The tree in the front yard, shedding.

Looks like autumn decided to hang around my neighbourhood a little longer. Last year I seem to recall it SNOWED in November and was absolutely FRIGID by the end of the month, but at this same time last year I was just about to set off for Morocco and preoccupied with the trip rather than the weather. Wow, was that a year ago??? I still have photos from that trip to go through…

Anyway, the weather’s been unseasonably warm (18C/64F) and the trees are far from completely bare so I stepped out with the camera to do some neighbourhood shooting before the temperatures drop — which, according to the forecasters, will be in a few days.

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It’s a busy weekend, with lots of running around. I’m posting on the fly as I pull off the photos from my camera and process a few before heading out again.

I went for a walk through High Park yesterday, a welcome nature break from my computer-based activities of the past week. Wonky weather meant the park didn’t have its usual weekend people traffic, thus leaving me free to take the sort of nature photos I prefer without waiting for people to exit the frame, save for the occasional jogger or cyclist.

See why autumn is my favourite season:

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After several tourist rail trips this year in the span of a few months, I could probably be described as a bit of a rail fan. First it was the train ride from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania through the Lehigh Gorge on May 31, then it was the Flamsbana Railway a few weeks later through the mountains of Norway. I’ve also taken the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway through the rainforests of Australia, and the Hershey Electric Train in Cuba, among others.

I’ll take regular passenger trains, too, wherever I can, but it’s not the same as taking an historic train that isn’t used for transportation. For one thing, historic trains go to a point and turn around, which means whatever photo opportunities you missed the first time get a second chance.

I had no idea the South Simcoe Railway existed until yesterday, when it was posted in a forum as a Sunday expedition, but I couldn’t go tomorrow so I decided to go today. I sent messages around to some fellow Flickr photogs, but no-one I knew was able to make it. At 8pm I posted a notice in Craigslist for photographers to come along, and the messages started to pour in…

Which is how this morning I arranged to pick up three others — random Craigslisters — and drove north to Tottenham to catch a train rolling through the Ontario countryside at a relaxing pace of 12 miles an hour. But, enough talk, let’s see some pictures!

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While Birds was hunched over a computer monitor at home working (Columbus Day isn’t a statutory holiday in the USA), Fleecie and I spent some time around Central Park yesterday and stalked animals and butterflies from the human side of the fencing. The sky was a bit overcast, but the temperature was just right for strolling around the Reservoir and pointing the camera at spots of autumn colour.

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It wasn’t my original plan, but I left Toronto in the middle of the night on Friday and arrived later than expected in New York City Saturday morning, pushing everything forward including brunch. Then it took me an eternity to get out of New York City, I got caught in gridlock on the I-87 going north, and seriously didn’t think I would make it to Rhinebeck before they closed up everything.

I very nearly turned around to go back to New York City, because Rhinebeck is a four-hour round trip journey — all for naught if I couldn’t fly. I sat in traffic still more than an hour away, trying to decide whether to return or push on.

But I decided to keep going, crossed the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and with great relief saw the biplane in the sky… I knew I still had a chance to make it.

The good people at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome got me a seat (in the back, just where I like to sit), I put my gear on, and entered a whole new world above the treetops — a glorious world of wings, wires, whistling wind.

Nothing makes my spirit soar like flying.

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Shot on my way to work in BC last month.

After concentrating on portraiture and skintones the last month or so, I’m looking forward to just heading out with my camera in nature again soon.

I think it was a couple of weeks ago when someone in the office told me I was missing rutting season demonstrated on the front (soon-to-be?) lawn, but I got a chance to see the bucks in action this afternoon and filmed a short video (less than 90 seconds):

More deer photos:

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There’s always plenty of deer around the office. Apparently last Friday I missed the excitement of buck battles on the front lawn in the midst of rutting season. (I’ll spare you all the related office jokes.)

Happy Friday!

“Always wear a helmet!” he told me. He’s five years old and just started riding a two-wheeler. A few days ago he learned how to turn!

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A helmet’s especially important when you get airtime like his big sister:

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I took the kids out for bike rides, ice cream, and a wander around the marina last night to stalk crustaceans. I’m getting lots of great portrait practice on the new camera!

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