2012
The Muskoka Mirror Grand Theft Photo Debacle
I recently discovered my photos showing up on a Facebook page promoting a local Muskoka magazine. How I ended up on that Facebook page is another story. They opted about 3500 people into their group without anyones knowledge or permission, very surreptitious. Anyhow, I am honored that people like my photos and share them with friends however in this case I noticed something rather peculiar. The watermarks I normally use to promote this blog were missing and replaced with someone else’s name. That’s odd I thought and started thinking maybe someone took a similar photo but as I continued to search I found additional photos of mine with someone else’s name.
As I dug into it I discovered many other peoples photos were being ripped off as well. What reputable magazine would operate like this I thought? Especially when the person posting and accepting comments as their own work claims they are a photographer and graphics artist. Well it continued and I ended up getting a lawyer to fire off a cease and desist order to stop this nonsense. They stopped, however the editor and owner of the Muskoka Mirror, Mr. Brian Seater didn’t have the gonads to step up and take action or apologize. We did hear reports he was “out of the country” however he continued to hit the like button, make comments and add people to his Muskoka Mirror Group on Facebook. His choice in managing this situation is to hide and hope it goes away, after all its only a bunch of photos, right? I wonder how Muskoka Mirror advertisers would feel about these deplorable tactics? Oh, I did receive several responses from the lady who’s name appears on the photos. She claims, “it was a innocent error with the photos being sent through our routine watermarking process”. Huh? I’m now responsible for ruining someones marriage, job and life turning me into the bad guy. I’m disheartened that no one took any action or responsibility in this matter.
** Innocent error = go to Blog, download photos, remove watermarks, add your name, re-post on-line, take compliments for your new work, bad mouth the original owner
2012
Pulchritudinous Reflections
I’m not particularly adept at identifying birds however I would hazard to guess that this little guy is some sort of Sparrow? (Update it is a Pine Siskin – thanks Ellen) He ( I’m assuming it’s a he) spent the entire weekend pecking, drooling, fluttering and doing the mambo in our windows proudly admiring his pulchritudinous reflection. After a few hours this little routine became annoying so what to do but shoot him .. with a camera that is.
2012
High Falls Hike
I went for a little adventure up to High Falls near Bracebridge hoping the water would be rushing over like a mini Niagara. High Falls is fed by the north branch of the Muskoka River and is one of the steepest falls in Ontario. The area is actually a park with washrooms, picnic tables and BBQ’s setup. The gates were closed when I arrived so I had to perform some rudimentary ninja navigation techniques to get in, Shush! Here is a Map
FYI – There are quite a few other falls around Muskoka that I have been to including; Bala Falls, Rosseau Falls, Bracebridge Falls and the Wilson Falls. All worthy of a visit.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2012
I Wonder What’s Down This Road?
I’m constantly looking around for something to take photos of. I think its part of having a blog, the love of photography and being in a great place like Muskoka. Heck, we all drive by roads everyday and have no idea whats down them, right? I mean who has time for that? It appears I do, well at least when I’m in Muskoka searching out the next scene. I was cruising down Judd Haven Rd just as the sun was rising and I noticed a road called Bluff Rd. Little did I know there was a public access dock at the end with this beautiful vista of Lake Rosseau to take in.
2012
Best Day Video by Dala
A short and very dreamy little ditty by a Canadian group called Dala. There is some great historic video taken on the shores of Georgian Bay around the Honey Harbor area.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Thorel House, Lake Rosseau, then and now
I headed out in the early morning determined to get a photo of this cool boathouse that I knew about on Lake Rosseau. I was aware there were a few cottages around the bay and was very careful not to disturb anyone. Who wants to see and hear the boathouse papparzi while awakening to fresh morning coffee.
I discovered that this is the original site of the Thorel House Hotel. Details are sketchy however I did find someone that passed me an old photo from years gone by. (see below) When I took this shot I was standing just to the left of the old car. The house on the left is still there and it has been beautifully restored. In fact when doing research I discovered it was available for rent.
In: boathouses of muskoka, historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario
2012
Chill Out
Right now the mornings are quite chilly freezing around the Muskoka area. A big shift from what we enjoyed a couple of weeks ago. I took this shot the other day about 9 in the morning and you can see the thin layer of ice on the water surface. In-spite of the temperatures I still see people out boating. Now that’s the spirit!
2012
Going to the Chapel
Last year I noticed construction of a new chapel going up on the Wallace Marine property on Lake Rosseau. I immediately thought maybe it was going to be a non-denominational chapel in support of the many weddings booked at the Red Leaves Resort right next door. Nope, it turns out to be the new home of Abbey’s Bake House opening this season. Looking forward to checking out the gooey butter tarts.
2012
My Photo on a Kindle Book
This is one of my photos that I took on Lake Joe a while back, sans birds, little boy and his pet baby moose, Mortimer – LOL. The photo was used for the Kindle book “Follow a Wild Heart” by Bobby Hutchinson who has published an amazing 55 books so far. Most are in the romance category and if you are into that genre please have a look at her Amazon page for digital deals.
2012
Muskoka Spring Runoff
Spring has sprung a little early this year and the ice has now melted off the lakes. Last week I noticed that the big three Muskoka lakes were quite low which is normal for this time of year in anticipation of the spring runoff. We don’t need the flooding we experienced a few years ago. I didn’t get a chance to go up and check out the spring run offs since the mid-week meltdown so this is a photo from previous years spring run off at the Bala Falls.
2012
Muskoka Ice Out, T-Minus & Counting
It appears we are in the midst of experiencing a very early ice out. Some locals are saying the ice will disappear from the big lakes by the end of this week or at least before April 1st. You can see from this photo that the ice is deteriorating quickly. I took this shot on Saturday March 17th, 2012 at the Wallace Marine near Minett, Ontario right on Lake Rosseau.
2012
It’s Melting, It’s Melting …
This warm weather has officially slammed the winter season to an abrupt halt. The sledders and ice fisherman only enjoyed about half a season this year. It will take a few weeks for the ice to disappear and who knows what will happen for the duration of March. You know, in like a Lamb out like a screaming Orangutan. Stay off the ice, its opening up quickly on the big lakes.
2012
Longing for your Warm Embrace
I often pass by the farmers markets located in Holland Landing on north side of highway #9 just west of highway #400. Usually I am pretty focused on getting to the cottage however this time I stopped and snapped a few shots.
2012
Where are the Humanoids?
We finally had a decent batch of freshly fallen snow so I decided to take a drive over to Tondern Island to see what was shakin’. If you haven’t been there you simply drive over a small bridge and all of a sudden you are on an island in Lake Muskoka. It looks real cool on a GPS because it doesn’t display the bridge part. As I drove around this little community I saw no signs of humanoids whatsoever. Only the sound of bubblers keeping the ice open.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2012
Frigid Fields
A typical winter scene as you drive around the Muskoka area or Northern Ontario for that matter in the frigid months of a Canadian winter.
2012
Horsing Around Port Carling
I dropped by the annual Port Carling Winterfest this past weekend. I was hoping to have taken a photo of Mayor Alice Murphy participating in the Polar Bear dip however that was part of the next days festivities. I noticed these two beauties were giving people a jaunt around the park. They are Percheron horses from Mother Fuduckers Farm in nearby Orillia, Ontario. Please click for a large shot.
2012
I’m Thinking …
Do you visit Muskoka in the winter or are you a summer only visitor? I must admit most of my time is spent at the cottage in the spring, summer and fall. I don’t get the opportunity to visit as often in the winter but when I do I find it has a deep tranquility like no other. I would say its therapeutic. With the multitude of inputs and stresses in our daily lives we need to take the time to just stop and think. Muskoka is my refuge, a place where I can think.
2012
Back to Muskoka
Happy 2K+12! I have just returned from exploring the fabulous beaches in Grand Cayman. I love to escape the stresses of last minute shopping, crazy traffic, mall parking, pushy people, etc – you should try it. Now back to the beauty and reality of our Canadian winter.
We seem to be having one of those winters that hasn’t quite found a steady trajectory just yet. It’s been warm, it’s been cold, we’ve had snow, and gaps with no snow. One thing for sure the big lakes are not completely frozen yet, so be careful. I noticed a cool photo from our friends up at Gordon Bay Marine out boating on Lake Joe, Christmas day. Now that’s extending the season.
