My friend Nigel and I decided to head out for a bike ride on the Etobicoke Creek trail. The trail takes us along the edge of Pearson airport, although you wouldn’t know it for most of the ride. The trail takes you through some beautiful meadow and forest with the occasional glimpse of the road and airport beyond it. As we rode along I noticed that my brakes weren’t working the best and when we hit a larger hill I realized that the brakes were going to be an issue and the ride needed to end before I broke my neck…lol
Etobicoke Creek forest floor
I did make it safely to the bottom of the hill, with both front and back brakes engaged, and found this gorgeous scene to my right. It was worth the slightly stressful ride down the hill. After this we decided not to continue the ride down the path so I didn’t get any more photos from the trail. We checkout out some side trials we missed but it wasn’t too long before we were back at the car and heading home for the day. A bike ride cut too short but better to be safe. Once the brakes are fixed we will attempt the trail again.
You can find more about this portion of the trail by clicking here. (This trail is broken up into a few sections on this site to make it easier for us non-long-distance bikers.)
Yellow Bloom
Even though my bike ride was cut short I still got out for another walk later in the day in my neighbourhood and captured this lovely image above.
Another neighbourhood walk was on the agenda today and there was so much to photograph. Spring is one of the best times to focus on macro photography. Slap on the macro lens and head out the door to a local park or if you are lucky some neighbours may just have some great flowers for you to photograph.
Lilac
This lilac bush is on a neighbours front lawn growing through the catwalk fence. This is perfect, as I can spend a lot more time getting shots without looking like some stalker. LOL
Tulip
For some reason, tulips have started popping up in the creek over the last few years. I love finding out what colours I can find as I walk down the path.
Wild Leek
When I first came across this interesting flower I had no idea what it was. It looked like an onion but it was very large in comparison to what I’m used to seeing. I used the seek app and was informed that it was a wild leek. I have no idea if that’s what it is but I would say there is a good chance.
The snow came, and the snow went. And here we are back to fall. So, I’m back to another neighbourhood walk and a lot more brown and yellow.
Leaves
I’m not sure what this plant is but I loved the shape. It looks almost like a cupped hand reaching to receive something.
Orange Jelly
I found this orange jelly mushroom on a random log. I guess the previous weekend’s snow didn’t bother it.
Multiflora Rose
Along the fence behind the old grade school, I found a whole bunch of these tiny berries. The Multiflora Rose, or Seven-sisters rose, is a small white flowering shrub. It’s berries, once they dry out and expose their seeds, are eaten by the local birds and wildlife. It’s a little hard to believe that there is still so much colour and life to be found even once the snow hits.
I met Nigel at Claireville Conservation Area today for a walk around the park. We selected the south entrance as our starting point and headed east along the trail. Things are nice and brown again, meaning I have to work a little harder to get that inspiration.
The Rock
I didn’t take many photos here, but I did like this one I took of a rock in a sea of yellow grasses.
