The shortest day of the year has passed, only to be seen next year again. When people not from Manitoba talk about the “horrors” of their winters, we tend to laugh, compared to what we go through. But when we talk among ourselves, then that same winter takes on a whole new level of cold. Interesting to see those points of view from outside.

While it is true that it is generally cold out here, we should not forget that there are also lots of views that this cold provides us with, not for anyone else in the world. Those views are what we are here for, photographers…

Below the waterline is not the place many people want to be. However, it was the daily space for many of our forefathers. Some of mine have roamed the seven seas below the waterline. Not an enviable place to be, that I can now say. Long ago, the Nonsuch was put up to dry in Winnipeg, inside the Manitoba Museum. Right from the

start, it was decided that the public was not to go below into the hold, since there were no permanent guards available. Lots of “extra signage” was expected in the form of “I was here in 1974” or “I love …”. Therefore the hold was closed.

Everybody knows by now that I am not an early riser. Also, taking night shots is for me a winter activity, not a summer one. But when winter comes, I am outside shooting night scenes.

Even better, when the MFF plans an outing on a high-rise in Winnipeg, there is no way that you can keep me away. This time we went up to Prairieview 360, a newly opened restaurant in place of the Royal Crown revolving restaurant.

Winter has arrived. Well it’s been here for a few weeks now. It started with a hesitating –4C, then attacked fiercely with lows of –29C and highs of –18C (0F). Then it was time to set my mind to winter mode, even if I wasn’t really ready for it.

A few nights ago I got my first Aurora for the season. Not that I was expecting it and even less dressed for it. This shot from the parking lot was with a few others, the only one I could bear to take. Walking back to the car with my tripod in my bare hands was more than enough. The tripod burned my hands from the cold. I guess that –29C (-43C counting the wind chill) was a good reason not to prolong the experience.