York Region Administrative Centre

 Looking northerly at the York Regional Administrative Centre, Newmarket

My town, East Gwillimbury, is situated just north of Newmarket, the centre of York Region (formerly York County), which is just north of Toronto. (Did you get that?)

 Moving counter-clockwise

Geographically, Newmarket is situated in the centre of York Region so the logical choice for the region's headquarters. Local politicians wanted a knockout building so chose a design by superstar Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, known for designing buildings with flowing lines, a reflection of his heritage as a descendent of the Blackfoot First Nation in southern Alberta. It truly is a stunning building showing Cardinal's respect for nature and love for natural rhythms.

 Clock towers on the south side of the main entrance

Truth be told, I had originally taken photos of this building to capture the incredibly neat reflections in the windows (more about that next Friday), but a day after I took these photos I saw a TV documentary on the building's architect. (Serendipity) Yep, I need to go back and take a longer view of the entire building.

Main entrance

Although this is the main entrance, the parking lot is on the north side of the building so it looked to me like the north entrance was actually the "main" entrance.

Clock towers and flags on the north side of the entrance

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Mid July Wildflowers

 Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)

Here are three wildflowers blooming in central Ontario now.

Spotted knapweed may be pretty but it is also a villain. It tend to spread quickly and outcompete indigenous wildflowers.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

The name says it's blue but I say it's purple. What do you think?

 Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Elecampane usually grows in shady places. FYI: According to legend, elecampane grew where Helen of Troy's  tears fell when Paris abducted her.

Evidence that local ducks are moulting

Not a flower, you are correct. But it is nature!
 Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES. 

I am also linking to Catching the Light HERE