Since returning to the Maritimes we have been treated to several intense storms. This of course is simply an opportunity to get out, marvel at creation, and get some photos!

Stormy Fields

Barn Storming

Into the Storm

Storm

I have spent quite a bit of time driving around on the Tantramar Marsh trying to get pictures of the storms as they moved in.. sometimes as late as 2:30 AM (it is a vacation after all).

Jupiter, the Moon, and a storm over the Bay of Fundy.

One storm in particular (at 4:00 AM) was such that many people have said that they had never seen a storm like that here in New Brunswick. When that one was going over head there was almost constant lighting flashes from all directions with continuous rumblings and crashings as the thunder shook the house. A bolt of lightning struck on a tree near a relatives home and when they told me about it I had to go look.

So here is my photo essay:
Why you shouldn’t take refuge under a tree during a storm.

A piece of the destroyed tree is embedded in the ground some distance from the tree.

Ready made toothpicks.

A close up of the splitting done to the tree.

One of the first things you notice about the tree is how little bark is left on it. Over 50 feet away I was still finding bark shrapnel scattered across the lawn.

Even the roots were cooked. Any exposed root had the bark blown off, and where the big roots were underground the soil above was split, exposing the roots.
Lesson: Stay away from trees during storms!

If you happen to be in grade 5 and in Alberta you may get to see one of my photos in your social studies text book.

Several months ago I was approached by a company in Canada that wanted to use an image of mine for a school book, “Voices of Canada”. I was a bit surprised.. I didn’t even consider it a good photo.. it was a photo of my beloved Tantramar Marshes, but not one of my favorites. Anyway, they found it on my photography site and wanted to use it. So I scratched my head for a few hours to figure out what to charge. “If I charge too much she won’t buy, too little and and I would be showing how little I know and selling myself short..” After much thought and discussion with a few friends I made an offer and they took it! We just received the cheque last week.

If you see one of the 42,000 copies of this book around, please rip out the page with my photo and send it to me.

So here it is, Early Morning Mist, my first sale.

For Christmas Naomi got me a set of Hoya close-up lenses for my camera. Basically, they are magnifying lenses that screw on the front of a camera lens. They allow a camera to focus much closer than you normally could. With Spring finally here I have been testing them out..

Pollen

Specks of yellow pollen are scattered throughout the flower.

Tiny Bee

This bee is on a small daisy. The center of the flower is about 1 cm (less than half an inch), making this a very small bee!

Blue

Ready to Open

A tulip that is ready to pop open.

Spring Pollenation

A European Bee doing his thing.

Style and Pistil

Thanks Noami for the great gift! And thanks God for your beautiful creation!!

Waiting, originally uploaded by Troy And Naomi.

While we were waiting to board our airplane to Jamaica (after a 5 hour delay) I noticed this elderly lady sitting in the sun. She looked very tired and likely had been delayed too. I believe her family were Italian. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of this lady. This is probably my favorite portrait I have taken.. other than of my kids of course.