Artisans/CDP Theme Day

Victorian-style gingerbread trim over a porch

This month's City Daily Photo challenge: The Creative Artisan

Many homes in southern Ontario are made of red or yellow brick brick and some older ones are decorated with gingerbread trim. More often than not the trim looks quite stunning, although some is too ornate for my taste. I do find it charming on other people's houses, though.

The decorative trim emphasizes architectural features such as dormers, gables and porches. Even though it's an old-timey style, there are new subdivisions in the Greater Toronto Area (where I live) that feature gingerbread trim too.

Gingerbread trim over a gable

 Originally all gingerbread trim was handcrafted by artisans. It was a way for each homeowner to make their residence different from their neighbours. But now in those subdivisions that feature gingerbread, the homes look astonishingly the same because the decorative trim is mass-produced.

If you scour the Internet, though, you can still find a few small companies that take pride in craftmanship as well as promise service, quality and affordability.

I am linking to CDP  HERE

Eastern Phoebe/Wild Bird

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

Is that dental floss this phoebe has in it's mouth? Gotta love what birds find to build their nests with!

Another phoebe with a mouthful!

Apparently some phoebes have been back in Ontario for a month already so they must be fairly hardy songbirds. They are flycatchers so I've been wondering where they have been finding flies.

I LOVE the phoebe's song in spring and summer. As you can see here, they are comfortable about perching on fences. This phoebe was waiting for me to leave so it could work on its nest

 Secret nesting spot?

Don't worry little Phoebe. I'll never tell where your nest is.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Carden Alvar/My World/Nature Notes

 Creek running through the Carden Alvar

Yesterday my husband and I visited the Carden Alvar, a globally rare habitat for wildlife east of Lake Simcoe and about an hour northeast of where we live. An alvar is limestone or dolomite plain covered by a thin  layer of soil. We like to visit the area a few times a year to checkout what's happening there.

Muskrat out and about

What we discovered was lots of water. It's often  marshy there in spring...

 Fenceline along private property

and areas that are normally dry most of the year were mushy.  The properties are a mixture of private ranches (beef cattle) and land gradually being purchased to eventually become a provincial park.

 Marsh grasses have emerged

Here you can see last year's grass is giving way to this year's.

 Last year's oriole nest

The trees were in bud and will soon leaf out.

Bloodroot

And one of my favourite wildflowers was in boom.

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

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Juvenile Great Horned Owl

Juvenile great horned owl

Still a baby but it has fledged. Last time I saw this guy or gal it was still in its nest with its sibling and mom. Pop was in a nearby tree watching. On Friday when I took this photo, I didn't see mom or pop...but I'm pretty sure they were watching.

I am linking with I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

Sun Bathing/Top Shot

Painted turtle

The sun is behind a cloud but this bathing beauty still is enjoying the fresh air.

I am linking to Madge's Weekly Top Shot.

Humber Bay Park #2/Weekend Reflections

Taken from the walkway in yesterday's photo

Gotta love blue skies over mirror-like waters!

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

Humber Bay Park #1/Friday Fences

Taken from the bridge in tomorrow's photo

The above walkway is wonderful for getting a tad closer to the many wild ducks that spend time in this Toronto park during the winter months.

Even now you wouldn't want to fall into the water here. IT'S COLD!

FYI: Some of you who use Google+ have something turned on - or off - that makes it impossible for those of us without Google+ to comment on your blogs.  This makes me feel sad as I like to leave comments. :)

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

W/Alphabe-Thursday

Red-necked grebe

W is for WILD about WILD

For a bit more than a year I have been a birder, a person WILD about WILD birds. Who knew these creatures could be such an obsession?

Until recently I had never heard of, never mind seen, a red-necked grebe.  It's name is appropriate, don't you think? Last week this guy (or gal) was quite talkative!

Northern mockingbird

Speaking of talkative! Okay, actually sing-ative. This mockingbird was singing beautiful tunes. And what a repertoire! I'm just hoping the mockingbird is NOT looking at this blog and planning to sue me. This isn't the bird's most flattering pose - it's much more attractive in real life.

Western Grebe

If you live on the Canadian prairies, this is no big deal. But if you live in Ontario (as I do), everyone who loves birds wants to see and photograph this guy. It has been at  Sam Smith Park (Toronto) all winter long. I have gone to see it several times but until last week could only boast of seeing a speck through a kindhearted birder's scope.

Last week, my husband and I visited the park to see yellow-rumped warblers and whatever else might be there. And who should appear within reach of my camera's lens?  The elusive western grebe!  I wasn't even looking for it. Isn't that WILD?

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

I am also linking to Rurality Blog Hop HERE.

Ring-necked Ducks

Ring-necked ducks and reflection

These ring-necked ducks are out for an end-of-day swim.

Silly Goose/Our World

Clever or silly?

When I first saw this Canada goose sitting on this nest, I was sure she was a silly goose because...

Goose in tree

how did she think she was going to get her goslings to water? After all, baby ducks don't fly.

I happened to go back the next day, and it turns out this wasn't a nest after all. It was merely a resting place out of reach of possible predators. In fact, she could very well be a he.

So who was sillier: the goose or me?

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

Northern Flicker/Birding

Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus)

I was walking along an abandoned road  looking for birds when this northern flicker suddenly flew up from the ground into this tree.

Foraging for insects

Although it's a member of the woodpecker family, they spend a lot of time on the ground. 

Rear view

I am linking with I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

At Last/Top Shot

Whoo hoo! Crocuses are blooming in my gardens!
 

Chionodoxa

I am linking to Madge's Weekly Top Shot.

Leafless Limbs/Weekend Reflections

Nonquon Provincial Wildlife Area, Port Perry

Actually I was at the wildlife area to check out birds, but I discovered it was far to wet to walk there since I was not wearing boots. The water in the creek and swamp was high, and the the light waning. And then I spotted this incredible reflection. Although my feet got very wet, I was happy to find a subject I wanted to photograph..

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

Empty Docks/Friday Fences

Whitby Yacht Club

True, the fence is not obvious here but if you squint you can see it, preventing photographers gawkers from falling into the water.

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

V/Alphabe-Thursday

Vehicles: boats on the Trent-Severn Canal

V is for VEHICLES

For sure, all three photos in this set are from my archives. Today I need some colour!

Cars and trucks are the obvious vehicles we all use, but this post will feature three others.

The Trent-Severn Waterway isn't open yet this year but will be next month.

Vehicle: bike

Some people are out on their bikes now but not as many as there will be once the  temperature warms up.

Vehicle: wheelbarrow

And only a few wheelbarrows have been out working yet...but many will be out this week.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

I am also linking to Rurality Blog Hop HERE.

American Coot/Wild Bird

Public display of affection

If you went to a very strict school - as I did - you'll understand my shock get the joke about my capturing this "public display of affection."

These are two American coots (Fulica americana), proof that not every bird that swims is a duck. 

Swimming off to her nest?

Truth be told, I had never seen one out of the water before. The second photo in this set seems much more familiar.

Contemplating the future?

Apparently on land they look more like chickens than ducks, but these coots never let me see them walking around.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Freezing Rain/Our World

Birdhouse trimmed with icicles

Last Friday we woke up to a world coated with ice. Yep, it's April here just like where you live but it seems someone has forgotten to tell the weather people at Environment Canada. Enough already!

Birdfeeder

I honestly don't mind winter but it is time for spring!

Out on a limb

I have to admit the ice was pretty. Dangerous, but pretty.

Cultivated grass

And the ice lasted only a few hours.

Rose hip

Before I knew it, the ice had melted. But my camera and I captured a bit of the beauty first!
More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Cool Dude/Birding

Wild turkey walking a trail

When I first saw this dude, he looked like this. Then some female turkeys came along and...

Excited!

he looked like this. It must be spring.

I am linking with I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

Chipmunk/Top Shot

 Chipmunk out foraging

Last Monday the weather was warm, and this chippy was out and about looking for yummy treats. He was here, he was there, he was EVERYWHERE...excited about the spring weather.

Chipmunk returning home

The entrance to this guy's home was not very well hidden.

I am linking to Madge's Weekly Top Shot.
To see many more critters, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS 

Beaverton/Weekend Reflections

The harbour on Lake Simcoe at Beaverton, Ontario

Last weekend the ice was receding and fish-loving birds like great blue herons and belted kingfishers were moving in. Now we are hoping for a bit more sunshine.

As you can see, there's not much colour here yet. But I do have one lonely crocus blooming in my gardens - even though we did have snow flurries yesterday.

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

Second Floor/Friday fences

Fenced-in porch

This home has a white fence around its yard (which you cannot see) as well around the outside of it's second-storey porch.

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

U/Alphabe-Thursday

 Over and Under

U is for UNDER

Heaven is under our feet as well as well as over our heads.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Castle in the air

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundation under them.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Not  cool, calm and collected

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
~ Thomas Jefferson

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

I am also linking to Rurality Blog Hop HERE.

Great Blue Heron/Wild Bird

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), Beaverton on Lake Simcoe

There's still a lot of ice on Lake Simcoe but there are spots of open water. This heron has wasted no time returning to this lake so famous for great fishing.

Wind blown but concentrating on finding something tasty

The heron struck with such lightning speed that I missed it!

Swallowing something yummy

But here you can see it swallowing it's prey. Hmmm. Here it doesn't look quite as statuesque as it did in the first photo, but as soon as it finished swallowing, it returned to it's demure demeanor and then flew away.

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE