When I venture out on a photography outing, I usually have a location in mind. But I try not to be looking for a specific image, but react to what I find. Most of these outings are landscape photography oriented, but sometimes I discover other potential subjects.

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This fall as I was searching for autumn-type images, I stumbled upon this scene near Beaver Lake.

In my photography I have a number of thematic collections. By having these I can rescue a fruitless trip by adding to these groups. One of my topics is whimsy. The dictionary defines whimsical as imaginative, playful, or spontaneous.

Here are a variety of images that I consider whimsical.

2-M_06_0010Old truck

This old truck carcass I saw at Red Rooster Winery in Naramata, British Columbia. The plastic bouquet in its engine compartment enhances its whimsy.

3-M_20_0001 Another collection of plastic whimsy near my home, in the Long Lake area of Sudbury.

4-M_12_0155 Spotted spying on me on Manitoulin Island.

5-U_13_0090 Perhaps farmers have a lot of spare time? In a field near Manistique, Michigan.

6-M_06_0015Manitoulin Internet Definitely a playful and imaginative sense of humour, Island style.

7-M_07_0023Art on a tree trunk

In the wilderness near Westree, Ontario.

8-M_17_0016Wrecking yard, Armstrong, British Columbia Someone again showing a sense of humour, near Armstrong, British Columbia.

8.5-U_16_0023 This is certainly an unconventional way to express one's NFL loyalty, seen at Menominee, Michigan.

9-C_18_0168 Someone was creative in an artistic manner on old grain storage sheds, near Chestermere, Alberta.

10-T_14_0563Painted window and door, Carna, County Galway, Ireland Sometimes whimsy creates an optical illusion, as in this painting in County Galway, Ireland.

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In a similar vein, in Evora, Portugal.

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A unique style of graffiti, in Porto, Portugal.

13-U_14_0020 Signage can also be whimsical, as in this cottage entrance near Escanaba, Michigan.

14-U_16_0346 I wonder if the wildlife in Grand Coulee, Washington, understand where they're allowed to park.

15-M_16_0032 Is this a Manitoulin invitation or announcement?

16-M_05_0001 This is definitely not an invitation.

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A not-so-discrete opinion, at a gas bar in Oroville, Washington.

18-U_16_0100 A creative use for old licence plates, in Harlowton, Montana.

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It even isn't an advertisement, but likely a retired farmer, in the North Okanagan Valley.

20-M_07_0021 At an auto mechanic shop in Bergdorf, Switzerland.

21-T_14_0604 Doolin, County Clare, Ireland; it's almost life-like.

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Someone fanciful in Murdo, South Dakota, had a lot of scrap metal.

23-U_09_0229Christmas decoration Someone should wake Santa up. He must be hot in this suit in Naples, Florida.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

Whimsy is just one of many themes that I look to photograph. Choose themes that interest you as you travel with your camera. It will help open your eyes to many potential photographic subjects, and help you discover more themes.

Next blog in two weeks - December 22.