![\"\"](\"http:\/\/bilyreid.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Peter-Chilian-Fiords.jpg\" "\\"Peter")
<\/a><\/p>\nPeter Thompson off the coast of Chile.<\/p>\n
Peter was my study buddy for 4 years at the University of Toronto where we studied engineering together. What a privilege it was to sit beside a man of that character!! Smarter and more clever than me, he was a great asset in the interminable labs and homework assignments. I don’t know how I could ever have survived that institution without him!<\/p>\n
After university when I first came to Ottawa, Pete and his good wife Mary were the only people I knew and they introduced me to the city. His telephone calls during my recent medical crisis provided encouragement and bucked me up. Just can’t believe he’s gone!!!<\/p>\n
Apparently he passed away in his sleep after a day on his beloved bicycle in wine country.<\/p>\n
Ave Atque Vale. Gone…..but never to be forgotten!!<\/p>\n
I need to to be completely alone to process this dreadful news. The weather is perfect, bright sun and no wind. So I grab the camera and head towards the river to see what might be passing through. It’s been a long while since I made any serious attempt at bird photography. Maybe there will be comfort in the solace of nature.<\/p>\n Turns out I’m in luck as we have some unusual birds migrating along the Ottawa river.\u00a0 Above is a Horned Grebe in winter plumage.<\/p>\n Immature Red-necked Grebe.<\/p>\n Female Long-tailed Duck.<\/p>\n Close up and personal!<\/p>\n Green-winged Teal, Andrew Haydon Park.<\/p>\n All in all it’s been a good day. I hope that in some small way these images can be a fitting homage to my lost friend.<\/p>\n Great Dane!<\/p>\n The day ends on a bit of an odd note. A couple approach me and ask if I wouldn’t mind taking a picture of their dog. I try and explain that my three feet of lens will not do justice but they insist. So I back up a hundred yards or so to get all the dog, which to make matters worse is the size of a small pony, in the frame. The light is fading fast so there is not much I can do about selecting an appropriate background. I have them tie the dog up to a tree and rip off a few shots.<\/p>\n As they pass me a business card for the e-mail address I instantly recognize the couple. Aurora Theme Park! “Weren’t you guys on the popular TV series …….Dragons’ Den!!” Yep, they sure were!!<\/p>\n As I recall they got quite a rough ride after pitching their theme park to the Dragons. It might have had something to do with the billion dollar ask!!<\/p>\n Big dog, big ideas, even bigger dreams. You gotta love the enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Hope they enjoy the pics!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “Remember, remember the fifth of November! For twas gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder, treason, Should ever be forgot!!!” Yesterday, the fifth of November, was Guy Fawkes day which is celebrated the length and breadth of … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n