I’ve photographed a lot of lady bugs but I haven’t seen one move like this before š
FLAMINGO FANFARE
Frequent viewers have likely noticed that I havenāt been featuring many birds lately. Sticking closer to home, sightings have been fewer – but then I stumbled upon this small pink flamingo. Not as rare as you might think in our urban environment š
CALM WATERS
The water on this stretch of river has the most beautiful reflections. My good luck that the mallard decided to take that route.
FINE RECEPTION
As small as it is, this milkweed beetle stood out nicely on the plant itās named after. Both milkweed and the beetle are toxic so it neednāt worry about being someone’s lunch. It has an impressive set of antennae; it’s a member of the longhorn beetle family.
SALSIFY
I featured a different variety of Salsify in one of my recent posts. Some are cultivated, others grow in the wild. I saw this one growing in a field with other wildflowers. Another elegant āweedā.
WHAT THE CAT SAW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I couldnāt see what the cat saw but it definitely had something in its sights.
FINE DUO
The daisies were growing among the wild grasses; a pretty combination.
BEE BREAK
Iāve seen bees this motionless early in the day when it’s cool. I took this photo mid morning so that wasn’t the cause. The bee looked to be in good condition, maybe it was just taking a break from collecting pollen.
PEACH MELBA
Iāve only seen this colour of rose in one small corner lot garden. Itās their time to bloom and still some buds to come, so I’ll be back.
HOVER FLY ON FLEABANE
Hover flies or flower flies are valuable insects. The larvae of some species prey on aphids and the adults are pollinators. Until I picked up a camera I wasnāt aware of these attractive little insects. Now I look out for them each summer.
SUN GLOW
The sun struck the back of the chair and made it glow. I just had to take the photo. I was shooting with a 105mm lens (hoping for some insect photos that day) so I was pretty happy to get the shot.
THIS OLD HOUSE
This house is in a neighbourhood that is undergoing change. Many old homes sit side by side with new construction; some are being remodelled or torn down. For now, this old house still stands. Its beautiful wooden door contrasting nicely with the red brick.
GUARD DUCK
The mallard had recently gotten out of the water and was drying off on the grass. I hesitated for a moment before I approached. It looked like a no nonsense duck!
POPPIES PAST
I remember making flowers out of tissue paper when I was a young. Carefully separating and fanning the layers and securing them with a bobby pin. These tissue-like poppies reminded me of those flowers, particularly the slightly windblown ones to the right of the frame š
SHAKEN NOT STIRRED
Sparks Street is a pedestrian mall in downtown Ottawa. Itās a mix of office towers, shops and restaurants. I liked the old fashioned sign and the chairs stacked up waiting for the Cocktail Hour.
GARDEN MIX
A saw this pretty weed growing in a small front garden. I think itās a salsify, a member of the dandelion family. Except for some peony bushes, the rest of the garden was filled with wild flowers pretty much left to the sun and rain. All in all a very pleasing garden mix.
FEMALE DOWNY WOODPECKER
Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America. As they donāt migrate we get to enjoy them year round. They have some fast moves as they forage, it pays to have a steady hand š.
TREE SWALLOW
I took a lot of photos of this tree swallow but most were in very harsh light. I finally got this photo under better lighting conditions but the birdās eye is not visible. Its beautiful feathers make up for that though.
SUMMERāS PARADE
Irises are such elegant looking flowers, I like this pale white variety with its flecks of colour. They donāt last long but as they fade other flowers take their turn in the sun.
END OF THE ROAD
I always find scenes like this pretty melancholy, however, the boots were in fairly decent shape and placed with care. Maybe the owner left them there for someone else to wear.
SPAM (not the luncheon meat)
I’ve noticed lately that quite a few of my comments on other people’s blogs aren’t being received. https://wordsfromanneli.com/ mentioned that she found one of mine in her SPAM folder.Ā I just checked my folder and there are comments sent to me that I hadn’t seen so hadn’t replied to.
It might be an idea to check your SPAM folder (and that tin of suspicious luncheon meat in the back of your cupboard š ).Ā You never know what you might find.
WINDBLOWN
The wind was blowing these flowers about but I was determined to capture them as I didnāt know what kind of shape theyād be in next time I passed by. I took a lot of shots, constantly adjusting my speed and my position. I think it payed off.
PRIVACY PLEASE
I took this photo as the mallard was emerging from the river. The duck didnāt look too pleased by my presence š
LOOKOUT
I like to see robins strike this pose, stretching to their full height. It stopped feeding for a moment, looked around and then continued on.
URBAN LANDSCAPE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Ottawa’s Centretown neighbourhood is a mix of the old and new. A lot of old houses and apartments have avoided the wreckerās ball and are a source of much of my photography. The garden in the first photo is one I return to throughout the warmer months, I like its untended look. The elements in the balcony garden look carefully chosen, a little oasis in the city.
CURIOUS SQUIRREL
The black squirrels we see in Ontario are a subgroup of the Eastern Grey Squirrel but when I saw this squirrel with its unusual blond tail I thought the light was playing tricks on my eyes š. Another interesting discovery on a neighbourhood walk.
MELLOW YELLOW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Thereās just something about yellow flowers in springtime!
YOUNG BEAVER (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We found a new spot along the river this spring. It has a nice trail, few crowds and a fair amount of wildlife. One day last week I noticed some movement in the reeds and to my delight I saw this young beaver. The vegetation along the shore was thick so I had to wait a long while before I could get a clear shot. He looked like one contented beaver!
YOU’VE GOT MAIL
This mailbox reflects a time when receiving mail was an event. Along with the usual bills and notices there might also have been a much anticipated letter!
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Despite the heat, I just felt cooler looking at the plant growing in the shade. Its common name is Bleeding Heart, not a name I would have chosen for such an attractive plant.
NATURAL ART
The shapes and colours of the budding maple reminded me of a fine drop earring; except its enjoyment comes at no cost.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
This downy woodpecker is one of the first Iāve seen this spring. She appeared to be considering how to approach the job of searching for insects.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
If you see a Red-winged Blackbird, itās supposed to be a lucky sign. Given that they usher in Spring, I would have to agree!
TULIP TIME
I liked the effect the breeze had on the tulips, it almost looked like they were dancing.
LIGHT AND SHADOW
In an older part of town many of the houses were built of brick. I liked the play of light and shadow on the red brick and the fringe of green the unopened tulips formed.
SPRING YELLOW (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
When I saw this beautiful tree I pointed my lens up to fill the frame. I believe itās a Forsythia, if not please let me know. No doubt about the daffodil, an annual spring favourite.
CITY BIRD
The red brick made an attractive backdrop for this common pigeon. Often maligned, I thought this bird had presence.
LOOKING UP (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
After a long winter, the temperature is warming up! The ground is coming to life again and thereās something to savour everywhere you look.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WALK
Iām not sure who was expecting the delivery here.
Duck Out Of Water
Walking along the path, I happened to look up and saw a wood duck sitting on the branch of a tree. There’s a first time for everything š
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 