Silhouettes/Theme Day

Out on a breakwater, Lake Simcoe

It's October and City Daily Photo Theme Day celebrates SILHOUETTES.

Canada geese on Lake Simcoe

I am linking to CDPB Theme Day.

Cottage Country/Sunday Best

 Rosseau River

Some places I can return to over and over and never get tired of taking photos there. This is one of them. Yesterday - Friday - my husband and I traveled north to Toronto's Cottage Country where it was a mostly overcast, but the sun peeked through now and then.

Closer view

I am linking to Your Sunday Best at A Rural Journal

Bonaparte's Gull/Camera Critters

 Bonaparte's gull, landing

Until I started birding, I had no idea how many different varieties of gulls there are right here in Ontario.  This gull is nothing like the noisy, bossy ring-billed gulls most commonly found along the shore of Lake Ontario. Usually these gulls are well mannered and quiet unless they spy a yummy school of fish.

 Landed

Bonaparte's gulls are now migrating southward to the Atlantic coast. If the winter is mild, however, some will remain on the north side of Lakes Ontario and Erie.

Closeup of Bonaparte's gull in winter dress

To see many more critters, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

At Sunset/Weekend Reflections

Looking northeasterly at sunset, Lake Simcoe

This photo was taken a while ago during the warm summer months. I love how the  setting sun has turned the boat and dock shades of coral. And the best part?  The boat and dock are reflected in the lake.

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

Yellowing Fields/Rural Thursday

Sunshine peeking through the clouds onto this farm

Last weekend the sun was was playing peekaboo. I love how the light has coloured the rusty roof, trees and cattails.

A longer view

As you can tell, the sun was behind the clouds when I took this photo.

I am linking to

Rural Thursday

S/Alphabe-Thursday

 Lake Simcoe

S is for SEPTEMBER SUNDAY STROLL on Lake SIMCOE SHORE

Lake Simcoe is a large lake just north of East Gwillimbury. It's approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) long and 25 kilometres (16 miles) wide, and it is one of my favourite places to explore and take photos.

 East Gwillimbury (the pink area) in relation to Lake Simcoe

Further down the shore

As you can see, it now looks very much like sutumn here.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

American Wigeon/Wild Bird

 American wigeon, Lake Scugog

Although it's said that American wigeons spend much of their time on land, so far I have only seen them in water - in shallow ponds and lakes. In spring, the male has a green swipe that runs from its neck to it's eye but, unfortunately, the only photo I have is fuzzy and was taken from too far away.

 Following the leader?

Last Sunday, a small flock moved fairly close into shore so I was able to take some better photos.  A few American wigeons remain in Ontario year-round, hugging the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie. But most will travel southeasterly to the states along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S..

Stopping for a photo op?

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Colours of Autumn/Nature Notes

 Highbush cranberries

The trees in East Grillimbury are still mostly green, although a few have contrasting reds, oranges and yellows. Wildflowers and berries are still the showstoppers.

 Wild asters, not sure which kind

An overcast day dulls the colours...but not by much

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Metallic Heron/Our World

 Winged blue heron, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario

This heron was created by local sculptor George Holancin. Making  sculptures from discarded metal scraps and machinery is Holancin's way of minimizing waste. He envisions birds and animals when he comes upon hay rakes and obsolete plows tangled in weeds and nestled in wooded areas.

Small garden on major road into town

Part of a fountain, the base and impeller are cast iron and original components of one of two drainage pumps that in 1928 drained the Holland Marsh (now rich farmland that lies in Bradford West Gwillimbury, King Township and East Gwillimbuty).

In 2006, this piece won Top Honours for Floral Display for that year's province-wide Communities in Bloom contest.

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

Obedient Plant/Sunday Best

Obedient Plant (Physotegia)

One of the latest bloomers in my gardens and much appreciated this time of year when most plants are fading or have faded.

I am linking to Your Sunday Best at A Rural Journal

Beach Bunny/Camera Critters

Wild beach bunny

This bunny lives very close to the north side of Lake Ontario, a real "beach bunny."  It  must be used to seeing people as it seemed to be quite relaxed while I took photos of it.

To see many more critters, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

Vintage/Weekend Reflections

East Gwillimbury Civic Centre reflected in shiny vintage car

Vintage vehicles meet behind the EG Civic Centre most Saturday nights during the summer months.

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

Shopping By Boat/Rural Thursday

Returning with groceries

This shopper needed the boat to get groceries. I guess her husband or kids had the car.

I am linking to

Rural Thursday

R/Alphabe-Thursday

 Recumbent bicycle

R is for RECUMBENT

The day I took this photo I had never seen a recumbent bike before.  Funny, but since then I have seen many. Apparently there are more than 200 different models to choose from! Some are designed more for comfort, others for performance.

As you can see, this recumbent rider sits in a laid-back position so that his body is supported by his back as well as his buttocks. I read somewhere that the seats are the equivalent of high-end office chairs. And now - for some strange reason - my mind is picturing a room full of board members facing the centre and peddling stationary recumbent bikes. Hmmm.

Off he goes

So far, I'm pleased to report, I have not seen anyone peddling a recumbent while on their cellphone or computer.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

Pied-billed Grebes/Wild Birds

 Pied-billed grebe adult and juvenile

The first two photos were taken in late July. Pied-billed grebes tend to be shy, but my husband and I arrived early at this marsh where many grebe families were out and about.  We sneaked around behind tall cattails, which worked for a while.

 Head up

OOPS! The adult detetected our presence and both dove into the water. Their feet are not webbed. Instead,  they have lobes on the sides of each toe which make it easy for them to paddle. Pied-bill grebes rarely fly and, when they do, they usually do so at night.

Adults are  31 to 38 centimetres (12 to 15 inches) in length. Their brown colour makes it easy for them to hide among cattails. 

 Looking for grub

They feed mainly on aquatic invertebrates but sometimes dine on small fish and frogs.

Eating

I'm not sure what this grebe is eating here. Whatever it was,it was consumed very fast.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Approaching Fall/Nature Notes

 Juvenile ruby-throated hummingbird

OK, no ruby on this kid's throat that's true. Only adult males are allowed to wear rubies, this species, anyway.

 Waiting for its chance at a feeder

Apparently many of the ruby-throated adults have left for Central America already, but the juvies are still here duking it out for needed calories in order to follow their older relatives.

Last week of summer, officially

Since the hummingbird stayed long enough for me to take several photos, it deserves to be today's featured guest. Kinda cute, don't you think?

Meanwhile here in Ontario, a few autumn wildflowers continue to bloom along the roadsides.  Moving clockwise: purple New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). pink New England asters (I think); spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). smartweed (Polygonum) and yarrow (Achillea) .


Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Tourist Season/Our World

 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Tourists from all over the world flock to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a lovely town on the Niagara River just a hop, skip and a jump from Niagara Falls and right across the river from New York State.  My husband and I  stopped by for a short visit on our way home last week from the U.S.

 Sidewalks festooned with flowers

 Festive and welcoming, the many containers were filled to the brim with well-maintained flowering plants. It was a pleasure to walk along the main street with a camera.

 Street median

The town must have a large staff to water plants and remove dead blossoms.

 Horse andcarriage

When I took this photo, there were three horse and carriages lined up ready to take tourists for a 30- or 60-minute ride through town and a short way beyond.

On tour

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

Lake O/Sunday Best

 South side of Lake Ontario

A second view of Lake Ontario

I am linking to Your Sunday Best at A Rural Journal

Kiss Me/Camera Critters

Frog in the marsh

OK, everyone! We need a volunteer! We need someone to kiss this guy to find out if he's a prince. Or not.

To see many more critters, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

Yacht Club/Reflections

On the south side of Lake Ontario

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

Lonely/Rural Thursday

Summer's End

The pond looks kinda lonely with no one out fishing in the rowboat.

Cheer up, little rowboat! Weekend is coming!

I am linking to

Rural Thursday

Q/Alphabe-Thursday

 Brock Monument, Queenston Heights, Queesnston, Ontario

Q is for Queenston and QEW

Monday afternoon after a five-day stay in Upstate New York, my husband and I crossed the Queenston Bridge into Canada to connect with the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) to head towards home.

 Sir Isaac Brock Monument at top of hill

Queenston  is on the Canadian side of Niagara River and the spot where an important battle took place two centuries ago in 1812.

 Brock atop monument

Brock was the British Major General at the Battle of Queenston Heights, mortally wounded during the fighting.  His likeness now stands atop a 185-foot limestone column erected in 1856. Inside the column, 235 steps on a spiral staircase lead to the platform under the statue where the view is said to be spectacular, but you'll have to take Parks Canada's word for that because I stayed on terra firma and...

Looking across the Niagara River to the U.S.

looked across the river from behind a secure stone wall below the monument.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

On Tire/Wild Bird

 Great Blue Heron standing on old tire

This year I have seen many more great blue herons than I have ever seen before. I am sure you have seen many GBHs before...but what about GBHs standing on tires meant to keep boats from hitting a dock?

I'm not sure what this heron was thinking because it let me  get closer and closer. It wasn't until I turned around to walk away that it...

Great blue heron in the air

decided to fly away.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE