Scenes from a day in Toronto

An expert splasher outside of the Canada Life Building

A view of the Toronto Chinese Baptist Church from the Art Gallery of Ontario


A night out - patron's getting ready to board the Stratford Festival Express at Union Station

Singing (and eating) in the rain

This little fellow visited the feeder for lunch during a rain shower.

This and that

Today we stopped at May Day festivities in Ingersoll so Geoff could take some photos for Here In Ingersoll - I took the opportunity to take a couple of shots myself.

Just across the street from the activites there were about half a dozen barn swallows flitting and swooping back and forth. Two of them stayed still on a wire for a couple of minutes - just long enough for a few snaps, this is one of the better ones.

One of the May Day demonstrations was sheep shearing - I think this one was happy to get rid of it's warm coat.

When we left Ingersoll we went to London for a movie and a few errands. By the time we headed hom it was 7pm and the light was lovely.

And finally, a drive-by shot of a deserted farm house.

Today on the trail

This morning it was beautiful and quiet on the trail.

The Canada Geese were tending to their young.


A Balitmore Oriole was enjoying the sun.


Does anyone have a good guess as to what this bird is? I'm wondering if it's a Northern Mockingbird. Help?

Friday My Town Shoot Out - Flowers

It's quite appropriate that the theme for this week's shoot out is "flowers". This is Victoria Day Weekend, also known as the May 2-4 weekend, here in Canada.
Traditionally, here in south western Ontario, it is the weekend when many people flock to garden centres to browse and buy annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees etc.
I had no problem finding flowers and shoppers lurking behind this happy Buddha.
 


For more fun with the Shoot Out gang, please visit our Mr. Linky site.

Tonight on the trail

A bouquet of violets

An American Redstart

Kudos to the City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department for the great job they've done of resurfacing the trail - much needed maintenance after winter and spring flooding. Thanks!

White-crowned Sparrow visitors

Last evening, during the rain, I thought I saw a new visitor to our feeders. Tonight we had two of these new visitors in and around our feeders - I was able to confirm that they were White-crowned Sparrows.

Aren't the markings lovely?!

Dinner in the rain

A pair of Northern Cardinals visit our feeders during a heavy rain. The female in the foreground is on top of the feeder hooks and the male in the background is sitting in a small willow.

A flash of brilliance

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Tonight on the trail - That's My World

It was another gorgeous day so I went for a walk in my world as soon as I got off work.

I found tiny violets,

a Jack in the Pulpit,

a burgundy Trillium

white Trilliums

a spread of May Apples - which should bloom soon,

an American Redstart hiding in the bushes

and finally, a pair of Canada Geese

How was your day?

Take a tour around the world, to visit other participants of That's My World, please click here.

Bird brains

Our Mourning Doves seem to have abandoned the nest again.  Sheesh!

Today on the trail

When I walked yesterday morning I saw the rapidly disappearing butt of a bunny.  This morning I was lucky enough to see an entire bunny about 30 feet away and it stayed still long enough for me to take several photos.

There are still LOTS of skunk cabbages around and the blades of irises are getting taller by the day.

Waves of white trillium; I haven't spotted any burgundy ones yet.


I've no idea what this bush is but it looked lovely in the early morning sun.

And finally, here's a very grainy but important shot. This shore bird, the Spotted Sandpiper, is a lifer for me. It was searching for breakfast across the river from me.

Critter report

Our nesting Mourning Doves have finally settled in and we hope to see chicks soon.  Earlier this week we saw papa in one of our trees with a twig to add to the nest.

This morning on my walk saw a Red-bellied Woodpecker.

And finally a "yo, how you doin'?" from Gray.

Friday My Town Shoot Out - Mother's Day

I was young, too young, just 17 when my mother died. This photo was taken on a day when she was young, just 27, and the world was full of promise. I was the center of her universe. When I was a little over 2 years old my brother arrived and she and my Dad expanded their universe and love enough for 2 children. My mother's name was Pearl.

I will think of her on Mother's Day, as I do everyday.

The Shoot Out themes this week were Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day. For more on these topics please visit our Mr. Linky site. And to all you Moms out there, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Skywatch Friday

Drive-by sunset, Wednesday, April 27th between Windsor and London, Ontario.



for more spectacular views, please visit Skywatch Friday.

Trout Lily time

Trout Lily

Sunday drive-by shot

Somewhere along Niagara Falls Blvd. between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY