Construction/ Theme Day

Repairing a bridge

This month's City Daily Photo challenge: Under Construction

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Windsurfing/ Watery Wednesday

Windsurfing on Lake Ontario

Powered by the wind, this guy was heading for shore when I first noticed him all alone out on th lake on a Sunday afternoon.

Windsurfing (also called water boarding) is a cross between sailing and surfing. Skilled windsurfers can perform free-style moves such as jumps, spinning maneuvers, and inverted loops.  But this windsurfer was more of a beginner.

Hanging on...

Windsurfing has a steep learning curve and

OOPS!

...beginners spend a lot of time in the water.

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

Lilac Festival/ My World

Lilacs at side of a country road, East Gwillimbury

Wild lilacs are blooming NOW. Aren't they lovely? Lilacs were brought from Europe by early settlers and are now naturalized along many country roads. Wild and wonderful.

I also appreciate cultivated varieties, and while visiting relatives in Rochester, New York last week, I visited the Rochester Lilac Festival.

Highland Park, Rochester, New York, U.S.A.

We walked along the side of the hill in Highland Park and viewed many of the more than 500 varieties of lilacs planted there.

Banners lined the road outside the park

The festival had officially closed the day before, but the banners were still up and many of the lilacs still beautiful, a few still in bud almost ready to bloom.

 White lilacs with large florets

Signs on or near many lilacs identified the various varieties

A lovely pink variety not yet in full bloom

I am linking to My World.

Sweet Violet/ Macro Monday

Sweet violet (Viola odorata) that has invaded my garden

I don't mind violets growing in my lawn...but I try to keep them out of my gardens where they might crowd out other plants.

To see more macro shots visit  MACRO MONDAY at Lisa's Chaos.

Swan/ Scenic Sunday

Mute swan in lumberyard pond, Stouffville, Ontario

To see more scenic photos visit  SCENIC SUNDAY. 

Reflecting at Fairy Lake/ SOOC

Fairy Lake, Newmarket

To see more photos straight out of the camera, visit Jan's  SOOC at Murietta365.

Mergansers/ Camera Critters

Merganser mom and kids

How many ducklings do you see? I think I see fourteen.

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

River/ Weekend Reflection

Dull day but bright reflection

Last Sunday my husband and I were on our way to visit relatives in Upstate New York when we decided to take a short break...and LOOK what we found. Doesn't the reflection look like someone has scratched away some of the colour?

This river empties into Lake Ontario.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS at Newtown Area Photo.

Evening Drama/ Sky Watch

Moody Sunset over Lake Scugog

From my archives as this week the skies have been quite dreary over Ontario.

To see tons of beautiful skies from around the world, visit  Sky Watch

F/ Alphabe-Thursday

FLUFFY clouds over FRANKLIN Pond, East Gwillimbury

FRANKLIN Pond is a FUN place to FISH, or at least it must be as it's owned by a private club (The FRANKLIN Cub) and is stocked with rainbow and speckled trout "a FLY-FISHER'S dream."

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

Ontario's Official Flower/ Nature Notes

White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) in various stages of bloom

Ontario's flower blooms in forests across the Province of Ontario in April and May.

The past few posts have been on automatic post as I have been away from blogging.  I hope to catch up with you all soon!

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Moving Out/ Watery Wednesday

Lake Scugog at Sunset

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

Canada Post Mural/ My World

Mural on the post office, Midland, Ontario

Downtown Midland boasts outstanding murals on many of its buildings including its post office. I LOVE this one depicting the old post office with the Midland postmark. Artist Fred Lenz painted this mural and 33 others on Midland buildings, a few of which I have also photographed and a few more I want to go back and find.

I am linking to My World.

Apple Blossoms/ Macro Monday

Apple blossom

Take a deep breath and take in the aroma. Mmmmm.

Many blossoms

To see more macro shots visit  MACRO MONDAY at Lisa's Chaos.

Duck Under the Bridge/ Scenic Sunday

Friday evening at the East Holland River

To see more scenic photos visit  SCENIC SUNDAY. 

Vintage Home/ SOOC

An older home on an older street

Just north of Toronto, Markham is a town where vintage homes are taken care of with pride.

To see more photos straight out of the camera, visit Jan's  SOOC at Murietta365.

Bugs B's Friend/ Camera Critters

Who are you looking at?

This bunny is hungry for clover.

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

Quality Time/ Weekend Reflections

Father and son up the creek WITH a paddle

In fact, they are up the creek with TWO paddles and it looks like they are having fun.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS at Newtown Area Photo.

Crimson Cloud/ Sky Watch

Amazing red clouds over the village of Mount Albert (East Gwillimbury)

Most of the sky was not at all dramatic,  but where the sun was going down the clouds turned a brilliant crimson.
To see tons of beautiful skies from around the world, visit  Sky Watch

E/ Alphabe-Thursday

See no EVIL, hear no EVIL. say no EVIL

I took this photo while visiting an East Gwillimbury garden where these monkeys were positioned on rocks beside a fountain. Oh how I wish I could be as wise as these monkeys!

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

May Garden/ Nature Notes

Blossoms currently blooming in my gardens

Largest square: white primulas. Working clockwise: pink Grecian windflower, purple pasque flowers, pink pasque flowers, yellow primulas and blue Grecian windflower.

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Snake Island/ Watery Wednesday

Snake Island, Georgina, Ontario

Sunset is a beautiful time of day to visit Lake Simcoe. I have taken photos of this island before, part ot the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, but I think from a slightly different angle.  

By the way, the island is named after Chippewa Chief  Joseph Snake...not because there are a lot of snakes on the island.

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

Two Sculptures/ My World

Inukshuk, Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket

This inukshuk was constructed in 2002 by two Inuit students - Luke Ayaligak and Juanisi Jaw - from Nunavut (Canada's northeastern territory) to commemorate their visit.

Inukshuk: a stone structure in the shape of a person used by the Inuit to mark a location

"Eternal Peace", Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket

Sculptor Brett Davis created this piece bought for this park by several companies and given to the town of Newmarket in 2001.

Closeup of "Eternal Peace" as seen from the other side

I am linking to My World.

Tulipa Tarda/ Macro Monday

Species tulips: Tulipa Tarda

I'm very fond of these diminutive tulips! Unfortunately my neighbourhood squirrels like them too. Good eating, they think!

Clump of Tulipa tarda

To see more macro shots visit  MACRO MONDAY at Lisa's Chaos.

Fisher on Franklin/ Scenic Sunday

Franklin Pond at a private club in East Gwillimbury

To see more scenic photos visit  SCENIC SUNDAY. 

East Holland River/ SOOC

Goose standing on a rock in the middle of the East Holland River, Newmarket, Ontario

These Canada geese were enjoying a warm, sunny day at the park.

To see more photos straight out of the camera, visit Jan's  SOOC at Murietta365.

Mother Goose/ Camera Critters

Mama goose sitting on her eggs

I was standing on a bridge looking at the creek and greening vegetation below. The goose was staring up at me, not moving a muscle.

Another view of the mama goose

In the upper left-hand corner you can see a bit of the creek where mama and papa will take their goslings for their first swim.

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

Fairy Lake/ Weekend Reflections

One of many pedestrian bridges at Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket, Ontario

Late in the day last Sunday, the light was great for reflections.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James' WEEKEND REFLECTIONS at Newtown Area Photo.

Before the Buds Popped/ Sky Watch

Sunset over East Gwillimbury

Taken last week and already the trees look different as the swollen leaf buds in this photo are now opening into flowers and leaves.
To see tons of beautiful skies from around the world, visit  Sky Watch

D/ Alphabe-Thursday

DELIGHTFULLY Whimsical DESIGN #1: hat

I hope you have a good sense of humour today so you can enjoy these DELIGHTFULLY DISTINCTIVE whimsical DESIGNS made of natural materials, part of the Milne House Garden Club art show last week at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
 
DECORATIVE and DRAMATIC, this hat is made of bleached palm bark, and DRIED aspidistra.

DELIGHTFULLY Whimsical DESIGN #2: purse

Perfect for just about any DIGNIFIED occasion,  this DIVINE purse is made of reed, aspidistra leaves, eucalyptus and a peacock feather.

DELIGHTFULLY Whimsical DESIGN #3: wig

Sometimes my hair feels like straw but never quite like this. Yep, this elegant wig is indeed made of straw and a broom! Isn't it a DOOZIE?

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

Walk in the Woods/ Nature Notes

Spring Wildflowers,  East Gwillimbury, Ontario

Spring is busting out all over East Gwillimbury. This is a great time to walk in the local woods...before those pesky mosquitoes and black flies appear!

In the largest square, a trout lily (Erythronium americanum) nods shyly at its many companions blooming on the forest floor.  Moving clockwise: flowers on a Manitoba maple (Acer negundo) - also known as a box elder in the U.S. - is NOT my favourite tree.  It's a troublesome weed in my gardens but I have to admit the flowers are interesting.

Next, the flower of wild ginger (Asarum canadense) hides under its leaf, which I uncovered to take this photo. Red trillium (Trillium erectum) are blooming in small clusters, attracting flies and bugs. Red trillium are also known as stinking Benjamin because they supposedly smell like rotten meat. I have never sniffed one so I don't know that from personal experience.

Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) are nearing the end of their blooming season and I was hard pressed to find a few blossoms in pristine condition. In contrast, the may apple (Podophyllum peltatum) has just sprouted and is forming a bud. I'll have to return to take a photo of its flower.

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Fairy Lake Park/ Watery Wednesday

Fairy Lake Park, Newmarket, Ontario

Fairy Lake is man made, created in 1801 by a dam on the East Holland River. Originally Fairy Lake was a mill pond but now it's part of a public park with hiking trails, pavilions, picnic tables, and washrooms.

I took the photo because  I was intrigued by the reflection of the bank and tree trunks in the river, but you can also see the reflection of the bridge obscured by the tree branches.

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

Heritage Homes/ My World

Jonathan Irving Calvert House, Markham, Ontario, CANADA

Built of buff brick with red details, this home is NOT in its original location.  This house - along with 41 other heritage homes - has been moved to a special subdivision called Markham Heritage Estates (about half an hour south of East Gwillimbury).

David Leek Sr. House, an example of Second Empire style

Markham Heritage Estate is a "subdivision of last resort" for historical buildings in the Town of Markham that must be moved for such reasons as the construction of a superhighway, road widening, or storm water management facilities.

The David Leek Sr. House is one of only a few Second Empire-style homes left in the Town of Markham today.

Moving the David Leek Sr. House to its new location

Instead of demolishing heritage homes, the Town of Markham offered the sale of lots in this subdivision at lower-than-market value rates, providing incentive for the owners of qualifying buildings to arrange for relocation.

John Jacob Lunau House

Current owners are required to restore the homes accurately. Recently added to this Georgian Cottage-style house, the verandah and Gothic window are based on a historic photograph.

John Jacob Lunau House on its original lot

Originally built of unburned clay brick (soft and doesn't weather well), this house was later covered with wood siding.

Thomas Cameron House

The Thomas Cameron House  is an example of a workers cottage with Gothic Revival influences. Period landscaping is also encouraged.

I am linking to My World.