My work used to take me to the beautiful Ottawa Valley area of Ontario.

Lanark County, the Maple Syrup Capital of Ontario has many old log buildings and sturdy log houses still in use, as well as barns and sheds.

I liked it when the spring buds were forming in meadows and forests, tulips were opening in visual concert with hyacinthes and daffodils. I wanted to come back to take pictures, having been through many of these towns and villages in the winter when I did not yet have my camera – and wishing I had so as to capture the stark white beauty of the fields with the stark, dark contrast of ancient farm buildings.

Almonte, Arnprior, Beckwith, Carleton Place, Lanark, Pembroke, Perth, Renfrew and many more beautiful places, Scotch settlements many of them . . .

I had no idea there was such beauty and power in the waterfalls at Amonte. And many other places with rushing rivers and spring-fed streams, fields and budding forests. I came to love the ancient buildings, and the lore and fauna of this part of my province, Ontario.