“As the storms rage over the lake, even the shoreline vegetation bears testimony to this often harsh environment, leaning over the frigid water, as if to brace for what is to come” – Ed Lehming

I’ve made a few photos from this very spot, but yesterday, as the wind howled over the waters of Lake Ontario, I noticed this maple tree, still bearing some dried leaves, leaning over the edge, taking in the full force of the western winds. What initially caught my attention was the leaves which seem frozen in time, caught in a perpetual breeze.

Beyond the tree is the rock-strewn shore, ice clinging to the slabs of limestone, and the deep turquoise waves pounding the shore. Further beyond lies Lakeshore Beach, bereft of summer sunbathers and also feeling the impact of the wind-whipped waves.

And immediately behind me, to further complement the experience, was the scene I that posted yesterday.

The whole scene opened up from that one glance at the leaves. I immediately saw a composition that captured that moment in time. All the elements work together to tell the story of this blustery day on the western shore of Ontario’s Prince Edward County and Sandbanks Provincial Park. It was not till I got home and started to review the images from the day that I noticed how nicely the orange of the maple leaves complemented the greens of the water and the beautiful structure of the rocks below. Once more, it’s one of those scenes that I witness that I know just works, but am not sure why until I spend more time with the image.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP 24-70 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD @ 24 mm
1/250 sec, f/8, ISO 400