O/Alphabe-Thursday

Private OBSERVATORY, Dyers Bay, ONTARIO

How OBSERVANT of you to recognize this is an  OLD photo (well, not really that OLD, just from early last fall). AH! The green leaves and grass gave that away.

I think we can safely say someone who lives in this home is serious about OBSERVING the moon, planets and stars, don't you think?

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

Say goodbye, February/Nature Notes

Last day of February 2012...YAY!

Actually February was not all that bad this year. But I AM looking forward to lovely spring weather.

Largest square: This cute pooch is wearing red, a colour I wanted to include in this week's mosaic to show you that not everything here in Ontario is grey, brown and white right now. The dog's mom wisely dressed her for the cold. Many Canadians enjoy a brisk winter walk as long as it's not too windy.

Moving clockwise: shriveling highbush cranberries - ignored in the autumn - become gourmet bird food in late winter and early spring; a few wild apples still on the trees where the wind and squirrels have not knocked them off; hoar frost where super-saturated air condenses and freezes; small shrubs held down by new fallen snow; and snow in artsy drifts.

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Melting/ Watery Wednesday

 Snowy creek banks with soft edges and reflections

For us in central Ontario this is NOT likely the last of the snow. But whatever does fall, melts fairly quickly.

 Snowy "islands" of snow caught on weeds

Reflections in the creek

I am linking to Watery Wednesday where you can find many more watery photos.

Hoar Frost/ Our World

 Hoar frost on shrub and grasses beside creek

The weather overnight Saturday into Sunday was perfect for creating hoar frost: cloudless skies, super-saturated air and below freezing temperature.

 Closer look at hoar frost

I love how ice crystals cling to stems and seed heads.

 Overview of hoar frost and reflections

Some of the creek is flowing fast enough to keep from freezing, but closer to the banks, theres ice and on top of that hoar frost.

Hoar frost in foreground, closer look at reflection

Click   HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.

Grapevine/ Creative Exchange

Grapevine at sunset

I am  Linking to The Creative Exchange HERE.

Gadwall/ Camera Critters

 Swimming in Lake Ontario

Gadwalls are medium-sized dabbling ducks most common on the Canadian Prairies or in the Dakotas, so I was surprised to see a few wintering here. I think this duck is very beautiful.

To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

Front Door/ Weekend Reflections

Reflection in neighbours' storm door

Yep, it's still winter here in Ontario!

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Holland Marsh/ Sky Watch

Looking into the valley, Holland Marsh, Ontario

The western edge of East Gwillimbury borders on the Holland Marsh, farmland that grows many of Ontario's vegetables.

  Sky Watch

N/ Alphabe-Thursday

 Robin's NEST in maple tree

Today, three NESTS - all different.

The first NEST is is still up for grabs, awaiting the return of the American robins.

 Osprey sitting on NEST in middle of marsh

The second and third photos were taken last year.   Can you see the young'uns to the left of the parent?  This is not a clear photo because the osprey nest was way into the marsh and I've cropped it so you can see the man-made stilts and the osprey-built nest.

Cormorant NESTS, condo-style

Now this is one HUGE extended family!

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

February 22/ Nature Notes

Snow, melt, freeze, sun

These photos were taken Monday, a bright, sunny day. It really feels like spring will be here soon. We've had more sunny skies than overcast lately. YAY!

Largest square: Ligularia seed heads in my garden. Moving clockwise: snow and slush, mud, ice on spruce, snow on arborvitae being dripped on by melting icicle, and strong shadow of fence on snow.

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Winter Kayaker/ Watery Wednesday

 Kayaker entering Whitby Harbour

Not everyone puts their kayak away and hangs up their paddles for the winter months.  This hardy kayaker must believe in the proverb "There is no bad weather, only the wrong gear."

 A closer look

 Sign on the pier

Passing me where I stood on the pier

I am linking to Watery Wednesday where you can find many more watery photos.

Family Day/ Our World

 Going downhill as a family

In Ontario, today is Family Day (third Monday in February) and, for most Ontarians, it's a day for play and no work. The day celebrates the importance of families and family life.

 Another family going downhill

I took these photos yesterday, which was not officially Family Day but these families didn't want to wait to celebrate. And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some of these families are celebrating AGAIN today!

 Climbing back up

At the bottom and NOT tired yet

Click   HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.

Lines & Angles/ Creative Exchange

 Horse jump, spruce & sunset

Here I was intrigued by the similar angles of the horse jump amd the spruce limbs.

Horse jump

I am  Linking to The Creative Exchange HERE.

Gulls/ Camera Critters

Following the leader

These two made me laugh as they walked one behind the other across the ice.

To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

Puddle/ Weekend Reflections

Shadows and reflections

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Winter Sunset/ Sky Watch

Sun setting over Georgina farm

  Sky Watch

M/ Alphabe-Thursday

 MELTING icicles - Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Here in Ontario, MELT is a luscious word, especially in February. Drip does not begin with M but it's a delicious sound. MMMM good!

Patterns and designs in MELTING ice and snow - East Gwillimbury

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

Beaver Lodges/ Nature Notes

 Lodge with open water on one side

Last week my husband and I were on a mission to visit beavers but none appeared, although someone had been out earlier in the morning. The evidence: open water and fresh footprints.

 A closer look of the lodge above

Shhh! They must have been sleeping as beavers tend to be nocturnal.

A second beaver lodge

No one will accuse this beaver family of being neat!


Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Jackson's Point/ Watery Wednesday

Frozen Lake Simcoe at Jackson's Point

These kids not only walk on water but ride their bikes on it too!

I am linking to Watery Wednesday where you can find many more watery photos.

Fenelon Falls/ Our World

 Trent-Severn Waterway at Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Last Thursday, looking easterly, the water was ice free and very blue reflecting the cloud-free sky.

 Looking in the opposite direction

But looking westerly  to the lake on the other side, there was ice. Here you could see water on the inside of the lock that had leaked through and formed ice.

Icicles below the dam

On the southerly side of the lock, icicles dripped off the dam.

Mural at the station that regulates the locks

But on the northerly side, a mural depicted warmer days, albeit many years ago.

Click   HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.

Shadows/ Creative Exchange

 Shadows on landing

Last Thursday the sun was bright and the shadows strong when my husband and I visited Fenelon Falls, Ontario.  These shadows are on the wooden landing and stairs to the lookout to view the falls. I was intrigued by the lines created by the shadows of the iron railings.

Shadows on stairs and landing

I am  Linking to The Creative Exchange HERE.

Wild Turkey/ Camera Critters

 Wild turkey (female), moseying out of photo range

Thursday we passed a farm with this critter out on the front lawn. We backed up... but the turkey heard us and began walking in the opposite direction until...

it was out of sight. Sometimes I wish wild turkeys were not such...er ...turkeys!

To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

Lake Simcoe/ Weekend Reflections

Yesterday afternoon: reflections on the ice at Virginia Beach, Ontario 

Two versions taken just a few seconds apart.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Over Tracks/Sky Watch

Setting over Canadian National tracks, East Gwillimbury, Ontario

From my archives, taken last March.  Unfortunately I have not seen an outstanding sky this week.

  Sky Watch

L/Alpabe-Thursday

 LIGHTHOUSE - Tobermory, Ontario

You'd be correct if you're thinking these photos were taken last summer and fall.

 LIGHTHOUSE - Collingwood, Ontario

What is it about lighthouses that so many people find so romantic?

This year, I hope to see and photograph many more lighthouses around the Great Lakes, and maybe I'll figure out why I find them so intriguing.

LIGHTHOUSE - Barrie, Ontario

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE