Starling out for a stroll.
Tag Archives: Urban Landscape
Sharing the Sun
While exploring a new neighbourhood, the street we were on suddenly came to an end on the edge of a small wildlife garden. This rather whimsical looking plant, commonly known as prairie smoke or old man’s whiskers was sharing the sun with some other native plants.
Over The Fence – 2 (Two Photographs)
More glimpses of neighbourhood gardens.
Spring Line up
It’s been a very cold few days so when it warmed up enough to take a walk, it was nice to see that the flowers are right on schedule.
Over the Fence
It’s nice to see what’s coming up in the neighbourhood gardens. I liked the metal trellis as well.
In the Neighbourhood – 2
These lilies of the valley are among the flowers in the garden of the old house I featured on my blog yesterday.
In the Neighbourhood
This building is one of the oldest in an Ottawa suburb. It once housed a grocery, the owner and his family lived above the store. I haven’t been able to find out how old the building is but I’ve read the “ghost” sign has looked weathered for over 75 years. The house has been turned into apartments and its untended garden is a favourite of mine.
One Man’s Treasure
The front yard of this house has a collection of objects that the owner has acquired over the years and no two are alike. You just have to stand on the curb and point your camera in the direction of the yard. I thought this bust with a frame placed in front of it was rather curious 😏 .
Tulip Time – 2
The weather has been up and down lately. Today’s high was 11C, last Friday it was in the high 20Cs. The tulips don’t seem to mind though.
That Look
I was at a fair distance from the dachshund but I still didn’t go unnoticed 😏
Grackle in the Grass
These birds look intense or angry and rather funny at the same time. I often see grackles by the water, so I’m surprised to see so many this year in city gardens.
A Quiet Place
That’s the feeling I got while walking past this garden.
Behind Bars
This apartment is on the ground floor so I guess the occupants opted for some security. I liked their choice of grill work.
Cat in the Window
Cats like to perch on window sills. I looked up from the tulips I was photographing and took this shot.
VW Bus
Getting ready for the weekend 😊
Built to Last
An older apartment building with an impressive name.
Tulip Time
As well as wild violets, there’s no season quite like spring 😊.
Robins
There are lot of robins around right now. I caught one mid walk and the other mid stare.
All In The Details
A laneway view of the rooftop of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ottawa’s Chinatown. The area was and continues to be home to many new Canadians.
Earlier Bloomer
Among the first flowering plants we see in the spring are forsythia. Always a welcome sight.
Welcome
We had a fine warm day today but the gardens need a bit more sun to really shine, In the meantime a closer look at my surroundings usually pays off. I liked the way someome had dressed up this modest entrance way.
Garden-Variety Frog
It looks like this little metal frog has weathered many winters. It’ll be nice to see the real thing once it warms up a bit more.
Stand on Guard
We’re all feeling wary these days.
Seen on a Walk
Another spring first, grackles! This imposing bird had just visited a feeder and was strutting off with its prize.
Finally…
The best kind of snow drops are the kind pushing through the warming earth 😊
In the Neighbourhood
The lines and curves caught my eye.
In the Market
I watched as the house sparrow perched on the brick and window sills of this old house. I looked to see whether it had a nesting hole somewhere in the brick, as sparrows often build their nests in buildings, but saw nothing. It’s a busy time for them,
Nice to See You
Around the city there are several parks and green spaces that we go to as the weather warms up. We’ve seen the same photographers at these locations over the years and at the beginning of the season it’s always nice to stop and catch up. I liked the way the dog was looking in the same direction as the photographer.
Light and Shade
I like the shape and colours of this flowering plant. The flowers contrast nicely with its dark leaves.
Electric Blue
The Blue Jay landed on an old electrical insulator as I followed its flight down a laneway.
Good Timing
There are no bees out yet, and still a bit of lingering snow. I like the way people paint these electrical boxes, this one is particularly welcome.
Seen on a walk – 2
A warm March sun brightens the neighbourhood.
SEEN ON A WALK – RELIC
Yesterday was a beautiful day to finally get out with our cameras. We went for a walk in a part of town that has a mix of old and new buildings. This restaurant/tavern has been in operation since 1934. Note the sign above the side door. Bars at the time served drinks in separate rooms to men and women. Only “bone fide” escorts could enter the ladies’ bar 😏.
Sheltering Sparrow
Every spring, house sparrows construct nests in the crevices of this office building. In the winter as the wind whips around you can see them sheltering there, like this male house sparrow.
City Bird
The common pigeon wouldn’t win any popularity contests but I do photograph them from time to time. They’re content to pose and have attractive colouring. And in winter with a shortage of bird subjects, I make allowances 😏
Promise of Spring
It’s been snowing lightly all day. Just when it looked like it was winding down it picked up again. Looking for a photo to post I came across this scene from last spring. I’m counting the days 😏.
AT THE PARK
It will be fun to get back to this park when the weather warms up. I think the dogs there have a better time than most people 😏
Something to Crow About
Another sighting while looking up.
UP ON THE ROOF
I like weathervanes and rooftops. I struck it lucky here.
I Couldn’t Eat Another Bite
The chipmunk had a very successful raid of this garden. I took a lot of photos of him with his cheeks stuffed with nuts. Unfortunately my settings were off and this was the only reasonably sharp shot I got.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 