The Best From 2025
Another year is coming to a close and WHAT a year it's been! In April, we moved from the Greater Toronto Area (Scarborough) to a brand new (like, completely new build) home in the small town of Campbellford, Ontario. It was a huge change, but one we have not regretted. While is some ways, we miss our old home of 32 years, it's mostly an emotional sensation. Campbellford has most of what we need from the big city and none of what we don't need. It even has it's own indepnedant movie theatre!
Some of the early photos from 2025 are from before we moved as well as a couple work trips. Then starting in April the images transition to our new location. With a river in front of me and a forest behind me, there is no shortage of photo opportunities.
I've tried to narrow my selections down to 4/month, but sometimes, well, I just couldn't.
January
From cardinals in the backyard to sunrises at Rouge Beach, to a country visit at Red Farm Lane to photography the Scottish Longhorns, some great phots were made. While I do see Blue Jays, woodpeckers, chickadees and Juncos at the new home, the lack of nearby shrubs means I'm not seeing cardinals like I used to.
February
The significant milestone for February was putting our home of 32 years up for sale. It was a bittersweet decision in some ways, and in others ways, an easy one; the neighbourhood had changed so much in 3 decades, as neighbourhoods will. But in our case, much of it wasn't for the better. The cardinal and hawk photos were both captured in a gem of a location, the Guild Inn park, on the cliffs of Lake Ontario.
March
Another momentous and nearly heartbreaking experience was arranging for the care of our two feral cats, Peanut and Raven. I could not just leave them to survive on their own; they had become far too dependant on us and would be very confused if their feedings suddenly stopped or worse, they were shooed off the property.
I did find a shelter who agreed to take them in and try to socialize them for adoption, but they also guaranteed they would always have a safe home even if they could not be adopted. It was hard to let them go, but I know they are safe and cared for.
Check out Before the Bridge Senior Cat Sanctuary on Facebook. to learn about this amazing personal endeavour.
Late March, only a couple weeks before we moved, also brought with it a devastating (and beautiful) ice storm across a good part of Southern Ontario. Most of Cambellford was out of power for more than a week. As I sit here wirting this, we are in the grips of our first winter ice storm of the holiday season. Fingers crossed that the power stays on...
April
Mid April bid goodbye to Toronto and hello to Campbellford. The crocuses woke up in time to say farewell and I think this one final image from the old backyard is a fitting one. The next sunrise I captured was from the shore of the River, a 6-minute walk from my front door.
Our house is situated across from a planned park; we chose this spot because ther would be no homes opposite us and we would have an unobstructed view towards (but not OF) the river. I'm OK with that. There is this one gnarly tree directly across from us and it's already becoming a common subject in my photos, especially when it has snow on it. But even when there is no snow, it's branches are highlited by a light green moss or lichen that help it stand out from the rest of the trees.
May
May was the start of cottage season. We did not spend nearly as much time at the #fortressofmoderatesolitude, desptie the fact we are an hour closer to the cottage. 2025 would be a season of upacking, arranging, assembling and orientation we gained familiarity with our new surroundings.
June
Oddly enough, June was a low month for me, photographically speaking. I was obviously busy doing other things, although I did go on a couple nature walks and continued to explore photographic options at the river. We are at an interesting location, river-wise. We have both a dam to control water levels very close by (walking distance) and further down the river is a lock for water traffic. I see herons regularly through the spring summer and fall and my new long lens (150-600mm) while heavy, is getting a lot of use.
I made up for June in July, capturing many images. So many, I had hard time limiting the number of frames to show. We were going through a long dry spell, but the sunny days made for great light.
August
August was a time for county fairs and summer drives. I discovered that one local farmer plants a sunflower field each year and welcomes visitors on a "pay-what-you-can" admission price. I could fill an entire project with just images from my visits to that field. And I likely will. but for now I think this one frame symbolizes not just the field, but the way of life in Trent Hills and Northumberland.
September
Fall was starting to show its color early, thanks to the severe drought we had over the summer months. I made the time to refresh exhibitions hanging at Elmhirst's Resort and The Reclaimed Garden Company.
October
Fall vibrance was in full swing in October, despite what many feared would be a lacklustre autumn. From Cordova Falls to Burleigh Falls, and countless country roads and farm fields, October was a feast for the eyes.
November
At the time of this writing, November wasn't that long ago, and we got our first taste of winter in the country, with some heavy frosts and even snow. Walking out in that fresh snow, seeing how it impacts the natural landscape and even photographing the birds from my deck is a treat.
December
Wrapping up the year, we went from green grass to deep freezes to snow fall and a recent ice storm. It was a real grab bag, weather-wise. Some of my highlights were seeing river otters, bald eagles and cathing a couple amazing sunrises.
Final Thoughts
My wife and I have thought and said out loud often, that the only regret in moving to the country was that we didn't do it sooner. But overall, the timing worked out. We have a beautiful new home on a street with amazing neighbours, in a wonderful little town that has pretty much everything we need. I'm looking across a bridge and on the other side is retirement. I haven't started walking across yet, but it's coming. I'm excited - and a little nervous - about what that adventure will bring. What I do know is that we are in the perfect spot for when that time comes.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all my followers. Let's hope it's a good one, as Mr. Lennon once said.
