The Things You See

I was up in Orillia for the Canada Day long weekend visiting friends, family, and getting out of the city. I had plans, things to do, and was hoping to do a lot of cycling. Needless to say I was traveling lighter then usual and decided to bring less gear with me. I was kicking myself over my lens choices on Saturday. Why you ask? Well, we went down to Couchiching Park to watch the Orillia Silver Band play in the Aqua theater. Good bunch of musicians. On our way out the door one of my friends informed me that the Snowbirds would be making an appearance. This is where metaphorical boot met metaphorical gluteus maximus. I had left my telephoto lenses at home.
Well, all you can do is carry on, and hope for the best. I managed to get some great shots, and the Snowbirds co-operated by doing a few close low passes. I also got myself into a position farther back from the beach in the central area with the statue to Samuel de Champlain. Big historical figure in Canadian history and Southern/Central Ontario. I was essentially looking for some good shots with the statue in the foreground and the planes flying near to it, or at least in the shot.
Needless to say I got some good ones, mediocre ones, and great ones. I will not be showing the mediocre ones. Lucky folks. So, before we go further, a little sonnet then the show:

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee

No 412 squadron, RCAF

Killed 11 December 1941