And Then What Happened?

I have few photo pairs for you - and in one case a trio of images - all which answer the question "And then what happened?"


I photograph this soft, fuzzy branch often. In all seasons. At all times of day. In all kinds of weather. From all angles. It's a young growth of sumac just behind the fence, alongside the walking path at my park. On this day in early May, I noticed that the buds were just about ready to open. And then what happened?




Well.. then I came back and photographed it just four days later. Four sunny, warm summer-like days later. Magic happened.





This hazy image is a reflection of contrails as seen in my local pond.





I looked up to snap a shot of the matching scene in the sky above. I decided to click a second time, from a slightly different position through the willow branches. A loud "GROK!" reached my ears. And then what happened?
 



A vocal heron in flight filled my viewfinder. His long bill was open in mid-GROK! A lovely surprise.





There have been some changes around my park over the past year. There are new benches, information areas which discuss wildlife and plant life in the area. There is a beautiful tree carving depicting the creatures which grace us with their presence. And there's talk of a couple of other things to come. One day, these bright orange balls appeared in the pond. I wondered about their symmetry and figured out pretty quickly that they were anchored down like that for a reason. I had a vague idea what they were about but I wasn't certain. And then what happened?





Just a few days later there were multiple hexagon-shaped pieces surrounding the place-keeping balls. Eventually, plant life will sprout from these forms and a floating island will be born. That orange glow behind it all was my first snapped sunset of the season. I'll have more from that evening coming up at some point.





On a dull evening, just before dusk, I heard this cardinal atop the tree, singing his heart out for a mate. And then what happened?





He found her. Perhaps. He took such a quick nosedive off of the branch, it couldn't be anything else. Perhaps.





Grape hyacinths are growing randomly in my front yard. I posted a different photo of them in a previous post. For this one, I had to get up good and close to them with the macro lens - they're so pretty. And teeny-tiny. And they look so colourful dotting the otherwise boring grass. And then what happened?



They ended up looking even prettier when my adorable neighbour Lily decided to pick them.

And that's what's been happening around here. More photos in a few days.

As Autumn Fades

We got our first few inches of snow yesterday evening. The balmy weather we enjoyed during the first week of November has dropped to frigid overnight lows, creeping to just above-freezing temperatures during the day. Most of the leaves have withered or dropped to the ground, and bare branches are covered with their first blanket of snow. There will be many months of winter photo opportunities ahead, but for now I'd like to continue to enjoy the colours that warmed the fall landscapes before this frost set in.

Below are a some photos taken earlier this month. Please be sure to click on them to enlarge.




This is one of my favourite places to walk in the morning. The cedar-lined path runs alongside the creek, across the road from Frank's place. Through the winter, he'll pack a container of bird seed and a handful of peanuts, and he'll leave them in strategic areas for the critters to find. He's an old softie that way. (please click to enlarge)




Most of the trees have lost at least half of their leaves, making it easier to spot animals and objects on their branches. A couple of weeks ago, during one of our walks, we spied this empty bird's nest. It was within reach so Frank bent the branch gently so that I could get a shot. (please click to enlarge)




At home, a walk around the park reveals a similar state of bare-branched trees. This squirrel watches closely. Maybe we have something for him. (please click to enlarge)




Good Evening. Something about this scene made me think of Alfred Hitchcock... (please click to enlarge)




This lone leaf clings to the tree as if to deny the season's passage. I can empathize. (please click to enlarge)




Looking down, a scattering of pine cones and tattered leaves blanket the ground. (please click to enlarge)




As the foliage thins out, it becomes easier to see the lake through the trees. The late day sun illuminates the colours of the season. (please click to enlarge)




Slightly off-path, kids like to sit on this rock or climb a branch and daydream. Others party. Unfortunately, it's taken its toll on the tree which has seen better days. As the sun goes down, it still look pretty wonderful to me. (please click to enlarge)




Living near the airport as I do, our skies are busy with arrivals and departures. Sunset offers a startling sky for lingering contrails. (please click to enlarge)




A walk at sundown reveals the last colours in the darkening sky. The slivered moon peeks out between the branches. (please click to enlarge)

To see some beautiful photos from around this area, head on over to Frank's blog. I'll have some more autumn photos of my own in a few days.

Stepping Into Spring

Tuesday afternoon, I was sitting at the computer, waiting for my younger son, Alex to arrive home from a friend's house. I heard the front door open and I expected the familiar footsteps of my boy. Instead of the thunk, thunk of teenage feet climbing the stairs, my ears were met with relative silence. Figuring he had stopped to use the washroom downstairs, I continued to focus on my task of down-sizing recently captured photographs. A moment later I thought I heard the floor creak behind me and I expected to hear the sound of a chair rolling across the floor as Alex took his usual seat at the computer behind mine. Silence prevailed. Without turning around I greeted him, but heard nothing in response. This of course prompted me to turn around and face not my younger son, but my older boy, Jeffrey who had driven home from university to surprise me with a three day visit. His grin met my look of joyful surprise, and his arms opened wide, ready to receive my lunge and hug.

Originally, his plan was to come home on Thursday and stay for the weekend, but he had work to do in order to prepare for his upcoming training this summer. With his exams finished two days earlier than planned, he decided that he would spend Tuesday through Friday at home. I cooked dinner for him that night and he returned the favour by preparing lunch for me the next day - a wonderful Mediterranean-style pita wrap with barbecued pork, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and lots of Tzatziki sauce. We drove to a nearby conservation area in the afternoon and enjoyed each others company and chatter as we explored the paths along the Credit River. Back home, we caught a glimpse of a heron (possibly the same one I'd seen the day before a bit farther from home) as it landed on the shore of our local pond. The air was warm, and the late-day sunlight filtered through the trees. My son was home and all was right in my world.

The weather has been lovely so far this month and I've had ample opportunity to go out walking. Everywhere I looked, I saw the reassurances that spring had finally sprung. Here are just a few random images from the past couple of weeks.

Frank isn't the only one who finds frisbees and other treasures when he's out walking. I came across this happy-faced frisbee while strolling along a nearby creek. Despite its broken face, its infectious smile seems to have attracted one of the many snails that were busy making trails that day.


Not too far away, another snail was hurrying along at breakneck speed, among the blades of grass. If you click on the image to enlarge it, you can see its eye at the tip of the left tentacle.


In town, a store owner brightens up their outdoor display with some of the flowers they sell. Remember to click to enlarge these lovely blossoms.



One of the spring blooms in my own garden. I used to have a number of crocus flowers come up each spring along with these daffodils, some tulips and irises. This year I only had one white crocus. My next-door neighbour has never planted any crocus bulbs, and yet for the past couple of years her garden has proudly boasted some of the same flowers that mine used to display. Coincidence, Caroline? I think not! ;)



This is one of my favourite places to walk. It's just off of the paved pathway of my local park. The trees are growing at odd angles to reach the sunlight.



Looking up, airplanes left chromosome-like contrails in the sky.



A brand new leaf as it is about to emerge from this bud. Click to see more detail.



A duck perches upon a rock as the golden sunlight sets on the pond behind him.


Jeffrey and I crossed this suspension bridge which spans a narrow crossing of the Credit River. Like any normal guy, he took great pleasure in rocking the bridge while we crossed.



Our small pond reflects the sunset with shimmering warmth.



A robin perched upon a branch greets the rising moon with its song. You can see the subtle colour of the robin's breast if you click to enlarge.

In Search of Spring

Ordinarily, sights of March here in the Northern Hemisphere would include sprouting daffodils, singing robins and light-weight jackets. Robins have been spotted but snow still covers much of the ground where they're usually seen tugging at worms. If you're finding signs of spring, could you please send them my way?

Until then, please enjoy a few of my random photos taken over the month of March. Please click each image to enlarge them.

This starling has been visiting my feeder for the past couple of weeks. We are perplexed by the length of its beak. Both photos were taken through double glass doors.




Perhaps it's not the same bird each time after all. If anyone knows whether some starlings just have beaks this long, can you please let me know?



Through the branches, the sun sets on the pond near my house.



Out walking near the creek on a sunny day. The water reflects the deep blue of the clear sky above.



The snow-covered embankment contrasts sharply against the water's edge.



In the cedar grove, we leave one of many peanuts for the squirrels or birds to find.



Frank and Benny, walking away from the grove. The setting sun shines on the snow and competes with contrails in the sky.



Back at the house, we worked on a colourful summer scene puzzle, once our cold fingers regained their mobility.

Head on over to Frank's blog for some of his beautiful late winter to early spring images. You'll be glad you did.