This fox, one of two that decided to live in my back yard for a winter, made me think of all the shots that I had “just missed” in my life. So, that is the theme of this photo essay…things that are leaving. I sold my first photo in 1987, but have missed many opportunities since then.

Geoff Coleman’s photos have appeared in every major Canadian outdoor magazine, and several in the United States. He attributes much of his success to his parents who were crazy enough to let him take the family camera on fishing and camping trips as a teenager. Fenelon Falls residents may recognize him as the guy taking photos at The Grove Theatre during their inaugural season.

I was chasing a storm, thinking it might be about to show a devil’s broom, but it left. All that remained was the rainbow.

I owned a snowmobile for three years and put maybe 4 kms on it since we had some winters where it rained any weekend I was planning to use it. Or, possibly the low odometer reading was due to the disappearing tracks it made.

Shot as I was driving toward Lake Simcoe to try and catch lake trout, these trees faded away before my eyes as one of those mystical winter fogs rolled in. It looked as though the trees were moving and the fog was standing still.

New Year’s Eve, probably 2016. An intense snowstorm carpeted the region in the white stuff, as the old year made a statement when it departed.

This photo was made on Hickory Beach Road. The full moon in April is known as the Pink Moon in North America, but this March full moon appears to be laying it’s claim to that title as it left a rose-coloured sky beneath it.

Winter leaving like a lion. A snow squall and a mix of water and ice hang over the falls at 1 a.m.

A sure sign of spring: the sap leaving the trees. It seems to happen earlier and earlier, which climate change deniers may have trouble explaining.

When the ice leaves, and as it forms, there are a few days when the water seems especially thick. More like oil than water. This was one such day, as the rising temperatures started to win.

As the lakes open up, it isn’t only cottagers who re-appear on our lakes. One evening in early March, rafts of waterfowl descended on an ice-free patch near the train bridge on Cameron Lake. You couldn’t go a minute without another group winging their way to the water. I’m not a bird photographer, but it was a special night.

Another amazing sight…

More flights came…

Another flock flew in

Mayflies cover walls on businesses near Lock 34 every year, but when the adult insect leaves the water it lives for only a day, making their species name, “ephemerus” so fitting.

I was too slow in getting the camera ready to capture a stunning trimaran from South Carolina, and all that was left for this picture were the waves from it’s wake.

Leaving shore.

Cameron Lake sunsets rarely disappoint. The wind left the water alone for this one.

The Julian Taylor Trio leaving them wanting more at the Grove Theatre, summer 2021.

This flock of Redwing Blackbirds filled the sky over a cornfield on Johnston Road. For close to a minute, one could not look up and see only blue…there was always black and red as they left for a new home.

At least one of these fishermen has noticed the moon over Lake Ontario will soon be gone.

This steelhead was left for someone else to catch.

When the chlorophyll leaves the leaves of this oak tree, they turn a remarkable red. In many years, a dozen or so leaves don’t even fall.

This water lily was likely a day past its prime, but it still looked great in the sunlight, and the camera did a decent job of capturing the texture of the petals.

There were five turtles on this log at one point.

What I think is an Eastern Kingbird. These birds (Tyrannus tyrannus) would leave their shallow, rowing wingbeat style of flying when feeding, and hover over the water briefly like a hummingbird before nabbing an insect at or near the surface.

The canine paw prints in the dew indicate something walked onto the dock. There are no returning prints, however.

The exception that proves the rule. A Northern Watersnake who stayed put long enough for me to get this and several other shots. Not being a big fan of snakes, if they are in proximity, I prefer to know exactly where they are…when I leave.