I think the fish jumping and the children, unknowing, imitating them, are the most dramatic and eye-catching. Children, not jumping to move on as the fish are but, simply jumping for the sheer joy of being alive. Still, the deer are my favourites. That they congregate and share their lives with you, even though they are unaware of this, is so wonderful!
Thanks for your comment Linda. I think all of us, deer, fish, and people of all ages are moved by the seasons. The warm temperatures certainly brought us out in force. Today, I was back at the dam and the fish weren't jumping, but then it was snowing today and not nearly so nice. Still, it's coming.
I want to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and depth of your latest Substack entry. It was heartfelt and poignant, weaving the delicate interplay of life, loss, and renewal so vividly. Your words allowed me to journey with you, from the stormy night that marked an ending to the bright, hopeful arrival of spring.
Your reflections on life resonated deeply, especially your line: "Yesterday was a good day. It found me alive and open to the world around me. I awoke as the sun rose." That simple yet profound observation reminds us of the gift in each new day and the importance of embracing it fully.
I’m moved by the way you find meaning in the small, often overlooked moments—the playful movements of the deer, the painted rocks in the garden, and the determined journey of the trout. These observations seem to echo your own journey toward rediscovering joy and purpose.
Your ability to capture these moments with your camera and share them with such grace is truly inspiring. Thank you for inviting us to see the world through your lens; whether it's the vivid description of nature or your thoughtful reflections on life itself.
Wishing you many more good days, my friend, filled with sunlight and the beauty of the world around you.
Thank You John. It is gratifying to have you see me so accurately through my presentation. Life isn't easy, but it is rewarding even during the hard times.
Beautiful post, John, and a lovely collection of photos. I’ve been to Port Hope a few times. It’s a beautiful little town. We went for there to see the Santa Claus parade a couple of years ago (delightfully hokey) but haven’t experienced the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny. That sounds like fun.
Glad you are entering Spring, it’s much needed all around. We see the odd deer being next to a forest but to have a whole herd ambling around must be wonderful. Lovely shots.
The human journey after loss is an important one…every one of us navigates this at some point. You have managed to turn this into a work of art, stunning, heartbreaking, and beautiful, all at once. Hugs💗
Thanks for your comment Carol Anne. I agree that grief is a universal experience that each of us must navigate in our own way. This week I read this passage in The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller which resonates with me. He writes, "Grief takes us below the surface of our ordinary lives. Dropping us into a world the colour of a raven's wings. Grief pulls us into the underworld where we are invited to discover a new way of seeing. One that reveals the holiness of all things."
Thank You Lin. I hope to see them jumping into the ladder at some point. Apparently there is a fish scanner where the public can remotely watch them as they travel through the ladder. I'll have to find out more about that. It's a long season, so there should be opportunity to return. The only problem will be jockeying for position with all the other photographers. Perhaps a really long lens would help, so I can get a unique perspective.
Beautiful post John and thanks for your thoughtful comments about the outing. I really enjoyed wandering down to the water and seeing the amazing trout on their journey. You have a great eye for interesting photographs and captured the energy of the kids in the bandshell nicely. Great work and thanks for sharing!
Thanks Andy. Hopefully you got some great shots yourself. Corbett's Dam seems like an interesting place. And I wonder if Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny on April 12th would make a good club outing.
Yup - the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny is on the outings list. I saw somewhere, can’t remember where, that this might be the last time they hold the event.
Beautiful writing, thank you for sharing John. I noticed a painted rock with some fish on it and loved how it echoed later on with the rainbow trout. It's like you could just pick them up out of the water with your hands! Amazing to see. Hoping the fish ladder works for them.
The ladder surely must work as the trout have been returning in large numbers year after year. A fish scanner and camera installed in 2016 keeps track of the fish that use the ladder. This replaces a simple electronic fish counter dating back to 1987. My only question is why is the dam needed at all? Originally it serviced a flour mill and brewery and the dam provided electricity to the town between 1885 when they switched over from gas lighting to when the property was sold to private interests in 1912. I suppose it is used to control flooding these days. Apparently, despite enormous capacity through the town, the river overflowed its banks and flooded parts of the downtown in March of 1980. On April 12th this year, the annual Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny river race will take place. They say you don't need to be crazy to enter, but it helps. Teams portage their handmade crafts around the dam during the event.
Thank You Jerry. Yes, proof of Spring. Perhaps that would have made a better title. Thanks for your visit and comment. Strange how a piece of music can influence a narrative the way this one did. I didn't have to think of it. It seemed to be already playing in the background in my mind as I was writing.
I think the fish jumping and the children, unknowing, imitating them, are the most dramatic and eye-catching. Children, not jumping to move on as the fish are but, simply jumping for the sheer joy of being alive. Still, the deer are my favourites. That they congregate and share their lives with you, even though they are unaware of this, is so wonderful!
Thanks for your comment Linda. I think all of us, deer, fish, and people of all ages are moved by the seasons. The warm temperatures certainly brought us out in force. Today, I was back at the dam and the fish weren't jumping, but then it was snowing today and not nearly so nice. Still, it's coming.
Dear John,
I want to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and depth of your latest Substack entry. It was heartfelt and poignant, weaving the delicate interplay of life, loss, and renewal so vividly. Your words allowed me to journey with you, from the stormy night that marked an ending to the bright, hopeful arrival of spring.
Your reflections on life resonated deeply, especially your line: "Yesterday was a good day. It found me alive and open to the world around me. I awoke as the sun rose." That simple yet profound observation reminds us of the gift in each new day and the importance of embracing it fully.
I’m moved by the way you find meaning in the small, often overlooked moments—the playful movements of the deer, the painted rocks in the garden, and the determined journey of the trout. These observations seem to echo your own journey toward rediscovering joy and purpose.
Your ability to capture these moments with your camera and share them with such grace is truly inspiring. Thank you for inviting us to see the world through your lens; whether it's the vivid description of nature or your thoughtful reflections on life itself.
Wishing you many more good days, my friend, filled with sunlight and the beauty of the world around you.
Warm regards,
John
Thank You John. It is gratifying to have you see me so accurately through my presentation. Life isn't easy, but it is rewarding even during the hard times.
Same here John. 🤗
Beautiful post, John, and a lovely collection of photos. I’ve been to Port Hope a few times. It’s a beautiful little town. We went for there to see the Santa Claus parade a couple of years ago (delightfully hokey) but haven’t experienced the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny. That sounds like fun.
Thanks Mark. This may be the last year for it, so mark it on your calendar if you are interested.
Glad you are entering Spring, it’s much needed all around. We see the odd deer being next to a forest but to have a whole herd ambling around must be wonderful. Lovely shots.
The human journey after loss is an important one…every one of us navigates this at some point. You have managed to turn this into a work of art, stunning, heartbreaking, and beautiful, all at once. Hugs💗
Thanks for your comment Carol Anne. I agree that grief is a universal experience that each of us must navigate in our own way. This week I read this passage in The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller which resonates with me. He writes, "Grief takes us below the surface of our ordinary lives. Dropping us into a world the colour of a raven's wings. Grief pulls us into the underworld where we are invited to discover a new way of seeing. One that reveals the holiness of all things."
That is a beautiful way to describe grief…and the colour of a ravens wing is so accurate…my favourite bird, as it happens.
A beautifully moving post John. Your images of the rainbow trout are amazing - that must be quite an experience to watch them go up the fish ladder.
Thank You Lin. I hope to see them jumping into the ladder at some point. Apparently there is a fish scanner where the public can remotely watch them as they travel through the ladder. I'll have to find out more about that. It's a long season, so there should be opportunity to return. The only problem will be jockeying for position with all the other photographers. Perhaps a really long lens would help, so I can get a unique perspective.
Very moving. 💜 Very interesting too! (That boy literally bouncing off the wall is maybe my very favorite of your images in this group. 😊)
Thank You. I had a hard time choosing a feature photo between those two images. I think I agree with you.
What a wonderful post, JOhn. Very moving. I especially like the deer observations.
Thanks Pat. Nature on my doorstep always captures my interest.
Always inspiring John!
Thanks Jennifer. I appreciate you dropping by and commenting.
Beautiful post John and thanks for your thoughtful comments about the outing. I really enjoyed wandering down to the water and seeing the amazing trout on their journey. You have a great eye for interesting photographs and captured the energy of the kids in the bandshell nicely. Great work and thanks for sharing!
Thanks Andy. Hopefully you got some great shots yourself. Corbett's Dam seems like an interesting place. And I wonder if Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny on April 12th would make a good club outing.
Yup - the Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny is on the outings list. I saw somewhere, can’t remember where, that this might be the last time they hold the event.
Interesting. All the more reason to attend. I guess the water levels will rise from what they are now.
Beautiful writing, thank you for sharing John. I noticed a painted rock with some fish on it and loved how it echoed later on with the rainbow trout. It's like you could just pick them up out of the water with your hands! Amazing to see. Hoping the fish ladder works for them.
The ladder surely must work as the trout have been returning in large numbers year after year. A fish scanner and camera installed in 2016 keeps track of the fish that use the ladder. This replaces a simple electronic fish counter dating back to 1987. My only question is why is the dam needed at all? Originally it serviced a flour mill and brewery and the dam provided electricity to the town between 1885 when they switched over from gas lighting to when the property was sold to private interests in 1912. I suppose it is used to control flooding these days. Apparently, despite enormous capacity through the town, the river overflowed its banks and flooded parts of the downtown in March of 1980. On April 12th this year, the annual Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny river race will take place. They say you don't need to be crazy to enter, but it helps. Teams portage their handmade crafts around the dam during the event.
Sounds like a photo opportunity!!
John, a very moving and beautiful introduction. Peace!
The pictures are stunning! The incredible lively proof of spring. Thanks for sharing!
Thank You Jerry. Yes, proof of Spring. Perhaps that would have made a better title. Thanks for your visit and comment. Strange how a piece of music can influence a narrative the way this one did. I didn't have to think of it. It seemed to be already playing in the background in my mind as I was writing.