Big Daddy

Big Daddy, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

If you have a car this big you can park wherever you want.

Cherry Bomb

Cherry Bomb, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Fast cars, fog and traffic cones at Cherry Beach.

Night Court

Night Court, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Growing up in Vancouver, fog was almost as common as rain. I didn't realize what I was taking for granted until I moved to Toronto and discovered photography. In Toronto, fog is about as common as killer whales on Yonge Street which is unfortunate as fog can really add to the atmosphere of a shot.

Many of my photographer buddies feel the same way as I do so if there is a patch of mist in the forecast, word often gets out by e-mail on the fog network and gaggles of fog-starved photographers hit the streets looking for that perfect shot. Finding an e-mail in my inbox with the subject, "FOG!" is usually my first clue that fog might be coming to town.

It's been way too long since we had a spot of fog in Toronto and I say we're overdue. I'll be watching the long range forecast for a hint of the magical stuff and will be ready to send out mass e-mails to my fellow lunatics if I spot some. Please keep your collective fingers crossed.

I took this tennis court shot on a rare foggy evening in the Beach and I liked what the mist did to defuse the lighting. Check out some of my other too rare fog captures on my flickr site.

Bench Warmer

Bench Warmer, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Is winter over? Past experience would indicate that we still have the odd blast of cold and even snow in store for us. I did see my first snowdrop today though which seems way early so I'm hoping I'm wrong and that it's clear sailing from here on in. C'mon hot, humid days of summer.

Go Canada Go

Olympic Table Hockey, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

My sister has been volunteering at the Olympics in Vancouver and has been close to a lot of the action including the men's Canada vs. Russia hockey game the other night (shown here) and the women's Canada vs USA final last night. It sounds like there's quite the ongoing party happening in Lotus Land.

Photograph by Kelly Visscher (tilt-shift attempt by me)

East Meets West

East Meets West, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Taken from the back of a streetcar of a following streetcar passing another streetcar. Transit geek alert.

Robots Need Love Too

Robots Need Love Too, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Robots need love too
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by you
They want to be loved by... (repeat at will)

[Dan Mangan - Nice, Nice, Very Nice]

Find out more about Dan at www.danmanganmusic.com

Slurry Beach

Slurry Beach, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

On a visit to Bluffer's Park a couple of weekends ago, this bay near the western bluffs was filled with a slurry of ice and cold, cold water. With the motion of the waves and wind, the slush was constantly moving and made an eerie grinding noise.

I visited this park once many years ago in the summer and it was full of people. I think I prefer it in the winter despite the cold with its near empty landscapes and dramatic winter scenes. If you look really close, that's my pal, syncros on the far shore of the bay getting another perfect ice monster shot.

Go wide or go home.

Chandelier Archipelago

Chandelier Archipelago, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

Thanks to my flickr buddy, Missy for including me in a Photo Walk at Scarborough's Bluffers Park last weekend. It was definitely full blown winter on the shore of Lake Ontario but manageable thanks to multiple layers of clothing and strategically placed hand warmers. It is a beautiful park with the stark bluffs and lots of interesting beaches and trails.

We ended the morning at the Stone Cottage Pub on Kingston Road which is worth a visit on its own. All and all a great day hanging with some great photographers including the Mississauga flickr Club. Thanks all.

Winter's Eve

Winter's Eve, originally uploaded by Michael Mitchener.

My dog loves winter. In fact, as a rescue dog, I suspect he was probably a hunting dog in his former life who got lost along the way. When it's -20 outside and you want to crawl into bed and hide, Dudley is ready to go for a jaunt and let's you know it. Despite his scrawny fur, he has no use for citified dog coats or blankets. Despite my complaining, I have to admit that Dudley forces me to get some exercise over the winter months and we do manage to see some interesting winter city scenes that I'd otherwise miss.

This shot was taken on the last walk of the night. It didn't quite work out the way I had planned so I played around with some PS filters trying to give it a painterly feel. With a streetcar passing by Jonathan Ashbridges Park, you get a feel of what winter in the city is all about. It has a unique urban atmosphere to it as people bustle about in the snow and cold.