Travel Galleries

Lake Louise, October 10-11, 2009 :

Lake Louise, October 10-11, 2009

Updated: Jan 02, 2010 4:03pm PST

Vancouver Island, September 11 - 23, 2009 : A wonderful two week getaway to Vancouver Island in September saw my wife and I visit with friends in Victoria, spending time with my family in Nanoose Bay, sailing with my folks to Pender Harbour, and day trips to Vancouver and Tofino. The intention of the trip was to relax, but we sure covered a lot of miles. The weather was mostly pleasant though cool on the water. Indeed a great time in one of Canada's (and the world's) most beautiful places.

Vancouver Island, September 11 - 23, 2009

A wonderful two week getaway to Vancouver Island in September saw my w ...

Updated: Dec 13, 2009 4:50pm PST

Niagara, Ontario, September 5, 2009 : Upon finishing the Wine Access 2009 Canadian Wine Awards in Toronto, our group of top wine critics from across Canada were invited to participate in an escorted day trip to the Niagara Peninsula. The trip was skillfully organized by the Ontario VQA association and our group merged with some other Ontario-based writers to visit specially selected vineyards in unique geographical areas. In wine-speak, these unique locations (deemed so by topographical, climatic or geological features) are called 'appellations.' Part of the maturation of Canada's wine industry is better knowing and defining appellations within our wine growing regions so winemakers and grape growers can grow the right grapes, apply the right amount of magic and coax the best out of their vines. Just as in Australia, where Barossa is an appellation, so too should be the Naramata Bench in BC or Prince Edward County in Ontario. On our trip, we were met by a Niagara's pioneers and top winemakers, including JL Groulx, leading appellation expert and winemaker at Stratus Vineyards; Paul Bosc Sr., owner of Chateau des Charmes Winery and one of Niagara's wine pioneers; and Thomas Bachelder, superstar winemaker from Vincor's Le Clos Jordanne. We visited Tregunno Farms vineyard, Chateau des Charmes and Le Clos Jordanne. Each are on different areas of the peninsula, and are at different altitudes, slope facings, exposures to the sun, and have myriad different soil compositions. The day ended at Le Clos Jordanne, where we assembled for a guided tasting of what Thomas Bachelder considered the best variety of expressions of pinot noir in Niagara. That was followed by a delicious lunch, and then it was back to Toronto for an evening flight home. The sun and times of day afforded me great photography opportunities, especially of the stock photo variety. I hope you enjoy this group of photos.

Niagara, Ontario, September 5, 2009

Upon finishing the Wine Access 2009 Canadian Wine Awards in Toronto, o ...

Updated: Oct 16, 2009 11:36am PST

Toronto, July 8-10. 2009 : I was in Toronto recently for a series of work-related meetings and a charitable event. I walked around the city a little bit, trying to find places and neighborhoods that I haven't already been to a dozen times, which saw me get to City Hall and the lakeshore, amongst other places. Many of these pictures were shot from about 2 inches off the ground. I was experimenting with perspective. Though it took a few tries at each locale to nail down horizons and ground/subject/sky ratios, I am satisfied with most of my results.

Toronto, July 8-10. 2009

I was in Toronto recently for a series of work-related meetings and a ...

Updated: Aug 17, 2009 7:23pm PST

Banff, Alberta, June 18-20, 2009 : A quick getaway to Banff, Alberta, for my wife (www.nestandsparkle.com) and I to enjoy some hiking and some relaxation. The weather was perfect, save for some occasional showers, and the scenery was beautiful. Enjoy.

Banff, Alberta, June 18-20, 2009

A quick getaway to Banff, Alberta, for my wife (www.nestandsparkle.com ...

Updated: Jun 20, 2009 11:27pm PST

Scottsdale, Arizona, February 19-24, 2009 : In February, my wife and I visited Scottsdale, Arizona for a relaxing vacation and to celebrate her 30th birthday. Scottsdale is a mostly upper-class spa and golf suburb of Phoenix. It was a wonderful trip! We stayed at the Fairmont Scottsdale, which is a beautiful hotel and whose service was impeccable. The weather in Phoenix in February is very similar to summers in Calgary - we enjoyed highs of 25-28 degrees C during the day and lows of 10-12 C at night. The hotel bordered on the TPC Scottsdale golf course, which had played host to the Phoenix Open PGA tour event two weeks' previous. During our visit, I played a game of golf, both of us spent a couple of days at the spa, and we rented a car one day to see downtown Scottsdale, do some shopping (which was nothing special and so wildly unsuccessful) and see a few sights in the area. It was a lovely trip - perfect for what we needed. I'm confident we'll likely visit again. *two caveats: a) I was two-weeks' new to my camera, and b) these are travel shots meant to remember and reflect our trip, thus this gallery is not plush with photographic talent; rather it is riddled with tourist pictures. Enjoy!

Scottsdale, Arizona, February 19-24, 2009

In February, my wife and I visited Scottsdale, Arizona for a relaxing ...

Updated: Jun 14, 2009 7:56am PST

Vancouver, March 25-29, 2009 : Shots from a trip to Vancouver between March 25-29, 2009. I was in town for the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, which is a spectacular week-long festival featuring over 50 events, tens of thousands of consumers, more than 200 wineries from around the world, and innumerable great wines of all price points. It's always great to be in Vancouver at that time of year, because the rest of Canada is still snowed in, but flowers and mild temperatures abound on the west coast.

Vancouver, March 25-29, 2009

Shots from a trip to Vancouver between March 25-29, 2009. I was in tow ...

Updated: Jun 13, 2009 9:22am PST

Okanagan Valley, May 4-8, 2009 : On a recent business trip, a colleague and I cris-crossed the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. We stopped at 24 wineries and drove 2258 kilometers. We met many wonderful people and six vineyard dogs. We ate some great meals and tasted several great wines. Amongst my favorites were Road 13’s new pinot noir rosé (2008 vintage), Laughing Stock’s 2006 Blind Trust red and Portfolio, and a seminal summer favorite, Tantalus’s 2007 old vines riesling. The weather was mostly overcast, and I'm learning through trial and error that a polarizing filter is not suggested for overcast conditions. That said, when blue sky poked through, some interesting and artistic results were achieved. All in all, I got some nice captures - including of vineyards, which are beyond cliché for me now and are minimally inspiring to shoot. I hope you enjoy this series. footnote: 97 total shots taken, 24 made the gallery - 26% keeper rate!

Okanagan Valley, May 4-8, 2009

On a recent business trip, a colleague and I cris-crossed the Okanagan ...

Updated: May 12, 2009 10:09pm PST