Wallpapers

I continue to be impressed by how many people manage to identify a scene I never expect will be recognized. This is the exact opposite of the view boaters see while passing the Sifton Estate just downstream from Browns Bay Provincial Park. The coordinates are B 24 on the books' maps if you're not sure where this is.

Last month’s shot of the Brockville Narrows is a particularly meaningful one for me. When I first flew up the River on a random flight with a couple of friends in 1992, this was my first glimpse of the Thousand Islands. As you probably know it had a profound impact, changing the course of my life. A serendipitous accident.

Whenever I think I've succeeded in finding an image that is obscure enough or from a sufficiently different perspective to escape detection, I'm always amazed when several correct responses inevitably surface. Such is the case with last month's image which also produced some interesting stories, making the decision a tough one. Dave Montrois takes it by a whisker for sharing this:

I almost had you fooled last month. Surprisingly few correct answers came in despite the fact this is same scene featured in the December 2005 wallpaper. The only difference is that this time it's snowing - hard, which made it tough to keep the lens dry. "I’ve always seen this spot as classic Thousand Islands. It’s the Lost Channel, named for an incident that occurred here on August 14, 1760. If you aren’t familiar with the story and have my first book available, page 41 will explain.

I have always been drawn to this wonderfully photogenic grouping of islands in Chippewa Bay. I've made a point of photographing them in a wide variety of conditions and light, but this shot came by chance when I was out flying with a friend in his own Challenger. One minute I was just off his wingtip, the next I was gone when I suddenly saw the sun beaming through a hole in the overcast for just a few moments, spotlighting these islands like the jewels they are.