Colette and I decided to spend a couple of days relaxing at Niagara On The Lake and we made sure to stop at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls on the way. We’ve been a couple of times but there is always the challenge of getting a different shot from the last time. I used the 60mm Micro lens for most of the shots and I still shake my head at the sharpness of this lens. Anyway here are a few from the day.

Soundtrack to the afternoon was Ryan Adam’s great album Love is Hell, Steely Dan’s album Pretzel Logic and Iron & Wine’s album Kiss Each Other Clean.

Another great year in music and once again I thought I would share my top 10 albums of 2013. Simone helped out once again, giving the paws up or down for the 100 plus albums I bought this year as she narrowed her own top picks for the year. Without further ado…

1. Junip Junip

2. Volcano Choir Repave

3. Arcade Fire Reflektor

4. Mark Kozelek Perils From The Sea

5. Bill Callahan Dream River

6. Andrew Belle Black Bear

7. Laura Marling Once I Was An Eagle

8. Nick Cave Push The Sky Away

9. James Blake Overgrown

10. Tricky False Idols

Covered Grand Analog at the Wrong Bar for Quip Magazine. First up was an interview with the band before their set at a pizza joint across the street. We had 15 minutes with a couple of members from the band and the image above was shot during the interview. Although they look pretty serious, they were actually hilarious and really had me laughing. Great guys! This awesome hip hop band finally started their set at around 1:30am and cranked out their usual rock, dub, soul, reggae mix. The only disappointing part of the night was the lighting at the Wrong Bar. I knew I had to worry as the promoters did not have a flash restriction and although there were a couple of other photographers using flash, I maxed out my D3s once again to get these shots.

Thanks to Quip Magazine.

Visit Quip Magazine for the review of the show here.

All of my images can be viewed here.

*shot on November 16, 2013*

Although I have seen many concerts at Lees Palace, this was the first time shooting there. There was a great line up of bands tonight but I was especially looking forward to Cults. By the time they came on the place was jam-packed. They sounded great and their own light show added to their sound and mood. Love this band! I also thought that maybe next time I shoot at this venue I will shoot from the sound board area with a 70-200 2.8 as there was a clear view of the band from the (sunken) area in front of the high stage.

Thanks to Quip Magazine.

Visit Quip Magazine for a review of one of their recent shows here.

All of my images can be viewed here.

*shot on November 25, 2013*

Great band that was part of a triple bill at Lees Palace. Their set of dark groove oriented rock definitely got the crowd buzzing and primed for Cults.

All of my images can be viewed here.

*shot on November 25, 2013*

Opening the night at Lees Palace (with Sacco and Cults) was the dream pop sound of Mood Rings.

All of my images can be viewed here.

*shot on November 25, 2013*