wild animal kingdom: the mystery box

Lazybeans in a mystery box. (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Alpha1 SE. Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade Cool.

***
If given a choice between a boat and a mystery box, always choose the mystery box.

You remember that time I was supposed to get that boat? A BOAT'S A BOAT, but the mystery box could be anything. IT COULD EVEN BE A BOAT!

Or, a bear. Yeah!

Cue the National Geographic theme music ... take a look at a few more animal pictures. (Yeah!)


Female polar bear. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Sumatran tiger. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Male grizzly bear. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Male polar bear. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Female cheetah. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Arctic fox. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Arctic wolf. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Giraffe. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Common ostrich. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Female polar bear. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Female polar bear. (2013). Metro Toronto Zoo. Scarborough, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm f2.8-3.5 lens + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.

wild animal kingdom: for the birds

American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). (2013). Clifford E. Lee Wildlife Sanctuary, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.

***
Well, that's been the longest hiatus we've ever had.  But we're back! To be sure, we've had an eventful few months, and we'll provide you with an update in good time.  For now, however, how about some bird and animal pictures? Brought to you by my camera and the editor, the happy bear, himself.

Hope you're well, wherever you're logging in from tonight.


Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Female Red-breasted Nuthatch. (Sitta canadensis). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Male Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea). (2013). Clifford E. Lee Wildlife Sanctuary, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Male Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens). (2013). Clifford E. Lee Wildlife Sanctuary, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Black-billed Magpie. (Pica hudsonia). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Female White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Female Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.


Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). (2013). Edmonton, Canada. Camera: Olympus E-620 dSLR. Lens: Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 + Zuiko Digital 1.4x Teleconverter EC-14.

the summer of polaroid

Late summer, in technicolor.  (2012).  Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid Spectra Pro.  Film: Polaroid Image (expired 2009).

***
It's the last Friday of summer, and I skip the office early to catch the university train and meet Sarah for lunch. 

"Food truck!" Sarah exclaims, almost squealing.

Before long, we're park benched underneath the campus canopy of lemon-lime elms, thrilled with our artery-clogging lunch of bacon perogy soft pretzels and peanut butter, chocolate, and cinnamon mini-donuts.  Sarah smiles.  I unfold my Polaroid, and snap a picture.

This, is happy.

In a summer which started with palpable uncertainty, I guess maybe this was unexpected.  But in an instant life where nothing should be taken for granted, I've learned that it's best to keep these rare, true colour moments and remember them for everything that they are.  And, just maybe, somewhere, it really is forever summer.

More starfish and waffles to come.


Happy about mini-donuts! :) (2012). University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Chicago night skyline.  (2012).  Chicago, Illinois.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Three corners of architecture with the Sears (Willis) Tower on the right.  (2012).  Chicago, Illinois.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Two mammals agree: Hungry Hungry Hippos is the best game ever. (2012).  Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Klaxon Howl. (2012). Toronto, Canada. Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Blinded by the sun! (2012).  Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


M-Maybe, by Roy Lichtenstein.  Probably my favourite work of Pop Art.  (2012).  The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Boo!  (2012).  Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


The Chicago Cubs vs. the St. Louis Cardinals on a Friday afternoon.  Cubs star shortstop, Starlin Castro, is at bat.  (2012).  Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Drinking Coke from a glass bottle, nothing beats the real thing.  (2012).  Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


Reading room.  (2012).  Harold Washington Library, Chicago, Illinois.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo. 


The Polaroid girls.  (2012).  Edmonton, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid Spectra Pro.  Film: Polaroid Image (expired 2009).

six ways from sunday: sleeping satellites

Carry the world on your back.  Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Chicago.  (2012).  Camera: Panasonic DMC-GF2.  Lens: Lumix G 14mm f2.5 ASPH Pancake.

***
It's half-past blue hour, but the air still hangs heavy over Millennium Park after the swelter of a humid, hundred-degree day.  Undeterred, crowds of locals and tourists alike play in squares and spaces, late into the night.

I'm in it, snapping pictures, freezing small moments here and there.

This is summer in the city - and Chicago, has to be among America's finest.  Of all the art and architecture, character and life, it's the friendly energy of the people that keeps me buzzing as sleeping satellites blink across the heights of a cloudless, midnight sky.

If only summer could last forever.

***
Six Ways from Sunday is felix's daily starfish and waffles' regular feature music column. Your mix tape with a theme, clicking on the active links below lead you to full-length, third-party, YouTube tracks of the day's musical selections.


1. Help Yourself :: Sad Brad Smith :: Up in the Air (2009).   Kind of sadcore, yet hopeful.  Kind of acoustic, yet electronic.  Yup, sounds like standard Six Ways from Sunday fare to us.


2. The Promise :: When In Rome :: When In Rome (1988).  What? You mean this catchy, New Wavy number actually existed before Napoleon Dynamite?


3. The Tide Pulls from the Moon :: William Fitzsimmons :: Gold in the Shadow (2011).  Incredibly tight and refined, with no wasted bars and notes, like seemingly all of Fitzsimmons' tracks.  Also a beautifully shot music video.


4. Ho Hey :: The Lumineers :: The Lumineers (2011).  Credit KW over at the Wren's House for giving us the heads up on this would-be sleeper.


5. Still :: Great Lake Swimmers :: Lost Channels (2009).  The Great Lake Swimmers personify Canadian indie folk-pop - still.  The Great Lake Swimmers are underrated - still.  The Great Lake Swimmers are one of our favourites - still.


6. The Leisure Lost :: Reverie Sound Revue :: Reverie Sound Revue (2009).  Paradoxically sultry and sleek all at the same time, the last minute-and-a-half of this track will leave you spellbound, especially when driving through the city at night.

notes from the west coast

Two houseboats.  Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Canada.  (2012).  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade Cool.

***
Saturday morning, I'm on the first flight west over the Rockies.  Destination: Vancouver.

This is Canada's Lotusland, gorgeous sea-to-sky gateway to the Pacific Rim.  On first glance, it's small wonder that most Canadians would choose to live here before almost anywhere else ... never mind the bubbly real estate or ever-present threat of rain.

Just my luck, it's blinding sunshine the entire way upon arrival, and it drives the locals outdoors in droves.  Truly, there is no living like west coast living on a sunny day.

"Would you ever consider moving out to British Columbia?" asks a colleague.  (Technically, I'm in town to get some training with the Feds).

I would (to answer his question).

But for now, we have other things to address.  We will, however, file this thought in the back of our minds for later.

Next summer stop: Chicago.

More starfish and waffles to come. 


Pacific skyline.  Vancouver, Canada, as seen from Stanley Park.  (2012).  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo.


Breakfast at the Giovane Cafe + Winebar.  A famous GC+W sugarbun is on the left.  Vancouver, Canada.  (2012).  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade Cool.


The Gelato King.  Bella Gelateria, Vancouver, Canada.  (2012).  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade Cool.


Polaroid reflections.  Coal Harbour, Vancouver, Canada.  Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade by Nigo.


Sidewalk citrus.  Robson Street, Vancouver, Canada.  (2012). Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Polaroid 600 (badly expired).


Sea otter back float.  Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, Canada.  (2012). Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Polaroid 600 (badly expired).


Stanley Park Totem Poles.  Vancouver, Canada.  (2012).  Vancouver, Canada.  (2012). Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Impossible PX 70 Color Shade Cool.


Great sashimi, too much sake (sorry for the blurry photo).  Kingyo Izakaya, Vancouver, Canada.  (2012). Vancouver, Canada.  (2012). Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Model 2.  Film: Polaroid 600 (badly expired).