Takeaway "Store"

Takeaway specializing in fish (& chips?)

August 1st is City Daily Blogger's Theme Day and the theme this month is "Takeaway Store."

Okay, not really a store here but the fisher is hoping to takeaway at least one fish currently "stored" in that water, right?

Takeaway specializing in a sugary beverage

This cute juvenile hummingbird is about to takeaway sugar water stored in the feeder.

Takeaway specializing in incredibly delicious chicken wings

AH! A real store and the takeaway is delish!

I am linking to City Daily Photo Theme Days  HERE

Cedar Fence

Mourning Doves on Fence

This fence is above a sand bake where bank swallows make their homes. I was hoping to photograph swallows on the fence but it was a tad windy and there were no swallows in sight. I could HEAR them but not see them. These doves were out on the fence though.

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

K/Alphabe-Thursday

 

 What kid doesn't love to make, chase or burst bubbles?

K is for KIDS.

Isn't she adorable?

 These kids like to swim together

If Mom were there they'd likely be swimming in line, don't you think?

An Osprey family portrait

Who does this kid resemble most, Mom or Dad?

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

Double-crested Cormorants

 Double-crested Cormorant  (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Expert fishers, Double-crested Cormorants are a fairly common sight  on the north side of Lake Ontario this time of year.

 Soaking up some sunshine

Supposedly they do not winter on the Great Lakes but I saw a few in Hamilton, Ontario last year where they stayed out our nastiest winter in many years.

 Coming up after a dive

Drying off

Added later: The double-crest is visible on adults only during breeding season.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Sailing on Lake Ontario

 Learning to tack

It's July one way to keep cool is to sail.

 Sailing just beyond the harbour

The sailboats  look so tiny in the distance.

 A closer look

 Some sails are colourful!

A few water lovers enjoy the harbour without sails.

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

End of July

 Canada Thistle  seed heads

Yikes! Can it be nearly August already?

 Mid Summer at one of my favourite marshes

Largest square: Female mallard and painted turtle. Moving clockwise: Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus servicea) berries, Evening Primrose (Onagraceae biennis), wild monarda (Monarda fistulosa) and Tansy (Tanecetum vulgare)

Ditch lilies growing amongst Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) seedheads

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Hollyhocks

 

 Macro of hollyhock

These are hollyhock days in my gardens. I live in a century home (older than 100 years old), so hollyhocks seem appropriate in my gardens.

Dark red

Many years ago I planted seeds for "black" hollyhocks. Truth be told, they were very dark red, not black.

Dark pink

Hollyhocks are biennials. But hollyhocks keep coming because they produce  many, many seeds.

Red hollyhock

Most of my plants this year are either red or pink.

I am linking to Today's Flowers HERE.

I am linking to I Heart Macro HERE.

Deer

 Deer on the trail

I was walking a trail looking for...whatever, when this pretty doe walked down the trail from the opposite direction.

 Greens for lunch

She was distracted by my presence for a few seconds and then decided I wasn't that interesting.

Hi there, CameraGirl

She didn't seem to care I was there but I kept my distance. Then she slowly walked off.

I am linking to Saturday Critters HERE.

Lake Simcoe

East side looking southerly in early morning

It was a slightly hazy morning but the sun had just broken through a few minutes before I took these photos.

 Closer view of boats

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

Greener There?

 Maybe the cattails really are greener there

Q. Why did the geese cross the road?
A. Probably for the same reason the chicken did.

I am linking to Good Fences HERE.

And I am linking to Rurality Bloghop Here.

J/Alphabe-Thursday

The Old Stone Jail, Beaverton

J is for JAIL.

It was a hot summer day when I visited this jail - part of the Beaver River Museum. Sadly the museum wasn't open the morning I was there, but I bet it was cool inside. Not so nice in winter on damp, winter days and nights, I'm sure, and the small fireplace inside  (I'm guessing because of the chimney) wouldn't have helped much. 

Front - and only - door

The stone walls look thick and the  door looks sturdy don't they?  A breakout would not be easy.

Three windows on each side, none on back

A stonemason from Scotland built the jail more than a century and a half ago during the late 1840s. This slice of history was rescued from demolition and moved to this museum spot in 1995.

Bars on windows

I'm thinking it's dark and gloomy in there.

I posted about this jail four years ago HERE.  Not much has changed since then except this time I took photos on a sunny day.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE 

Leucistic Dunlin

Leucistic Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

Most dunlins have black bellies and black legs, but this one is leucistic, which means it's feathers have reduced pigmentation. Yep, its feathers look bleached.

Dunlin: medium-sized sandpiper

Leucism is different from albinism, which affects all of a bird's colours, including its eyes making them pink or red. This Dunlin has brown eyes and orange feet and bill.

Hunting for yummy treats

Most Dunlins that fly through Ontario are still up north on the western shores of Hudson's Bay. This brave soul is spending time alone on Lake Ontario.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

Wheels

 Lawn ornament

This old carriage is looking a tad worn but looks stunning on this side lawn just the same. It may be an Amish or Mennonite buggy as some live in the area where this photo was taken.

 Good for a ride?

The bike needs some TLC but otherwise it looks like it could still be used. One speed, though!

Antiques and collectibles

In celebration of the old and wonderful "stuff", I  am connecting to Rubbish Tuesday HERE.
More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Mid July

Male Red-winged Blackbird

The marshes here are alive with red-winged blackbirds guarding their territories.

In the wild

Nature is looking very festive!

 Female Red-winged Blackbird

This red-winged female looks like she's flirting, don't you think?

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Ever since I was a kid on a trip with my grandparents, I've felt excited when I see a patch of this orange milkweed. Probably not as excited as a monarch butterfly who needs milkweeed (any kind) to lay her eggs on, as it's the only plant her caterpillars can eat. But...

 Bee on Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

maybe as excited as this bee who loves the plant's nectar.

Growing in the wild

The first Butterfly Weed I ever saw was growing in the wild. Now I love it so much that I do have it growing a my side yard garden.

I am linking to Today's Flowers HERE.

I am linking to I Heart Macro HERE.

Looking For Fun

 Youngster ready for some action

 Want to play?

OOPS!

Hmmm. I guess not.

I am linking to Saturday Critters HERE.

Sailboat Masts

Frenchman's Bay, Pickering

The photo above was taken this year on a mostly overcast weekday when most of the boats were docked, waiting for weekend fun.

Barrie

The second photo is from my archives.

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