This is the downtown section of Vancouver viewed from Grouse Mountain ski lodge. I’m not sure in what other North American cosmopolitan city folks have access to the slopes with public transit, but in Vancouver it’s not uncommon to see people standing at a bus stop with their snowboard or skis. This evening I took a tram and was rewarded with a spectacular view. While there I met other photographers and a poet from Brazil, it seemed everyone was inspired by the vista. I had no trouble using up two or three hours taking photos and enjoying the view.
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Olympic Fountain
By day this is a fountain. A few weeks ago I noticed huge flames coming out of it, which is when I realized this fountain is in fact the Olympic torch, …silly Florida guy. Nonetheless, I guessed something important must be up, so I grabbed my camera and headed down the street to get this shot.
I thought perhaps some Olympic delegation must be town for a meeting. I mean, they don’t light the Olympic flame for just anything, right? Later I asked someone at the hotel and it was explained rather matter-of-factly that if you have ten thousand dollars they’ll light it up for you. Really? The Olympic flame? Now, thinking back, as I was composing the shot, a gentleman and his wife walked out of an adjoining restaurant and into a waiting limousine right in front of the torch where I was standing. Just before the man stepped inside, he took one long look at the flame and remarked to his wife how bright it was in real life. If I didn’t know better, I might guess that he was the guy that paid to have this burn for his dinner. But that’s just my musing, such as it is.
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Empty Mountain Cafe
As I was here on a Monday afternoon, the Chalet cafeteria was closed. I was waiting for the sunset so I ducked inside as I thought the wood beams and neatly stacked chairs kind of interesting. I quickly setup my tripod before anybody noticed but just then a kitchen staff walked right by me without even taking notice. Either they thought I belonged there or they get a lot of folks with cameras and I was just one in a long line. Nonetheless I got the shot and didn’t get kicked out, chalk one up for the good guys.
Lobby Reflections
I can never get tired of the architecture of Vancouver condos. On a recent post I showed this building from another perspective. I came here to take a picture of a colorful glass sculpture which faces the sidewalk. Those pictures didn’t turn out too well, but the others, like this lobby passed muster. Just going with the flow.
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Lions Gate At Dawn
This bridge connects the city of Vancouver with the city of North Vancouver. I’ve taken dozens of photos of this bridge but on about my third trip I realized that you could walk across it. On this morning it was just before dawn and not much traffic, it felt a little erie to be the only person on such a large structure. However, as night gave way to day there was a little surprise. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of steal started to make a sound I can only describe as a moan. I was a little unnerved and decided to finish up the shoot and walk back to land. Upon reflection I surmise it was the light causing normal stresses which happened to be audible. Lets just say it was an experience I’ll not soon forget.
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Sun Belt Cookery
On this evening while walking to my hotel I captured this photo of the Sun Belt Cookery which is in the Coal Harbour section of Vancouver. I was attracted to the architecture of this however I was originally out to take pictures of the Cherry Blossoms and, as is so often the case, got distracted. Nonetheless you’ll notice a small Cherry tree full of blossoms in the upper left and in some small way I can say that my mission was accomplished, albeit unintended. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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Sunset for Geese
This is another sunset at Lost Lagoon in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. What captivated me was that in the heart of this city, not a single person stopped here to enjoy the sunset except these two geese. Frankly, they looked quite content to be here and didn’t mind one bit that I was taking their picture, or at least the picture of the sunset with them in it. Geese are people too, right?
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Table with a View
If you ever visit Vancouver, do yourself a favor and reserve a table at the Observatory Restaurant on top of Grouse Mountain. I can’t imagine a better location and even without wine the combination of view and fresh air is intoxicating. If it’s a clear night you’ll have a spectacular sunset followed by the glow of the city lights and ships moored in English Bay. I’m starting to sound like a travel brochure. I guess you can say I was impressed and this photo is my attempt to catch some of the magic of this unique location.
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Waterfall Hallway
There is a building in Vancouver that has a waterfall over a hallway leading from the lobby. On several occasions I’ve tried to capture it but I think the night exposure conveys the feeling of it best. It really does look like something out of this world, or perhaps something you might see at a Disney resort. In any case, I’m sure I’m not the first photographer to be captivated by this, …or the last.
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Switching Yard
This is a rail yard in Vancouver that’s adjacent to a busy commercial port. I happened to be walking over a bridge and thought it interesting, however when I looked at the surrounding buildings I could almost imagine I’d been transported back in time to another era. When I was young we had tracks in our back yard. For a while after moving away I had a hard time falling sleep because there was no sound, it was too quiet. I wonder if the folks living in these buildings go to sleep with the rumbling of the trains. In an odd way, it’s quite soothing.
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