With Hailstorm Creek Bog being one of my favourite places to visit, it only stands to reason that I would take so many photos there and produce so many paintings from many of those photos. Far and away, my 24mm wide-angle is my favourite lens to use for paintable landscape shots. An ultra wide-angle lens is very easy to use. Almost everything is almost always in sharp focus; clear skies will usually have enhanced blues, and there is seldom need for a tripod. It is almost impossible to not get a dramatic result with a 24mm lens. This painting was inspired by just such a photo.

About half way into the bog, just at the far end of one of the busiest open spaces (busy from a wildlife perspective), the water narrows to more of channel. This close approach of spruce trees marks that spot. On two different trips, I have seen Whitetail Deer standing at the water's edge at this exact spot-probably because it is one of the few places deep into the bog where the trees actually do come up to the water's edge -- deer are not as comfortable as moose are at walking about in the soft, muddy 'boggy' areas, and may prefer to stay closer to the cover provided by the trees.