I saw this Labrador Retriever one day on a walk. He wasn’t bothered by me or my camera, never so much as barked as I took a few shots. Too busy watching his owner at the foot of the driveway.
Tag Archives: Urban Landscape
FEMALE HOUSE SPARROW
House sparrows are common in our cities and attractive little birds. Local nesting spots are in the eaves of an office building and in the crevice of a house in the neighbourhood. I check these spots out every spring.
PEKIN DUCKS – 2
Earlier in the summer we ran into this charming pair in a small yard downtown. We looked for them every time we passed by. We went back a few times and then one day they were gone. I hope they found a place in the country and didn’t meet with fowl play 😟.
MONARCH
I don’t know if monarch butterflies are appearing in significant numbers this year. As I haven’t been to our local nature reserve this summer my observations have been limited to what I see in the city. I saw this butterfly in a nearby garden and hope it was one of many.
PURPLE REIGNS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Violets are delicate looking but are really quite hardy. These garden flowers form a natural bouquet. I thought I’d add the clematis to continue with the purple theme.
THIS OLD HOUSE
This building was a neighourhood grocery a long time ago. It’s divided into apartments now. Its brick facade is a favourite stage of mine to showcase its wildflower garden. I stop by regularly, all year round.
SECOND LOOK
As we turned the corner I saw these two and thought they looked pretty lifelike for lawn ornaments. When one duck moved its head I almost jumped. I’ve never seen a Pekin Duck before and never downtown. We stopped by to visit a few times over several days, more photos to come…
CITY OASIS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Sometimes you just have to get away 😊.
NATURAL EXUBERANCE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Seen on one of my neighbourhood walks.
CITYSCAPE
The old house that once stood on this lot was torn down many years ago. The land hasn’t been developed and is enclosed by a mesh fence which I shot through. I was struck by the sunflowers standing tall. They continue to flower and give pleasure to anyone that passes by.
DOWNTOWN BIRDS (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
House sparrows are not native to North America but have adapted very well and are common in urban areas. I’m featuring a male and female I saw on a recent walk.
SIDEWALK VIEW-2 (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I thought the little statue added some charm to this small yard. It looked as nicely weathered as the house beside it.
GRAND ENTRANCE
Coneflowers in summer, a welcoming sight.
SECOND LOOK (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I like scenes like these, just a bit quirky.
CITY BIRD
I thought the robin fit right in with its elegant surroundings.
NEIGHBOURHOOD MIX (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There are many old homes with pretty gardens in this downtown neighbourhood. Turning the corner I noticed these little green visitors that added a bit of whimsy to the mix.
CHANCE
The coneflowers caught the sun while most of the garden was still in shade. At a different time of the day the light would have been more balanced but then I don’t think the picture would have been as interesting.
ANOTHER BLACK-EYED SUSAN
These are rudbeckia, commonly known as black-eyed susans. I caught them as they danced on the breeze.
DON’T FENCE ME IN
I saw this bull dog in a small fenced in lawn. He turned away as I approached but I did get his handsome profile.
SIDEWALK VIEW
I noticed the blue graffiti on the door frame earlier in spring. When I passed by recently and saw the day lilies I knew I had my picture.
FLOWERS TELL A TALE (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
The first flower peeked out of the long grass, its stem bent by a recent rain. I thought the shadow added interest to the tiny flower below.
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.
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 😏.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
