The squirrel couldn’t have posed any better 😊
Tag Archives: Urban Landscape
OPEN AIR GALLERY
We are lucky to have a lot of public art on our city streets. It’s nice to slow down for a few minutes and take it all in.
PLAY OF LIGHT
I walk by this spot frequently but on this particular day the light and shadow were just right. I thought the result looked like an etching.
SEEN ON A WALK
These items looked like they had been placed with care although they were left there for garbage pick up. A well used sofa, a child’s toy even the plant growing out of the concrete made for a homey scene despite its location.
CHANGING TIMES
It seems that few parts of town have escaped gentrification. Many of these older neighbourhoods are giving way to infills and condominiums. There is still a lot of the original character but I wonder for how long.
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO
Luckily, the sparrow decided to stay put for a few minutes!
IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
The shoes were lined up neatly perhaps for anyone who needed them. It is getting cold outside.
CLEVER CAT
Walking through the local arboretum we heard rustling in the underbrush. After a few minutes a large cat appeared. It sat and looked around and wasn’t in a hurry to leave. It didn’t have a collar so we presumed it was wild and made its home here. Judging by its healthy appearance it knew how to fend for itself.
MINIMALISM
Seen on a walk .
NATURE’S WAY
I like the way plants find a way to flourish just about anywhere!
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
This dog was beating the heat!
LINE UP
Many of the older homes here have been built with red brick. It does provide a nice backdrop for these late summer flowers.
SPARROW AND FRIEND
I had hoped the sparrow would land where it did!
PEACHY
Our neighbour grows the most beautiful peach coloured roses. I stopped by often this summer,
This Old House
A lot of older homes here are built of brick and have wonderful wood trim. In need of a little paint and yard work, this house still has considerable charm.
PASSING GLANCE
On a quick walk in the neighbourhood, I saw a house sparrow land on a stoop for a few minutes. Looking for its mate?
ANOTHER VIEW
There are several laneways nearby that can make for some interesting walks. No one parks in the garage anymore but it makes for a creative canvas and a nice spot for a basketball hoop.
Friday Follies
Something made me look up. I’m glad I did 😊
IN A GARDEN
It seems to be a summer of encountering plants I don’t remember seeing before. It stood out amongst the other vegetation. (I believe it’s goat’s beard.)
DAY LILY
Although you often see day lilies growing along roadsides, fields and in gardens they are not native to North America but Asia. Right now they’re popping up everywhere. This one was dressing up the side entrance of a neighbourhood house.
SPRING WHITE
I’m not a great fan of white flowers but these prove the exception. Almost as pretty in bud as in flower.
CHIPPING SPARROW
There were several sparrows feeding on the ground but the smaller chipping sparrow stood out with its distinctive markings and smaller size. It’s a migratory bird and nice to see back in Spring.
HONEYSUCKLE
Let’s just call it Honeysuckle 😏
(See comment below)
This plant is an attractive but invasive species introduced to North America in the late 1800s from Asia. Unlike the native honeysuckles they leaf out early and remain in leaf into the fall. Like many invasive plants, they are hardy and outcompete native plants for space and nutrients. They are pretty though and a common sight each spring.
THIS OLD HOUSE IN MAY
I often return to this corner of my neighbourhood and this house in particular. I love the warm red brick and during spring and summer. wild and cultivated flowers take their turn in the sun.
BREAK TIME
Every spring some house sparrows build their nests in the eaves of a downtown building. I saw this female on a nearby lawn.
NEIGHBOURHOOD FIND
I’m not sure if this was once a trellis or a part of a garden gate. Just a little treasure in someone’s yard.
THIS OLD HOUSE
I often photograph this old house. The tree is slow to bud but casts some interesting shadows on the wall. You can see some green shoots on the lawn too. The weather shot up to 29 C/84 F today (last week we were digging out from an ice storm 😏).
SUMMER’S EASE
When I took this scene I pictured it in black and white. A lazy afternoon in summer.
ANTICIPATION
Waiting for the kids to return.
A LOOK BACK
On this grey afternoon a warm summer scene warms things up a bit.
SIMPLY DANDY
As the days get shorter and colder, seeing a last dandelion is something to relish!
NOVEMBER SCENE
I liked the partial shadow of the branches against the white wall. Quite stark and what a typical November looks and feels like. This year is not the usual though it’s been warm and sunny and some flowers are still in bloom.
SEEN ON A WALK
People often keep their Halloween Pumpkins out long after the holiday is over. Given the artistry involved I can see why.
OCTOBER ORANGE
These flowers are a perfect pumpkin orange. All decked out for Halloween (and taken just a few days ago).
LIGHT AND SHADOW
I pass by this spot quite often but I like it best in fall when the ivy turns colour and the trees cast long shadows.
JAILBIRDS
These little sparrows landed on a fence right in front of me. I was lucky to get this shot, as a dog walker passed by a moment later and they flew off.
COMING UP ROSES
It’s hard to believe I took this last week. These late bloomers sure are hardy.
TIME PASSAGES
This building is a landmark on a gritty downtown street corner, sandwiched between an alley and apartment building. It’s been a Bible depot, reading room and gathering place. When trying to find out more about it, I learned that it had closed permanently. Perhaps another victim of the times.
TENDER CARE
Many older apartment buildings on downtown corner lots have small gardens that look to be maintained by the tenants. Someone had fastened this endearing little sign to the wall.
ON THE WIND
It’s been very windy over the last few days and the trees are beginning to lose their leaves. This maple leaf was caught on its way down. I took it with a small f/stop so I got this attractive background.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 