A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Mud Lake

Mud Lake is within the city of Ottawa but is kept in a natural state. It is a very popular spot for birders, photographers, and other nature lovers. Access is very easy for anyone living in the Ottawa area, and it was a perfect spot to visit on a nice Fall day. A group of friends and I visited the area just as the leaves were starting to change colour and while the weather was still warm. It was a beautiful day and many families were also walking the trail that circumnavigates the lake. Serious bird watchers and photographers often arrive early in the morning and stay in position for hours, but our visit was more for fun and companionship. After photographing for a couple of hours, we stopped off at a local shop and enjoyed some ice cream together.

I enjoy this photo, although admittedly it would be much better had there been more visual separation between the leaning tree and the background.
I enjoy this photo, although admittedly it would be much better had there been more visual separation between the leaning tree and the background.
Trees are something of a passion of mine, and I often take detailed shots like this one. In this case, the strong texture, slightly diagonal lines, and colour contrasts appealed to me.
Trees are something of a passion of mine, and I often take detailed shots like this one. In this case, the strong texture, slightly diagonal lines, and colour contrasts appealed to me.
While there is a lot of texture in this shot, it is fundamentally very simple, with an obvious subject surrounded by considerable negative space.
While there is a lot of texture in this shot, it is fundamentally very simple, with an obvious subject surrounded by considerable negative space.
Red is such a strong colour that even a hint of it is often sufficient, especially when set against complementary green shades.
Red is such a strong colour that even a hint of it is often sufficient, especially when set against complementary green shades.
Composed with a wide aperture to blur the background, this shot would have been even better had the background trees been less visible.
Composed with a wide aperture to blur the background, this shot would have been even better had the background trees been less visible.
I don't normally take shots of birds or other wildlife, but these ducks were being very cooperative.
I don't normally take shots of birds or other wildlife, but these ducks were being very cooperative.
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