A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Pinhey Forest

Back in September, I visited the Southern part of Pinhey Forest with a photography friend. We happened to stumble upon a protected area with intriguing sand dunes. We later learnt that these are a remnant of an old shoreline of the Champlain Sea. This is the sea that had inundated Ottawa and area as the last ice age had retreated. Google Maps shows four such areas in Pinhey Forest, and the area we stumbled upon in September is Site 2. Thus was born in my friend's mind the idea of a Grand Tour of all the sites. She organized this as a small group outing so that we could all maintain social distancing. In all there were six of us, and we visited each site in turn. For my part, I photographed both the dunes and features of the surrounding forest at each site. I made a point of taking a few wide angle shots as well. As it turned out, we had unusually warm weather for this November outing. So we concluded the outing with a visit to Beachconers Microcreamery for ice cream. This was a truly wonderful way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Site 2. A view of the dune and surrounding forest.
Site 2. A view of the dune and surrounding forest.
Site 2. Fence and signage intended to protect the ecologically sensitive area.
Site 2. Fence and signage intended to protect the ecologically sensitive area.
Site 2. I'm always on the lookout for interesting tree fungus. This photo was created using a focus stack.
Site 2. I'm always on the lookout for interesting tree fungus. This photo was created using a focus stack.
Site 2. Another photo of tree fungus. This is a composite of 18 focus stacked shots.
Site 2. Another photo of tree fungus. This is a composite of 18 focus stacked shots.
Site 1. This site most closely paralleled the experience of being at a beach. But it was surrounded by forest rather than water.
Site 1. This site most closely paralleled the experience of being at a beach. But it was surrounded by forest rather than water.
Site 1. I'm always drawn to backlight and colour contrasts.
Site 1. I'm always drawn to backlight and colour contrasts.
Site 1. Nature's paintbrush, powered by the wind.
Site 1. Nature's paintbrush, powered by the wind.
Site 3. I love the layers and combination of verticals and horizontals in this shot.
Site 3. I love the layers and combination of verticals and horizontals in this shot.
Site 3. A wider angle view of the area. I was probably on my knees, shooting through the protective fence.
Site 3. A wider angle view of the area. I was probably on my knees, shooting through the protective fence.
Site 3. These mushrooms were little more than an inch high. Shot handheld while lying on the ground.
Site 3. These mushrooms were little more than an inch high. Shot handheld while lying on the ground.
Site 4. I so love backlighting! The main challenge here was finding something suitable for the foreground.
Site 4. I so love backlighting! The main challenge here was finding something suitable for the foreground.
Site 4. A wider angle shot to show the area. My shooting location relative to the electrical tower was of course very deliberate.
Site 4. A wider angle shot to show the area. My shooting location relative to the electrical tower was of course very deliberate.
Between sites 3 and 4. On the way back to the car, I came upon this natural obelisk in the forest.
Between sites 3 and 4. On the way back to the car, I came upon this natural obelisk in the forest.
Site 3. A final shot before packing up and heading out to meet up with the others for ice cream.
Site 3. A final shot before packing up and heading out to meet up with the others for ice cream.
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