Peace
(Sorry, no long-winded speeches with this photo.)
Tag Archives: Toronto
Errand air alike
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.
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- Someone had dropped popcorn in a crevice in a tree.
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- Happy with the clarity of this photo
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- Was hoping somebody would pop their head out, but I think this is home to one of the many groundhogs in the area
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- One of the first butterflies I have seen this very late Spring
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- The first time a fly has ever stayed still long enough to have its picture taken
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- The redwinged blackbirds really didn’t want to have their photo taken
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- One of them stood still long enough, but even this involved crawling through bush
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- This little gal had something in her foot that was causing no end of trouble
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- And then she got distracted with her wing plummage
Pride Week
The last week of June each year, the City of Toronto explodes with colour and excitement as the fever of inclusion takes over the city. It’s another Pride Week.
Gay, straight, budgie…whatever you consider yourself, if you haven’t experienced the pageantry of Toronto Pride Week, you should consider your life cheapened. You should then get your butt to Toronto and party.
Following on the success of Pride Week, however, the other Deadly Sins have petitioned for their own festivals.
Greed Week is slated to run over two weeks and its organizers are actively petitioning for a third.
Wrath Week got pissed at everyone and so plans to do its own thing.
Planning for Envy Week has been difficult as organizers keep asking for the date to be moved because they feel the other Sins got better dates.
Lust Week started slow and gentle but really built up a head of steam before petering out.
Avarice Week demanded the largest budget and still refused to control its expenses.
Sadly, Sloth Week just never really took off.
(Note: Photo is property of Pride Toronto and is used without permission.)
Between the Signs
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.
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- Subtle shot at those of us who don’t actually ski? (Whistler, BC)
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- It may be Canadian, but it definitely has teeth (Toronto)
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- Upon reflection, I think I’ll eat here (Toronto)
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- You don’t have to climb those stairs (Toronto)
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- I would definitely go here just based on the sign alone! (Toronto)
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- Her decay was obvious to all, but she remained oblivious (Toronto)
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- Oh my god! Would you please calm down? Can’t you read the signs? Ahhhh!!!! (Toronto)
Sunny Toronto – Part Four – Random
And then there are those photos that just refuse to be categorized in any way.
Enjoy.
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- Someone had decorated an entire tree in their yard with these little things
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- Poor flower had to seek some shade to avoid the beating sun
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- The colours in this opening bloom were amazingly vivid
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- I admit that I have a photo fetish for these wonders
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- Although I abhor smoking, I thought the precision of this event was interesting
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- Looked like a creature was crawling out of a scorched carapace
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- The dandelion stems proved more interesting than the flowers
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- You could hear the flowers wind open after a too too long winter
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- Save but for the petal tips, these flowers were a stunning monochrome
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- Holy crap, Phil! Eddie jumped!
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- Reflections are an amazing medium unto themselves
Sunny Toronto – Part Three – Buildings
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.
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- The water treatment plant on Lake Ontario has an almost Gothic feel about it
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- You can practically hear the screams of Frankenstein’s victims on the shores of Lake Ontario
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- This wooden gate intrigued me as it was almost buried by shrubs
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- A small fountain in someone’s front yard
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- A wolfish gargoyle watches over our city
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- An archetypal image but so contrasting with the wonderful sunshine of the day
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- Billy Bishop Airport on the waterfront makes for some interesting visual juxtapositions
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- The lifeguard station had a nice old world charm to it
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- Styled turn of the last century, b/w seemed a natural choice
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- I can only presume the netting was to keep the birds away, but it looked like Paul had been caught
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- St Andrew’s Church reflected in a glass tower
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- The clock tower of Toronto’s Old City Hall seemed to be the epicentre of light
Sunny Toronto – Part Two – Critters
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.
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- These guys ran back and forth ceaselessly, when they weren’t tackling each other
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- Amazing little nests that hung suspended below an eaves on the local water treatment plant
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- The nest was so high off the ground that it was difficult to get a clear shot
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- 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
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- Like a military invasion, the geese flew by in flock after flock
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- Take a hundred frames and maybe one will work out…yay
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- Thousands of these guys swarmed the windows of the water treatment plant. Love the double shadow of the double-paned window
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- Under a bridge, pigeons made quite the mess…this one was something of an outcast
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- Love the colour of his neck plummage
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- Despite his size, it was obvious this guy was quite young…and very very loud
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- Looking for a little bit of food under some still unfoliaged shrubs
Sunny Toronto – Part One – People
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.
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- My fare downtown core down the beach (I live near the base of the big pointy thing…the CN Tower)
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- The sign says it all
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- Whether by hand or outboard motor, everyone was on the water today
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- Couple were out doing what couples do, enjoying the sun and the company
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- Gentleman was blissfully strumming to himself
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- Whether on bike or roller blade, there was a definite need for speed
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- Not sure I would have tuned out the sounds of the beach, but to each her own
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- Bet he was glad to finally put his downhill or cross-country skis away!
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- Every time I lined up to take a shot, the ball went out of play…almost felt I should apologize
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- I love that I was able to capture the book reflected in her sun glasses
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- Almost got a shot of her brother pushing her, but he gave up just as I lined up the shot
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- For all of the children, the playgrounds weren’t that loud, but fun was being had
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- Closer to (my) home, this busker was rockin’ up a storm for any spare coin
Seven words
Seven words
The lifespan of a conversation never had
Pain unrecognized invalidated
Anger unexpressed unbearable
Disappointment ingrained unappeased
Sadness unutterable unrelenting
Despair intolerable unfathomable
Acceptance impossible unreachable
Hope unthinkable unrealistic
I am sorry that I hurt you
Seven words
Sign-natures
The Five Man Electrical Band missed the point when they wrote: “Signs, Signs, Everywhere there’s signs. Blocking out the scenery. Breaking my mind.”
So much more than identifications or directive missives, signs can be amazing mystical things.
They can be unintentionally funny or provocative. They can hold hidden messages. They can bring wisdom.
Can’t you read the signs?
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- Don’t be afraid…they’re only books (Toronto)
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- He has arisen, but he has a very full schedule and may not get to you today (Washington, DC)
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- The world changes…for good or for ill is in how we respond (Newseum, Washington, DC)
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- Art must have been a very special man to receive such an honour (Washington)
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- This is why I no longer believe in conspiracies…Washington couldn’t even manage to hide a driveway
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- A message within a message for a Toronto restaurant?
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- It has lost its lustre, but the way still shines in the darkness (Washington, DC)
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- Not sure what they are trying to tell us about Canada or maybe I am and just don’t want to admit it (Toronto)
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