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.
Beautiful Photographs: A Farewell to Ontario, As Bitterly Cold Weather But Warm Ismaili Hearts Welcome Me to My New Home in Alberta
Malik Merchant, publisher and editor of Simergphotos as well as its two sister websites Barakah and Simerg, pens his final piece from Ontario with a collection of photographs he took in Toronto and nearby cities during his last week in the province. Of course, he will be a frequent visitor to Ontario in the coming months, but his focus will now be on his new territory in Alberta that includes the majestic Rockies and the beautiful Aga Khan Gardens in Edmonton.
Waterfront; Pickering, Ontario
Sky over Lake Ontarioa few minutes after sunrise, Pickering Waterfront Park, 7:54 am, on December 26, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
On the morning of December 26, 2021, when I left my apartment in Toronto I had not decided where I would go to take photos of the twilight. My decision was made on Hwy 401 as I approached Port Union Exit. Instead of taking the exit to go to the Port Union Waterfront Park and then onto the nearby Rouge Beach Urban Park, I drove a few kilometres further east and ended up at the Waterfront Park in Pickering. And what a thrilling morning of picture taking.
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Swans swim past a lighthouse into the vast Lake Ontario at the Pickering Waterfront Park, December 26, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A fisherman tries his luck for a catch in Lake Ontario, Pickering Waterfront Park, December 26, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
My thoughts on that day were centred around Princess Yasmin, Mawlana Hazar Imam’s sister, whose birthday was still a couple of days away, on December 28. What photos would be befitting to her for her dedication to the Alzheimer’s Association for the past 40 years? And I think I was able to capture a couple of photos that metaphorically captured a day in the life of an Alzheimer’s patient. (Please read my two pieces on Princess Yasmin HERE and HERE)
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Sky over Lake Ontario, a few minutes before sunrise, Pickering Waterfront Park, 7:44 am, December 26, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Moon over Lake Ontario, Pickering Waterfront Park, illumination 57%, 8:14 am on December 26, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Swans on Lake Ontario, at Pickering Waterfront Park; December 26, 2021. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Before my arrival at the Pickering Waterfront Park, I picked up a cream cheese bagel and a cup of coffee at Tim Hortons. When I reached the waterfront, I looked at the sky and marvelled at it, and after a couple of bites of the bagel and a few sips of the coffee, I immediately pointed my camera at the skies, leaving behind me on a bench my breakfast. Then, just as I walked to the shore of the lake, I heard the coffee cup softly crash onto the ground. Within less than a second, in front of me, was this absolutely lovable seagull with a mouthful of my unfinished bagel. Was I angry? Yes, momentarily, as a smile enveloped my face. I watched the bird gleefully gulp down the bagel. I took a full video of the happy moment. So those were two moments to remember from that morning trip to Pickering — the sky for Princess Yasmin’s birthday and the seagull.
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Watch Video: A Seagull I Will Always Remember for a SINFUL Act That was Actually Very JOYFUL
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Burlington; and the Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and the Aga Khan Park
And then there was a third moment a few days later, a day before my departure from Toronto. I decided to put up in Burlington, where I had worked some 21 years earlier as an IT consultant. On a very chilly morning on January 3, I went to the Spencer Smith Park on Burlington’s waterfront, and took a few photos from the board walk. Then, I drove to the Aga Khan Museum and after an Americano, requested the museum staff to let me see the blue stairwell outside the auditorium room, as the door was locked. A member of the museum gladly obliged and allowed me to take photos of the stairwell. I wondered how the stairwell was brought into the Museum. He asked me to look at the ceiling! Yes, the entire piece had been lowered into the museum through the large opening on the ceiling. That was my third amazing moment.
Enjoy photos of my last week in Ontario, and my arrival in Alberta, 3000 kms further to the west.
Burlington
A visitor waits for sunrise over Lake Ontario, at the Spencer Smith Park in Burlington; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Watching twilight over Lake Ontario near the Brant Street Pier at Spencer Smith Park, Burlington; January 3, 2022.Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Ducks cross the rising sun on Lake Ontario by the waterfront at Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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Aga Khan Museum, the Ismaili Centre and Aga Khan Park
One of several posters of children welcoming visitors to the Aga Khan Museum, January 3, 2022. Note: The Museum was temporarily closed effective January 5, 2022 in accordance with new government directives aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. The Museum will look to public health officials for guidance on when it is appropriate for the Museum to reopen. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
The Ismaili Flag, and flags of the city of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and Canada on Aga Khan Park, by Wynford Drive; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A view of the courtyard of the Aga Khan Museum at approximately 12:25 pm on January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Snow covered grounds of Aga Khan Park, with the crystalline dome of the Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana in the background; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A view of the beautiful stairwell outside the auditorium of the Aga Khan Museum, January 3, 2022. The entire piece was lifted into the museum during its construction phase through the huge opening on the ceiling as shown in the next photo. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
The entire stairwell shown in the previous and next pictures was lifted into the museum through the opening at the top of the stairwell shown in this photo, which is now covered in glass, Jnauary 3, 2022 Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A view of the beautiful stairwell outside the auditorium of the Aga Khan Museum, January 3, 2022. The entire piece was lifted into the museum during its construction phase through the huge opening on the ceiling as shown in the previous photo. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A close-up of the beautiful wall by the stairwell located outside the auditorium of the Aga Khan Museum, January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
The beautiful counter made out of Lapis Lazull at the top of the blue walled stairwell at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, shown in previous photos; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A close up of a section of the Lapis Lazuli counter at the top of the blue walled stairwell at the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A snowman on Aga Khan Park marvels joyfully at the structure of Toronto’s Ismaili Centre and the crystalline dome of the Ismaili Headquarters Jamatkhana (see next photo), January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
The crystalline dome of the Toronto Headquarters Jamatkhana on a beautiful morning with blue skies, January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Plane over Aga Khan Park, Toronto; January 3, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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Ontario Departure, Alberta Arrival
Planes taxiing on runaway at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, January 4, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A view of Greater Toronto from the sky. The world is round! January 4, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
The frozen Prairies, a view from the plane; January 4, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
From the plane, bitterly cold Calgary, -28C, January 4, 2022. Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
A notice at the entrance of my new residence in Alberta — umedwaris for chapatis and food! Photo: Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
Date posted: January 9, 2022.
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Malik…
I am so proud of you. Sharing Amazing Pictures of your Journey from Ontario to Alberta.
I kept going from one picture to the other ..it was like I was watching a LIVE Movie. I actually envisioned the Full Journey from Ontario to Alberta..including the pictures from the Airplane.
Awesome Write up & Pictures.
All the Best in Calgary. And what a Welcome at the Entrance…Umedwaris of Roti & Food!!!
I am so happy for you. I know before long…all the Albertan Ismailis will be so proud of you to call Alberta your next Home.
Thank you dear Malik Bhai.
We pray your relocation to Alberta will be very successful.
Your services are indeed unique and we sincerely hope you would be able to continue them.
With prayers for your health, happiness and prosperity,
Dr. Violet and Nizar Adatia
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All the best in your new home. Keep up the excellent work.
Malik…
I am so proud of you. Sharing Amazing Pictures of your Journey from Ontario to Alberta.
I kept going from one picture to the other ..it was like I was watching a LIVE Movie. I actually envisioned the Full Journey from Ontario to Alberta..including the pictures from the Airplane.
Awesome Write up & Pictures.
All the Best in Calgary. And what a Welcome at the Entrance…Umedwaris of Roti & Food!!!
I am so happy for you. I know before long…all the Albertan Ismailis will be so proud of you to call Alberta your next Home.
Love & Blessings always..Ameen
🤲❤🤲