Studying with a view

We often sit outside, hot drinks in hand, and read. These are our surroundings and they are about 15 seconds from our flat. How fortunate we are: huge trees, winding pathways, cute forest creatures, a park and river below.

Orange petals

Autumn waves on the North Sea

The beach in Aberdeen provides a fantastic location for picture-taking. In one direction the beach makes its way south toward the city, and in the other direction the beach travels north for miles, hugging the dunes and golf courses, with nothing really in sight. There are very few people on the beach and at times, one can find they are completely alone listening to the crashing waves and watching the moonrise (and it rises early these days!) An added bonus -- seeing dolphins in the distance or seals bobbing nearby inquisitively staring.

Scotland's Dunnottar Castle

I've very recently moved from Oxford, England up to Aberdeen in Scotland. I look forward to developing my photography more fully in this landscape, or at least my landscape photography. The weather patterns change so quickly living on the coast of the North Sea and there are moments when the sea and sky transport you to a Caribbean beach, although the rugged landscape and nearby castle ruins remind you that you are in Scotland.

A day in Cambridge

While based in England I had the opportunity to see many sights, including Cambridge which definitely reminded me of Oxford with its punting, perfectly kept English gardens and inspiring colleges. There seemed to be even more tiny cobblestone streets with shops and boutiques and I had a hard time deciding whether I preferred Oxford or Cambridge.

Marco Island and Key West

I've been to Florida probably more times than I would like to admit. My parents have enjoyed escaping the cold Canadian winter to take a short break in Southwest Florida. They always visit the beach of Marco Island which is clean, huge and not particularly crowded. Key West is a relatively short boat ride away and provides a livelier and quirkier escape.

Walking in fields of gold, the English countryside

Springtime in the gardens of Oxford

Finding hidden gems, including quiet gardens and meadows, is something truly special, particularly during spring when everything is coming to life. Blossoms cover the grounds of Port Meadow and the Fellows' Garden in Magdalen College (which is attached to Addison's Walk by a small bridge). The final photo was taken on my graduation day.

Oxford's architecture

I will never forget driving over Oxford's Magdalen Bridge in late September 2008. I was moving away from home, from family and friends in Canada, to a new country to start a Masters degree. I was rather bleary-eyed from my flight the previous night and woke up just as my bus pulled into the heart of Oxford. The sun hit the limestone colleges and an overwhelming sense of excitement filled me. I really could not believe I was moving to Oxford and would be studying at the world's oldest English university. Oxford's architecture struck me immediately and it was the first thing I wanted to photograph. I had barely left my bags in my room before I was out the door exploring. This is a small selection of some of my favourite hangout spots. The red brick structure was my college, Keble, and resembled a checkerboard. Other photos highlight All Souls College, the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera and Oxford's wonderful cafes. 

Camping in wild Scotland

These photos were taken on my first camping venture in Scotland, and actually it was my first trip to Scotland in general. I only had a small digital camera at the time, no advanced DSLR, but the photos still turned out quite well I think. Having beautiful landscape really makes the photo no matter what camera you have.  Places highlighted here include Eilean Donan Castle, Lochcarron, Applecross, the Isle of Skye and Glasgow.

The Western Wall

While study at Oxford I had the opportunity to travel with a group of theologians to Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt. It was a trip that further sparked my fascination and academic interest in the Middle East. A haunting moment was visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem where human desperation and need for God are inescapable.