31. Lights

Today marks the 31st day of the month, and an entire 1/12th of the year finished. Feels pretty good. I would have to say it's been a great month so far. I spent most of my day at Dalhousie working on a committee to hire the new Dean of Agriculture. It's been a very wonderful experience so far, and I'm looking forward to finishing it.

I cleaned my room up tonight, and got a quick photo of my lights within my Norfolk Island Pine. I got this interesting idea from some friends of the family The Vanderweits. They always have such lovely design ideas. This is a wild cucumber that is placed over the light fixture of a mini-light.

30. My friend Robyn

I seem to be taking lots of portraits for friends when preparing headshots, etc. Anyway, it's something I absolutely love doing. So please let me know if you're ever interested! I took one today for my friend Robyn. She's one of the people at school I'm closest with, and I've worked with her for the last three years in the student union executive.

Luckily I have some beautiful friends, who always are very photogenic indeed!

29. Street light loving

I had a lovely visit from my special girlfriend last night. We had a study date at the library, and upon arriving home we notice an interesting, clear shadow cast upon the side of the house. Pardon the cheesiness, but I think this is a neat photo.

What can I say? I'm pretty smitten. 

28. Succulent beauty

While in lab on the 28th day of January, I stumbled across a wonderful succeulent plant with a neat budding structure. Each of these tiny little florets is a little plant, that can grow on it's own upon fragmentation. I'm certain there is a botanical term, but I certainly don't know what it is.

Truly a lovely plant. I believe it's some sort of sedum. It has absolutely lovely long horizontal stems. I'm certain it would be welcome in any garden. I picked up a couple of fragments off the ground, and stuck them in some potting mix. Maybe I will be lucky?

27. Hockey

A classic every year at the Agricultural College, we always have a hockey tournament in the winter months. It's a great chance for people to get out and show their spirit. It's at a really unique rink, which is separate from the actual arena itself. It was named Kraft Hockeyville back in 2006. It's truly a unique place. I managed to snap this quick shot through the netting. Just shows a couple of friends from school chatting at the end. Hi Ev!

26. The birds have come and went

On the 26th day of 2013, I put out some food for the birds. Several hours later, I looked out and all of my suet had been eaten. Every last drop. With 2.5 ft of snow down, and -25 degree weather I can't say I blame the little guys. I hunted around the backyard and looked for some alternative snacks, and I did find one rather dramatic looking rose-hip clinging on to the bush. Paired with the cracked paint, and the mid-afternoon sun I think it made for an interesting photo!

Hope everyone is well!

PM

25. Peace from a peace lily

If you've ever owned a cat, I'd be willing to bet you've experienced the frustrations that come along with it. I don't own a cat, though my roommate does. This cat likes to mess with me in seemingly endless ways. Her favourite way of messing with is to destroy my house plants.

Case in point. My favourite houseplant. My Spathiphyllum : Japanese peace lily. On an especially cold day in December, I brought my lovely flowering lily to the floor closer to the heat as our home can get quite cold. The cat bit off all but six or seven stems, of the original twenty. This included all of the beautiful blossoms.

Today, I noticed the first ALMOST full emergence of a new flower. Truly a wonderful moment in the day! I give you the beauty of a Spathiphyllum! 

24. Saying Good-bye

On the 24th day of the year I went to my second ever memorial for a wonderful man I met through the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Dr. Bernie MacDonald the former VP Administration, and Co-President passed away at the age of 65. I was able to attend his service after my morning classes, and hear about what  a wonderful father, husband, and grandfather that Bernie was to many. It was a very moving experience.

I took a minute before the service to visit the Greenhouse. I was hoping to get a photo of a plant I am growing from another class in the Greenhouse that Bernie was instrumental in opening. However my plants hadn't reached a stage that had really passed through the media. So instead, I took a photo of an apple twig that is part of a lab in my fruit production class.

23. Overwhelmed

Just an absolutely overwhelming day, on day 23 of the year. I found out that I had managed to have an interview for my graduate program at Oxford. It's pretty exciting, and I've been working since to prepare. It was also a day of Winter Carnival, in which our student group organized a nice variety of events around campus. The 23rd, finished with a musical show, and a dinner with the Nova Scotia Agrologists Club.

Today's photo is of a prayer plant that I've had a lot of success with. I remember when this little guy was just a single leaf... oh the simple days. I've messed around again with a tripod and a flashlight, and though not as interesting as last time. I'm happy with how the photo came out!

22. Bee homes

Another freezing cold day in Truro, the snow is pummeling down and the thermometer read -15. Luckily I found out why I've been wearing two sweaters, and sweatpants to bed. This is because my baseboard heater was switched completely off. I thought it was broken. What a laugh. Wish I knew this when my water-glass was crystalizing into ice during the night.

Anyway. I've been thinking a lot about summer, and I just can't wait to have the chance to get back out and see all the insects. Pictured is a bee-house from Ian I received last year. I'm going to install it in a garden this summer, likely in Canning. We seem to have some really nifty solitary bees around, I can't wait to see who takes occupancy!

Have a great day! Keep warm!

PM

21. Painting with light

I was playing around with a few shapes in the dark with a flashlight, and was able to this neat photo with a 2' exposure. Pictured are three Empire apples (small, and very tasty) on a piece of driftwood I found over the winter break. I thought it made for an interesting photograph. I'm going to look into some different techniques throughout the year, it's a great feature of digital photography.

Another freezing cold day in Truro. Meetings, class, and yoga. Luckily it was a productive day along with the frustration.

Keep warm, happy and healthy.

PM

20. Snow melt

Today my town had a nice little break from a spell of -10 - -30 degree weather. It was getting a bit repetitive and very cold. Just to change things up Mother Nature decided to place a +7 degree day, between two negative 15 degree days. So the snow was melting, and I thought I would make a snow figure. This is my little snow guy or gal, that has been decapitated. Made from rocks, carrots, lilac twigs and a Canadian penny. I thought it was pretty funny!

Hope everyone has a super day.

PM

19. Paper shadows

Today was a great day, that could be described with the four words: Paul's design, Adam's patience. My roommate Adam and I started working away on this piece earlier with a dull exacto-knife and a piece of card-stock. It's a representation of a long-horned beetle. I started cutting out the pieces, and Tompkins finished it while listening to some tunes. Certainly an interesting activity with a neat end result.

Certainly a fun activity, I've been planning out a few other designs to work on later this winter. Can't help but think how much fun I'd be having in a program where I could do more art. S'allright though I suppose, everything in good time. 

18. Suey

Oink. Oink. I have to confess that I felt a little swine-ish myself during this week. It's been crazy to say in the least, and I feel like an absolute mess. Though I did get a haircut. I suppose that helps a little bit.

This is one of my friends pig 'Sue Ellen'. I'm not normally one for rubber animals, but this one just cracked me up like you wouldn't believe. When you squeezed it it made a very low grunting squeak. I managed to get my paws on it during a movie, before my exasperated girlfriend confiscated it and put it somewhere else. None-the-less I was able to get a photo that I think portrays it's hilarity quite nicely indeed.

17. Blup - Blub

Had a lovely sort of day, with a variety of people. My roommates and I had a nice little relaxing day after a long day of work, and school respectively. Now just having a few chats with our lovely friends upstairs, and unwinding after what's been a very interesting week.

Just a short post today, but the photo is of our house-mate's fish. It's a pretty beautiful fish, and tried (rather unsuccessfully at first) to get a decent shot, but managed this one at the end.

I've been rather unlucky with fish, so photos will have to do for now. Though photos are quite nice. 

16. Snow, Relief and Sorrow

Today has been an interesting day so far. After several hours of class I found myself walking home to one of the most quiet days I've ever experienced. There wasn't a car around, and I picked up on some very tiny sounds happening around me. I heard a bird shake it's feathers on a tree about 30 feet away. I heard the scraping of a branch against a glass pane from about the same distance.

As I ate my lunch and prepared to go back to school the snow started to come. It came faster and faster, and turned almost blizzard-like at times. The photo today is of a Miscanthus sinensis, with the seed head covered in snow. Certainly a beautiful sight, and a very becoming feature within the landscape.

A friend who was in quite a serious accident was released from the hospital after a few hours of observations. Fortunately she was able to escape the accident with some major bruises, and stiffness. She gave us all quite a scare throughout our school community. Thankfully she is strong enough, and persistent enough to walk away with a big smile.

Unfortunately there was also some very sad news today, as the former co-President of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College passed away. I was fortunate enough to have met Dr. Bernie MacDonald throughout my four years living in Truro. Bernie was a diligent and kind administrator, and was always a friendly face to see around campus. Sending lots of love to his wife Anne, his children, and grand-childen.

Be careful in the snow everyone, it's slippery out there.

15. The last day of Christmas

At some point it becomes time to take down the Christmas tree. Luckily, I have a tiny Norfolk Island pine, and instead of dragging the tired Balsam Fir to the woods, I get to enjoy the beauty of my little tree throughout the year. However, I did feel it necessary to remove the sole ornament (Lights will stay on for occasional studying aid, relaxation and general ambience of course).

If you look in the reflection of the ornament, you can see me with my faithful Pentax. It's been a wonderful camera for me (though I still do miss the Canon Rebel which I traded in for this one three years ago). The best part of a Pentax (the audible click). CLICK.

Getting back into the swing of things now, and looking forward to the semester being underway. I've found it hard to keep focused, and there has been a lot of distraction from non-point sources. I don't know what's been really happening per-say, but I'll figure it out as I go along. That usually seems to be the case.

All the best to all of you all, & keep on keeping on.

PM

14. Jade Blossom

There are few things in the world that can make me smile like plants. Especially plants in blossom. Especially when it's one of your favourite plant species in blossom. Especially when it's one of your favourite individual plants in blossom. Despite having a relatively crummy day on Monday, I was fortunate enough to have a chance to see one of my favourite plans in blossom - albeit for a short period of time.

This plant is a jade plant, and is approximately 80 years old. It's thick fleshy stem has become almost eight inches in diameter, and it resembles a bonsai in shape. It's absolutely incredible to look at when it's not flowering. However when it is flowering, it's just a whole new dimension added to the beauty of the plant. Here are some of the blossoms in macro-detail. Isn't it breath-taking?

Plants just seem to make everything so much more interesting. Take a closer look at a plant today, and let yourself smile for the pure sake of smiling.

PM

13. Reflections

I had an interesting day in Halifax today. I did a seminar for Active-8, which is an initiative started by the Atlantic Council for International Co-operation. In essence it's a publicity campaign for the Canadian International Development Agency, for the 8-Millennium development goals. I was an ambassador last year, and inspired approximately 400 pledges for positive change. I had a really great time with the campaign, and the organizers asked me to come speak to the new group.

After that, I met up with Sarah and we visited two friends in a local rehabilitation centre. Our friend has suffered a tragic brain injury, but has come a long way, and continues to fight. He's a true inspiration to so many people, and there are so many praying and rooting for him.

Our other friend (who we didn't get to visit as he was out on pass) has come along quickly, and has a new baby girl who just arrived several weeks ago. He too, is fighting well and is actually scheduled for release later this month. We're so proud of him.

Met up quickly with another old friend from school, and 'posed' for a few quick shots as a part of a school assignment for a magazine writing class. When I came home, I ran a meeting and caught up with a good friend and co-worker. I then started to day dream about my garden and seeds, which led to this photo. I grew heirloom beans last year, and along with fresh eating all summer, I now have a ton of seeds for next years crop. These are called 'Orca Beans'... can you guess why?

Have a great day everyone.

PM

12. A lovely night

First of all: Sorry for the delays! Have been having some extremely frustrating technical issues with my computer, and a very frantic week indeed.

This weekend I was fortunate enough to spend the twelfth day of the year with my lovely girlfriend Sarah in the city of Halifax. We had a very relaxing day lounging around, and with visits with both of Sarah's parents who were in town, along with a dinner double-date with an old friend of mine, and his girlfriend.

Truly a wonderful night. When we got back, I was looking for a subject to take a photo of. I noticed a few tea-light-holders that I had repurposed for Sarah a few months back made from salsa jars. I took a quick photo of the cluttered desk, and I really liked the result! NOTE: This is certainly not my desk pictured based off of the spines of the books, and the presence of tape... masking tape or bust for this guy.

Hope that you like it too! All the best!

PM

11. Flat Katie and Turtle

Had a catch up with our AVP for Students, Keltie Jones today. Among our chats, we talked about a project one of her friends children from California was doing by the name of 'Flat Katie'. This of course is modelled after the popular Flat Stanley series!

We stopped by the greenhouse to let 'Flat Katie' become acquainted with one of the resident painted turtles. I think Katie was quite happy to meet a new friend on campus! She looks a little over-exposed, but I assure you she just has very light features :)

It was a great Friday for this guy, and looking forward to this semester immensely. Keeping busy, feeling healthy, and ready to take on a myriad of new challenges. The next two days I will be in Halifax, and while I won't be posting my photo of the day, rest assured that I will be taking them.

Have a lovely weekend everyone! 

10. Orchid Fever

Today was a stellar day. I finalized my application to Oxford University, as well as had notification of my first co-authored manuscript being published. It's been a super day!

Everyone has a favourite sort of flower. I can never decide what mine is, but it often comes back to members of the orchid family. This one is a specimen in the Collins Horticulture Building, where I'm taking a special topics independent course with Prof. Carol Goodwin. This will bring me to this beautiful Greenhouse at least once a week to document some of the interesting plants.

This one is in the Cypripedioideae subfamily. It wasn't labeled with species or genus, and my identificatio wouldn't be accurate as Orchids are very, very, diverse and I know little of their taxonomy. 

I've been saving up a bit of money to purchase some orchids at a sale at Acadia University later this winter. I cannot wait to care for some of these beauties on my own. 

09. The perks of perennial flowers

As renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf famously said "Brown is a colour too". Oudolf was referring to his trend of landscape agriculture known as New Wave Planting. This trend uses sweeping banks of grasses and perennial plants to create natural, flowing gardens that are beautiful throughout the year.

A local fire station has a small perennial garden, and though it lacks the lustre of Oudolf's designs characterized by Chinese silver-grass (Miscanthus spp.) it does have some very interesting shapes that peek out from a foot or so of snow. Among these shapes are the seed heads of astilbe plants. They are mostly knee-high varieties, but have a beautiful seed-head and interesting stems. I took a quick photo of the stems from a low perspective, and this was the result.

An interesting day it was today. Full of visitors and friends. Tomorrow it's just a single class, and several meetings. Looking forward to it.

08. Technical difficulties, check back tomorrow

Hi Everyone,

If you're reading this... thanks for reading! If you're wondering where the photo of the day is, I'm wondering exactly the same thing. Having some problems synching my camera to the computer. After a long day of technical difficulty (e-mail down, word formatting incorrectly, camera malfunctioning in extreme cold) I've packed in the bags, and am trying again tomorrow morning.

Today's photo once revised is a shot of one of the campuses greenhouses at night. I think it's pretty nifty, I hope that you'll agree.

In other news, Twitter is hilarious today. Check out the hashtag #overlyhonestmethods for a good laugh.

A bientôt mes amis!

PM

7:05 January 09th - Photo uploaded! 

07. Crummy weather for credit

When you're in school it seems that you have field trips on the crummiest days. Hurricane season? Let's go to the beach to study succession! Lightning storm? Put those hipwaders on, it's time to go sample for trout habitat. Freezing rain? Why not evaluate microclimate effect of evergreen trees.

Sometimes though, this is not the case. Today was one of those days. On a cool, but bright winter day we took our first measurements for a lab on cold dormancy for apple varieties. Continuing with the grand tradition of nice days, our lab lasted about 30 minutes, and I managed to take this lovely photo of my friend Susan enjoying the powder that we pushed through to get to the orchard.

Hope that everyone else is enjoying this beautiful snow! 

06. Mysterious creature

Along with this week of snow, -20 temperatures and seemingly endless flow of sugary treats a sure sign of Christmas came a little late to Ryland Avenue, Bible Hill. It seemed to put a smile on everyone's face, and had a few visitors comment on the beauty of this lovely plant. Can anyone recognize the plant from the lovely stamens, and the clues I eluded to?

05. The strangest place I have ever found a dead bird

Birds are living things and one day, each bird will die. It might be at the talons of a larger bird, the lead of a hunters gun, or by the spread of an avian disease. Sometimes the bird will be eaten, sometimes it will rot away in a pile of leaves, sometimes the bird will end up stuffed and displayed proudly on the mantle.

I have no idea how this little bird passed. It was so desiccated and damaged that I couldn't even identify it. However, it either passed while perched or flying over. Perhaps another bird perched there with it as it ate. However it died I am not certain. I am not certain why it was snagged on the branch. However, this is where I found it, and this is what it looked like.

Your guesses are as good as mine.

04. A close-up of my roommates nose

Some things probably just aren't the most popular things to photograph. One of those things would be noses. If a stranger walked up to you on the street and asked if they could photograph your nose, you would likely so no.  I expect this would be especially unappealing for many if the photographer was using a macro lens. 

I've stumbled into a very affordable range of macrophotography through the use of a Raynox macro lens M-250. I purchased it for 30 dollars online, and it clips right on the end of my camera with some very pleasing results. You don't need to spend $1000 to take some particularly interesting photos. 

Luckily Katima (kitten pictured above) was willing to stay still long enough to let me get a shot of her very pink and heart-like nose. Me-ow. A little cross-eyed, tremendously irritating but very affectionate this little cat is a welcome addition to our flat.

Happy Friday Everyone!

03. Graptopetalum paraguayense

Today found me back for the first day of my last semester of undergraduate studies. Looking through the plants in my home, this is one that I've propagated in several classes. Another interesting houseplant, this lovely succulent is called a ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense). It is found within the jade plant family, and provides an interesting shape to any room or garden. Succulent plants are interesting as broken off fragments readily grow into new healthy plants with little care. 

02. Cleaning the air

There is something to be said about the innate fondness that people have for plants. We cultivate them, select them, choose ones that make us happy, and ones that heal. This particular plant is a houseplant is Pothos (Epipremnun aureum) and is known for its ability to clean air.  

01. Sarah Jane

The best thing that happened to me in 2011 was meeting my now girlfriend Sarah through a mutual friend. The best thing that happened to me in 2012 has been getting to know her.  Patient, understanding, incredibly intelligent, and kinder than anyone I've ever met. Nobody has ever been able to understand me like she does. I'm very lucky to be have such a great person to confide in, and share life with.