Celebration of Light, Day 1: USA by abirkill

Celebration of Light, Day 1: USA

Incredibly, another year has gone by already, and on Saturday it was once again the first of the three Celebration of Light fireworks displays here in Vancouver. This display was by the USA team.

I like to show the fireworks in the context of the city, so rather than heading to the official viewing points right by the water, I instead headed north-east to Mount Seymour, approximately 17km from the actual fireworks barge, and hiked the trail to the Dog Mountain lookout.

Approximately 250,000 people turned out to view the display, but as the sun set and the city lights came on, I was the only person at this lookout, watching and waiting for the display to start. When it did, it took over 45 seconds for the sound of the fireworks to reach me!

As usual, this is another panoramic shot taken with my 70-300mm lens at 300mm. The final photo was made up of five vertical shots stitched together, although I've cropped a bit off the sides. This photo shows the Burrard Inlet, Vancouver Harbour, downtown buildings, Stanley Park, English Bay (where the fireworks barge is) and the UBC peninsula. In the far distance, the lights of Nanaimo and Ladysmith on Vancouver Island can be seen.

The return journey in the dark was rather more tricky than I'd anticipated. I last did this trail in the snow, and found it relatively easy going, but the trail now consisted of a jumble of mud, rocks and thousands of exposed tree roots, all extremely slippery due to the recent rain, and with very few markers. It took me two hours to complete the return journey, slipping and falling three times, and getting lost for about 10 minutes at one point! Needless to say, I was very glad to reach the trailhead sometime after midnight, and am feeling rather bruised and battered today!
Worth all the bruises!
July 28th, 2014  
So I'd better not say, its a nice snap then ;)
Ooops i did...
[awesome as always]
July 28th, 2014  
Do take care, but keep getting shots like these
July 28th, 2014  
Fantastic !
July 28th, 2014  
Absolutely brilliant Alexis
July 28th, 2014  
This is truly wonderful. FAV
July 28th, 2014  
Gorgeous shot!
July 28th, 2014  
Wow, the lengths we go to! That might be the best story I've heard yet!
July 28th, 2014  
Fabulous Alexis Fav of course!!
July 28th, 2014  
Gorgeous! Fav
July 28th, 2014  
Stunning.
July 28th, 2014  
Stunning shot fav
July 28th, 2014  
Wow you went to a lot of trouble to get this beautiful image, you have a lot more dedication than me! I guess that is why you take suck amazing photos!
July 28th, 2014  
Wow, you really do suffer for your art Alexis! Our gain... Fav, I love all your shots!
July 28th, 2014  
Spectacular image Alexis, and great backstory! Very well done!
July 28th, 2014  
Glad you made it Alexis.soooooooo worth it...incredible colors and pic...amazing!
July 28th, 2014  
SUPER WOW!
July 28th, 2014  
Amazing shot. Just amazing.
July 28th, 2014  
Another incredible photo... another fav!
July 28th, 2014  
As always, just wonderful. Your journey sounds almost epic... glad you made it back without breaking something. This shot is really gorgeous.
July 28th, 2014  
Fantastic shot -- of course -- a great narrative. Fav.
July 28th, 2014  
Well worth the trouble you went too! Fav
July 28th, 2014  
Instant fav - magnificent work
July 28th, 2014  
This is wonderful. Fav!
July 28th, 2014  
Fabulous shot and thank you for going to all that effort for our benefit. It was more than worth it. Stunning night photography that you always do so well.An instant fav!
July 28th, 2014  
Beautiful shot and lovely fireworks!
July 28th, 2014  
Stunning capture, Alexis. Wonderful composition and amazing detail. Those reflections are gorgeous. A definite fav for me.
July 28th, 2014  
You put so much effort into these shots but the results are astounding. Fav
July 28th, 2014  
You had an adventure getting back but really worth it. Amazing shot I love the scale of it and the great clarity. Works very well
July 28th, 2014  
Wow!
July 28th, 2014  
Stunning capture!!! Excellent shot. Fav.
July 28th, 2014  
Stunning! Fav.
July 28th, 2014  
Perfection! Fav.
July 28th, 2014  
Fantastic & Fav
July 29th, 2014  
Spectacular!Fav!
July 29th, 2014  
great! Fav!
July 29th, 2014  
Wowy shot!
July 30th, 2014  
Your photography is beyond stunning. I can't believe I took so long before I followed you. You could teach us all so much!
August 1st, 2014  
Congrats on TT !!:)fav!
August 1st, 2014  
Double TT -- both gorgeous shots.
August 1st, 2014  
Congrats on TT - spectacular image
August 1st, 2014  
Congrats on the double in the TT.
August 1st, 2014  
FAVULOUS Congrats on TT!!
August 2nd, 2014  
Congrats on TT Alexis!
August 2nd, 2014  
Amazing perspective and detail. Fav.
August 3rd, 2014  
Awesome. Fav!
August 4th, 2014  
Absolutely breathtaking! Huge fav and congrats on the TT!
August 6th, 2014  
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.