On a Warm Winter Day

Another discovery on my walk last week on a warmer than usual day: this wonderfully textured tree trunk.  

Tree trunk

Tree trunk, March 11/14, Toronto


A Past Winter Scene

Here’s a photograph I took in 2009 of birds, trees and the houses across a laneway. I think I’ve mentioned before that in winter when colours are more muted I look to the shapes of bare branches for beauty in the city.  

Toronto January 2009

From the window, January 2009, Toronto


Beaver Pond–Haliburton, Ontario

This past weekend we travelled to Haliburton county, to the northeast of Toronto.  We were eager to see the turning leaves which were intense even in the rain which accompanied us during most of the weekend.

This photo is of a beaver pond we saw on private land.  I am drawn to reflections in nature and loved the clear ones in this pond.  Because the scene was one of muted colours, I photographed it in black and white, which allowed me to focus on the design created by the mirror image.

Beaver Pond Reflections

Beaver Pond Reflections, Haliburton, October 2013


Cyprus Lake Trail

On the Cyprus Lake Trail

On the Cyprus Lake Trail, June 2013

On our second day at Bruce Peninsula National Park, we hiked 5.2 km around Cyprus Lake.  We went through woods by the water and I photographed many wild flowers that I’ll be posting soon.  The walking was easy and the day cool, great for a hike.

On the Cyprus Lake Trail

On the Cyprus Lake Trail in June 2013

On the Cyprus Lake Trail

On the Cyprus Lake Trail, June 2013

By the Cyprus Lake Trail

By the Cyprus Lake Trail a mallard has a cool drink, June 2013


Black Locust

Black Locust

Black locust blossoms, Toronto, June 2013

Last week, black locust trees were in bloom in Toronto.  Their sweet perfume filled the air at Todmorden Mills where I’d walked.  I love their profuse, cascading blossoms.

Black Locust

Black Locust tree in bloom, Todmorden Mills, June 2013


Ferns in the Wildflower Preserve

Fern

June 2013

I saw what I believe are ostrich ferns on a recent walk in the Wildflower Preserve at Todmorden Mills.  If I’ve misidentified the ferns, do let me know.  The day was moderate–around 18 degrees Celsius, with a mixture of sun and cloud.    The ferns seem very much at home in this moist forested area in the Don Valley in Toronto.  I find their shapes very beautiful.

Fern

June 2013

Fern

June 2013


Kortright Centre in Spring

Kortright May

By a stream at Kortright Centre for Conservation, May 2013

Last weekend I went to Kortright Centre for Conservation for a walk in the woods.  The day was cool and sunny—perfect weather for hiking in comfort.  The woods were a vibrant green, a little deeper in hue than the first yellow green of spring. 

Kortright May

Green Kortright, May 2013

Kortright May

Ferns by the stream at Kortright Centre, May 2013

I photographed the woods and stream in colour and when I wanted to emphasize patterns, I moved to black and white.

Kortright May

In the woods at Kortright Centre, May 2013

 As always, when I am at Kortright,  I felt a great sense of peacefulness to be in those welcoming woods, so close to Toronto and yet in a world so different.

Kortright May

At Kortright Centre, May 2013


At the Edge of the Brick Works

Brick Works

By the Brick Works, Toronto, May 16/13

Several days ago and today, Victoria Day in Canada, I went to one of my favourite haunts–the Evergreen Brick Works.  Sometimes the textures and shapes of the landscape call out to me to be photographed in black and white.  These were from wooded paths around the perimeter of the Brick Works, some of which lead to ravines that wind through the city.

Brick Works

Path just above the Brick Works, Victoria Day, 2013

Brick Works

Willow Tresses over a path above the Brick Works, Victoria Day 2013, Toronto