Fighting the Wind at Lockport Dam

Fighting the wind at Lockport dam. Churning water, blowing spray, and gulls riding it all like they own the place.

Saturday was a fight with the wind — gusts near 70 km/h, spray blowing sideways, and a flag whipped straight out at the top of the dam. The gulls didn't seem to mind. One flew right through the spray, others stood their ground on the rocks while the water churned behind them, and a whole flock rode the wind over the rapids.

These five photos were published the same day as the Instagram carousel 'Fighting the wind at Lockport dam' (https://www.instagram.com/p/De4xeBhDyf7/).

Morning on the River

There's a particular kind of quiet you only find on the water in the morning — before the day has really started, when the river is still and the light is soft.

I caught a pair of rowers gliding through that stillness, autumn colours lining the banks and the city soft in the distance. Five frames from a morning that felt like it was holding its breath.

Rowers on still water, autumn on the banks, and a city waking up behind it all. Some mornings are worth getting up for.

See more of my photography on Instagram @cheryldunning093, and find prints on Fine Art America (link in my Instagram bio).

Red Sunset — Now Available as a Fine Art Print

Some sunsets stop you in your tracks. Red Sunset is one of those — a deep crimson sky melting into the water, with the sun glowing through the clouds.

This one is now available as a fine art print through Fine Art America, in several formats:

• Stretched canvas — from $76.69
• Fine art print on archival matte paper (unframed) — from $22.45
• Greeting cards — from $2.36/card in packs

All prints come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and orders ship within three business days. You can order Red Sunset on Fine Art America.

Would this one look good on your wall? Tell me in the comments!

Nature's Cleanup Crew

Winter wastes nothing.

I came across this bald eagle in a snowy field, standing guard over a deer carcass — patient, regal, and completely unbothered by me. By the second photo, it had tucked in.

It's easy to forget how essential scavengers are. Eagles like this keep the whole winter ecosystem running, cleaning up what winter leaves behind.

And yes — both of these were taken with my phone. Sometimes the best camera is the one in your pocket.

Have you ever been lucky enough to spot a wild eagle up close? Tell me in the comments!

Six New Prints Ready for Their Walls

Fresh off the printer! I have six new 8x10 glossy prints ready to go — each one printed and waiting for the perfect frame and wall.

This batch includes some of my favorites:

- Red Canoe — a quiet paddle through still, glassy water

- Northern Lake Reflections — summer greens mirrored on a calm lake

- Garden Bridge — a peaceful path through the park

- Red Anthurium — a bold pop of color for any room

- Cloud Reflections — a dramatic sky mirrored on the water

- Short-Eared Owl — that golden-eyed stare, up close

All six are printed as 8x10s on glossy paper, ready for framing — just $25 each. If you'd like one (or more!), send me a message — they also make great gifts.

Which one is your favorite? Tell me in the comments!

Sunrise Through the Trees

From the archives — this one was taken back in 2013, and it still takes me back to that morning. A blazing sunrise framed by dark birch trunks, with the first light of the day spilling across the grass.

Sometimes the best shots are the ones you stumble on while already out the door. This has been one of my favorites for years — and if you look closely, there's even a 60 speed limit sign hiding in the trees, a little surprise in the frame.

This one hangs beautifully as a print — the warmth of the orange against the deep greens works in almost any room. Send me a message if you'd like one.

Do you have a sunrise spot you keep going back to? Tell me in the comments!

Meet the Pileated Woodpecker

Caught this male pileated woodpecker mid-visit at the suet feeder — that bold red crest, the striped face, and the intensity in its eye make it one of my favorite backyard portraits.

The pileated woodpecker is North America's largest woodpecker, and seeing one up close never gets old. The contrast between its striking black-and-white plumage and the soft green blur of the trees gives the shot so much depth.

I can see this bringing a wild, vibrant touch to a study or nature-inspired wall — prints are available, just send me a message.

Have you ever spotted a pileated woodpecker in the wild? Tell me in the comments!