Uploads from Newfie Bullet, with geodata

Spirit Catcher

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 04:25:15 -0700

At the base of Maple Street on the scenic waterfront sits Barrie's majestic landmark, the "Spirit Catcher." Ron Baird was one of nine sculptors asked to submit proposals for EXPO '86 and he was one of the two sculptors chosen. The theme of EXPO '86 was transportation and communication. With this is mind the artist thought of his sculpture as spiritual antennae. The imagery of the "Spirit Catcher" was influenced by the west coast location and the Thunderbird of First Nations' mythology. The Thunderbird is a messenger who carries our dreams and desires to the Creator. The 20 tonne steel sculpture took 6 months to make and was originally installed at False Creek in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Once EXPO '86 ended, the sculpture was purchased by the Helen McCrea Peacock Foundation (Toronto) for $230,000 after months of negotiations. The Foundation donated the sculpture, in memory of Helen McCrea Peacock and Kenneth Westrup, to the "Barrie Gallery Project" as an inspiration to create an art gallery in the City of Barrie. The sculpture came to Barrie on 2 flatbed trucks and was installed with the assistance of several volunteers and 2 cranes. The installation took almost 2 full days on the weekend of June 12th and 13th, 1987 and was dedicated on September 12th.

The "Spirit Catcher" is made of Corten steel, a steel which does not flake when it rusts, but instead retains its structural integrity. The artist has deliberately rusted the metal for aesthetic reasons. The sculpture measures 70 by 65 feet (21 metres high) and has 16 kinetic quills, 2 wings, 3 legs and a pair of kinetic antennae. The original quills were embellished with stainless steel epaulets. The City of Barrie provided the site at the base of Maple Street on the waterfront and continues to maintain the grounds. The site may have been a trading post on the Nine Mile Portage, although it is most likely landfill from the 1960's. Legend has it that First Nations traders were treated unfairly by the manager of the trading post and an elder cursed the site. On the day that the "Spirit Catcher" was dedicated, the site was blessed with the burning of sweet grass and a performance by the Rama Native Drum Group.

Several months after the sculpture was erected in Barrie, the gusting and unpredictable winds off Kempenfelt Bay caused several quills and one antenna to fall off. A trio of structural and aeronautical engineers from DeHavailland Aircraft of Canada were consulted to redesign the quills. A scale model of the sculpture was placed in a wind tunnel to ensure the future structural integrity. The quills were redesigned to withstand the winds and no further incidents have occurred.

And so the "Spirit Catcher" became the first work in the permanent collection and is still the largest piece. It was this important donation that got Barrie's first public art gallery off the ground. In 1988 the "Interim Gallery" opened at 17c Mulcaster Street in downtown Barrie. In 1991 it became the MacLaren Art Centre after Maurice MacLaren beqeathed his art collection and his home at 147 Toronto Street to the gallery. Over the next several years the collection grew with several donations. It is now widely recognized icon for the City of Barrie.

Along The Boardwalk

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:07:07 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Enjoying a cold fall day along the waterfront.

Photo shot with my good pal Turniposaurus down along Barrie's waterfront a few weeks back.

[producing a re-conciliation between...]

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:47:55 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Found these concrete slabs with this phrase on both of them along a hiking path in the middle of no where just off walking path along the lakeshore in Barrie.

[ producing a re-conciliation between ... ] opposite notions and/or incompatible elements thought and action movement and position human nature and natural environment exploitation and consciousness indigenous and imposed finding a pathway through dualities walking a fine line [ producing a re-conciliation between ... ]

[producing a re-conciliation between...]

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:47:54 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

I Got Ants In My Pants....

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:15:09 -0700

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Ow, hey, tell me what you're gonna do about that Tell me what you're gonna do I got to know about that
Is your love for real? Do you know how I feel? Tell me what you're gonna do about that
I got ants in my pants And I need to dance, come on
I got ants in my pants and I need to dance Some big fine mama come and give me a chance

James Brown

Blur

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 08:16:36 -0700

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

The camera has an interest in turning history into spectacle, but none in reversing the process. At best, the picture leaves a vague blur in the observer's mind; strong enough to send him into battle perhaps, but not to have him understand why he is going.

Denis Donoghue

The Strip

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:50:32 -0700

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Along the Vegas Strip.

Flying High Again

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:28:33 -0700

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

This is my fifth trip to Dominican Republic and this is something I have always wanted to do. But there is a small catch, I'm terrified of heights. But after a lot of convincing and maybe a drink or two, my good fried Andrew and I went sailing off into the wild blue yonder. And am I ever glad I did....

Flying High Again

Nurse Shark

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:39:07 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Day trip me, Penney and our good friend Nathalie took to go swimming with the sharks while in Punta Cana.

Nurse sharks are nocturnal animals, spending the day in large inactive groups of up to 40 individuals. Hidden under submerged ledges or in crevices within the reef, the nurse sharks seem to prefer specific resting sites and will return to them each day after the night's hunting. By night, the sharks are largely solitary; they spend most of their time rifling through the bottom sediments in search of food. Their diet consists primarily of crustaceans, molluscs, tunicates, sea snakes, and other fish, particularly stingrays.

They are thought to take advantage of dormant fish which would otherwise be too fast for the sharks to catch; although their small mouths limit the size of prey items, the sharks have large throat cavities which are used as a sort of bellows valve. In this way nurse sharks are able to suck in their prey. Nurse sharks are also known to graze algae and coral.

Nurse sharks have been observed resting on the bottom with their bodies supported on their fins, possibly providing a false shelter for crustaceans which they then ambush and eat.

Nurse sharks are able to respire while stationary by pumping water through their mouths and out gills.

Tropical Fish

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:39:08 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Day trip me, Penney and our good friend Nathalie took to go swimming with the sharks while in Punta Cana.

(Marinarium invites you to discover the wonders of the reef and the marine life. Join us for an exciting half-day excursion cruise during which you will have the unique opportunity to snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks.
Snorkeling is followed by a beautiful sightseeing cruise along the coast of Cabeza de Toro and Bávaro. Finally, you will reach Paradise, where you will relax in the waist deep waters of Bávaro’s natural pool, with your favourite cocktail in hand.)

Snorkeling Anyone?

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 07:43:24 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Soaking Up The Sun

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 10:16:07 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Me, Penney and our good friend Nathalie heading out on a swimming with the shark's excursion.

Punta Cana Sunrise

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:07:29 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Trip to Punta Cana with mine and Penney's good friends Andrew, Nathalie, Shawn, Marty and Ben. We stayed at the The Royal Suites Turquesa by Palladium. It is an exclusive hotel located within the Grand Palladium Punta Cana Complex Resorts and Spa.

Fallin'

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:30:27 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Photo shot with my good pal Turniposaurus down along Barrie's waterfront back in the fall.

Bridge

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 04:50:59 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Photo shot with my good pal Turniposaurus down along Barrie's waterfront a few weeks back.

Oak Gardens Theatre

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:34:26 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

This spectacular garden is the entranceway to Queen Victoria Park, the key central area of Niagara Parks that showcases the Falls. Located at the foot of Clifton Hill, this is the perfect spot for a superb panoramic view of the American and Horseshoe Falls. Concerts and special events are held here throughout the summer.

Constructed in 1936, designers capitalized on the contours of the landscape to create a curved pergola overlooking a central amphitheatre. Rock gardens, lily ponds and shrub borders have been created around formalized gardens, with attractive ornamental iron gates and Queenston limestone around the perimeter.

Cool Water

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:56:06 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Photo shot with my good pal Turniposaurus down along Barrie's waterfront a few weeks back.

The Duke Of Duckworth

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:15:41 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

The Duke is one of St. John's, NL's most famous attractions and eatery. They have been in business since 1989 offering the people of St. John's and tourists alike a great place to relax and enjoy a great meal. The Duke offers entertainment on selected evenings or you can just come in for a Pint and a game of pool.

Reflection

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:45:17 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people.

Albert Einstein

Fallin' Leaves

nobody@flickr.com (Newfie Bullet) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 15:36:20 -0800

Newfie Bullet posted a photo:

Photo shot with my good pal Turniposaurus down along Barrie's waterfront a few weeks back.