More Dramatic Clouds
Posted: July 20, 2013 Filed under: Ontario, Sky, Toronto | Tags: clouds, full force, Lake Ontario, lightning, southern Ontario, southwestern quebec, Storm, storms, Toronto Leave a comment
Sky over Toronto looking south from a little east of downtown, evening July 19, 2013
We didn’t get the full force of the storms that other parts of southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec got last night, but we had quite the show of amazing clouds. And there was much lightning to the south, perhaps across or over Lake Ontario.
The Heat Wave Has Broken
Posted: July 19, 2013 Filed under: Sky, Toronto | Tags: clouds, heat wave, nature, thunder storms, Toronto Leave a comment
An end to the heat wave–clouds over Toronto, July 19, 2013
We’ve had days of extreme heat, by Toronto standards, and humidity. Up around 34 or 35 Celsius with great humidity making it feel in the 40s. Earlier this evening, thunder storms brought us cooler weather and it looks like the storms are still brewing.
To and From Virginia
Posted: April 30, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: clouds, cloudscapes, flights, nature, sky, Virginia Leave a commentLast week I travelled to central Virginia where redbuds and dogwoods were in bloom. I’ll post some of my recollections and images soon. Meanwhile, here’s some of the cloudscapes I saw on the flights I took.
Clouds on a flight to Virginia, April 2013
Clouds on the return flight from Virginia, April 2013
Political Drama, Sombre Thoughts & Ordinary Beauty
Posted: November 29, 2012 Filed under: Animal Life, Plant Life, Toronto | Tags: beauty, Canada, clouds, natural world, nature, Ontario, pigeons, politics, sky, Toronto, trees Leave a comment
Toronto–Cloud and Trees, November 2012
Earlier this week in Toronto, our mayor was ordered out of office by a judge who found him guilty of conflict of interest. The mayor is going to appeal the decision, so we’ll see what next unfolds in this political drama.
Late Afternoon Moon, Toronto, November 2012
Out on my rambles, I contemplate political turmoil and photograph the sky, the patterns of the bare branches, the late fall gardens and pigeons in flight. Often my thoughts turn to the times we live in, where so much of the natural world is in peril, threatening all our health and lives. Both the wonder and the terribleness of life are present every day. As much as I can, I like to be open to ordinary beauty, while not denying that the peril exists.
Today, I’m including photos I’ve taken both in recent weeks and earlier this week. And, after lunch, I’ll be out on a walk again.
Pigeons in Flight, Downtown Toronto, Nov. 2012
After Sandy in Toronto
Posted: October 31, 2012 Filed under: Toronto | Tags: Canada, clouds, downtown, hurricane, Sandy, superstorm, Toronto Leave a comment
Dramatic Clouds after Sandy in Toronto, Oct. 31/12, looking southwest from a bit east of central Toronto
Dramatic clouds are over Toronto this morning and more rain is forecast. We didn’t get the extreme storm that the northeast United States did. By the time it arrived here, I heard it being called a tropical storm and a superstorm. What we did receive were winds gusting to 100 km an hour on Monday night along with heavy rain. Trees were brought down and people were without power. Here’s a few photos looking southwest towards downtown from a bit east of central Toronto.
Dark clouds over Toronto after Sandy, Oct. 31/12.
After Sandy in Toronto, Oct. 31/12, looking south toward downtown.
Dramatic clouds after Sandy in Toronto, Oct. 31/12
Takakkaw Falls
Posted: October 29, 2012 Filed under: Canadian Rockies, Plant Life, Water | Tags: beauty, British Columbia, Canada, Canadian Rockies, clouds, conifers, Laughing Falls, mountains, nature, raven, Takakkaw Falls, trees, woods, Yoho National Park, Yoho River Leave a comment
Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, September 2012
On our September trip to the Rocky Mountains, we travelled from Banff National Park west to Yoho National Park in British Columbia along the border with Alberta. There we spent our first afternoon at Takakkaw Falls and a nearby trail. The day was cool and cloudy as we drove up the winding road to the falls. I loved the views on this road in the midst of steeply rising mountains. The driving, however, was sometimes hair raising with an extreme switchback where we stopped and watched an RV passenger in front of us out on the road, directing the driver as he or she backed up toward the edge of a cliff before being able to make the turn. It’s not surprising that this road is open only from late June to early October. I have no idea how the tour buses made it up there.
Raven on Car at Takakkaw Falls Parking Lot, Sept. 2012
Takakkaw Falls, Sept. 2012
At the falls, although there were many of us tourists, it was easy to take in the beauty. In addition to the dramatic waterfall which cascades around 380 metres, we saw nearby mountains partially concealed in moving clouds.
Mountain with clouds seen from Takakkaw Falls, Sept. 2012
Soon we set off for a walk on a trail heading towards Laughing Falls. It was getting late in the day and so we hiked out and back for an hour or so and didn’t set a goal of getting to the falls. This was an easy, level walk, very quiet, past now empty camp sites by Yoho River and woods.
Woods near Takakkaw Falls on Laughing Falls Trail, Sept. 2012
On returning I enjoyed seeing Takakkaw Falls come into view from afar. Here I had a long view of the mountains and could see first a touch of spray, then gradually more and more of the cascading water as we walked further along.
Takakkaw Falls seen in the Distance from Laughing Falls trail, Sept. 2012
Takakkaw Falls seen while returning on hiking trail, Sept. 2012
We had a most enjoyable afternoon in this rugged landscape. Returning in the clear cool moist air, the woods, river and rock held us, opening onto distant deep blue mountains in white cloud, rock walls of burnt orange and blue, deep green narrow triangles of gathered conifers and cascading water.
Mountain in Clouds seen near Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park, Sept. 2012
Mountains, clouds, and river seen near Takakkaw Falls in Sept. 2012
Mountains in Clouds seen near Takakkaw Falls, Sept. 2012
of humans and nature 
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