A local business association maintains a small garden on a busy city street. I stop by frequently to see what’s in bloom. They only plant native species and I’m always pleased to see the insects they attract.
PLEASING POPPIES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like the brilliance of these red poppies but white poppies with their purple centres are appealing too.
ANTICIPATION (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I imagine the basketball was left there as I took the photo around lunchtime. The same holds true for the bike.
QUEEN ANNE AND FRIENDS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Queen Anne’s Lace is just coming into flower. These flowers were in a garden setting though I usually see them in fields and along roadsides. It’s nice to see them thriving in the city too.
READY, SET, GO (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Chipmunks always appear energetic, this one in particular!
RAMBLING ROSE
From this angle it looks like this cottage is being overrun by rose bushes. A friendly takeover.
LUNCH
The sparrow had to really stretch to feed on the seeds of this dandelion. I’ve never seen bird behaviour like this before 😏.
MID-WEEK DRAGONFLY
I’ve yet to get to the lake where I normally see dragonflies, so I thought I’d post a photo from a few summers ago.
ON THE VERGE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS
It’s almost summer and these new arrivals are welcoming it in.
PIGEONS ROCK
The rock dove or common pigeon is not a bird I usually pay attention to but this one was kind of special. I had been aiming for a goldfinch that flew off as I approached but I didn’t walk away disappointed.
PURPLE AND PINK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I noticed these flowers in a neighbour’s garden. I liked their colour and spiky appearance. I believe they are mountain cornflowers.
MAKE WAY!
This was one popular rose patch on a recent sunny day.
UNCOMMON STARLING
Nothing common about this Common or European Starling. Their plumage is extremely colourful and unlike many birds in the neighbourhood, they never shy away from my camera.
MAY BEE
I saw the daisies before I saw the bee but he seemed to have his eye on me as I took the shot. Summer is fast approaching when these two team up.
NEIGHBOURHOOD FAVOURITE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This was taken in a garden of an old house in the neighbourhood. The garden is left to itself and it’s thriving. It begins the season with a few tulips, then on to lilacs, lilies of the valley and later in the summer, tiger lilies. There are plenty of wild flowers too including these Dame’s-Rockets. A neighbourhood favourite for bees as well.
DOWNTOWN SCENES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I liked the sign on the old apartment house. The blue design on the red brick caught my eye as well.
PURPLE AND WHITE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I’ve noticed a lot of violets this year. They’re pretty tenacious and can grow in shade or bright sunlight. As pretty as they are, they can take over a garden. Like many wild flowers/weeds, attractive to some a nuisance to others.
PAINTED LADY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Another reason to like dandelions. They attract beauties like these.
SHAVE AND A HAIRCUT
I’ve driven by this barbershop often. This time I was on foot and noticed the nifty signage. It’s nice to slow down sometimes.
LAWN ART (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I had to admire how a gardener turned an old tree stump into a thing of beauty.
I almost passed by the little statue in the second photo as it was quite hidden by all the vegetation. Its surroundings made it rather appealing.
CURIOSITY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
You have to wonder what happened here. A pair of canvas shoes placed neatly at the curb, almost as though their owner was going to slip them back on.
GARDEN PARTY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We might not be able to gather but nothing is stopping the tulips from putting on a show. Some varieties are beginning to fade but many are still in fine shape.
ROBIN GOTHIC
I didn’t have a chance to change the exposure compensation as the robin landed close by. I took the photo and despite how dark it was I liked it. I made a few adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop and this is the result.
NEIGHBOURHOOD FINDS (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
Walls and fences make for interesting subjects. I find the colours and textures appealing. Add some greenery to complete the picture.
MONDAY WALK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Under the current Covid stay at home orders staying close to home is what we’re doing. I’ve always enjoyed walking in our neighbourhood and this spring it’s like seeing everything for the first time.
ALL TUCKED IN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I liked the shapes and swirls in this image, the water forming perfect circles around the little duckling.
HINT OF VIOLET (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These two flowers are early spring arrivals and share a subtle beauty. More delights of the season.
LOOK, UP IN THE SKY… (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Walking down a neighbourhood street I happened to look up and saw this construction worker suspended in midair. I can’t begin to imagine what that must feel like.
SPRING CLEARWING
I took this photograph in May 2019. It’s the first time I’d seen a clearwing so early. A pleasant surprise.
PATIENT PAL
We walked past this Basset Hound on our way to the store and he hadn’t budged on our return. A study in patience.
LAST SEASON
I took this photo in August when the cardinal hadn’t finished moulting and was still a bit patchy. Still stylish though!
ON A WALK
I almost missed seeing this little meadow vole or field mouse as it quietly moved through the leaf litter. If it sensed my presence it didn’t show it.
HEADING HOME (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like to capture the wake pattern as a duck races towards shore. Have to wonder what the hurry is 😏.
IN THE REEDS
Despite that long neck, when a Great Blue Heron stands motionless it can blend in easily to its surroundings. They imitate statues quite well.
SKIPPY
The merganser coming in for a landing reminded me of the game of skipping stones. I was a considerable distance from the duck but I liked the scene and used a Sepia Preset for added effect.
QUIET MOMENT
Canada Geese can be rather loud and aggressive but you’d never know it looking at these two.
HOVERFLY
I believe this is a mimic or hoverfly. Wasps have four wings, while a hoverfly has only two so that would be my best guess.
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE
No matter the season, chickadees are always around; near a feeder or seen in the woods. Although they’re common it’s hard to think of these little birds in that way.
EASTERN PHOEBE
The eastern phoebe is a member of the flycatcher family. With the arrival of spring they have returned to our area. Their distinctive song announces their presence often before you see them.
AMERICAN ROBIN
Spring is a season of firsts. First robin, first tulip, even first fly. Isn’t it great. 😊
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 