My car has blown its transmission and has been towed to my mechanics to see if she can be revived. In the meantime, my friend Nigel has graciously said he will drive us to our hiking destinations until I get it sorted out. Thanks, Nigel!
Rouge Valley Lookout
We decided to head out to Rouge Valley Urban Park to a trail on the north side of the park that has a viewing platform so we can see the fall colours from up high. Neither of us had been here before and were looking forward to a good hike in a new park.
Rouge Valley Trail
After we visited the park, we took some backroads towards home. As we drove we spotted a farmhouse and barn that we’ve photographed a few times before.
Thompson Farm and Fence
Parking on the side of the road we walked away from the farm along the fence to find a clear angle looking back towards the barn. I noticed the overgrown vegetation along the fence and decided I liked that composition best.
Farm Landscape
When we got back in the car and started to drive past the farm, this view made us stop to grab a couple more shots before heading home.
Wow! Another outing beyond the regular neighbourhood walk. This time my friend Nigel and I headed into Toronto. Our goal today was to walk the Leslie Spit – more commonly known as Tommy Thompson park (or is it the other way around?), followed by a walk in the financial district after the sun went down.
Tree Blur
I had a little fun with this photo. Originally it was just a tree-lined path which had some great light on it but I wanted to blur it to create something different. A little bit of abstract art for you.
All the lookouts that we walked to didn’t result in any great photos. There were no clouds in the sky and the haze from the fires out west were settling in. It just looked blah.
Toronto Skyline
This is one of the only photos that peaked my interest. I decided to create more subdued colours and treat it more like a silhouette by darkening up the landscape and skyline.
At this particular lookout there were some stones to sit on. As I was taking a break ont hose stones, I noticed these wonky shaped trees to my left. The sun was low enough to make it an interesting photo. Originally, I shot the image with my phone but then decided it was worth taking on my DSLR camera too.
Sunlight Through the Trees
Back on the main path, we made it halfway up the Spit before we decided we were too hot and tired to continue. From here we headed to Cherry Beach to watch the sunset and grab some poutine and onion rings from the street truck for dinner. Although our original plans were to head to the financial district, we decided we were too tired and our feet hurt so we headed home, promising ourselves that we would be back to do some night shots in the downtown core another time.
Four days ago the World Health Organization announced that this new virus that has been circulating, is now considered a pandemic. Pandemic – something we hope to never have to deal with in our lifetime is now here. My employer has asked everyone to work from home as of end of day today. How long will this last? No one truly knows but we all hope its over soon. In order to get out of my head I decide to get myself out into the world. A world that for some reason still seems to have no snow. Winter, where did you go?
So today I’m back in Claireville with my friend Nigel to photograph some nature.
Nuthatch
As we walk through the marsh we are greeted by a pretty nuthatch who seems to be curious enough to get a little closer. I, of course, have the wrong lens for birding but I figured I can alway crop in if its not too far away. And that’s exactly what I did with the above photo.
Corridor of Trees
As we walk back to the main road we take a path through this corridor of trees. As silly as it is for us to be planting trees in rows since the natural world does not do this, it does make for a great photo. Especially when you have soft golden light shining through their branches.
Today I, with my friend Nigel, head out to Humber Bay park in search of…you guessed it…ducks. Beause what else are you going to find in the middle of February when there is no snow?
Mallard
Going later in the day (which isn’t that late this time of year) gave us this beautiful golden light that reflected off our subjects. There were lots of mallards, but then again, when aren’t there lots of mallards? As we explored the park we came across something unusual none of the mallard groups – a white mallard.
White Duck
It’s not an albino. Its eyes, beak and feet are the same as the other mallards. Plus those other mallards seemed to have no issue with this weirdly coloured duck in their midst. So what’s up with its white feathers? Is it a spirit mallard, like the spirit bears from BC? I’m so curious to find out more.
I found out that it isn’t that uncommon for a mallard to be white due to Leucism. Leucism is the partial loss of pigmentation that can result in white, patchy or pale pigments. We see this in nature more than we realize – a white tiger, a white snake and, of course, the well known spirit bears from the west coast.
So, essentially our white duck is a mallard in all respects except its white colouring.
Swan
There was one other common bird hanging around – the swan. You have to watch out for swans. They can be one mean bird if they don’t like you and yet there they are paddling away, looking all graceful and stuff. I see you swan, being all handsome and unassuming, trying to pretend you’re not coming up with some evil plan to take over the world. lol
As always it was a great evening out exploring the park and getting some unexpected photos and some fun close-ups.
I’m off to Colonel Sam Smith Park with my friend Nigel. It’s the middle of January and we are hoping to find something to photograph. We’re anticipating seeing some ducks and lo and behold we find – ducks.
Gadwall Playing in the Waves
This Gadwall duck is playing in the waves at the shoreline before swimming as far from us as possible. I guess our long lenses are intimidating. Interesting fact about the Gadwall is that they often snatch food from diving ducks as they surface. They’re the pirates of the lake.
Rocky Shoreline
I notice that the ducks seem to congregate along the shoreline. I guess the shallows are warmer. Do ducks even feel the cold? I wonder sometimes as I’ve seen them stand on ice for long periods and they seem to enjoy just barely unfrozen water all winter. How? And can you give that superpower to me?
Male Long Tail Duck
This long-tailed duck is one of many enjoying a paddle around the shoreline. He has an impressive tail which I assume is for mating purposes but what’s interesting to note is his plumage during winter The males have two mirror-image plumages: in summer mostly black with a white face patch; in winter mostly white with rich brown, black, and gray on the face. I’ve only ever seen the winter plumage as they are from the high arctic and they are there for the summer and my travels don’t take me that far.
After our fill of the ducks we head home to warm up and plan our next outing.
