Colourful interludes

August 27, 2015 by Created by RCW

After completing my day at The Ex (see Back to visit the Ex), I still had to get home and because the weather was so cool, if grey, I decided to wander along Toronto’s waterfront.

The new neighbours

July 25, 2013 by Created by RCW

Rather than unpack yesterday afternoon, I decided to take a walk around my new neighbourhood and get to know the neighbours.

: Hunting for treasure at the water’s edge

: It was like she and the chair were mad at each other

: Bless her for trying to control the hounds

: This seems like a more manageable ratio

: A man preps his outrigger

: Nothing like a good book on a sunny afternoon

: Did you know there is a dog in this photo?

: Not as many kites as I might have expected today

: Cool breeze, bright sun…perfect for melanoma prep

: A photo of a photo shoot in the park

Bird is the Word – Toronto

July 4, 2013 by Created by RCW

A few more images from my Canada Day wanderings.

: A sparrow taking in the local pedestrians

: A robin spent some time grooming in a bush

: As the robin groomed itself, it splayed its wing and tail features making an interesting pattern

: The swans were out in full force

: The sparrow grabbed a little snack as I watched

Canada Day relaxations

July 2, 2013 by Created by RCW

Thank goodness the Fathers of Confederation picked July 1 as the day to form the Dominion of Canada.

The thought of possibly celebrating on something like February 3 literally sends shivers down my spine and would have kept me from getting any pictures of people just relaxing on the warm summer’s day.

: Taking in a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre

: A young lady whizzes by on roller blades, showing her pride in her handbag

: Poor pooch must run a marathon every time this long-legged lady goes walking

: Life vests are the call for women taking in the water

: Lake Ontario waters were calm for these intrepid kayakers

: Hawking the benefits of milk at a waterfront festival

: Electronic devices were the call of the day for park visitors

: A chance to listen to some bad karaoke or your wife

: Why is Canada great? Because this guy can make a living as a street performer

Sunny Toronto

June 8, 2013 by Created by RCW

A few more shots from my recent trip down to Toronto’s waterfront, including some taking in the sights across from Billy Bishop Airport.

: A combination of urban and natural with the spire of the CN Tower to top it off

: DNA-like, the metal rods loop around the walking path

: Dog walkers are everywhere in Toronto

: A flight takes off from the airport as a boat bobs quietly

: Not just jets fly from Billy Bishop Airport

: I can’t honestly say any Inuk live in Toronto, but we have inukshuk

: For a weekday, the sailboats were actively leaving and entering the quay

: Heads up as a Porter Airlines flight passes the waterslide at Ontario Place

: Only the angle makes the CN Tower less than towering

Flagged content

June 7, 2013 by Created by RCW

In case anyone ever tries to tell you Canadians aren’t overtly patriotic, let me set the record straight.

: Our rockets don’t tend to have a red glare, but they burst just as brightly

: We remember our history and the honour due to Mother England

: As welcoming as Canadians are, it can be difficult for foreigners to access the wonders of my country

: Symbolizing our roots in nature and the breadth of community, my flag fits any setting

: Resting limply or flapping wildly, my flag has a beautifully elegant simplicity

Waterfront birds

June 4, 2013 by Created by RCW

Another sunny day and another errand can mean only one thing: another day traipsing around with the camera.

A few more scenery shots than usual–different lens–but this first batch is dedicated to the most fowl of Lake Ontario.

: The cormorants were quite active today

: The geese weren’t sure whether to avoid me or see if I had food

: Not as clear as I might have liked, but I enjoy the movement

: The mallard drake preens as the female sits quietly in the distance

: The female seemed quite content to ignore her partner’s vainglorious efforts

: The great thing about shooting over water is the opportunity for amazing reflections

: Coming in for a tete-a-tete, the resting swift waits

: The tiny swift sits patiently, watching its family swoop across the inlet

: …and eventually the cormorant manages to take wing

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

Waterfront wanderings – Toronto

March 23, 2013 by Created by RCW

The summer of 2012 was an amazing time to walk the streets of Toronto, camera in hand. The weather was gorgeous–most days providing incredible sun–and the temperatures never got uncomfortable for human or beast. Life abounded in profusion.

The following are some shots I managed while meandering my way along the Toronto waterfront. I didn’t have to wander too far to get some interesting photos.

: Let’s see…where’re the best bits in here?

: Snack time at Lake Ontario (not sure I’d want to put my head down there, but okay)

: They were blinding in the afternoon sun

: Whachoo lookin’ at?

: Just a little more to the left…

: The diaphanous fragility of this bloom blew me away

: Like the bees, butterflies were everywhere

: Too many ducklings, too little shade, so mama helps out

: The startling contrast in colour was just too good to pass up

: Ready for take off

: The explosion of colour in an otherwise sere background drew my eye

: Canada’s fearsome biker gangs, the Grey Gremlins

: A dust bath for one of the local sparrows

: Bees swarmed in profusion this summer

Chinese lanterns – Toronto

March 22, 2013 by Created by RCW

Easily, one of the best things about living in a city like Toronto is the multicultural mix. No matter what types of food, what types of clothing, what types of people you want to meet, you can find it in Toronto.

For several years–but sadly, no longer–Toronto played host to a Chinese lantern festival on its waterfront, a spectacle of light and colour that only became more impressive the darker the evening.

These are a few of my favourite recollections.