What Catches My Eye (Jan to Mar 2026)

This post is about those pictures that catch my eye each time I go through my pictures; which ones cause me to pause and enjoy the memory and the photograph. There is a total lack of sunrises and sunsets. I did take some beautiful pictures of the sun rises and sets, but there are so many and they lose that factor that makes them special. The first photograph is from the Bridgeland area, near Reconciliation Bridge. It was taken about 0900, after sunrise on January 18. It is quite an industrial area, right under the Flyover to downtown Calgary and I don't think most people headed to work in the morning give it a thought. It is quite fanciful, and it is a piece of City art that I really like. 

* Sony a7 CR, 24mm (Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 GM), iso 1000, 1/13, f7.1

The second photograph was taken during an afternoon walk on February 12. We were having a break from winter cold, and this Calgarian was enjoying the afternoon in the sun and happily reading a book. I liked the composition but walked by because I don't like disturbing people by asking if I can take their picture. Once past, I stopped thought about it, continued on and then went back. He was quite happy to have his picture taken. The setting were all wrong for this picture, but I was experimenting with a borrowed camera. Regardless, it catches my eye and makes me want to talk to the gentleman in the picture. I keep the picture on my phone in case I see him again, but that hasn't happened. 

* Leica Q3 43, 43mm, iso1600, 1/2000, f8 

The third picture is from the 69th Street West LRT station. I was returning from playing cards and wound up being the only person on the train. It was mid afternoon during winter, and the car was spotless. So I took a photograph. I like the impact of the monochrome image and the shapes draw my eye in to pause every time I look at it. 

* Leica Q3 43, 43mm, iso1600, 1/2000, f8 

The fourth picture was taken while I was dog-sitting at home. This beautiful boy is Oscar. He is quite photogenic and I think the monochrome really captures him. Finally, the settings were more appropriate. It takes me a while to get used to a new camera. 

* Leica Q3 43, 43mm, iso 50, 1/30, f4 

Around noon on March 6th, I was walking to the COOP and had my camera just in case. From the brim of the hill by the Ukrainian Church on 6th Street, the sun reflecting off a downtown building caught my eye. I set the camera at f16 in order to try to catch the star-burst effect. It worked out quite well. 

* Leica Q3 43, 43mm, iso100, 1/125, f16 

The sixth picture is from a walk at Saint Patrick's Island on Jan 9th. This photograph catches my eye because it seems like such a post-card picture of downtown Calgary. It highlights the Calgary Tower, which can be hidden depending on the angle of viewing downtown. 

* Sony a7 CR, 42mm (Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 GM), iso 100, 1/500, f7.1

The seventh and last picture was taken New Year's Day.  For the last three years I have participated in a bird count at Mallard Point in SE Calgary. It was a cold foggy morning and through the fog, this photograph shows three different species of birds. The birding community has been very kind and supportive of me since Maria died, and this picture stops me and I take the time to appreciate the community and special friends I have made in Nature Calgary.

* Sony a7 CR, 364mm (Sony FE 70-200 F2.8 GM + 2X teleconverter), iso 1600, 1/640, f5.6