Deer by the Garage

Deer by the Garage, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

We've been putting out food and this is the result.

The pic was taken through our old windows at the back so it isn't a great shot but it was nice to see our visitor quietly munching. In this shot he is looking at the garage.

Bird Time-lapse

Bird Timelapse 2, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

I was researching an easy way to do these for my friend George. This small (uninspired but interesting) video resulted.

Christmas Day Sunset

Christmas Day Sunset, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

As Christmas day came to a close (you know, mid-afternoon) we were treated to a spectacular sunset. This was the view from our front windows.

Christmas Eve Shrimp

Christmas Eve Shrimp, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Seafood is a great break from the standard holiday fare. These (huge) shrimp came from Johnny's seafood in Barrie. (Well, actually, they came from Thailand)

For reference, the plate is about a foot long

Santa, Orion, & Eclipse

Santa, Orion, & Eclipse, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

It was a cold, clear night. Santa was in the backyard and Orion and the Moon in eclipse were over the lake which was booming in the cold. All are in the shot above!



The eclipse itself was quite a sight!



And Orion was brilliant

It is *Snowing*

The New Hybrid Snowblower, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

This is a shot from last year but our hybrid snowthrower is all set to leap into action when this storm subsides.

This beast moves 90 metric tons an hour, has computer controlled drive to optimize speed vs snow load, and throws 60+ feet.

In Loving Memory

In Loving Memory, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

This (very old) card belonged to Arch P and seems like a good way to mark the anniversary of the ending of prohibition.  Some Background can be read here

In Loving Memory

Died 

In Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, September 16th,

1916

John Barley Corn

Aged Thousands of Years.

The Funeral
The body will be buried to-night at 7 o'clock. The "Spirit" will live. Service will be given at all hotels up to that hour and at summer, winter and other resorts till his resurrection. The Pall.Bearers will meet at Queen's Park, Toronto, after the funeral and leave at an early date. Messrs. Flavelle, Dingman & Co. will be the chief mourners when the Pall-Bearers leave. Thanksgiving Services will be held at many Churches Sunday, September 17th at which many of John's secret but ardent friends wil attend.

Newton Wesley Rowell

Hearse (T) Driver

Prohibition Ends Dec 5th 1933

Prohibition Take 2, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Make up some martinis today and celebrate an anniversary

Snow Birds

Snow Birds, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Snow Birds

Yesterday was our first big snow (and our first power outage).

So we unstepped the mast on the sailboat, moved the generator into place and, importantly, put out lots of seed!

One segment of the video was shot at 720P60 and slowed down.

Uploaded by mikemilton on 2 Dec 10, 7.27AM EST.

Meanwhile, Mike Adams dock is enjoying the benefit of the 60mms of rain that preceded the snowfall

Evening, Still Water

Evening, Still Water, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Every now and then one gets a perfect evening. The steaks were on the BBQ and I just took a moment to walk to the bottom of the rock steps by our side door to take this shot. Moments later it was dark and we settled in for dinner

Sailing

Well, no pictures, but I managed to get out on the Hobie for a brief sail today. 'Guess that makes for the latest sail of the year (so far anyway hehehe)

Hope had a *long* day

Hope had a *long* day, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

... and is resting hard on the couch.

She never really settles when one of us is away but with everyong home she takes a needed rest. I guess the new couch is to her liking

Moon and Clouds

Moon and Clouds, originally uploaded by mikemilton.


Just in time for Halloween?


This is just a little test of using manual exposure (and auto ISO) on the 1DmIV. The camera was set to F1.2 and 1/30. This shot focusses on the moon and strikes me as more interesting than the one which focussed on the trees. 


It was shot in 1080P30 and transcoded down to 720p - who knows what flickr did to it but it looks fairly good

New Camera Body Update

My venerable EOS1DmII has a new younger brother, the MkIV.

I skipped a few versions and also got the full frame 5D but wanted the focussing performance of the 1D line.

So, I'll keep the wide angle lenses on the 5D and shoot the 'slow' stuff while I go after fast, distant stuff with the new body.

Cath's Turkey Pot Pie at Sunset

What a feast!

We had a quiet Thanksgiving at the log cabin and so we had lots of leftovers.

This pie was one of them and it was both a visual and taste treat

Weather Station running

Well, the data logger and software for the weather station finally arrived and we are up and running.

Here is a screen capture of the local info and you can see our weather station info in real time here at Weather Underground or here at CWOP.

It is a nice fall day and we are enjoying a fire and some fried green tomatoes with Katjap Manis

O'Brien Whistle Set

O'Brien Set, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

An Upgrade (!) from the Walton tin whistle. These are absolutely beautiful both in sound and appearance

Here is a shot of the whistle on the nice supplied roll-up case.

Here is a link to their web site

First Sail

It took a few days for any wind (at all) to arrive but Cath finally got out for the first sail.

Hobie Getaway

The new boat was just delivered yesterday.

It is raining and we have not had a chance to try it out yet but with no centerboard it should be much easier to sail off the beach than Nimué (Hunter 170) was.

She has the wing kit as well as a trapeze.

Watching the Listener

Listener 4, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

I was in town for a busker event and ended up watching a filming of "The Listener" in Dundas Square.

RAIN!

Ok, we had rain yesterday evening. It was a downpour peaking at over 130mm/hr. That is nearly 5 1/4 inches per hour!

Here is a picture of our weather station read-out.

Oh, yes. This weather station reads out a text status at the bottom of the display. At the time of the storm it read "Its raining cats and dogs"

Roast Pork with Apple Gravy

Cath made another delight from the LCBO magazine.

The gravy was an interesting touch!

Crown Roast Dinner

Crown Roast Dinner, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

We had some people over for dinner a while ago and remembered that we have not had a crown roast for quite a while.

So.... off to the local (great) butcher who put this together for us

CPS Welcome Kit

CPS Welcome Kit, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Here is a snapshot of the stuff that comes in the CPS welcome Kit.

- A Hat, Lapel pin, pen, notebook and cloth
- straps for your bodies
- 2 books
- A USB drive
- a lens back cover

and, not shown, a member card and purolator stickers for sending things to Canon

Sitting on the dock

Well it has been a hot day and now it is time to sit on the dock with a Manhattan and watch the sun dip towards the horizon.


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Location:GOODERHAM,Canada

The garden

Our vegetable garden is roaring along better than expected. Next year we will be able to focus on the things that have grown well. We were surprised that the tomatoes did so well as we had been told they were not well suited. On the other hand radishes have been a disapointment

Wow, I am impressed with myself...

I write like
Arthur C. Clarke

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

I write like...

I write like
David Foster Wallace

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Solstice Fire

Solstice Fire, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

We had a about 20 friends over for the 'new years' evening on Monday.

Yipiee

Dear Canon Professional Customer,

Canon Professional Services is very pleased to accept your application to our CPS Platinum plan.

	Gold	Platinum
Benefits
Welcome kit	Yes (basic)	Yes (extended)
Service loaner	Upon turnaround expiry	Upon request
Rental equipment	Yes (basic)	Yes (extended)
Service turnaround target	6 days	4 days
Service discount	20%	30%
Service shipping	Subsidized	Complimentary
Telephone support	Yes	Yes
Equipment test drive	No	Yes
Restricted service list	Yes	Yes

Rental equipment pool:

Rental equipment is available to all members in good standing. Platinum members enjoy access to an expanded pool that includes virtually all lenses available. Lists of available rental items are available on the member webpage. Shipping is complimentary for Platinum members

Test drives:

Test drives or tryouts are available to Platinum members only on a first come-first served basis. Members are limited to two tryouts per product. Test drives are available for 3 day periods. Shipping is complimentary.

Restricted service list:

The restricted list covers current professional product that is covered by the CPS service plan. Parts availability is assured for these products in order to reduce service turnaround delays. Products not on this list will not be covered by the CPS service turnaround guidelines nor will they be eligible for flat rate service.

Flat rate repair pricing:

Flat rate repair pricing has been established for all eligible products. Flat rates posted on the member webpage cover labour and parts necessary to complete repair. 

Its About time

Fascinating.

Garage Interior Complete

Garage Interior Complete, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Well, we are done for the main floor anyway. Now we know where to park hehehe

Snow, cold & high water

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_0258.MOV (656 KB)

It is a good thing we got the big cast iron wood stove last year because it is COLD here today. It has been raining a great deal and the water is quite high (actually over the dock) and, to top it off, it is *snowing*


Sent from my iPhone 416 458 0802

Posted via email from parquin's posterous

Starting the New Road

 

Today the work started to move the driveway over to the garage. We will also end up with a garden and additional lawn where the old road was.

April 21st, 2010...The move "North"

We decided it was time to migrate north. The weather has been wonderful so there was no reason not to move back into the log cabin. Maybe 2010 will be the year we set a record for spending the longest stretch at the cabin. 2009 was pretty darn good at 7 months!

Nimué - Mast Up 2010

Swimming to Nimué, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Well, we got out early this morning and put the mast on the Hunter17 up before the breeze picked up. Summer must surely be about to arrive!

Here is an old picture of Nimué moored by the log cabin

Peepers!

Each spring the peepers along our shoreline raise a cacophony of song. It is so loud that one needs to cover your ears. This is one of the many rewards of preserving shoreline for nature.

Northern Spring Peeper from Wikipedia

Clicking the location below has a pointer to where they are loudest (about 1/2 way from the point to the river

Ice Out on Gooderham Lake 2010

Well, as of nightfall on April 3rd, 2010, there were only thin patches of ice floating around on the lake. After dark, a big wind came up and obliterated the remaining ice. This Easter Sunday morning, April 4th, the lake is calm and completely open. The ice out was rapid, once it started, thanks to the unseasonably warm weather we've had for over a week now. It was only last week that I saw two deer walk safely from the island to the mainland over the ice.

Bat again

Our friendly brown bat is here for yet another day of eating.

This gave me a chance to try out the new 70-200 zoom.

Click for a larger view or go here and click on 'all sizes'

Moon Through Trees

Moon Through Trees, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

The moon was a wonderful site this morning as it set over the island

When users are targeted rather than served - or - why I deleted my FB account yesterday

Facebook Proposes Broad Updates To Governing Docs — Our Analysis

http://www.insidefacebook.com/2010/03/26/facebook-proposes-broad-updates-to-governing-docs-our-analysis/

Posted via email from parquin's posterous

beag

Posted via email from parquin's posterous

Beag2

Posted via email from parquin's posterous

Wolf-oties

It has been an 'interesting' winter of wolves here. [Haliburton Echo piece on wolves]. One morning we had one come right up on our front yard - all the way to the stairs to our deck

Motion Augmented print media

http://ow.ly/1p3op An interesting look at a direction in 'print' media and the implications to photogs (well, except for the strange ending - huh what's that?)

A New Lens

This is the first lens update that has seemed worthwile. I've studiously avoided updating either my 17-35F2.8 or the 28-70F2.8 but this one got me. This is primarily because of the  flourite element which really seems to make a difference in other lenses I've had in terms of contrast.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Canada

Dooley

Dooley, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

Who-hoo - it is St Patricks's day

Spa Marvel

OK - Well, yesterday I refilled the hot tub with fresh water. Today I added Spa Marvel. Now only time will tell if it works as claimed. It would sure be nice to get away from bromine if only because it is really scary stuff.

Cheers, m

A Bat has emerged from the winter hungry!! This was shot at 300FPS Sorry it is short but he is very hard to track.


Here is a shot from 2007 (same bat??)
Bat Catches Bug

Our Visiting Owl

This fellow has been arriving each fall and spring for at least 5 years now. Staking out a spot just by our deck he watches for dinner.

This year two ravens are trying to suggest that he moves on but he just stares at them. Actually, he is so confident of his spot he seems practically tame

New tools

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George and I went to the homeshow yesterday and had a great time. I succumbed and bought a set of battery-powered tools. Thich come in a box that does double duty to create a set of table tools - in effect it is a tool system rather than a tool collection.

Included are a drill (drill press), jig saw, circular saw (table saw), and a light. It comes with 2 18v batteries.

For me the interest was in having a set of tools that could be used where there is no power.

http://www.power8workshop.com/index.php

Cozy Fire

We have gone north to the cabin for the day. It might only be a short trip but we were not able to do this before the fireplace addition.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Parquin Ln,Highlands East,Canada

Lambs and Ivy

Lambs and Ivy, originally uploaded by mikemilton.

This fabulous old barn belongs to Lou. It is absolutely stuffed with interesting stuff but is also worth the visit just for itself

The New Hybrid Snowblower

The New Hybrid Snowblower, originally uploaded by mikemilton.


This shot does not really do the beast justice. Walle can throw snow 60 feet and will eat through anything.


This is a Honda hs1336i. Each track has its own electric motor while the engine runs the auger and impeller (and the generator). While the auger has skids, the height is actually set electrically and it rises automatically in reverse.

Kickoff / Welcome

ParQuin is a contraction of Parrish and Quinn and here you see Garnet Parrish perched on the logs that will become her log cabin over the lake.

Today that cabin is our home.

This blog is simply a journal of things as they happen - or - as they are remembered and enjoyed once again.

Mike

Location:Parquin Ln,Highlands East,Canada