Patterns and redirections

May 25, 2013 by Created by RCW

Sometimes things just don’t look right when you’re taking a walk, or they can seem to lead your mind one way and then switch-back in another direction.

I had a few of these moments in my recent walk through downtown Toronto.

: Not sure what the two people did to get them caged up…maybe just a quick smoke next to a construction site

: The support beams of a bridge trestle made me thing of an accordion

: The sheer meander of these rail lines surprised me

: A fish-eye mirror turns my city into something out of the old Batman TV series

: Bejewelled water droplets spewed in a fountain

: The oddly shaped grill of a sewer grate took on a sci-fi flavour

: A strong wind ripples the reflection of Toronto’s CN Tower

Simple elegance

May 24, 2013 by Created by RCW

Peace

(Sorry, no long-winded speeches with this photo.)

Errand air alike

May 24, 2013 by Created by RCW

Early yesterday, I had an errand to run that would involve a 45-minute round trip walk, so I decided to take my camera.

Annoyingly, the subject of my errand was not available when I got there (ironically, a photograph) but my little walk ended up being a 2-hour tour of the area.

Over the next couple of days, I will post a selection of the photos taken, but here’s the first batch: The birds and the bugs.

: Someone had dropped popcorn in a crevice in a tree.

: Happy with the clarity of this photo

: Was hoping somebody would pop their head out, but I think this is home to one of the many groundhogs in the area

: One of the first butterflies I have seen this very late Spring

: The first time a fly has ever stayed still long enough to have its picture taken

: The redwinged blackbirds really didn’t want to have their photo taken

: One of them stood still long enough, but even this involved crawling through bush

: This little gal had something in her foot that was causing no end of trouble

: And then she got distracted with her wing plummage

Between the Signs

May 16, 2013 by Created by RCW

One thing I love about signs is they can say so much more than the words written on them. Whether there is a subtext within the words or it is simply a matter of context, each sign tells a story that you might not see at first glance.

PS I just realized that a lie (li) takes you from “obvious” to “oblivious”…lovin’ me some words today.

: Subtle shot at those of us who don’t actually ski? (Whistler, BC)

: It may be Canadian, but it definitely has teeth (Toronto)

: Upon reflection, I think I’ll eat here (Toronto)

: You don’t have to climb those stairs (Toronto)

: I would definitely go here just based on the sign alone! (Toronto)

: Her decay was obvious to all, but she remained oblivious (Toronto)

: Oh my god! Would you please calm down? Can’t you read the signs? Ahhhh!!!! (Toronto)

Sunny Toronto – Part Four – Random

May 13, 2013 by Created by RCW

And then there are those photos that just refuse to be categorized in any way.

Enjoy.

: Someone had decorated an entire tree in their yard with these little things

: Poor flower had to seek some shade to avoid the beating sun

: The colours in this opening bloom were amazingly vivid

: I admit that I have a photo fetish for these wonders

: Although I abhor smoking, I thought the precision of this event was interesting

: Looked like a creature was crawling out of a scorched carapace

: The dandelion stems proved more interesting than the flowers

: You could hear the flowers wind open after a too too long winter

: Save but for the petal tips, these flowers were a stunning monochrome

: Holy crap, Phil! Eddie jumped!

: Reflections are an amazing medium unto themselves

Mother’s Day

May 11, 2013 by Created by RCW

Beating the race to post the first Mother’s Day tribute on my blog.

With one exception, these are all photos from my trip to British Columbia last autumn, and I am confident that my mom will think she looks like hell in each and everyone of these photos. That’s my mom!

: Mum helped with my photography at Minter Gardens by pointing out each and every flower, butterfly and tree

: Mom checks out the work of a local metal sculptor in Chilliwack, no doubt thinking of home decor

: This is actually two photos I have Photoshopped together (not true)

: Mum delights in playfully letting Roger and I know our limitations

: Less of a CanCan and more of a JanJan near the top of Mount Baker, Washington

: One of the rare times I actually let mom pose for a photo (Mt. Baker, Washington)

: In this case, the weather at Tofino was pretty awful but it was a great day for photography

: Can’t remember the function, but this is (L to R) Mom, her aunt Fran, her mom Dorothy and her cousin Noel

Sunny Toronto – Part Three – Buildings

May 8, 2013 by Created by RCW

I am slowly developing an increasing appreciation for interesting buildings, or at least elements of buildings.

Toronto doesn’t have the most interesting architecture–our staid Scottish roots, no doubt–but you can find some interesting moments here and there.

Enjoy.

: The water treatment plant on Lake Ontario has an almost Gothic feel about it

: You can practically hear the screams of Frankenstein’s victims on the shores of Lake Ontario

: This wooden gate intrigued me as it was almost buried by shrubs

: A small fountain in someone’s front yard

: A wolfish gargoyle watches over our city

: An archetypal image but so contrasting with the wonderful sunshine of the day

: Billy Bishop Airport on the waterfront makes for some interesting visual juxtapositions

: The lifeguard station had a nice old world charm to it

: Styled turn of the last century, b/w seemed a natural choice

: I can only presume the netting was to keep the birds away, but it looked like Paul had been caught

: St Andrew’s Church reflected in a glass tower

: The clock tower of Toronto’s Old City Hall seemed to be the epicentre of light

Sunny Toronto – Part Two – Critters

May 6, 2013 by Created by RCW

Not a ton of animal photos from this trip as my interest was more beach, people and places.

That being said, I was excited to see the adaptability of some of the local critters, including the nesting habits of sparrows at the local water treatment plant, which itself looks like something out of a Bond film, and the sheer joy of some dogs playing at the water’s edge.

Enjoy.

: These guys ran back and forth ceaselessly, when they weren’t tackling each other

: Amazing little nests that hung suspended below an eaves on the local water treatment plant

: The nest was so high off the ground that it was difficult to get a clear shot

: Wish I had spent more time on these guys as this is the only photo that turned out…and this is why you carry your macro lens

: Like a military invasion, the geese flew by in flock after flock

: Take a hundred frames and maybe one will work out…yay

: Thousands of these guys swarmed the windows of the water treatment plant. Love the double shadow of the double-paned window

: Under a bridge, pigeons made quite the mess…this one was something of an outcast

: Love the colour of his neck plummage

: Despite his size, it was obvious this guy was quite young…and very very loud

: Looking for a little bit of food under some still unfoliaged shrubs

Sunny Toronto – Part One – People

May 6, 2013 by Created by RCW

It seems that it is official…Spring has finally arrived in the megalopolis in the middle of the Great White North (or Toronto for those keeping track).

Drawn to the sunshine like many of my cave-dwelling brethren, I surfaced with my camera earlier today and share some of the activities my other trogs were up to.

Oh, and if you ever had to know, it takes about 5 hours to take a leisurely walk across one quarter of Toronto’s waterfront.

: My fare downtown core down the beach (I live near the base of the big pointy thing…the CN Tower)

: The sign says it all

: Whether by hand or outboard motor, everyone was on the water today

: Couple were out doing what couples do, enjoying the sun and the company

: Gentleman was blissfully strumming to himself

: Whether on bike or roller blade, there was a definite need for speed

: Not sure I would have tuned out the sounds of the beach, but to each her own

: Bet he was glad to finally put his downhill or cross-country skis away!

: Every time I lined up to take a shot, the ball went out of play…almost felt I should apologize

: I love that I was able to capture the book reflected in her sun glasses

: Almost got a shot of her brother pushing her, but he gave up just as I lined up the shot

: For all of the children, the playgrounds weren’t that loud, but fun was being had

: Closer to (my) home, this busker was rockin’ up a storm for any spare coin

Slitherers of Costa Rica

April 29, 2013 by Created by RCW

Before we left for Costa Rica, my brother warned me about hiking on jungle trails.

“Be careful what you grab when you climb a hill because that may just look like a branch.”

“If you have to step over a fallen log, step with a walking stick first to make sure the only thing under the log is dead leaves.”

“Tap out your shoes before you put them on in the morning to make sure only your toes reach the end.”

Okay! I get it! The creepy crawlies aren’t just beautiful. Can we go now? You first!

Luckily (I guess), the only significant nasties I managed to see on our trip were housed in a serpentarium near Volcan Arenal. And as I suspected, they were quite beautiful.