photo session.

Air Transat Airbus A-330 C-GTSN Toronto 2016
Air Transat Airbus A-330 C-GTSN Toronto 2016

A preliminary internet search allowed to discover that heavies mostly arrive from Europe during the afternoon et that runway 05/23 is favored for Emirates Airline Airbus A-380 arrival. I thus decided to position myself near runway 05 instead of 06L.

There are two or three quite isolated spots around the airport that provide interesting point of views for aircraft photos but that can present security problems for a photographer working alone with expensive equipment. Experienced plane spotters suggest that you should be accompanied by friends if you decide to opt for those spots (see the “plane spotting” internet sites suggested at the beginning of this article).

Emirates A-380 final for Toronto (CYYZ)
Emirates A-380 final for Toronto (CYYZ)

Emirates A-380 on final for Toronto (CYYZ) 2016
Emirates A-380 on final for Toronto (CYYZ) 2016

Emirates A-380 on final 05 for Toronto (CYYZ) 2016
Emirates A-380 on final 05 for Toronto (CYYZ) 2016

Technical advices

For precise photos of aircrafts in movement, I use the following parameters with my Canon 5D MKII camera:

1. Only the central AF Point of the auto focus system is selected and not the surrounding ones in order to avoid that the camera sets the focus on other objects than what I desire (trees, ILS structure, buildings).

2. The AI Servo setting is more efficient than the AI Focus or One Shot. The aircraft will be followed precisely.

3. If I want to include surrounding objects in the photo, I adjust the aperture to 7.1 or 8, instead of 11 or 13. I thus avoid increasing the ISO too much, which would affect the picture’s quality if it has to be enlarged with Photoshop.

Westjet Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSV Disneyland Livery in Toronto 2016
Westjet Boeing 737-8CT C-GWSV Disneyland Livery in Toronto 2016

4. To take pictures of an approaching propeller powered aircraft, a speed adjusted to 1/125 is generally adequate. You must pivot according to the aircraft movement so that it looks like it is immobile in your viewfinder. The picture is easier to take when the aircraft is farther away but becomes more of a challenge when it gets closer and flies by you since you must constantly change your pivoting speed.

Porter Q-400 C-GLQD on final for Toronto Billy Bishop airport (CYTZ) 2016
Porter Q-400 C-GLQD on final for Toronto Billy Bishop airport (CYTZ) 2016

Air Canada DHC-8-102 C-FGQK Toronto 2016
Air Canada DHC-8-102 C-FGQK Toronto 2016

5. A shutter speed that is too high will immobilize the propeller of an aircraft and make it look like the engine is not working, which will take away realism.

6. Throughout the day, position yourself so as to have the sun behind you (if there is any sun!), unless you are looking for special effects.

Global 5000 GL5T C-GJET in Toronto 2016
Global 5000 GL5T C-GJET in Toronto 2016

7. A very high quality lens, like the Canon 50mm 1.4, allows for beautiful pictures during the evening since there is no compromise on ISO, as the lens does not need much light. The grain size stays relatively small.

Air Canada Boeing 777 final 05 Toronto 2016
Air Canada Boeing 777 final 05 Toronto 2016

8. I use a very low ISO if the photo includes an interesting but far away aircraft, in order to be able to crop the picture with Photoshop. Since I cannot compromise on the speed to avoid a blurred picture, it becomes obvious that it is the aperture that pays the price.

Air Canada Airbus A-330 final 06L Toronto 2016
Air Canada Airbus A-330 final 06L Toronto 2016

9. If the situation allows it, add visual references other than clouds to get a bit more variety in your aircraft photo collection.

Air Canada Boeing 777 final runway 05 Toronto 2016
Air Canada Boeing 777 final runway 05 Toronto 2016

10. Try a black and white photo if the cloud formation is particularly interesting.

C-GQBG CL-415 and cirrus clouds on a black and white picture
C-GQBG CL-415 and cirrus clouds on a black and white picture

11. RAW+JPEG files allow for important adjustments when necessary. A JPEG only photo gives you little leeway when you want to correct mistakes or during problematic lighting conditions.

12. Variable sky conditions and constant direction winds are preferable for your photo session since the runway in use will not be changed in the afternoon and your pictures will benefit from different light intensity and cloud formations.

13. If you want to take the aircraft in relation to the ILS poles and you are looking for a symmetrical photo, just move few inches to the right or left while the aircraft is approaching or going away from you. You will also want to avoid that the horizontal poles of the ILS cut the plane and make it difficult to see.

Westjet Boeing 737-800 final 05 Toronto 2016
Westjet Boeing 737-800 final 05 Toronto 2016

14. Have fun experimenting, like taking a shot just above your head while including other objects for added interest.

On the ILS 05 for Toronto 2016
On the ILS 05 for Toronto 2016

15. Instead of always showing the whole aircraft, try a close-up view.

Air Canada Boeing 787-9 C-FNOI in Toronto 2016
Air Canada Boeing 787-9 C-FNOI in Toronto 2016

16. The close-up view might be such that even passengers of an aircraft on final will look at you while you immortalize them.

United Express on final at the Quebec Jean-Lesage international airport.
United Express on final at the Quebec Jean-Lesage international airport.

17. Chances are that you will meet other enthusiast plane spotters in the same area as yours since they also prepared themselves for a successful photo session.

Westjet Boeing 737-800 C-FYPB in Toronto 2016
Westjet Boeing 737-800 C-FYPB in Toronto 2016

18. Since you are in Toronto, head to Toronto Harbour when you are back downtown. You will witness the air traffic surrounding the Toronto Billy Bishop airport (CYTZ), formerly known as Toronto Island, and possibly take some original shots.

Porter Q-400 C-GLQM and C-GLQB at Toronto CYTZ 2016
Porter Q-400 C-GLQM and C-GLQB at Toronto CYTZ 2016

19. This is the photo equipment used for my Toronto airport plane spotting session: Canon 5D MKII camera and the following Canon lenses: EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. No polarizer was used that day since I wanted to increase my margin of manoeuver with fast moving aircrafts under the February low intensity light.

Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300ER final 05 at Toronto 2016
Air Canada Rouge Boeing 767-300ER final 05 at Toronto 2016

American Eagle CRJ-701ER N523AE Toronto 2016
American Eagle CRJ-701ER N523AE Toronto 2016

Aviation photography requires much planning for successful photos. But all your efforts will rapidly bear fruits once you are on site and you will not see time pass! Have a great plane spotting session and give me some news of your experience if you can!

Air Canada Boeing 767-375 (ER) C-FCAB in Toronto 2016
Air Canada Boeing 767-375 (ER) C-FCAB in Toronto 2016

You can have access to other aircraft photos taken at Toronto through this link on my site:
photo galleries/aviation only

For other articles on aviation and photography, click on the following link: Aviation photography

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Photos of Canada

Photography: Justin Trudeau, Stephen Harper and David Johnston in Ottawa , October 22nd 2015

On October 22nd 2015, in Ottawa, a ceremonial service commemorated the anniversary of the attacks that killed two Canadian soldiers in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa: Warrant officer Patrick Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Both families were present at the ceremony.

Policemen on motorcycles in Ottawa, on October 22nd 2015, ahead of the ceremony honoring Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant officer Patrick Vincent
Policemen on motorcycles in Ottawa, on October 22nd 2015, ahead of the ceremony honoring Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Warrant officer Patrick Vincent

As one could expected, major security measures were put in place. View of the ceremony was partly blocked by all kind of obstacles and the crowd was held at a good distance by fences and an army of policemen.

Part of the crowd standing near the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Part of the crowd standing near the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

I was nonetheless lucky enough to find one of the few spots that provided a direct view on the ceremony and the dignitaries.

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Stephen Harper shake hands during the ceremony in honor of Nathan Cirillo and Patrick Vincent held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Stephen Harper shake hands during the ceremony in honor of Nathan Cirillo and Patrick Vincent held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Using a Canon 70-200mm f2.8L II USM equipped with an extender, and benefiting from an ideal random positioning of the multiple secret service agents, policemen, soldiers and officers of all kinds, few other photos were made possible.

A first handshake was visible between Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper, under the eyes of Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.

First handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial of Canada in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
First handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial of Canada in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Few dignitaries who were present at the ceremony: The Ottawa mayor, Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper.

Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2015
Jim Watson, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and Justin Trudeau, Laureen and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2015

On several occasions, Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper were able to exchange a few words.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and Laureen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

Four CF-18s flew over the crowd, at good speed. I was lucky enough to take a picture of one of them. For those photographers who could be interested, the camera speed was 1/8000 sec, the focal length 400mm and aperture 5.6.

One of four F-18s over the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
One of four F-18s over the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper then raised and walk toward the National War Memorial in order to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Canada.

Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

On the left of the picture below, it is possible to see some of the Corporal Nathan Cirillo’s family members.

Nathan Cirillo family members are sitting behind Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
Nathan Cirillo family members are sitting behind Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

A second handshake, more assertive this time, was exchanged between Justin Trudeau and Stephen Harper.

Second handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 2015
Second handshake between the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau and the incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 2015

Comforting words were pronounced by a few people, among them the Governor General of Canada and the military chaplain.

The military chaplain at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
The military chaplain at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife are shown leaving at the end of the ceremony.

The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and his wife at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

A serious handshake was exchanged between the Ottawa Mayor, Jim Watson, and the Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau. Justin Trudeau’s both hands covering Jim Watson’s was certainly a sign that real cooperation could be expected.

Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and Justin Trudeau in Ottawa 2015
Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and Justin Trudeau in Ottawa 2015

Soldiers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of which Nathan Cirillo belonged, did a march- about under high protection. A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the National War Memorial in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo and the same will be done next year for Warrant officer Patrick Vincent.

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Parade in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Parade in Ottawa, October 22nd 2015

Unveiling a commemorative plaque in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015
Unveiling a commemorative plaque in honor of Cpl Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa on October 22nd 2015

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada

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Photos of Canada

Photography : The new Prime Minister-designate of Canada, Justin Trudeau, arrives in Ottawa

Luck was certainly needed to be able to catch the arrival in Ottawa of Justin Trudeau as the new Prime Minister-designate of Canada, after the historical Liberal Party win of October 2015.

Like it often happens after a long photography session, there is a last minute opportunity that allows some totally unexpected shots.

Just as I finished packing my Canon 5D MKII and camera equipment, I saw a policeman on a motorcycle who was blocking the traffic on Wellington street. He was giving way to the Liberal Party campaign bus.

The Liberal Party campaign bus with the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau on board arrives in Ottawa on October 20th 2015.
The Liberal Party campaign bus with the new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau on board arrives in Ottawa on October 20th 2015.

Estimating that the new Prime Minister-designate of Canada was on board, I took the chance to run back to the Ottawa Parliament. Climbing the stairs two by two, I arrived at the same time as the bus. A Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM was quickly installed to make sure that the photos would be in a wide enough format.

Numerous policemen were taking care of security but I was able to get close enough since there was only twenty or thirty people present, the arrival of a Prime Minister being held secret for obvious security reasons. Few seconds only were needed before Justin Trudeau got out of the bus and turned around to salute the crowd.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau arrives at the Ottawa Parliament on October 20th 2015
The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau arrives at the Ottawa Parliament on October 20th 2015

He then climbed few stairs, turned around again and showed the thumb up sign.

The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau as he prepared to enter the Ottawa Parliament on October 20th 2015
The new Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau as he prepared to enter the Ottawa Parliament on October 20th 2015

It was only the second time in the history of Canada that a political party ranking third won an election while forming at the same time a majority government, and the first time that a father and his son had been elected Prime Minister of Canada.

For more articles in the category « Photos of Canada », click on the following link : Photos of Canada

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Real life stories as a flight service specialist (FSS): Rouyn-Noranda FSS

A squall line goes through the Rouyn-Noranda airport

1986. It was a beautiful summer afternoon at the Rouyn-Noranda airport (CYUY). The Transport Canada flight service station employees knew that a cold front was approaching and would soon sweep the airport. Until then, it was still a perfect day. Blue sky, light winds. At the time, the flight service specialists (FSS) did not have access to radar images or satellite pictures.

To get an idea of what was coming from the west, we were normally using an Environment Canada aviation weather forecast and the actual weather observations of two flight service stations in Ontario, Earlton FSS and Timmins FSS. Their last weather observation mentioned a wind shift and an isolated thunderstorm. But Timmins was far away and could only provide us with a rough estimate of the situation.

As I was working the evening shift on that day, I checked the wind speed indicator, as a reflex developed throughout the years. What I saw was kind of unreal. The speed indicator’s needle suddenly went from showing few knots to 20 knots, and then 40 knots, hesitated a little then went up to 60 knots and, in a final correction, reached 72 knots, which was about 134 km/h.

Everything was so peaceful around the flight service station. I looked through the window to detect any moving object. At that very moment, the wooden shed normally used by the fuel man passed in front of the station. That wooden structure must certainly have weighted few hundred kilos. The fact that it was moving at a good speed was a clear indication that the instruments were working properly. A squall line was associated with the cold front progression.

Everything that was not properly fixed to the ground started moving. In the next hour, strong thunderstorms going eastward moved in over Rouyn-Noranda. The Val-d’Or airport (CYVO) being located sixty miles east, it was clear that it would be hit directly in about two hours. I called the Val-d’Or control tower so that everyone got prepared for the squall line. That gave them enough time to tie everything correctly and damages were limited.

One hour later, everything was back to normal in Rouyn-Noranda and we profited from an ideal summer night.

For more real life stories on the Rouyn-Noranda flight service station and flight service specialists, click here:

Real life stories as a FSS in Rouyn-Noranda