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There are a series of interconnecting parks about 20 minutes away on foot. I was sitting by the water in one of the parks, just watching people come and go along the pathway.

I hope to be a 90 year old guy who rides his unicycle to the store for whiskey and condoms. ~ J.D. Miller

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the somewhat awkward movement of this girl trying to say atop of her unicycle.

Unicyclists can ride longer than bicyclists because bicyclists are always two tired. ~ Unknown

I decided to walk ahead of her and snap some photos. Her name is Rachel.

On a unicycle, my tire will tire before I do. I ride for charity. I'm trying to raise enough money to buy a bicycle. ~ Jarod Kintz

By the time I got there, she had covered a bit of ground but had since lost her balance and was having a hard time finding her groove again. Still, it looked like she was about to get it back.

Unicyclists aren't crazy, just slightly unbalanced. - Unknown

Hang on, Rachel!

Q: Whats the difference between a hobo on a unicycle and a man in a suit on a bike?    A: Attire.

Can she regain her balance and momentum?

I live on the edge. Sometimes I fall off. - Steve Winterburn

Not this time. But she never lost her sense of humour.

Instead of a motorcycle gang, I'm thinking of starting up a unicycle gang. We'll be hell on wheel. ~ Jarod Kintz

Atta girl!

Where There's a Wheel, There's a Way ~ Unknown

This time, I think she's got it.

I can. I will. End of story. ~ Unknown

A sweet smile of success!

It's impossible to ride a unicycle, some of us have just figured out how to take a long time before we fall off. ~ Charlie Dancey

She soon left me in her wake.

Old Autumn

I saw old Autumn in the misty morn

Stand, shadowless like Silence, listening

To Silence.

~ Thomas Hood

Most of these photos were taken during a walk or two back in October and September.


Colours were still pretty much in full display along the shores of Little Lake in Peterborough.






This couple was enjoying the day's warmth.






As were these two.






This little cutie's colours shone in the late day sunlight.






All dressed up and nowhere to go.






This Liftlock cruise boat was sailing right into the rainbow.






I guess this was its turnaround point for the tour.






That boat sailed alone but this honking flotilla numbered thirty.






And our sweet little mallard friend is waving them through.






There is a rather large community of boaters who stay moored to the harbour throughout summer and early autumn.






The setting sun makes the building across the lake appear as if it's all ablaze.






Good to know that the fire department is always ready – just in case.

Cherished to the Full

Each golden day was cherished to the full, for one had the feeling that each must be the last. Tomorrow it would be winter.

~ Elizabeth Enright

November 3rd was an amazingly warm day in Peterborough. Sweatshirts and jackets remained hung in the closet since nothing more than a t-shirt was required for a walk in the park. Well yeah, I did wear jeans too.


Brilliant sunshine illuminated the last of autumn's intense colours, set off by the bright blue waters of Little Lake and the Otonabee River.





Occasionally, a Canada goose or two would feel mildly threatened by my approach, causing them to take wing and land in the safety of the water.





Soon all of them were frantically making their way into the lake. They were never all that concerned with my presence before. What's that all about?






Ah, there's the proud little culprit.





The harbour was empty of boats which are all packed away for the winter.





Don't these mooring posts look like they've all been caught robbing a bank? Come out with your hands up!






This is The Union Sculpture which was commissioned by the Peterborough District Labour Council to honour the history of the local labour movement.




The fluffy white plumes of ornamental grass sway like a June bride's veil flowing in the breeze. I could easily believe it was a balmy day, five months earlier.





The temperature rose to 24C (75F) which is practically unheard of for November around here. It was as if summer had lost her way and needed a place to stay for a day or two. And Ontario was happy to accommodate her.






And this man, dressed for this gift of warmth, was happy to oblige the ducks by tossing out crackers and bread for them to enjoy.





It wasn't long before the gulls caught on to the offered treats. They swarmed the area making it difficult for the mallards to feast.





Crossing from one shore to the other was a slow-moving Canadian Pacific Railway train.





One of a few mini islands off the shores of Peterborough. I wonder if the driftwood happened naturally or if it was placed there.





It would seem that not all of us are happy with the return of the warm weather. This guy appears to be waiting patiently for a patch of ice on which to play his hockey game. He might have his wish soon. Today, I saw a few snow flurries.

Till next year, Summer. I'll be happy to greet you, once again.

A Winter's Night

A significant snowfall earlier this month gave me the opportunity to snap some photos around the park at night.

The sky was still overcast, and so without the flash, the only available light was from occasional street lamps along the path, and their reflection off of the snow. The amber lights cast a subtle golden hue over their surroundings which appear more intense to the camera's eye. The low lighting and absence of tripod also explains the hazy images and mottled appearance.

The night was quiet. The snow-laden branches muffled most of the sounds, including that of an excited Jack Russel Terrier straining on his leash to relocate familiar smells, now disguised by the snowfall. You can see a fuzzy Benny at the bottom of the photo if you click to enlarge it.

The yellow tones become more apparent as we neared the path's lamps.

The dock is one of two spots where we'll typically feed bread to the ducks. Benny, on the bottom right, knows he'll luck out and get a few clumsily dropped pieces. You'd think it was steak the way he gobbles them up.

The snow clings to the branches and helps light the way along the path.

A flash-lit shot, taken as we near a bend in the path.

Benny patiently waits for me to snap yet another shot.

No more yellow. I cheated with this image by desaturating the colour and repainting it with a blue hue, in Photoshop.

There's No Business Like Snow Business

It snowed on New Year's Day, and once the party drinks from the previous night cleared from my brain, I was out and about with my camera. Here are a few photos of the fluffy, white stuff. These were all taken in the nearby park.

A glance down between the snow-covered branches allows a small peek at the lake below.

Upon a hill, looking down at the partiely-frozen lake, you can see where the ice ends abruptly.



There are two willows at opposite ends of the lake. This is the younger one and its willowy branches are still sporting fall colours.



A male cardinal out-brightens a comparatively drab sparrow in front of, and to the left of him.



A park bench wait for someone to clear off the snow and sit for a bit. It wasn't me.



Frosty branches bear the weight of the fluffy snow.



Down the path and headed for home.

I'll post some more in a few days. In the meantime, you can see more winter (and autumn) photos over at Frank's blog.