Rookery/ My World

Baby gulls and their parents, harbour at Hamilton, Ontario

What a racket! And the closer I got the noisier they became. Even the young ones joined the fracas. 

My husband and I happened upon these guys and gals as we traveled north on the Queen Elizabeth Way (aka QEW), the major road from Niagara Falls to Toronto.  The food must be abundant here under the bridge (which you can't see) that spans the entrance to the Lake Ontario harbour between Hamilton and Burlington.

Just a hint of how many gulls were screeching and screaming

Apparently, gulls believe in rearing their young in HUGE communities.

Visit My World Tuesday  HERE to see tons of photos from around the world.

Horse Chestnut Tree/ Today's Flowers

Horse Chestnut blossoms (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Last week the local horse chestnut blossoms were spectacular! Unfortunately, four days of high heat did them in for this year.

Squirrels love the nuts, sometimes known as conkers. However they are non-edible for humans.

A closer view of the blossoms

Unfortunately it was a windy day, so the blossoms are not as clear as I would like. When I went back to take a better shot, the blossoms had faded with the heat!

If you love flowers -- and who doesn't - check out Today's Flowers at http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

White Boat/ SOOC

On Lake of Bays, Ontario

Another photo taken on Mother's Day, which we spent enjoying the scenery around Lake of Bays.

  To see more photos Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) visit Jan at http://www.murrieta365.com

Horsing Around/ Camera Critters

Enjoying hay under a blue sky

  To join in the Camera Critter fun, visit Misty Dawn's site at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

Last Weekend/ Weekend Reflections

A Kayak, a canoe and a long weekend

It was kind of quiet LAST weekend around this pond BUT I bet lots will be going on THIS weekend. Happy Memorial Day to everyone in the U.S.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, click HERE! 

Hole in the Clouds/ Sky Watch

Sun shining like a spotlight onto field

Notice there are thick fluffy clouds everywhere  except for one big hole where the sun shone through creating  a circle of light on the farm field in the lower left.

  To see tons of gorgeous skies from around the world, visit the Sky Watch Website and click on the thumbnail photos: http://skyley.blogspot.com

Walk in the Forest 2/ Nature Notes

Forest last week

Seen in the forest last week starting with the largest square and moving clockwise: white baneberry,  young pine cone on branch, forget-me-nots, young spruce needles, wild strawberry blossom, and Canada violet.

If you are interested in seeing more Nature Notes,  please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods by clicking  HERE.

Lighthouse/ Window Views

Window on ground floor of Fort Niagara Light, Youngstown, NY

This window is on the front face of an grey stone octagonal tower, 61 feet tall.

Lighthouse tower

To see the entire tower (in sepia), click HERE.

See more Window Views...and Doors Too... by clicking HERE.

Swan Family/ Watery Wednesday

Papa Swan

Peeking through the cattails, my lens captured Papa, who looks like he was admiring his reflection but was actually about to plunge his head into the water to eat some yummy algae.

Mama Swan and five cygnets

Mama sensed I was behind the cattails so decided to take the rest of the family further down the creek.

   You can find more photos celebrating Watery Wednesday at http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com

 

Holland Marsh/ My World

Holland Marsh, May 23, 2010

This is a holiday weekend in Ontario - Victoria Day is today - a weekend when many of us travel to visit relatives in distant places.  My husband and I were away too,  and returning late yesterday I was struck by the flatness of the Holland Marsh, sometimes referred to as Ontario's "vegetable patch" because of it's rich muck soil.

The Holland Marsh is farmland located 50 kilometers north of Toronto, an area that was drained in the late 1920's and first worked by 18 families from the Netherlands.  That sounds like the reason this farmland is called the Holland Marsh...but it's not. The area takes it's name from an early land surveyor named Samuel Holland.

NOT the Holland Marsh

In contrast, much of the area that surrounds the marsh is hilly with farms that grow wheat, field corn, other grains and potatoes.

Yes, the Holland Marsh

Today, the produce grown on the Holland Marsh include carrots, lettuce, cabbage, celery, beets, cauliflower, and some Asian vegetables. And tomatoes, cucumbers and commercial flowers grow inside greenhouses.

Visit My World Tuesday  HERE to see tons of photos from around the world.

Male Mosquito/ Macro Monday

This guy's body is twisted slightly and at first I thought he was dead. But afte I took a few photos, he flew away.


  To see more macro shots visit Lisa's Chaos at http://lisaschaos.com

Coral Bells/ Today's Flowers

Heuchera sanguinea (also known as coral bells)

Tiny long-lasting bells that bloom all summer when the spent blossoms are cut.

These lovely blossoms attract butterflies, hummingbirds and...ME!

If you love flowers -- and who doesn't - check out Today's Flowers at http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

Sandpiper/ Camera Critters, SOOC

Lesser Yellowlegs Sandpiper

  To join in the Camera Critter fun, visit Misty Dawn's site at http://camera-critters.blogspot.com

  To see more photos Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) visit Jan at http://www.murrieta365.com

Cattails/ Weekend Reflections

Last year's cattails reflected

Still water and lovely light!

To enjoy reflections from around the world, click HERE! 

Last Evening/ Sky Watch

Wednesday evening sunset

Near the end of a busy day! Out of the picture and to the left, the farmer who owns these barns was still on his tractor planting seeds and and raising trails of dust.



  To see tons of gorgeous skies from around the world, visit the Sky Watch Website and click on the tumbnail photos: http://skyley.blogspot.com

Trompe d'oeil/ Window Views

Real and Make-believe, Baysville, Ontario

Windows didn't deter an artist from painting a mural on the side of this house!

See more Window Views...and Doors Too... by clicking HERE.

Muskrat/ Watery Wednesday

A muskrat dragging some greenery back to its abode

I'm not sure if the foliage is food or something fresh to line the muskrat's home, but the muskrat was on a mission and didn't notice me or my camera. The muskrat lives in a den just beneath the branches you see here.

   You can find more photos celebrating Watery Wednesday at http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com

 

Tom Thompson/ My World

Bronze statue of Tom Thompson, Huntsville, Ontario

The plaque beneath this statue reads:

To the memory of Tom Thompson

1877 - 1917

An artist, woodsman, guide and dreamer

whose brilliant vision defined the Canadian wilderness and

captured the majesty and many colourful moods of Algonquin Park.

Thompson has become more famous after his death than when alive and now his paintings fetch big prices whenever they are sold.

Added later after 12 comments:  Here's a Website where you can see some of Thompson's paintings: HERE

Visit My World Tuesday  HERE to see tons of photos from around the world.

Sweet Nectar/ Macro Monday

Ants enjoying nectar that gathers on the outside of peony buds

  To see more macro shots visit Lisa's Chaos at http://lisaschaos.com

Provincial Flower/ Today's Flowers

Trillium bloom in Ontario's hardwood forests in April and May

In 1937, Ontario adopted trillium as it's official flower.  The name "trillium" came from the prefix "tri" meaning three, as each blossom has three petals and each plant has three leaves.

The blossom is associated with peace and hope.

If you love flowers -- and who doesn't - check out Today's Flowers at http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

Boat on Lake of Bays/ SOOC

Lake of Bays, Ontario

Another shot from last Sunday! It was a chilly but lovely day.

  To see more photos Straight Out Of the Camera (SOOC) visit Jan at http://www.murrieta365.com