April Miscellany

I have a few photos to share on this lovely, sunny morning which I hope you enjoy.

On my way to visit Frank earlier this month, the moon was nearly full, and nearly sitting at the apex of this tower.

I quite liked how the warm sunlight seems to highlight and soften the barbed wire fence.

Of course, daffodils have no choice but to look warm and soft at all times.

A pitcher full of quality bird seed. Nothing but the best for Frank's feathered friends.

Here's one little beauty taking full advantage of the feast.

The birds are quite unconcerned about this crazy little JRT. Benny's main dilemma is whether he should hang onto the ball he's already demolishing or go for the other one. Can you see the look of indecision in his eyes?

Problem solved.

Late day sunlight brings out the details in a weathered, wooden door.

In fact, it brings out the details in many things, including this old dried fern.

More photos coming up in a few days.

Recipe for Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Slip on your raincoat


Pull on your galoshes.

Wading in puddles


Makes splishes and sploshes. 

~ Anon.

Recipe for Sunshine 

Take one post-rain puddle.

Add a crazy, little Jack Russell Terrier.

Pour in a cute little girl with colourful rubber boots. Mix well.

Sprinkle with giggles.

Add generous measures of smiles.

Mix with a few splashes.

Taste as you go.

  Fold in a couple of playful barks.

  And some tail wags.

Sample often and season to taste.

 

Cut into bite-sized servings.

Enjoy! 

Makes enough sunshine to serve all who stop by.

I have no idea who this little girl is. She was out walking with her grandfather, who spoke very limited English. The child never uttered one word the full time that she engaged in this little water dance with Benny. There was the occasional giggle, splash or questioning bark from Benny, but no words. They connected and played together for about five minutes and then each moved on with their day.

Strippers, Trapeze Artists and Posts of the Week

We saw a stripper performing in the park the other day...

She was awfully busy doing her act when we came upon her. There was a little bit of bumping (of branches) and grinding (of teeth) and a whole lot of stripping going on. Stripping the tree of its protective bark in order to build or supplement a nest, that is.

This reminds me that I once dated a trapeze artist... but he dropped me. ;) 

And now, without further delay, here are the Posts of the Week. The icon below is yours for the taking if if your blog post is named as a POTW.



 
SUPPORT APPRECIATED

Lumps 
by Lime
at House of Lime 
 

A GOOD READ
 
Earth Day
by Ellen
at Stuff From Ellen's Head


JUST PLAIN GOOD

Tom Foolery
by Susan
at Wild Life in the Woods

FUNNY

And My Number is 534-5789
by Murr Brewster
at Murrmurrs

Uniform

by Rita

at Soul Comfort's Corner

PHINE PHOTOGRAPHY


A Critter in the Hands
by TexWisGirl
at The Run*A*Round Ranch Report


European Robin
by Bob
at Birds and Nature in the Forest of Dean

Sunset Sunday
by Scott
at Just Used Pixels




Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you.

The Very Breath of Spring

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?”  ~ Neltje Blanchan

Spring.. it ain't over yet. Come join me in taking in a few more sights around my neck of the woods, and Frank's. 

One of just a few red tulips which grace my front yard this spring. 

Not far away, a daffodil bud shortly before it opens.

  Outside my back window, this little cutie was enjoying some of the seed which was scattered primarily for the birds. The photo quality is poor as it was taken through two panes of glass. I've always loved red squirrels, and especially since I was introduced to sweet, little Roxy. Go on and have a look - she's adorable. 

Frank lives near a lovely creek which makes its way into Lake Ontario. Each year, they lose more trees and other plant life to erosion. I suppose it won't be too much longer until this tree loses its grip and makes its way into the great lake. For now, it still makes a pretty picture. 

There are a lot of walnuts to be found around the area.

And of course, what self-respecting spring season makes its appearance without the obligatory robin. This one stopped pecking in the dirt in order to watch me rather closely. You can see some of the wet earth on its beak. 

Back home again, the sun is setting behind a new leafy growth.

That's it for today. I'll have more images for you in a few days.

Opening Soon

I'm still very much stuck on Spring and it continues to unfold everywhere I look. Come walk with me and I'll share some of my surroundings with you.

Beautiful shades of pink and green. These leafy buds are about to open.

My favourite fuzzy branch is about to bud into life. In a few days, I'll post another photo. It's already come a long way since this day.

Colourful maple buds, after a morning rain.

More pretty catkins. These might be elm. Or not.

Delicate white blossoms with pretty, pink stamens. What says spring better than this?

Last year's burrs still look pretty to me.

Some brand new leaves have that autumnish look to them.

A fresh rainfall encourages growth.

Thanks always for joining me on my walk. I'll have some more photos for you in a few days.

Seeing Things and A Few Posts of the Week

I tend to see things. Sometimes others see them too. Often, it's only when I point them out. Sometimes they never do. Below are a couple of characters that I saw in unlikely places. Can you see them too?

In the base of this tree, I immediately saw the face of an old hag, complete with hat, long nose and warty chin.

Can you see her green face now? What I'm seeing is her profile, facing right. She has a hollow, haunting eye, wart-ridden face, a long chin, nose and nostril and a shelf-like hat.

The other day, I inadvertently knocked the sugar bowl over onto the table. I grabbed a plate and began sweeping the white grains onto it when I stopped suddenly. There before my eyes was the Fruit Loops character, Toucan Sam or perhaps it was a Common Kingfisher.

It took my son a while to see it but his girlfriend and I were both snapping photos of the spilled sugar.

And now, without further delay, here are the Posts of the Week. The icon below is yours for the taking if if your blog post is named as a POTW.




A GOOD READ

My Penny is Lost
by Red
at Hiawatha House


JUST PLAIN GOOD

Wood Ducks: Househunting on Lake Mary
by Cheryl
at Lake Mary Musings

PHINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Blue, Blue, Blue
by Gillian
at PS Whimsy - Behind the Brush

Gulls and Geese
by Ruth
at Ruth's Photo Blog

Sunset Peace
by Tabor
at Room Without Walls



READERS' CHOICE
Recommended by: Dianne
Speeding?
by EG CameraGirl
at Another Slice of Life


Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you.

Here, There and Back Again

I have a few miscellaneous photos taken somewhere, sometime in the past few weeks. I hope you enjoy.

Benny is here to greet you on this mini tour.

First stop: The pond in our neighbourhood park. It was one of those days when the sun was playing hide and seek behind the gathering, gray clouds. At some point, I looked down into the water and noticed the gray reflection of trees and hazy sunlight.

These weeping willow catkins are suspended over the water from sweeping boughs.

This is somewhere on the northern shores of Lake Ontario. Dusty, blue-green paint - chipped, flaked and weathered by the sun. It once covered this row boat from bow to stern.

Back home again, I missed the shot of him hopping around and pecking for worms but I got the unexpected bonus of this robin taking off.

A picnic table in the park. Somebody left their craft scissors behind.

This completes our tour. I hope you enjoyed the ride.

More photos in a few days.

Petals, Wings & Other Things

I have a few photos of blossoms, birds and a little bit more. I hope you enjoy them.

"Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit." ~ Khalil Gibran

"Be grateful for luck. Pay the thunder no mind - listen to the birds. And don't hate nobody."
~ Eubie Blake

"Forsythia is pure joy. There is not an ounce, not a glimmer of sadness of even knowledge in forsythia. Pure, undiluted, untouched joy." ~ Anne Lindbergh

“He writes so well he makes me feel like putting the quill back in the goose” ~ Fred Allen

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." ~ Lao Tzu

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." ~ Rabindranath Tagore

More in a few days. Thanks always for visiting.