Daffodil Days

The Canadian Cancer Society raises funds every March through selling daffodils.  This year at the Canada Blooms, the daffodil theme was everywhere, and I took this image as a touching tribute to the fight against cancer.

Etobicoke is "E-Taupe-i-co"

I was at what used to be the Hob Nob last week.  It was the local coffee shop for more than 25 years, but closed a few months ago.  There's not that much grunge on the Kingsway - even the back door to the lane is elegant in shades of taupe and beige.  That seems to be the national colour of the houses in the Kingsway.  The area was designed and built by architect Home Smith in the 1920's and 30's, in the English tudor style.  

While I was taking some macros of the Hob Nob back door, a fly came into the shot, and even the fly seemed to be aligned with Etobicoke's colours.   Here's its 15 minutes of fame.

Spring Flower Parade

It's so pleasing to have beautiful hellebores, crocuses and snowdrops blooming, as well as the witch hazel shrub which has been perfuming the garden for last week or so.  This is the start of the great flower parade.

Canada Blooms a Great Success in the Direct Energy Building

The show moved this year to the Direct Energy Building on the CNE Grounds.  For the first time the show was on one floor.  Those beautiful Ontario Flower Grower displays were a beautiful sight and formed a nice transition into the Marketplace.  While the hall is still a 'hall' with that industrial sense of concrete, exposed ceiling structures, and industrial style lighting, it seemed a great improvement.  It was easier to get to and get in and out of.  The entrance is architecturally wonderful and enjoys the bright sunshine and waterfront views.  Parking was plain easy and there were street cars and the GO station right nearby.  In fact, I walked through the underpass to Atlantic Avenue, and made my way to Mildred Pierce's Temple Kitchen and had a birthday celebration with Brian, my brother.  


In terms of the show, the show stopper for me was the Urchin sculpture display.  Here's my interpretation.

 

Ode to Spring - Witch Hazel

My large witch hazel shrub - 4 feet tall and wide - is in full bloom.  The image below was taken at Plantworld last weekend, and is a more recent variety than mine.  My shrub is a brilliant yellow and it bloomed in December so I didn't expect much this spring.  I can see that just one branch is not blooming, so I guess it took turns on who was to bloom!

A Farewell to Winter

This winter has ended very early.  Even if it snows, it won't last on the ground, as things have been warming up.  I took these images 2 weekends ago in the Stouffville area.  You can see how little snow is left in the fields.  

Farewell to Winter

I was at Toronto Botanical Gardens this past Sunday and the snow was melting into beautiful crystal patterns, and I was able to capture a few in the courtyard garden.

Spring Awakenings!

I see flowers everywhere I go and thought I'd give you 2 great examples.

On Saturday I was on Bloor Street West shopping.  I caught this Ranunculus out behind a fruit and vegetable store before they took the rack to the front for sales.

Then on Sunday I was in Plantworld.  It is a wonderful garden centre and nursery in my neighbourhood.  It's grown over the 25 years I've lived here in the Kingsway/Sunnylea area.  I  got this beautiful little Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) in the lovely afternoon light.

'Symmetry in the Grasses' Gets Feature Today!!

What a great start to the week!  The weather is so warm it's like April, and I find one of my images is featured on the homepage of redbubble, the site where my work can be purchased.  I'm at the bottom right with 'Symmetry in the Grasses'.

Here it is as it would appear framed for your wall.