Visiting the Rouge Valley

October 12, 2015 by Created by RCW

Last week, I spent the day on the eastern edge of Toronto in a large conservation area called the Rouge Valley, which basically extends from the north end of Toronto (near the Metro Zoo) down to the shores of Lake Ontario.

And yet, for the 6 or 7 hours I wandered, I can only really say I explored maybe 10 percent of the region. Perhaps, I’ll get back before the snow flies…I know I’ll be back in the Spring.

Glen Stewart Ravine

July 24, 2015 by Created by RCW

Took my camera around the corner to a nearby nature walk and then down to Lake Ontario for a few minutes.

: My fav pic of the day

: Loving the colours and stripes

: Slow start to season but bumbles are back

: Some dead leaves aren’t quite dead

: Looking for a snack

: Stinger meets thorns

: Vibrant spider awaits its next meal

: A moth I’d never seen before

: Almost stepped on the little fellow

: Two heads are better than one

: Some of the dogs frolicking on sand and water

: Gentle breezes and sun shine to power you away

The moochers of High Park

July 13, 2015 by Created by RCW

After a couple of hectic weeks actually working (yeah, that money thingey…how weird, eh), I finally managed to get the camera back out, trekking across town to catch a little oasis of green in the midst of the big city: Toronto’s High Park.

Seems the fauna have been waiting for me, because even the relatively belligerent red-winged black birds were willing to see if I had food to share.

: Came up to my shoe looking for food

: Mom & Dad were off in the reeds

: Normally moody cuss looking for food

: Lest we forget this is Canada

: As King of Grenadier Pond…

: He was jus’ waitin’ on a friend

: She kept checking to see if I was packing…seed

: A laid-back momma with a big brood

: Our local feathered gang

: Spent a lot of time with birds looking over their shoulders

Cormorant (poem)

June 3, 2015 by Created by RCW

Strings of feathered jewels—

Kilometre long, wing-span wide—

Swing their way offshore,

Droplets of former slumbers

Cutting waves that break

A mere metre below.

And yet for all the activity,

All the life in motion,

Air remains calm and silent,

Noises of picine harvests

Forgotten echoes of

Never-ending plunder.

Lines cross lines,

Ballets borne on air,

Eddied whorls tipping

Extended wings askew,

Halting premature end

Of missioned journeys.

Home is the current’s flow,

The wind’s dance;

Time’s of no consequence

When birds take wing.

Winging it

May 21, 2015 by Created by RCW

One of the hazards of taking the camera out for one reason is that it never goes back into the closet.

Taking a cue from the deliciously mild temperatures but dazzling sun yesterday, I took a wander over to see my grandparents at a nearby cemetery. On the way, I wandered through a small dose of wetlands to find some feathered friends.

Mostly birds at the beach

May 4, 2015 by Created by RCW

After a few hours of radiation sickness (aka sunshine) wandering the boardwalk and nearby woods along Lake Ontario, I managed to get a really good shot of the evasive red-winged blackbird.

I say evasive simply because this particular species would much rather spend its time strafing my head than sit still for me to take its picture.

Enjoy.