Saturday, January 9, 2016

A Two-Way Street!

I can't believe it, but here I am writing my blog post #1000.  Who would ever know that I'd keep on so long, enjoy it so much, and develop a great network of 'blogging friends' across North America by doing so!  Blogging is definitely a 'two-way street'.  I create the blog, but it gives me back several-fold.  And  I send it out there in the electronic ether, but you my readers, and writers of the blogs I read, give me a reason to keep doing so.

I'm going to illustrate this with some pictures from the past 5 years of writing this blog, but let's start with a seasonal one.  I'm hoping for more snow next week that will give us scenes like this this year.

This is a waterfall that's usually just a trickle, but over the winter it can build up if temperatures stay cold.  Perhaps the biggest benefit of blogging is that it has got me out exploring around the valley, finding sights and getting pictures I otherwise never would have seen.

 I think I used this picture or one like it in one of my very first posts.  It's my favourite image of walking the Bruce Trail, which I do a lot.  And a lot of my walks end up as blog posts.  Along the way my photography has improved enormously as I try different approaches to getting photos.

The valley itself, one of the more scenic places in Ontario, especially in the fall, has been fun to explore.  I'm so glad we live along the Niagara Escarpment, which creates all kinds of interesting scenery, including waterfalls and cliffs like the one above.

I also love the woods and the trail in summer.  It still astonishes me that in spite of the intense development in southern Ontario, I can easily find places to 'get away from it all' and not see another soul for hours.  The challenges of volunteering to help care for the Bruce Trail just make life more interesting.

It's not always the landscape of the valley; writing the blog has made me appreciate all kinds of small details right here in our yard (and helped get some great photos).   It's made me much more aware of the small changes that add up to four different seasons here.  I simply enjoy the natural world out there more than I otherwise would, because I'm always noticing things.

I'm not much on wildlife photography, but sometimes I just get lucky!  I've learned how the light, the sun and blue skies as well as the time of day at different seasons, all have a huge influence on your photos.  And I've learned to (almost) always carry my camera with me.

I also love the fact that we live in an agricultural landscape, and because of my volunteering, I know a lot of local landowners.  These horses are at the local fall fair, but I'm constantly aware of all the seasonal changes in farming as I drive around.  Watching for planting, growth and harvesting of crops has become second nature to us.

I do go beyond the valley occasionally, and I'll probably do more in the future rather than less.  This is sunrise on a canoe trip on the French River in northern Ontario.

I wish I had more chance to photograph sunsets, but I'm working on it!  In the future I'd like to use the blog more to do series of posts and tell stories that can evolve into articles or even books.  That remains my goal, and all the photography and writing I do for the blog pushes me in that direction.

But there's also the huge benefit I gain from all of you who read this little blog and from all of your blogs that I read - there's that 'two-way street'.  I get inspired and encouraged by what many of you post on your blogs.

Those of you who blog about setting explicit goals and working toward them provide a good example for me.  Those who are working toward publishing books, or have done so encourage me to keep on trying.  Those who share your daily life with its struggles and blessings reassure me.  Those of you who have had the courage to share your personal loss have really helped me the past 8 months. Those who report on hikes and travels inspire me to expand my own ambitions.  And of course those who post beautiful photos push me to keep learning more.

So in the end, I'm very glad to be writing this blog; let's start on the next 1000 posts!



 

32 comments:

  1. I will second that! Yes, let's see what the next 1000 posts will bring, Stew. I have loved getting you "know" you through your posts, and knowing that you are, along with me, one of those many people who have lost loved ones way too soon. I am blessed to have you in my blogosphere. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful photos, representative of the many you've posted. Congratulations on reaching a real milestone and please keep going on the second thousand. You certainly live in a beautiful area that will give you myriad opportunities for the second thousand. Thank you for your interesting blog, posting your great photos and giving many of us an on-going tour of a lovely landscape we'll probably never visit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1000 posts is a milestone, indeed! Congratulations, not only for the quantity of posts, but on the quality of each one. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge you share about your environment, the superb photography, the personal stories that show your love of family and friends and the fact you show a genuine interest in your blogging friends. I look forward to the next 1000!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Way to go! 1,000 posts is an accomplishment! I always enjoy seeing your photos and hearing what is happening your way! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations. You have celebrated with beautiful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on reaching post 1000! Yes the blogging community is a good one - I draw lots of inspiration from my blogging buddies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on such a wonderful milestone!! Most of your words could have been my own. I have enjoyed following you, getting to know you and viewing your pretty images!! This compilation was exceptionally beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on reaching #1000! Love your gorgeous photos!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congratulations on post #1000. You show some excellent photos. Did you notice on one of the photos a climber is scaling a cliff. It's to the left of the photo.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can't remember how I discovered your blog, but I know I enjoy your posts. Congratulations on five years. - Margy

    ReplyDelete
  11. We share, care, learn, explore, and have many wonderful friends here, and your photos and words show me a different world to where I live. Your snow, the huge change in leaf and greenery, over the seasons, water falls, canoe trips, your walks and stewardship, and the huge, immense sadness at the loss of your so loved son, brings us all closer. Well done for #1000, looking for lots more.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yes, indeed! Here's to the next 1000 posts. Well done for keeping on going and apparently never leaving the house without your camera. I'm sorry to see that I don't fit into the blog categories that inspire you.... I didn't mean to write about crisps. My blog was supposed to be all about trees. But I guess the blog has a mind of its own and It turns out I really enjoy writing about crisps. But
    I also enjoy seeing your wonderful photographs.
    Did you see Larisa Yurkiw from Thornbury did amazingly well in the Ladies Downhill in Austria yesterday? She was thrilled!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should try and see her second run from Saturday at Zauchenzee in Austria. She was brilliant. And so happy.
      I know not everyone is mad for crisps. I don't know how my blog happened. It just crept up on me!
      Thought I had better reply to you in 2 places at once. Thanks for the comment. Even though it was only to say thanks for the comments!

      Delete
  13. Your photos are absolutely spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 1000 postings!
    Well done!
    Beautiful images.
    My favourites just here are number one and the one with the French river.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The two way street is awesome, meeting so many wonderful people out there. Sharing our dreams and goals.
    Keep the postings coming and the great photos as well.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great shots! And congratulations on post #1000.

    ReplyDelete
  17. 1,000! I'm still labouring along somewhere in the 500s. I always enjoy reading of your adventures though I don't always remember to comment. Wonderful selection of photographs.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You have a beautiful blog, Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yup same here the blogging world is amazing and full of wonderful people . Congrats on your 1000th post . I do enjoy your photos and post so very much . Thanks for doing what you do and sharing it all with us . Have a good day , like the saying goes keep on keeping on !

    ReplyDelete
  20. These are gorgeous shots! I think I'll be hitting a thousand posts at some point this year.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations on the 1000 posts! What's wonderful with blogging is that you meet so many people around the world and enjoy the interaction and the growth in confidence. Your posts are so interesting and your photography is amazing! Here's to 1,000's more. (by the way - Chatsworth post is now up and my feet are killing me as I feel as though I have walked it all again!! :) ) Take care and congratulations once again!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Glorious photos - I doubt I could pick a favorite - though several seem extra special - in a group of many special ones - the ospreys would get my vote for first place - I'm so jealous of that photo - it is amazing and should be framed and enjoyed. The frozen waterfall - or the green woods - or the horses - so many choices. You've done great and I'm looking forward to 1,000 more - or more.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congrats on the 1,00th post! It is amazing how it become part of your life!

    ReplyDelete
  24. A beautiful series of photos! I like the horses best.
    Congratulations on reaching post # 1000!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Lovely images and sentiments. I've made some wonderful contact through the Blog-o-sphere. Sybil in Nova Scotia

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congratulations on your 1000th post! I know I've only seen a portion of them the past couple years or so but I always enjoy them and have learned a lot about the geography and geology of your beautiful part of Canada. The photos you've chosen for this post are all beautiful and show the variety of your posts over the years. Keep on taking pictures and blogging!! Blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  27. An outstanding collection of photos for your millennial post! Oops it did not take you that long to reach the milestone. Maybe this is the millblogial entry!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congratulations on your first 1000 posts. So many beautiful images from a spectacular part of our planet. I am so grateful that we became "blog buddies," sharing the natural wonders of our particular places. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Congrats on the first thousand posts & I sure do agree with your reasons for blogging. It's a great hobby, a great pastime & it's very therapeutic. Can't think of a better way to unwind at the end of the day than just sitting down & writing about one's thoughts & feelings, accomplishments, future plans, old memories & just whatever comes to mind. And it's the photography that is the absolute icing on the cake for many of us as well. When I first started out 10 years ago I took three of my favorite hobbies & combined them. Writing, Photography, & Traveling......a winning combination. Keep up the good work:))

    ReplyDelete
  30. congrats on 1000. Quite an accomplishment! And we in the ether appreciate your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congrats on your 1000th post! I love the icy waterfall and the sunrise/sunset.

    ReplyDelete