30x30 Nature Challenge - Birds Just Wanna Have Fun in The Rouge River

Today I went along Lawrence Ave. to the mouth of the Rouge River in Toronto. There is a beach and marsh area where the river empties into the lake and many people were out and about the beach area but I went to see if I could find any birds having fun and I found a flock of Lake Gulls sunning themselves on the beach.

I went across the beach to the river side and found a couple of terns dive bombing the river and coming back up, then doing it again.

I walked up the beach following the river to railway bridge. The swallows were gathering under the bridge, probably searching for nesting spots above the river. 

Once you pass under the bridge you are coming around to the marsh area where there are always fishermen waiting to snag the catch of the day.  I found a spot by the marsh and sat quietly until a Red Winged Blackbird came by to see what I was doing. 

He shouted out a few "SKREEEE" noises and a couple of other blackbirds shouted back. He kept an eye on me to make sure I was staying put.  While we enjoyed the afternoon sun, three swans came flying over.

One of the swans landed and decided to go for a swim around the marsh.

There were many birds enjoying the first unofficial weekend of summer, and I enjoyed being there to capture the all the fun!

30x30 Nature Challenge - Day 17 - My Garden Gnomes Run Away

I sensed my garden gnome Lynette, was not very happy sitting amongst the forget-me-nots. What was the use of sitting there, when everyone forgot about her anyway? Not really, because she looked rather lovely surrounded by blue flowers. They matched her eyes.

I brought her up on the deck while I tried to think of a better spot for her, when she noticed Dr. Suzuki's gnome on my computer. She never knew garden gnomes could go places. She was so happy to discover this interesting idea.

Not wanting to go off on an adventure by herself, she thought she might have a word with Mr. Toady Frog down the garden to see if he could suggest some ideas about how to pull this off.

"I dunno," said Mr. Toady Frog. "I'm happy just sittin' here catching the bugs. Maybe you should find old Geezer Gnome and ask him. He'll know what to do. "
"Do you know where I can find him?" Lynette asked.
"Keep going left, Lynette. He's just over there. " Lynette walked to the left and found Mr. Geezer Gnome.

Under the lilacs, they sat side by side, talking about gnome adventures and getting around in the world. Lynette invited Geezer up on the deck to check out Dr. Suzuki's gnome on the computer. 

They waited until they heard the phone ring and scurried up to the deck and the computer to check out the gnome. The phone call was long, so Lynette and Geezer took the time to plan their adventure. As they planned, they caught the sound of the phone being hung up and decided to make their escape.

They were in luck! The gate was left wide open, and so the two gnomes left the garden where they had spent most of their life and headed off to see the world.

                                Off they go, down the road to a new life filled with adventure!

30x30 Nature Challenge- Day 16 - Greyabbey Park- Part 2

For Day 16, I thought I would return to the park and see if things were looking up.  These lilacs were absolutely ready to pop open and release their lovely fragrance, sweetening the spring air.

These blossoms, not as sweet, were already out and smiling in the setting sunlight.

Further down the path, I was looking up at the lofty Birch Trees and tried to get a feeling of height, maybe 20 feet. 

Up in a neighbouring tree I discovered a Red Winged Black Bird and caught a photo by listening for the "skreeeee". 

Further up, a plane that had taken off from the island airport, was on it's way to Montreal overhead.

And up above the plane, the waxing moon smiled down from the evening sky. 

Affecting the waves on the ocean and possibly the tides in the lake.

I have enjoyed two wonderful evenings at Greyabbey Park. 

30x30 Nature Challenge - Day 15 - Greyabbey Park. Part One

For my time with nature today, I went to the top of the bluffs at sunset and caught some lovely pictures while listening to the 'skree' of Red Winged Blackbirds and the haunting call of the Lake Gulls. It was a lovely warm evening with a cool breeze and clear blue skies.

The park was lit up beautifully by the setting sun.  The White Birch trees and the Norway Maples looked so peaceful backlit by the setting sun. 

The view along the top of the bluffs was clear and bright all the way to Pickering. 

And all the way across the lake to New York State somewhere Near Rochester.  Can you see me waving to you Rick Baker? LOL

Trees like this Willow are continually breaking apart. They tumble down the bluff, and disappear into the lake at the bottom.

The picture below is a full tree sliding down the cliff. 

If I read the sign..... no golfing allowed and please clean up after your dog, I have to wonder about the intelligence of some of my neighbours.  LOL

I am planning to return to this park tomorrow evening for a few more pictures. 

30x30 Nature Challenge - Day 14- Today I rocked the nature challenge.

While I was wandering through the neighbourhood checking out the tulips yesterday, I discovered many rocks and so today, I went back around the streets and took some shots of the rocks I discovered. Most of them are limestone and granite, because that is what exists throughout most of Ontario. And these rocks are kind of heavy to be carting them in from far away places. This group of eight are mostly granite from the Canadian Shield, north of Toronto.

This white looking rock is likely limestone, the most prevalent rock found around Lake Ontario. 

I love the grainy lines in this granite looking rock and I wonder if it's Gneiss (pronounced 'nice' ). I certainly think it's a nice cut. 

This pocked rock could be manufactured for garden displays, or it could be real from somewhere. I am unsure. 

This pink granite rock is huge and not a piece you would want to be moving anytime soon. It looks a little weathered, like it has been sitting here for a while.

This group of  limestone looking rocks make a nice backdrop for the group of red tulips nestled in between.  

In this group of old, eroded rocks, I can see granite, limestone and possibly other types of rock samples that I would need to pick up and touch to see if they are as different as they look.  A few violets would look pretty here. The rocky gardens in my neighbourhood were fun to discover. 

30x30 Nature Challenge - Day 13 - Where I tip toed through the tulips

For my challenge today, I searched out tulip beds since the daffodils are disappearing and the ones that are left have seen better days. Although it's been really cold with frost warnings, these hardy tulips seem undaunted by a little ice and below normal temperatures.

The red ones here are happy in their own little clump by the stony path. 

And these purple and pink tulips provide a cheery welcome by my friend's front door.

This garden of painted tulips, mauve, soft crimson and buttery yellow looked spectacular gracing this woody lot.

I almost missed these rose and soft pink clusters

                                    nestled between the driveways of neighbouring houses.

                 The peachy tones of this group of tulips popping out from the shady purple leaves
                                    of this side garden really captured my attention.

The curving lines of this tulip garden glistened in the rain on Mothers' Day when I walked by on my way to the train. I went back today to get a photo or two. 

At it's centre is this woody piece of bark discovered in the bush, resembling a scotty dog. The tulips are dancing all around in a celebration of spring.  

Day 12- 30x30 Nature Challenge - A Walk To the Train

Today was Mothers' Day and what a mother of a day it was! I was going to visit my daughter and her children, so I decided to do my thirty minutes in nature as a walk to the train station. As I left the house the weather turned ugly and cold rain and hail pelted me for most of my walk. I was undaunted. I hurried on my way to the station, not wanting to miss my train. My daughter was picking me up from the station at the other end.

I passed a house on my walk with a beautiful tulip garden, including rock features and garden curves. I thought it was one of the nicest in the neighbourhood. I also noticed a few ash trees on my walk and wondered about the ash beetle that was said to be running rampent on these streets. It will be sad to loose trees in the area, but I knew many were already slated to be taken out.

As I walked down the final street to the station, the sun came out. The station was within earshot but not within my sight lines. Unfortunately, I did not need to see the station to know the train was approaching as I walked. I could hear the ding-ding-ding and the train slowing down as it was coming to a stop. I hurried faster as the station came into sight and I saw that the train was already stopped on the tracks! There was no way I could have caught this train and I would need to wait an hour for the next one.

As I entered the parking lot, the train pulled out and I hurried over to the station. I phoned home and told my brother to call my daughter and tell her I missed the train. I called him back but my daughter did not pick up and we supposed she already left her house to pick me up and she would not get my message. What to do?

A different company had a train pulling in to my station and the train was headed to my daughter's station. I hurried up to the platform and because it was Mothers' Day, I was inadvertently given a free ride. Life suddenly took a brilliant turn. I met my daughter and we had a happy day, touring my new apartment, dancing with my grandchildren, we also shared a family meal and caught up on our news. Happy Mothers' Day to me. My daughter dropped me home on her way to visit her mother-in-law.

When the weather improves if the frost tonight doesn't kill them, I will walk back to the tulip garden and capture a picture of the memorable design.