Photo Gallery: Fall Season Road Trips in Ontario

© Duchess O’Blunt, 2011; all rights reserved.

© All photographs in this hub are the property of the Duchess O'Blunt.

There are days when you look out the window and you just know it's going to be a good day. In the fall, there are a lot of really good days for the photographer in you. When the sun comes up, and the colours are blazing you just "itch" for your camera.

My motto these days is "Have camera, will travel".

Traveling to me does not mean hopping a plane and flying across the ocean to visit another country. Not to say I wouldn't given the opportunity. I do however fully appreciate what my own country offers by way of beauty and splendor.

There is very little to compare to Canada when it comes to nature being displayed in all its glory. And Autumn is one of her most colourful.

Take a trip with me to see some of her beauty.

Country roads in Ontario - some are paved - some are not. It's those that are not paved that often offer up some of the best photo ops.

Yes, traveling the highways also can provide one with some breathtaking views, but seldom are you offered the opportunity to pull over and take pictures to capture the moment.

So, whenever possible, I love to travel those country roads here in Ontario that are not paved. Of course, one always has to keep and eye out for "pot holes" that are actually craters. And sometimes that's difficult to do when you are enraptured by the beauty that surrounds you.

So, caution to anyone out there who wants to try this at home - do watch for the holes.

Be careful that you don't just stop in the middle of the road, pull out the camera and get out of the car. You really must remember to put it in park at the very least.

Don't laugh, it could happen. In fact it did happen - to me.

It was on one of those days when you wake up in the morning and you just know it's going to be the day that you take that one special shot that will amaze and astound absolutely everyone who sees it.

The sun was bright, the colours blazing in full bloom, a nice warm breeze was tempting me outdoors and the country roads were calling.

Sometimes the view, when you get to the top of the hill will quite literally take your breath away. Usually, you are not prepared for it. It even happens on occasion to those who are in a rush and not looking for it. Just remember that when you stop to take it all in, pull the car off to the side of the road. And for goodness sakes, put it in park, or turn it off.

These are pictures of country roads, lanes and walkways I have come across on my many road trips down those country roads. For the most part, my memory works and I DO put the car in park before taking out the camera.

Road trips can be a lot of fun. Even the ones you take alone, as long as you are still young enough to remember the rules of the road and old enough to be sensible with all the safety precautions. And of course, it helps if you have the time.

Lucky for me, I meet all three of those criteria, and often find myself travelling the roads of Ontario. As often as time allows, those roads are the back roads less travelled.

Frequently these trips are spontaneous but do not always result with great photos.

Sometimes, the road trips are because I actually need to get there from here - wherever "there" happens to be that day.

Ontario is a vast land of natural resources. One of the largest is our supply of fresh water.

Lake Ontario is our largest body of fresh water. Please take a moment to view some of the shots I have taken of Lake Ontario in my first hub for this series of Photo Galleries. The rest of these shots were taken on my many road trips.

There are literally thousands of smaller lakes, streams, marshes and creeks that flow freely over and through the Province.

You can travel almost any of those country roads I just spoke about, and before long you will find a source of fresh water.

Once again, what a wonderful opportunity to capture the beauty that is Ontario, in her most colourful season of Autumn.

Sometimes I get lucky and see something that I just know would make an awesome picture. And sometimes I actually take a picture that ends up looking like I pictured it in my head.

Mostly not though.

I'm guessing that might have something to do with the fact I have never taken a class on photography. Something I am planning on fixing. But until that time comes, there is absolutely no reason not to keep trying. Once you make up your mind about which camera to buy and actually take that plunge, why let it sit there gathering dust?

Dust it off, put it in your car, and take it everywhere. Take thousands of shots - it's easy to delete the hopeless ones, and practicing will certainly help you become familiar with what your camera can do.

Don't be shy, give it a try.

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