A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Ottawa River to Mud Lake

I've photographed along the Ottawa River a couple of times this summer. I returned again with a good friend who suggested that we start from the river and walk to Mud Lake. We began at the Deschenes Rapids parking lot, accessed from the Sir John A Macdonald parkway. From there we walked past the delta of Pinecrest Creek, and then onwards to the eastern edge of Mud Lake. We retraced our steps to return to our cars at the parking lot. It was a beautiful day with puffy clouds, but a very strong onshore wind. Wind can be a blessing or a curse depending on what you're trying to do. Mostly, I just take what life gives me and look for interesting and beautiful things to photograph. While I've been to Mud Lake before, this section of the Ottawa River and Pinecrest Creek were new to me. By combining these areas, we found a wonderful variety of things to photograph. I will definitely want to return to each of these areas in the future!

I was immediately drawn to this leaning tree and its surrounding lush foliage. Found next to the Deschenes Rapids parking lot.
I was immediately drawn to this leaning tree and its surrounding lush foliage. Found next to the Deschenes Rapids parking lot.
The beautiful light on this pond lasted only a few moments. The strong wind that was blowing created texture on the water and adds further interest to the shot.
The beautiful light on this pond lasted only a few moments. The strong wind that was blowing created texture on the water and adds further interest to the shot.
I was kneeling within inches of these rock sculptures to capture this wide angle shot.
I was kneeling within inches of these rock sculptures to capture this wide angle shot.
One of several Morning Glories that I found at Pinecrest Creek.
One of several Morning Glories that I found at Pinecrest Creek.
There were many of these wildflowers at Pinecrest Creek. I shot it so the pond in the background would be softly out of focus.
There were many of these wildflowers at Pinecrest Creek. I shot it so the pond in the background would be softly out of focus.
The direction of light at Mud Lake was perfect for my style of photography. While the purple flower drew my attention, I find many interesting shapes in the leaves around it.
The direction of light at Mud Lake was perfect for my style of photography. While the purple flower drew my attention, I find many interesting shapes in the leaves around it.
The red leaf immediately drew my attention. I took several shots looking to suitably frame it within the surrounding foliage.
The red leaf immediately drew my attention. I took several shots looking to suitably frame it within the surrounding foliage.
The shoreline at Mud Lake. The light was changing rapidly as clouds moved past the sun. I was looking for this shot, with a patch of light on the right.
The shoreline at Mud Lake. The light was changing rapidly as clouds moved past the sun. I was looking for this shot, with a patch of light on the right.
I found the texture of the trees interesting, as the strong wind blew their leaves horizontal.
I found the texture of the trees interesting, as the strong wind blew their leaves horizontal.
I'm always looking for the small and beautiful. The reflection of the clouds adds to the sense of the spiritual when I look at this shot.
I'm always looking for the small and beautiful. The reflection of the clouds adds to the sense of the spiritual when I look at this shot.
As we were leaving Mud Lake we nearly walked past this magnificent mushroom.
As we were leaving Mud Lake we nearly walked past this magnificent mushroom.
I found these plants growing in the grass along the Sir John A Macdonald Parkway. The parkway follows the river beside the recreational path that we were using.
I found these plants growing in the grass along the Sir John A Macdonald Parkway. The parkway follows the river beside the recreational path that we were using.
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