Candycane/Barn Charm

Uxbridge, Ontario

This photo reminds me of candy canes. I guess it's the stripes on the silos. Doesn't it have a Christmas feel with the green buildings and red roofs?

 I am linking to BARN CHARM at Trish's Bluff Area Daily.

Yamaha/Shadow Shots

 Yamaha on a sunny day #1

  Yamaha on a sunny day #2

 Yamaha on a sunny day #3

To see more shadows,  check out Shadow Shot Sunday

Time/My Town Shootout

 Cobourg, Ontario

I have a fascination with clock towers, so this post is a natural one for me.

Port Hope, Ontario

No one in either of these towns has a good excuse for not knowing what time it is. (Well, maybe they DO, but I'm one of those people who likes to be places on time.)


I am linking to MY Town Shoot Out

Bluebird Box/Friday Fences

Bluebird box on fence, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Driving along the back roads of Kawartha Lakes (and many other rural areas in Ontario) it's fairly common to see bluebird boxes hanging on fences next to farmers' fields.

Until a few years ago, bluebirds were in serious decline due to the use of pesticides and loss of habitat, in part caused by English sparrows and starlings that vie for the same cavities bluebirds like for raising families. The bluebird population in Southern and Central Ontario is now stable, and bluebird boxes in rural areas is cited as a major reason.

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

Murray Canal/Signs, Signs

Murray Canal sign holder

The Murray Canal cuts through a narrow strip of land that connects Prince Edward County to the north shore of Lake Ontario, linking the lake with the Bay of Quinte.

 Prince Edward County and the Bay of Quinte

The Murray Canal is at Carrying Place on the west side of the Bay of Quinte.

Another view of the sign holder

I am linking to Lesley at Sign, Signs HERE

O/ABC Wednesday

OFFICIAL ONTARIO flower: Trillium

Just in time for the letter O! At this moment, local deciduous woods are in bloom, filled with glorious wildflowers. And one of the stars is ONTARIO'S OFFICIAL provincial flower, the white trillium, known botanically as Trillium grandiflorum.

 Many trilliums celebrating their OFFICIAL status

Is it any wonder they are so beloved?

ABC Wednesday.

Overcast/Barn Charm

Under overcast skies

From my archives: the grass in this photo is actually greener than what I see out my window today. Also our trees are still bare. But the barn looks pretty much the same now as it did when I took this photo.

 I am linking to BARN CHARM at Trish's Bluff Area Daily.

Hills turning green under wispy skies

I'm linking to Scenic Sunday.

Planet Hollywood/Shadow Shot

 Niagara Fall, Ontario, Canada

This is a drive-by shot, sort of. Well, the car was moving in a slow-moving line. How slow? Would you believe 1 to 2 kilometres per hour?

A slightly different version of the same sign

To see more shadows,  check out Shadow Shot Sunday

Harbor/Friday Fences

Fence at the harbor in Rochester, New York

This is a great place to fish and/or watch sailboats. The orange chairs are empty now, but fishers were sitting in them just before I took this photo.

 Looking over the fence but the other way

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

N/ABC Wednesday

 Yellow and orange NARCISSUS

NARCISSUS is the name of a large group of flowers that includes daffodils, paperwhites and jonquils.

 White and orange NARCISSUSES or NARCISSI

One is a narcissus, two are narcissuses or narcissi. Personally. I like the term narcisissi because it's easier to say.

White and yellow NARCISSUS

ABC Wednesday.

Red Farm/Barn Charm

Red brightens the landscape

 I am linking to BARN CHARM at Trish's Bluff Area Daily.

Sailing/Scenic Sunday

Rochester, New York, U.S.A.

Last weekend we visited relatives in Upstate, New York, where sailors are already practicing for the boating season.

I'm linking to Scenic Sunday.

Dusty Porch/Shadow Shots

Front porch shadows

Walking along the main street of a small town on a sunny day, I couldn't resist taking photos of these shadows.

To see more shadows,  check out Shadow Shot Sunday

Historic/My Town Shoot Out

 Canadian National locomotive

This week's assignment: historic

This locomotive - more than a century old - resides at a train museum in Brighton, Ontario. I wrote about it HERE a few weeks ago on my other blog. But I didn't show the station...

Brighton Station, built in 1857

Of 34 stations on the Grand Trunk Railway line built between Toronto and Montreal, only nine are remaining. This one closed in 1962 because there was not enough passenger traffic. This is interesting to me since just behind this station are two sets of active railway tracks - much used! In fact, as I was taking photos what should come by but...

VIA Rail

a passenger train. Hmmmm.

Another nod to the past

Caboose - another relic

I am linking to MY Town Shoot Out

Forsythia/Friday Fences

Fence and forsythia

Last weekend, my husband and I were in Upstate New York where many shrubs and trees were blossoming beautifully.

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

Speeding?/Signs, Signs

Groundhog trying to avoid being shot (by my camera)

Was this groundhog speeding?

I took this photo in Upstate New York last weekend when we were on our way to visit relatives.

I am linking to Lesley at Sign, Signs HERE

M/ABC Wednesday

 MURAL: Creemore, Ontario

MURALS are abundant throughout central Ontario. And here's a sample.

 MURAL: Meaford, Ontario

MURAL: Shelburne, Ontario

ABC Wednesday.

Rickety/ Barn Charm

North of Pickering, Ontario

Sadly, another barn is crumbling.

 I am linking to BARN CHARM at Trish's Bluff Area Daily.

Hepatica

 Pink hepatica

 The local forests are beginning to bloom!

Last year I missed the wild hepatica growing in our local forest, so this year I was determined to see and photograph them.  Last Wednesday I lugged my camera into the woods but was sure I was too early. Nothing was in bloom until the path turned northerly. There facing the westerly sun were these beauties.

Closeup of pink hepatica

Happy Easter!

Robin in apple tree, early evening

I wish you all a joyous weekend and, for those who celebrate, a happy Easter. It's a long weekend here in Canada! YAY!

Sunset/Friday Fences

Farm fence at sunset

This is a bit on the dark side so I hope you can see the split-rail fence.

I am linking to Friday Fences here.

Wild Rose/Sign, Signs

A shop sign

Isn't this attractive?

I am linking to Lesley at Sign, Signs HERE

L/ABC Wednesday

LUNGWORT

LUNGWORT (aka pulmonaria or Bethlehem sage) is blooming in my gardens now. I love this plant that bears pink and blue flowers simultaneously. The blooms open pink and then turn blue.

ABC Wednesday.

Vineyard/Barn Charm

Prince Edward County, Ontario

Prince Edward County juts into Lake Ontario and must have great weather for growing grapes as there are many wineries there. I think this barn is magnificent.


I am linking to BARN CHARM at Trish's Bluff Area Daily.

Canal Holland Marsh/ Scenic Sunday

Yesterday at the canal in the Holland Marsh

Ontario is starting to turn green, slowly leaving behind the plain-brown stage of early spring.

I'm linking to Scenic Sunday.