Fall Colours

Fall Colours

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Polaris

Seen here is the effect of the earth's rotation about it's north south axis. The brighter star to the right of center is Polaris, other wise known as the "Northern Star". Used for millennia for navigation because it is very close to "true north", as opposed to "magnetic north", which varies a fair amount depending on where on earth you utilize a magnetic compass. As you can see though, Polaris is not actually perfectly north pointing. Gyroscopic precession causes the earth to wobble predictably as time goes on, and the rotational axis changes on a gradual, but never ending track through the star field.



Polaris

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Shooting Star

Shooting Star with Aurora Borealis

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Dock Spider

Dolomedes



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Andromeda Galaxy

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Loon

We found this guy on a quiet paddle up the creek sitting on it's own private island. I'm not sure if it was nesting, or just relaxing. We paddled right past it without noticing it until I decided to look back at the island which was only about 5 square feet. This is a good example of camouflage that arose in two separate environments in the same species. Firstly, the common loon spends a great deal of time floating on top of water, as well as swimming below the surface. The white stripes and dots on it's back closely resembles the scattering of direct sunlight from the surface of the water, as well as the projected interference pattern of the troughs of waves focused on the lake floor. Secondly, you can see how the very same patterns break up the silhouette of the animal and have the effect of blending the bird into the reeds and leaves common in it's water centric habitat. In my photos, the colour of the white on the bird is slightly different from the light coloured reeds on the shore, but for many predators, as well as prey animals, have different levels of colour vision, some purely black and white. The colour however is less important than the contrasting patterns of light and dark. Animals don't reproduce for thousands of years with such a pattern unless it has also assisted them in avoiding predators, facilitated the hunting of prey, or some other such advantage. When the bird noticed us, it quietly put it's beak into the water, and to me it looks very similar to the tree branches on the shore. Fantastic!

I am curious as to the possibility that these patterns might also assist in much the same way that the zebra has recently been discovered to have adopted interference patterns to ward of biting insects. For those that would like to read further about this, BBC Nature touches on this idea briefly, in terms of the zebra.

I hope you will join me looking at photos of one of the most beautiful looking, and sounding creatures of Ontario. Enjoy!

-David Williams

Common Loon

Common Loon

Common Loon

Common Loon

Common Loon

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Family Tree Knits

Family Tree Knits is at it again. This time with a wonderfully warm scarf pattern!



The Family Tree Scarf uses birthstone colors to represent each of your family members, so no two scarves will be alike! Half the fun is in figuring out your family’s set of colors and deciding how to place them, and just like families, the combinations will be unique.



The finished item is like having a family ring, in the form of a hand knit, with lots of history and significance. Yours can include whatever constellation of family you’d like to represent, your immediate or extended family, even pets! Grandmothers would love one representing each of their grandchildren.

The pattern is a broken rib stitch, and has a lovely texture. It is simple enough for a beginner, but the color changes and placement will keep an experienced knitter interested.



The pattern comes with a list of birth months and their corresponding birthstone and color. Feel free to substitute yarn, or use some from your stash.

If you buy both the Family Tree Scarf and the Cowl, it is $1 off each, or $6 for both patterns.

Join the new Family Tree Knits group to share pictures and participate in the KAL to win prizes (including a yarn prize!)

All photos on this page are copyrighted, and may not be used without consent in writing from the owner. Please use the contact eventhorizonsphoto@gmail.com for more information.

Family Tree Knits

I recently had the pleasure of shooting some product photography for Family Tree Knits. Family Tree Knits is a local (Winnipeg) based knitting centric entrepreneur, in the process of releasing some very affordable knit patterns on the popular Ravelry knitting website. The skill and craftsmanship of the prototypes was stunning, and the idea of combining birthstone colors into an heirloom knit piece is brilliant!



The first peice, "Family Tree Cowl" uses birthstone colors to represent each of your family members, so no two cowls will be alike! Half the fun is in figuring out your family’s set of colors and deciding how to place them, and just like families, the combinations will be unique.

The finished item is like having a family ring, in the form of a hand knit, with lots of history and significance. Yours can include whatever constellation of family you’d like to represent, your immediate or extended family, even pets! Grandmothers would love one representing each of their grandchildren.





The pattern is a twisted rib stitch which has a lovely texture. It is simple enough for a beginner, but the color changes and placement will keep an experienced knitter interested.

The pattern comes with a list of birth months and their corresponding birthstone and color.

So check out Family Tree Knits for this pattern, and check back here for more patterns as they become released!

If you buy both the Family Tree Cowel and the Scarf, it is $1 off each, or $6 for both patterns.

Join the new Family Tree Knits group to share pictures and participate in the KAL to win prizes (including a yarn prize!)

All photos on this page are copyrighted, and may not be used without consent in writing from the owner. Please use the contact eventhorizonsphoto@gmail.com for more information.