A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
Nature Pictures Inspired by His Highness the Aga Khan III’s Appreciation of the Glories of Nature
Next I would place appreciation and enjoyment of the glories of nature. All those sunrises and sunsets – all the intricate miracle of sky colour, from dawn to dusk….then comes night – “a night of stars.” I look up at night and I know – I know the glory of the stars. It is then that the stars speak to us. All that splendid spendthrift beauty…As a very rich man treasures the possession of some unique picture, so a man should treasure and exult in the possession – his individual possession – of the sights of this unique world. — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (Read article)
Full moon rises on Lake Ontario on October 20, 2021 as strips of clouds block its full view at approximately 6:48 PM. The trees, sky and the lake waters at the Glen Abbey Park in Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, where the photo was taken, are still in view as the sun in the opposite direction has not fully set for the day. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III, was born in Karachi on November 2, 1877, and became the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in August 1885 when he was only 7 years old. He passed away on July 11, 1957; his reign of 71 years is the longest in Ismaili history. As we mark his 144th birth anniversary on November 2, 2021, we present a series of photos related to nature, human ingenuity and the daily struggles, successes, failures and joy of everything that Allah has created on this earth. Enjoy the photos, putting our lives in perspective as we view the photos.
September 1, 1885: The 7-year-old Aga Khan III at his enthronement ceremony as 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Ismaili Muslims in Bombay. He is surrounded by community elders. Copyright. Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.
The sky and clouds are beautifully lit up by the rising sun, as a bird flies over Lake Ontario near Grey Abbey Park in Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, October 28, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Nature at best at Sylvan Park in Scarborough Bluffs, with autumn foliage overlooking Lake Ontario, October28, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Fall colours at Sylvan Park in Scarborough Bluffs, overlooking Lake Ontario, October 15, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Force of nature in display, as water gushes at Burleigh Falls located in Peterborough County/Kawartha region, October 19, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A beautiful view of fall colours as two ducks swim on the Trent-Seven Waterway in Peterborough County, October 19, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A small frog makes its way into woods at a trail on Sylvan Park in Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto, October 20, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Visitors leave behind an artistic display of colourful pebbles and leaves on a cliff rock next to Lake Ontario in Scarborough Bluffs; October 20, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A fallen maple leaf floats on the historic Trent-Seven Waterway near Bolton Corner in the township of Douro-Dummer; October 19, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant.
Fallen maple leaves add colour to large lawn at Aga Khan Park, Toronto; October 31, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant.
Thousands of fallen maple leaves form a beautiful carpet on a hill at Don Trail East in Toronto; October 14, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A huge salmon lies dead during its spawning journey through the shallow waters of Highland Creek at Meadowlands Park in Scarborough, Toronto. Generally chinook salmon die after spawning, so the one shown in the photo may have already laid its eggs in the safety of the rocks and pebbles in the creek; October 20, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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LIFE’S STRUGGLES SHOULD BE OUR JOY
Struggle is the meaning of life; defeat or victory is in the hands of God. But struggle itself is man’s duty and should be his joy — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III
VIDEO (73 SECONDS): SALMON GOING UPSTEAM AGAINST ODDS
A chinook salmon weaves its way through a rapid at Highland Creek in Toronto’s Meadowlands Park. During the spawning phase, salmon swim upstream, overcoming physical barriers, to locations where they can lay their eggs. Video: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos
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NATURE AND HUMAN INGENUITY
Human ingenuity is displayed in these historic Lift Locks on the Trent-Seven Waterway in the town of Peterborough. It was highest lift lock in the world when it opened to great fanfare in 1904; October 19, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Human ingenuity is displayed through this splendid architecture of the dome of the Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana in Toronto, with Amur Maple trees showing their beautiful fall colours in front of it; October 31, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A beautiful rainbow over the Aga Khan Museum on a wildly fluctuating day of weather conditions; October 14, 2021. Photo: Nazir Nensi/Simergphotos.
Human ingenuity is displayed through this iconic Big Heech steel structure outside the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, against a backdrop of beautiful fall maple tree colours at Aga Khan Park; October 31, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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REJECT DESPONDENCY AND HAVE HOPE
You must remember that life will have for you many disappointments. If one-fifth of one’s hopes are realised, one is extremely lucky and fortunate, so do not be discouraged by disappointments. Failures should be forgotten and new efforts made. Despondency is a sin, and hope a necessary part of Iman (faith) both for material wealth and, above all, for progress to spiritual enlightenment — Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III
VIDEO (90 SECONDS): PATIENCE AND WILL OF A HERON
Trimmed video of a grey heron at East Don MillsTrail in Toronto awaiting a catch by the river. The heron is totally focused on its task, and when it finally catches a fish, it draws sips of water from the river — one can sense a feeling of contentment and satisfaction. It is like having a sip of chai after a joyful meal! Video: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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The full moon in complete view on Lake Ontario at 7:17 PM on October 20, 2021. Photo taken from the Scarborough Bluffs in Grey Abbey Park. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos
Date posted: November 1, 2021.
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Beautiful images.
Gifted photographer. Beautifully captured autumn colours.