A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Limerick Forest

Limerick Forest is located near Oxford Station and is about an hour’s drive south of Ottawa. I’ve visited the forest many times, mostly that part off Limerick Forest Road, but sometimes elsewhere. As I mentioned in my May 2019 journal entry, when I recently looked at my shots accumulated over the years, I had mostly shot the forest in the Autumn and Winter and I wanted more shots in the Spring and Summer. I mentioned this to my Limerick photography friend, and happily an opportunity arose for a shoot in the forest in the early Summer. The motivation for the shoot were lady slipper orchids which were spotted in the forest on a scouting trip by my friend a couple of weeks earlier in the Craig Road part of the forest. Unfortunately, life gets in the way sometimes, and a group outing took a while to schedule, but we hoped that a few of the orchids might still be left. The day was sunny and warm, almost hot, with a breeze that helped to cool us, but made plant photography more challenging. We did eventually find a few surviving orchids, but we’ll know next time to get to the forest promptly once the orchids are in bloom. Nevertheless, I did spend an enjoyable morning photographing a variety of subjects to help to round out my Limerick Forest catalog.

Like many photographers, I have lots of software tools available. In this case, the straight shot didn’t quite work for me, so I decided to try some different processing. I rather like the result.
Like many photographers, I have lots of software tools available. In this case, the straight shot didn’t quite work for me, so I decided to try some different processing. I rather like the result.
In this shot I was drawn to the sweep of the stem that served to frame the flower near the centre that I chose as the focal point for the composition.
In this shot I was drawn to the sweep of the stem that served to frame the flower near the centre that I chose as the focal point for the composition.
I love the backlighting that is the main feature of this photograph, along with a very simple composition.
I love the backlighting that is the main feature of this photograph, along with a very simple composition.
Backlighting of leaves gives them a magical glow that I can’t resist. The diagonal composition lends additional energy to this photograph.
Backlighting of leaves gives them a magical glow that I can’t resist. The diagonal composition lends additional energy to this photograph.
The small fruit in the foreground is the subject and the only thing in focus. The shape of the remaining plant offer leading lines to reinforce the attention given to this fruit.
The small fruit in the foreground is the subject and the only thing in focus. The shape of the remaining plant offer leading lines to reinforce the attention given to this fruit.
The mature trees offer a serene stage in which this backlit tree seems to burst forth in joy.
The mature trees offer a serene stage in which this backlit tree seems to burst forth in joy.
I’ve taken many shots like this in different places and seasons: youth emerging amongst the mature.
I’ve taken many shots like this in different places and seasons: youth emerging amongst the mature.
After much searching, we did find a few remaining orchids. Here is one, a bit beyond it’s peak, but nicely lit by the sun.
After much searching, we did find a few remaining orchids. Here is one, a bit beyond it’s peak, but nicely lit by the sun.
A typical forest scene. Here, I’ve chosen the cut log in the patch of sunlight to serve as the focal point and arranged the composition accordingly.
A typical forest scene. Here, I’ve chosen the cut log in the patch of sunlight to serve as the focal point and arranged the composition accordingly.
I took a side path to a lookout but didn’t find much of interest. But on the way back I noticed this tree with a profusion of branches that I found quite appealing.
I took a side path to a lookout but didn’t find much of interest. But on the way back I noticed this tree with a profusion of branches that I found quite appealing.
Due to the breeze, I needed several tries to capture a sharp photograph of this plant, that is nicely lit and framed with a dark background.
Due to the breeze, I needed several tries to capture a sharp photograph of this plant, that is nicely lit and framed with a dark background.
Ye olde facilities. At least there was this. I didn’t need to use it on this outing, but I have had occasion to seek comfort hidden behind a large tree when this sort of thing wasn’t available.
Ye olde facilities. At least there was this. I didn’t need to use it on this outing, but I have had occasion to seek comfort hidden behind a large tree when this sort of thing wasn’t available.
Where would I be without backlighting! It always pays to look around, and in this case I was looking straight up with the forest canopy providing a dappled background.
Where would I be without backlighting! It always pays to look around, and in this case I was looking straight up with the forest canopy providing a dappled background.
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