I guess the bags had just been changed. Toronto can't possibly always look this neat.
Also shot through the window was this view of the St Lawrence Market. I had to be quick since the train was on the move.
Once I met up with Frank, we drove up to Orillia together. Wandering around town brought us to a craft shop. These colourful beads in glass bottles caught my eye.
Further along the main street, this unusual table setting in a store window beckoned to be photographed. It was a promotion for a murder mystery dinner theatre.
Back at Frank's place, this red-winged blackbird sat on a branch of his magnolia tree and sang to us through the closed window. Photography is never all that sharp through glass.
Case in point - this blurry little chickadee on my own back yard tree one rainy morning. She had collected a sunflower seed from the ground beneath the feeder and was about to set to work cracking it open...
By striking it repeatedly on the branch. They're such clever and agile little things.
Now this is the only photo on this page which wasn't taken through glass but they're the reason why the next photo was...
Flower-stomping, bud-biting, grass-ripping, lawn-digging, blind-wrecking little brat! Can you tell how much he wanted to be back outside?
57 comments:
Hilary, thank you so much for changing your whatsit on the thingumy, now it is so much quicker and I have no quilty conscience. I have now put my email on my profile and a new picture while I was in there...practice, practice, practice Annie. Soon I shall be able to make links and stuff.
Now I am going to finish the potws from yesterday.
Oh, and of course this post was a cracker especially loved the bird close up. I sat quiet as the grave this morning, my trusty cam at the ready on close up and got a pic of a blackbird drinking from Milous water bowl, but as my mag. is only x3 it was hardly worth it.
Firefox wouldn't let me look at you yesterday, so I've come back to try again...Are you sure your mystery photo wasn't three souls waiting for the next train to heaven?! LOL :)
I love that little dog. He has so much enthusiasm for life. Let us hope he didn't want to dig out the tulips! Proud of my self for that guess...because it really was a guess.
The doggie pic cracked me up. Boy was he upset he couldn't be out there. HA!
Great photos! Love the red-winged blackbird pic...looked pretty clear to me.
Hugs
SueAnn
wonderful pics hilary...the murder mystery would be so fun...and the dog gave me a smile...
Wonderful shots! And that Benny??? Priceless.
Oh that pup does look like a little scamp! Your photographs are great Hilary! The mystery shot in full disclose looks like a piece of modern art - love it!
Now I have to scroll back and read some earlier posts to know who Frank is!
Love the pics. :) Thank you for sharing. Your dog is so cute. :) Yes, I can tell he really wants to go outside... to play with the birds and the flowers... :)
Love/ Jo.
I continue to marvel at your pictures. My daughter lives several blocks from the ST. Lawrence Market and Union STation. Life is very pleasant in the downtown. I as a country mouse could easily become a city dweller.
I love the red-winged blackbird, they have such a pretty song. Nice to be serenaded by one. And your pup, gosh, he wants out so bad! That photo speaks volumes!
Nobody keeps Benny in a corner!
the hatchet on the table setting made me think of Thanksgiving with the family
hehehehehehe
Benny is adorable-looks like a real sweetheart!
I particularly loved the chickadee. They are very friendly little birds. My Mom used to have feeders for them. They do love the sunflower seeds, don't they?
Great photo vision you have. Love the chickadee.
Hilary: Neat mystery and quite the surprising answer. You posted a beautiful set of varying photos, one better then the next.
I'm sitting here shaking my head at your 'blurry' bird pictures through the glass. they look dang sharp to me. and what a great shot of Benny.
I had no clue about the recycling bin - great mystery shot!
The photos in this post are great, too. I love the redwinged blackbird, and, of course, Benny looks adorable, even when he's upset about being stuck inside!
You're wrong that bird is in focus, its you thats fuzzy ... (channeling my dad this morning)... what a lovely varied bunch of photos ... I think tho the one of Benny is my fav ... he is a scamp
Your eye for detail and beauty never ceases to amaze me.
Any way you can take puppy to a place that has weeds that need digging up? At least it would be putting his energy to good use! LOL
Naughty doggy!
Omigosh! That Benny is so darned cute...he doesn't look bratty at all...he looks rascally. There's a difference.
Today's collection of photos is just great...love the shots from the train and that photo of the blackbird cracking the seed! Once in a lifetime photo op, I'm sure.
We've got some lilies that are that same color and I just love them. They do photograph beautifully.
Oh, Benny looks hilarious.;) That is one funny image.;)
I love all the rest, as always, the details are astounding.
My favourite are the tulips; I am waiting with extreme excitement to see mine bloom. They are just about to.
xo
I have never seen a recycling bin like that. Great idea. Yes. Like the beads in glass bottles. The red winged black bird is beautiful.
Terrific colour on the tulips. You had a good crop this year.
As I write this, Benny has been outside for nearly two hours. He's desperate to get on the roof to help the guys who are up there fixing it. He's tried everything, including almost getting through Son #1's window. He's becoming resigned to his earthbound situation though, and is satisfying himself by ripping up and hiding pieces of shingles in the backyard.
What a maroon. :)
Hilary, thanks for weighing in on my quote question! I appreciate your answer greatly!
The little puppy in the window - priceless! Cracks me up!!!
What fun..I would never have guessed a recycling station!
Love the murder mystery dinner table - complete with axe!
I love getting a glimpse of your trip across Toronto. As always your pictures of the birds are fabo!
That last shot is priceless! I'll have to show my son that cool glass recyling bin ... he's REALLY into garbage and recyling bins right now! Your pictures are always so wonderful ... I'm so impressed at the pictures you took from a moving train!
Just loved the one of Benny looking through the blind.
And those beads looked so inviting even if you didn't need them then they just beckon you to buy.
Lovely birds.........
Nuts in May
I wish my photographs through windows looked so nice. The chickadee is too cute. Also, thank you for dropping by my blog the other day and leaving such kind comments about my photography.
laughing....dog too funny. We had a dog that tore up my blinds too. I mean obliterated them. (He was a gray hound.) Great bird pics.
* Thanks, Moannie. I'm glad that you came back to check out the rest, and that my changes to the post worked out for you. I love your new photo. You are SUCH a beauty! Thanks so much for the kind words. And keep on snapping shots.. they're always worth it. :)
* Jinsky, Firefox is so darn fickle sometimes. ;) I love your description of the recycling bins. I think we need to do another project together soon! :)
* Congrats on being first to guess the correct answer. Yes, Benny was trying to dig out whatever he could get his paws on.. and trample the rest. He's a walking disaster.. but darn cute! :)
* Thanks kindly, SueAnn. He had just been sent back inside and it wasn't too much longer until he was back out again.. the wee terror! Thanks for stopping by. :)
* Thank you, Brian. I'm glad you enjoyed. :)
* Thanks, MPM. But as far as Benny goes.. just name your price.. please! ;)
* Bonnie, thank you. Scamp is the nice word that comes to mind. ;) Your artist's eye sees the best in everything.. even trash. You can scroll down and see Frank's comment and follow that link to his blog if you like. He's always a great read. Thanks for the visit. :)
* Thanks very much, Jo. Benny is a nutjob. Thank goodness he's only mine on weekends. ;)
* Thank you, Paul. I wouldn't want to live in Toronto either but it sure can be a fun place to visit. Thanks very much for the kind words. :)
* Joanne, the red-winged blackbirds are a favourite of mine too. Benny is full of mischief alright. Thanks for stopping by. :)
* Dianne, your comment cracked me up. You're such a cut-up! ;)
* Linda, you're so right about chickadees. They're the darlings of the bird world. Benny can be too.. just not when he's stomping my flowers! Thanks for the visit. :)
* Thanks very kindly, Leah. Much appreciated. :)
* Thanks so much, Fishing Guy. I'm glad you enjoyed them. :)
* Thanks very much, Ellen. Blurry might have been the wrong word. Flat is more what I meant. But your kind words are very much appreciated. :)
* Baggie, thank you. Benny was hardly stuck inside. He'd been out doing his damage for the last hour .. and again shortly afterward - as soon as I realized that he was doing more damage inside. :)
* Daryl, he sure is a scamp.. for want of a heavier word. I guess the photo is in focus but as I said to Ellen, it just lacks clarity from being behind glass. But I like the way your Dad thought.. and his daughter too. :)
* Thank you, Messymimi. We did make the mistake of letting him "help" someone dig some weeds up. The problem with Benny is that he can't differentiate between weeds and everything else. ;)
* Tsannie, indeed! Thanks for the visit.
* Cheryl, the difference between bratty and rascally hardly matters to my poor tulips and window treatment! But you're right.. it's all in the intent. Thanks very much for your always kind words. They're so appreciated. :)
* Thank you, Zuzana. It seems that you're only about ten days behind us as far as tulips go. And yet your first flowers bloomed long before ours. That makes your spring is a long, enjoyable season that way. Thanks always for the visit, my friend. :)
* TechnoBabe, thanks very much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. :)
* Thank you, Frank. As I sit typing this, I'm at your computer while angelic Benny is at my feet. The roof is still in mid, noisy repair and it's your crazy bird who won't stop complaining. How do you nap through all of that??? :)
* Thanks, SD. I'm glad Benny gave you a laugh. Thanks for letting me know. :)
* Thank you, LadyFi. I suspect they serve up some very tough meat in those parts. ;)
* Thanks very much, Steviewren. I'm glad you could join me. :)
* Kelly, thanks so much. It's funny how little guys just love garbage and recycling trucks and all things connected. My sons sure did too. Your son IS a little guy right? ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)
* Thanks, Maggie. You're right. It was very tempting to buy those beads. They were so colourful. But I couldn't think of a single thing I'd want to do with them so I resisted. Benny, on the other hand, was a lot more difficult to resist. Thanks for the visit. :)
* Thanks very much, VM. Such kind words are very much appreciated. :)
* Karen, a greyhound would certainly explain the difference between causing damage and obliteration. Benny does plenty for a runt of a JRT. I just can't imagine dealing with a destructive beast like that! Thanks always for your kind words. :)
That little dog should meet my neighbor's cat - she has many of the same traits. Must have been cut from a similar piece of fur ;)
You inspire me to get a better camera so I can take closeups - even your through-the-window shots are magnificent.
Your shots make mine look drawn with crayons! Another first-class post!
The ultimate photo topped it!
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
Each and every picture made me smile. thank you as always.
I heart Benny.
I first have to say that the dog is a wonderful creature who expressed it all. He is a sweet thing. You caught some very colorful shots. I really enjoyed seeing the creative variety.
Interesting dinner setting; a tough steak maybe? lol
Love the little dog in the last shot too.
hahahaha, that last shot of bennie just makes me giggle.
These are some really beautiful,fantastic and lovely shots !! Simply amazing !!This is really a great post !!
I do so like the first photo. Like em all, of course, but the first and last tweek my smile upwards.
Is there a Benny Fan Club? I want to join.
I loved this post, so many wonderful photos but being a dog lover, your last shot made me laugh out loud. Thanks Hilary and have a great weekend.
Benny the Wrecking Ball is a hoot. Of course, those aren't my blinds! Wow. But those flowers and birds are gorgeous, and that recycling bin is just plain neat. A nice visual to see the benefits of recycling.
I love the place-setting... mind you, not sure I'd want to eat at anyones house who used the same ideas!!
Ha ha that Benny, what a monkey!
I haven't been a very good blogger for ages, too busy with rehearsing and performing in our local variety show again. But only 2 more performances (see my blog) and life will resume normalcy, whatever that is!
I love those spiky red tulips, my DIL has exactly the same ones in her garden.
building, fresh air around,
plants, green leaves,
dog, curious eyes...
everything is a perfect combination!
loved it!
*lol* That blind-wrecker, hilarious!!!!!! :-))))
You are really quick with the camera, and so precise, amazing! Love that image with the recycling bins (what a great idea to employ see.through bags, they hopefully shame people into sorting the trash!).
My theory on the clean recycle container - Torontonians (SP?) might not recycle, thus the bin is always clean and gives Toronto a nice clean image. The bead container: if the beads were small enough Frank could steal a few for his next fly tying episode.
@ Little dog - I see you are lonely - Is Hilary really that mean? Are you not more important than a blind or a plant that will grow back someday?
While I love those flowers, Benny is just begging me to come let him out and play!
I wouldn't know those bird photos are taken through glass if you didn't tell us. And the recycling container picture is very arresting--something about the way the light is shining that makes the bin almost glow from within.
• Thank you, Pauline. Your cut-from-the-same-fur line cracked me up. Benny has a great time with my cat who always engages him. Thanks so much for stopping by. :)
• Nonsense, Cloudia. You always have wonderful photos. But I thank you for the kind compliment. :)
• Thanks, Deb. I'm glad that Benny and his antics made you smile. :)
• Larry, Benny is a pretty cool dog, for sure. Thanks for the kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
• HoldingMoments, too funny. It would have to be a very tough steak. Thank for the kind words. :)
• Lime, I'm glad that Benny was able to evoke a laugh. Thanks for letting me know. :)
• Unseen, thank very much for such kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
• Maggie, thank you. I'm glad they could tweak a smile. :)
• Cedar, I think you can be president of the club, if you like. :)
• Denise, thank you. I'm glad that Benny was able to give you a good laugh. And thanks for the kind words. They're very much appreciated. :)
• Sandy, "Benny, the Wrecking Ball" That's a great and accurate name for him. Thanks always for your kind words, my friend. :)
• ED, it would be a tad disconcerting, wouldn't it? Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Shammie, it sounds like you're busy doing what you enjoy. I'm glad for you. Thanks for the kind comments. They're much appreciated. :)
• Jingle, thanks very much. I'm pleased that you stopped by. :)
• Merisi, he's funnier at someone else's house. ;) Thanks for the kind words. And I hope you're right about recycling. :)
• Greyquill, sorry to disappoint but I passed by the same bin on Thursday and one of the bags was mostly full. The others less so. Frank doesn't fly fish, but those beads would probably look great woven into his pony tail. And now I know who spurred Benny to barf in my shoe. ;) Thanks for stopping by. :)
• KC, he had his play time before and again shortly afterward. He's spoiled rotten! Thanks much for the kind words. I kind of thought that about the recycle bin myself. Thanks always for the visit. :)
Ooh, he's such a naughty boy Hilary - your little dog! Cute as can be though! I enjoyed your photos, specially of the birds in this and your next blog. - Dave
Thanks very much, Dave. He is indeed naughty. But impossible not to forgive him. Thanks for the visit. :)
Sorry, but Benny steals the show again! I was oohing and ahhing all through the post and then up came that shot. What a doll-- even if he is "a flower-stomping brat" sometimes ;-)
Love the photos -- as I always do.
Sweet Benny! He just wants to smell the flowers, too. He's got to be the most photogenic dog in the universe!
Ah, the GO train! Bilingualism does sometimes crack me up. MY WIFE and I have a particular small favorite memory of Toronto. When we first entered the train station, we saw a big sign that said "GO Train - Train GO". We thought we were in the middle of a Dick & Jane reader for first graders until we realized it was English and French.
• Thank you, IBHH. He's is a bit of a nut but incredibly lovable. You sure have him pegged. Thanks for stopping by. :)
• Thanks, Pat. He has indeed got one of those faces.. so readable and smile-evoking. He's an easy subject that way. Thanks for the visit. :)
• Suldog, your GO Train experience made me laugh. I wonder.. do you know that GO stands for Government of Ontario? Thanks always for the visit. :)
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