Monday, May 16, 2011

Vancouver Cantata Singers at Ryerson--Bach/Handel Concert

During dress rehearsal, Jesse and I took photos of the Vancouver Cantata Singers at Ryerson United Church.

Taken from my stand on the far end about 30 minutes before the concert was to commence (Camera: Canon S-95).
Emma will graduate from high school and soon study elsewhere.  This may be her last concert with us for a few years.  She has been the youngest singer ever to audition successfully!

Serious consultation in the alto section.  They make a glorious sound.

Benila, our lead soprano, repeatedly carried the day for us when singing solo sections in the Missa brevis or Cantata 150.

Jesse played bassoon for our works by Bach and Mozart. I had the 135mm lens at the time, I was standing at my place in the choir, and the only way I could get the entire bassoon into the photo was by turning the camera on a diagonal.


The following photos were for us taken by Jesse, and appear here with his permission and my thanks.




Slight time exposure to blur hands




Sometimes he gets specific on who stands where

"Ah" as in "Alleluia".

"O" as in "Lobet"

Singing under the ever watchful eye/ear of General Manager Dave

1/10th second, hand-held





Saturday, May 14, 2011

Scilla nonscripta (Bluebells)

When we moved into our home some 36 years ago, we inherited quite a few scilla nonscripta or bluebells.  We have done virtually nothing to nurture them other than covering them with leaves every fall.  Some are of course blue, but many more are white and my favourite ones are a light purple.  These flowers usually bloom in late April-early May, a time which used to be precious to me.  The children still had one month of school before summer recess, the family's librarian was hard at work, my classes and exams were concluded and I could turn the entire period of about four weeks over to uninterrupted research.  From my basement desk, I could see these flowers blooming at about my eye level.










Saturday, April 30, 2011

Saskatoon tree blossoms

Peter and Maree kindly planted a Saskatoon tree on their property so that it would be easily visible from my front study.  I have enjoyed watching it develop this April.  The sunshine of the last four chilly days finally brought out the flowers.


April 25, 2011

April 25, 2011

April 25, 2011

April 25, 2011

April 26, 2011 (hint of sunshine)

April 30, 2011 (sun just catching the blossoms but not our house)

April 30, 2011, 11:00 a.m. glorious sunshine (finally)

Late afternoon sun light, May 1st







 





Monday, April 25, 2011

More Late April Flowers in Vancouver (Janice's and Maree's Gardens)

Sadly, our lilies are late this year because so much of the garden is still deeply shaded.  But Holy Saturday was glorious with the best sunshine yet, and flowers are slowly awakening belatedly.  Here is what I saw in Janice's and Maree's front gardens.

Purple rockcress

Corydalis

Corydalis

Camellia


Candytufts

Hellebore







Golden tip marjoram (edible)