Things: Like a Walk in the Park

It's been a while since we've taken a walk in the park. I'm heading there right now. Would you care to join me?


I love when the sun is at this angle, late in the day. Long shadows and saturated sunlight makes everything look a bit more beautiful. If we hurry, we can catch up with Frank and Benny. When Benny is being particularly accommodating, he does his business when we're close to a garbage can. He's pretty thoughtful that way.




Speaking of Frank, I recall something sweet that he told me about his older son when he was little. They were visiting a relative whose place was home to a few children, dogs and others. It was a bit chaotic and disheveled but welcoming and warm. He took a look around with a delighted smile on his face and declared it to be "a beautiful mess!" That's how I think of this smattering of berries, asters seeds and leaves strewn across the path here in the park. It's a beautiful mess.




There's a busy roadway on the other side of this fence but you'd never know it from where we're walking. Have a look at the deadhead flowers against the wires above. Is it just me or does that remind you of musical notes on a staff? Squint if you have to. And lie to me if you must.




Look up at that cloud - all peachy and golden and all on its own in the sky. Now look down at its reflection which looks like a fiery duck floating upon the water. Or perhaps I'm just quacking up.




That beautiful, rich light, low in the sky sure does know how to illuminate its surroundings. Just a shaft of sunlight cut through some branches to highlight the hues in these leaves. Summer, I'm going to miss your vibrant colours but your sister, Autumn sure knows how to use her paintbrush.




Across the pond, the sun is making its way beneath the horizon. It's time to bid another beautiful day "goodnight." Thanks for joining me. As always, you were great company.

Golden Sunlight

I'm still in scheduled mini-post mode and at this moment hopefully up at the cottage with Frank and Benny. I'll be by to visit and respond to comments sometime after we return. Until then, I hope you enjoy these photos which were taken while there a few weeks back.


An evening walk along the country roads revealed trees painted with golden sunlight. It wouldn't be too much longer until only the moon and stars would provide their light. Time to turn back.




Sigh!




Back at the dock, we catch the last rays of this day's sun before it bids us goodnight.

Orange You Glad?

When the winter gets rough and the photos become fewer, it's time to go back into the archives and explore a colour. This time Orange gets the luck of the draw. I hope you enjoy this warm and energetic hue. Please remember to click each image to enlarge.



A close up of the dazzling orange flower found in the bouquet featured in my previous post.




The setting sun does it part to warm brick, wood and the bare bones of this patio chair.




Tiger lilies joyously seek out the summer sun.




A game of dodge ball makes a splash as it bounces through a playground's water pad.




The gentle wings of summer flutter and dive into autumn so quickly - a metamorphic dance of vibrant colours.




Spindle berries produce brilliant colours as autumn approaches. Orange berries under magenta pods.




These rusty old gears have been weathered by exposure to many seasons of our Canadian climate.




Fall is the season of orange. Trees magically transform from their summer greens to autumn's fire.




The late day sunshine illuminates this fallen oak leaf.




An ideal way to relax after a perfect day. Bottoms up!

Brand New Day

Lyrics by Van Morrison. Photos by me. Colours by Mother Nature. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.

When all the dark clouds roll away




And the sun begins to shine






I see my freedom from across the way





And it comes right in on time







Well it shines so bright and it gives so much light





And it comes from the sky above






Makes me feel so free, makes me feel like me






And lights my life with love





And it seems like and it feels like






And it seems like yes it feels like






A brand new day, yeah






A brand new day.

A Sun Track Mind

It's almost spring in Southern Ontario. This means that in the past week we've had temperatures ranging from -20C (-4F) up to a lovely high of 16C (61F) on Friday. We've experienced rain, snow, quick thaws, floods and glorious, golden sunshine. We've also welcomed a revisit from Daylight Saving Time.

Before too long, the snow and ice will be completely gone and signs of new growth will be apparent. Despite a return to colder temperatures this week, it's encouraging to be on this precipice between winter and spring.

Last week, I took one of my semi-regular trips to visit Frank at his neck of the woods. It takes me three hours by bus and train, but it's a relaxing trip as long as I have a good book to read, and I usually do. My camera is typically on my lap throughout the trip, just in case something catches my eye.




Not far from my departure point, the tracks cross the Credit River. In summer, its waters are dotted with boats and wind surfers, but throughout the winter, its icy surface takes on many patterns, whether snow-covered or in semi-thaw conditions. (please click to enlarge)




As we pull out of Toronto's Union Station, a peek through the window across the aisle allows me to capture a shot of the St. Lawrence Market. (please click to enlarge)




The tracks hug the shoreline of Lake Ontario for much of the trip. (please click to enlarge)




The railroad tracks are shared by both commuter trains and cross-country railroads. The green GO Transit car where I sit, is reflected in the window of the VIA Rail train as it zooms by. (please click to enlarge)




Once I've settled in at Frank's place, the excitement begins. We'll usually grab some lunch, get a bit of shopping done, play a game of cribbage and before you know it, Frank is ready for a nap. Oh yes, I just exhaust him! Once he awakens, Benny is ready for his late afternoon walk. It's my favourite time of day, this time of year because the sunlight offers beautiful visuals like this gateway to the magical south cedar grove. (please click to enlarge)




At this bend in the creek, a beautiful tree bows to meet the rushing, swirling waters below. The frigid air weaves lacy patches of ice close to the water's surface. (please click to enlarge)




A closer look at the ice-covered twigs. (please click to enlarge)




This tree has a tiny wooden ledge nailed into it. It's one of the many spots where Frank leaves a peanut for the squirrels throughout the winter. One day, finding himself without a supply of peanuts, he added a nickel instead. This of course was left unappreciated and untouched by the woodland critters. Sometime after that, just for fun, I added a dime to his coin but it disappeared shortly afterward. The snow has recently thawed considerably, and as we approached the tree, I asked Frank if he'd ever found the dime on the ground nearby. As I asked, I looked down and saw it shining back up at me. It's now repositioned on the ledge beside the nickel. (please click to enlarge)




I've photographed this grove of cedars before, but I find it irresistible when the golden sunlight hits it just so. (please click to enlarge)




Along the shoreline, the golden tree trunks shimmer in the icy waters of the creek below. (please click to enlarge)




On our way back out of the grove, the sun glows from behind these kissing cedars. (please click to enlarge)




Just outside of the grove, the full setting sun brightens the path ahead of us, transforming icy patches into gold. (please click to enlarge)

In a few days, I'll post some photos of the results of last month's flood which carried great chunks of ice out over the morning walking path.

Late Day Sun

This isn't the first, and probably won't be the last time I've posted photos which were taken late in the afternoon. It's my favourite time of day. Leaves, petals wings and feathers appear richer when saturated with the golden colours of the late afternoon sunlight. The following images were taken on a few different days either at Frank's place or my own neck of the woods. Please remember to click to enlarge them.



A walk along the creek near Frank's home is always a treat. At every twist and turn, a new crop of flowers emerge. (Click to enlarge)



The colours which painted the shoreline a week earlier, have often faded out to make way for a new pallet. (Click to enlarge)



A lone daisy grows by the shoreline of the creek. (Click to enlarge)



Glancing to our left, we saw this family of ducks swimming off to find a more secluded spot. (Click to enlarge)



Sunlight found its way through the shadows to illuminate this rock, which filters through from behind the fronds of this fern. (Click to enlarge)



This Bachelor Button soaks up the colours of the late afternoon. (Click to enlarge)



A small red beetle basks in the last of the sun's rays. (Click to enlarge)



A bit later in the day, this back yard rose comes alive with its scent after soaking up the day's sunshine. (Click to enlarge)



Back near my place, this grasshopper posed nicely while I zoomed in for a shot. (Click to enlarge)



A seagull contemplates its fishing possibilities along the dam at my neighbourhood pond. (Click to enlarge)



After an afternoon shower cleared the air, the sun peeked out from between the clouds, creating the vivid oranges and greens of these droplet-laden Tiger Lilies. (Click to enlarge)



Viewed from above, this Heron landed on the dam while I was taking my evening stroll. He watched me with a wary eye as I took several shots. (Click to enlarge)



Once his fishing expedition was over, he flew off into the setting sun. (Click to enlarge)