Gear For Sale

Canon Rebel - T1i.

Used from new for about a year, then relegated to back-up - it rarely left my cool, dry storage drawer in our smoke-free home.

Excellent condition.

Included as pictured below: Camera body (protector on lcd), Canon battery charger, two Canon batteries, 4gb sd card, strap.

Only selling because I'm upgrading - this is a great first dslr!

Asking $350 excluding shipping/insurance. Make an offer!

Location: South-eastern BC, Canada.

Spring Drive

Today I took my first photo-drive of the season. Clockwise around our portion of the Columbia Valley: South to Fairmont, north on Westside Road, south from Invermere to Windermere.

The trip started out really well, with a little flashback on the radio: Tears For Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World - haven't heard it in years. The DJ promptly ruined the moment by following it up with some whiney Sarah McLachlan cut but, hey, it was great while it lasted!

Yes, its spring. Technically. It was below freezing, though, so while the tunes were cranked, I couldn't open the windows - or even crack the sunroof!

Here are my favourite photos from the day, in no particular order:

Oh, by the way, a new camera body is on its way to me. Well, its new to me, not new to the world. A Canon 1D Mark IV. It will be arriving on April 8th or 9th. I'm trying not to think about it too much, because I get too wound up and excited!

Can't wait to have two good bodies so that I don't have to constantly switch lenses - I missed a GREAT shot of two coyotes today, because I needed to switch lenses - next time, it won't happen!

Special thanks to my friend, Gavin, for not only introducing me to the seller, but also arranging a clean-and-check-up at Canon USA! Please support Gavin by taking a brilliant photo-safari with him, in Southern Africa:

Crossfit Games - Invermere 2013

Over the last two Saturdays, I had the opportunity to take some photos during an event at my gym, Endeavor Fitness, in Invermere.

The Crossfit Games is an international tournament. It starts out with qualification for the chance to compete in the regional events. The qualification rounds consist of five workouts over five consecutive weeks. The content of the workouts is published on the Wednesday, and the test has to be completed by the Sunday of that week.

Jolaine = Determination Personified

The first workout, named 13.1, consisted of:

17 minute AMRAP of:
 
40 Burpees
30 Snatch, 75 / 45 lbs
30 Burpees
30 Snatch, 135 / 75 lbs
20 Burpees
30 Snatch, 165 / 100 lbs
10 burpees

AMRAP means "as many repetitions as possible" in the time allowed.

Jolaine is 5'1" tall - her 20" box jump is amazing!

The second workout, 13.2, consisted of:

10 minute AMRAP of:

5 Shoulder to overhead lifts 115 / 75 lbs
10 Deadlifts 115 / 75 lbs
15 Box jumps 24 / 20 inch

(Jolaine did over 300 reps!)

I'm hoping to get back to the gym for the next three Saturdays, so that I can shoot our local athletes challenge ALL the tests! 

The full collection of photos will be available on my website soon!

Of Safety Fences & Fire Damage

I had planned to photograph the 2013 U16 Can-Am Western Championships in Panorama today. On the schedule were the men's and ladies' Super G events. I was excited to see the speed action, and was looking forward to spending 3-4 hours on the mountain.

Unfortunately, after I'd hiked up from the base as far as is practical in deep, wet, heavy snow conditions (think knee- to mid-thigh deep in places!), I found that the finish area had been moved up the mountain - probably because of the warmer conditions. This resulted in the usual gap that's left in the safety fencing for the course workers to exit through, wasn't there. There wasn't anywhere where I could get high enough to see over the nets to take photos, either - not, at least, within a close enough distance that my 200mm lens would be effective! I did ask the officials if I could shoot from behind the safety fence in the finish area, but "no" - I didn't really expect them to say yes, but had to try!

So that was that. I packed up and started hiking back down the mountain. I was very disappointed, as this was the only time this winter that I've had the inclination to go out in the cold to shoot the alpine events. And to add insult to injury, I'd declined an assisting job so that I could devote this weekend to ski racing!

On the way down, though, there was a consolation prize: I got to take a few photos of what's left of the 1000 Peaks Lodge, which fell victim to a serious fire a few days ago. The view from up the hill was quite dramatic, as you can see!

See larger versions of these images on my website.

Of course, I have to add that my brother (are you hearing a proud sister?!) was one of the first responders on scene, and was actually INSIDE that building evacuating guests and trying to knock the fire back, until the more than two dozen firies were pulled out due to overly dangerous conditions indoors.

There were no injuries, thankfully, either to the fire fighters or the guests who were in the building - amazing when you consider that the fire must've started sometime after midnight! The results of the investigation as to what caused the blaze haven't been made public yet, nor has any information been released as to whether any of the building can be salvaged after sustaining extensive fire and water damage.

Pet Set - Special Offer!