Winter Sunrise Photography in the Country

Blair and I drive around the country side of Thunder Bay shooting sunrises, rivers, cottages and lots and lots of snow covered trees!  Hiking - a wonderful way to spend a bright and crisp Sunday morning.

Tones of Grey - No Sunrise Again

Went shooting with photographer wizard @bmwphotoca to capture a sunrise and do some location scouting. The weather forecast again was off by a mile and we were met with cloudy blue and grey skies.

My Youtube channel:  Adam Sabaz
My Instgram to see all my photos: @thunderbaylandscapes and @at0mpub
Blair's Instagram feed: @bmwphotoca
Boreal Cultural Collective:  https://borealcc.blogspot.com/ 

Photo walk near Lakehead University

When the cabin fever kicks in it's time to get out into nature. Fortunate for me I live in Thunder Bay where nature is in abundance and you don't have to go far to take in some tranquility.  I took these shots in around where I live - just minutes from my humble abode.

Well it looks like some patio style planning is going to happen on St. Paul St.  This is great news.  We need more of these little improvement projects in the down town core.

The plan is to eat up to parking spaces and build out a bit of patio for the local restaurants.

There is also plans to have electrical and water hookup ups in order to be able to close the street off completely and have farmer's markets and festivals.

“We’re going to have a water station as well as hopefully an electrical station so we can close down the street and have fairs or farmers markets,” he said.


“They are telling us that having patios on sidewalks is allowed and we will be allowed to serve onto the street alcohol if we wish to. However, no one has given us a license to do that. We’re trying to work with the city to come up with a plan that will be beneficial for property owners.”

The entire press release is http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/215593/Street-makeover

Stuff That's Going on In Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

I spent a long weekend in one of Canada's finest cities with some very great friends. The big question that was asked a few times was "so why are you back in Thunder Bay?". I did my best to convey the cultural development movement that is occurring in the city i call home.

Without going over board and trying to limit my answer to two minutes or less, i breifly touched on the 2 cores and their new respective roles, i touched on the music scene that is thriving, and the overall evolution from mill town to information based technology community.

Here is a quick set of links to stories over the past year that have really shone a light on the evolution and growth of Thunder Bay.

• Prince Arthur's Landing Phase 1 Completion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT15KsfYhRo 
• Marina Park Grand Opening: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/video/23433/Waterfront-Opens-
• Film and Commercial Production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVmFaOFMkZI&feature=related
• Skate Park: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/entertainment/151568/Local-skaters-take-to-Marina-Park-for-global-skateboard-event
• Marina Park Concerts: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/entertainment/153642/Blues-to-rock-Marina
• Northwestern Ontario Centre of Innovation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ8XqH8Lg_s
• Tornado Research: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/132391/Tornado,-Regional-Research-Institute-to-stage-recruitment-drive
• LU Law School: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/153242/It's-official----Lakehead-University-getting-its-law-school
• Lakehead University: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/120059/LU-scores-well-in-Maclean's-annual-university-rankings-
• Cinovate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-yir5-IqQ
• TEDx Thunder Bay: http://www.tedxthunderbay.com/ 
• Thunder Bay Urban Design and Guidlines: http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/Have_Your_Say/Urban_Design_Study.htm 
• Courthouse Construction: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/video/23293/Courthouse-update-

These are just some of the great things happening in this city I call home.  I think the biggest impact on this city is the embracing of the two cores as opposed the last few decades of division.  The North end will be the entertainment district and the South the Government district.

Bay Street

I really love whats going on with the downtown core initiative with the marina development and the focus of making this area the 'entertainment' district. Like every successful city - there needs to be a focus for the main stream citizen and tourist. Any time I have visited friends in other cities, we've always gone to the 'happening' spots for drinks and entertainment.


In some cities - there's one main part of town. In larger cities you have multiple 'districts' that offer their own unique style and flare. It's what i think helps nurture an identity for the city and fosters a culture.

What I find really fascinating is when there is a little area that's a little lesser known. Its where the locals hang out and it smacks of culture. Its even better when someone you're visiting knows of this sort of area and takes you there. You get this sensce of authenticity.

I believe there's a place in Thunder Bay that speaks to this. Its the Bay Street block where the Finnish Labor Temple, Calico, Trip Out Doors, Kitchen Nook are all located. You know the block i'm referring too. It's one way only.

This block has the potential to really make its mark on the city of Thunder Bay in the way i just described. And I think the way to do it is to block off that entire block - make it pedestrian only. Its already one way - why not just go the distance and make it 'no-way'.

This would allow for a small square to be built. Put in permanent tables, chairs and benches for patrons to have a coffee and lunch. Plant more trees. Encourage the rest of the tenants to paint and update their store fronts. Maybe a licensed establishment could start up and serve fresh suds on the patio.

I can just imagine grabbing a cup of dark roast from calico and sitting at a table under some trees in the shadows of the Hoito while soft music echoes from a local musician(s) playing in the court yard. I sit at my table checking things out on my mobile (with free wi-fi access of course) and sink into this little pocket of serenity. If you have been to Italy or France and sat with an espresso in the local square - you know what i'm talking about.

So with all the fan fare about the Prince Arthur's Landing, I really think the city could throw the locals a little something for 'us'. It should be the Bay Street District. You'll know what it is and you'll want to bring visitors their for an authenticate slice of Thunder Bay!