Monday, November 28, 2016

The World Reveals Itself

The world reveals itself to those who travel on foot. ~ Werner Herzog

Let's have a little wander around Peterborough. This takes us back to mid-October when trees hadn't fully changed but the air was still mild and inviting. Please join me!

confed rainbow
It was a windy day, and my walk started over at Little Lake where I had a good view of Centennial Fountain showing off her rainbow colours in the brilliant sunshine.





confed rainbow4
A moment later, the wind picked up, lifting the prism skyward. We were also feeling the mist from across the lake, at times.





you go gull
This gull was battling the breeze over the waters of Little Lake.





centepede cloud
The breezy day was also having fun with the clouds, creating wispy white fingers in the sky.





sundog
There must have also been some water droplets in this cloud which formed a subtle rainbow of its own.





mallard cutie2
This little cutie decided to hang around and pose for a few photos.





angel wings
Wandering further south, we ended up winding through the paths of the Little Lake Cemetery where this angel was watching over some of the local residents.





groundhog
Exploring the surroundings, this cutie of a ground hog took one last look before disappearing in her burrow between a couple of monuments.





collection
Something interesting had been going on in this spot where a small, colourful collection of glass and pottery had been left behind.





rabbit run
This little guy was also having a nice little wander several hops ahead.





berries of blue
Juniper berries are bright blue eye-catchers in the sunlight.





flowers and bike
Another colourful scene which caught my eye on the way home.





window view
And speaking of home, this was the view outside of my window when the sun broke free of gloomy skies and brushed the trees with its brilliance.

That's it for this time. More photos coming up just as soon as they're ready.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Trees Go Wandering

Trees go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far! 
~ John Muir

Let's continue on from last week's post about our October day trip. When we left off, we were having a nice rest on a bench in Young's Point. Now it's time to head north to Woodview.

autumn road
We pulled off of the highway here and there to see where the side roads might take us. This lovely path got narrower and narrower. We decided to turn around before it became too difficult to do.





Uncle Georges
In Woodview, we stopped in at a restaurant called Uncle George's just off Highway 62. I'd been there a couple of times before and had not been disappointed. This time was no different. This is a quick snap of the view to the right of our table. To the left was a fridge full of homemade pies and other goodies which made me realize that it's a good thing that place is a little too far from home.





rocky dock
After lunch, we headed back south and stopped on along a side road which took us to the shores of Stony Lake for a brief look around.





burleigh falls rocky tree
We marveled at how a tree could grow so strongly out of a rock like that.





likin' the lichen
With a closer look at water level, we could see a lot more growth had taken root. I was likin' the lichen.





texture
There were interesting, weathered textures all over the place.





shells and rope
Like here, amid the rope, the shells and other stuff.





contrast
A tiny aster was growing in front of an upturned boat.





bf end of falls
Once we were done exploring that area, we moved a couple of clicks south to Burleigh Falls. The falls are rather swift but the drop is more horizontal than vertical and I didn't snap any photos at the cascade's peak. Instead, we made our way to a spot just beyond the action.





bf rocky
We found a small footpath which brought us to a rocky spot with a view of still more trees growing from unlikely ground.





bf little rock
Here's a view from a different direction when looking to the shoreline just beyond the rocky outcrop.





bf rocky tree
This tree has a pretty impressive will to survive. Nature is so amazing that way.





bf framed
As the day began to darken, we made our way back to Peterborough, looking forward to the next time we will head out day tripping.

More photos coming up before too long.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

To the Open Road

Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me. ~Walt Whitman

A few weeks back, my friend Dakshina and I decided to take a mini road trip to see how the autumn colours might present themselves to us. Most of the leaves had not begun to change in earnest but we still enjoyed the day which found us less than an hour from Peterborough. We looked around a few places and I'll revisit a couple of the others with you soon. Today's post will cover our first stop.

Young's Point trees at bridge
This is Young's Point where you can find one of the many locks which make up the Trent-Severn waterway.





Young's Point shoreline
The changing leaves were a nice contrast of colour against the blue of the sky and water.





Young's Point from bridge
This heritage truss bridge has been preserved for pedestrian use only. It was built in 1885, and remains one of the oldest metal bridges in Ontario.





Young's Point bridge view
As you can see, the autumn colours were only beginning to emerge.





tree of many colours
This tree seems to be displaying every autumn shade there is.





Young's Point trees at lock bridge
Those colours reflected nicely in the water over on the other side of the lock bridge.





Young's Point fence reflection 2
Also reflecting nicely were the simple vertical white lines of the gate - which took on a life of their own in the water.





Young's Point texture and reflection
I also couldn't help but notice the various weathered textures which were currently above water level.





Young's Point across the way
This odd little collection of yard art caught my attention from the other side of the waterway.





Young's Point tree
The tones and textures of this tree bark were lovely.





Young's Point texture
Here, have a closer look.





Young's Point line of trees
We found this nice spot where boats could be moored and legs could be rested. It was a lovely day and a beautiful location.

On to Woodview and Burleigh Falls, next post.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Just Two Minutes

blooming poppy
On Friday, at the eleventh hour





poppy5
of the eleventh day





poppy season
of this eleventh month,





-poppy
with red poppies pinned close to our hearts,





poppies
Canadians across our nation will share two silent minutes of reflection and respect to remember those who served our country.





poppy2
Two minutes for those whose hearts ceased beating far too soon.





poppy
Two minutes for countless, selfless acts of courage given in exchange for our freedom.





poppy bloom 3
Two minutes for indescribable sacrifice.





poppyy
It's an honour and a privilege for Canadians to pause to remember and respect those who serve.





poppy bloom
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, please honour those who have given their lives so that we can enjoy the freedom we assume as our right.




wet poppy
May we never forget.




In Flanders Fields
~ John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.