Our Home And Native Land

Up against the American dollar the embattled Canadian dollar is below the 80 cent mark. Rather than fly to the warmer climate of the Southern United States, these Canadian Geese have decided to spend the winter at home.

Alive And Well At The Toronto Zoo

Western Lowland Gorilla. As is the case with many species, humans are the primary threat to the survival of gorillas. Gorillas are widely hunted for "bush meat" and the young are collected for sale to the pet trade, a practice that is now illegal. Habitat loss also significantly jeopardizes gorilla populations. The main reasons for habitat loss are mining for charcoal and coltan (which is used in cell phones and other electronics), logging for timber and fuel wood, and agricultural expansion. Civil wars occurring in gorilla habitat are also a serious threat. Outbreaks of disease, in particular the Ebola virus are contributing factors to declining gorilla populations. Also, young gorillas are susceptible to predation by leopards. Thanks to the Toronto Zoo for the info.

In Search Of Colour

Of all place to find colour.

Signs - Bowling

It was my first time at playing Candlestick Bowling. I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

More Frozen River

Continuing from yesterday's post... I turned 90 degrees to the right to get this shot. I am standing in The City Of Pickering and on the other side of the frozen river is The City Of Toronto. I am in the Rouge National Urban Park. It spans 47 square kilometres (about 18 square miles) in the eastern sector of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). In the 1950's, there was a hotel in this valley and in the background on the hill you can see what remains of a old ski hill.

Frozen River

Notice the lack of footprints in the snow? That is because the flowing river forms air pockets under the ice making unsafe to walk on.

Lonesome Tree

It is dead but still standing.

Outdoor Hockey

If you see young people playing pond hockey, there is very good chance that you just might be in Canada.

Foot Prints In The Sand

Hanging out at the beach on a mild winter day but still too cold to go barefoot.

Night Streaks

Just practicing my night photography. Can't wait until the weather gets warmer and I'll go exploring.

Signs - The Bicycle Thief

It is a restaurant in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I don't have a clue as to the origin of the name. I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

Scroungers

Halifax, April 21, 2014. Gathering up anything that has a cash refund.

Let There Be Light

Thank God you don't have to be religious to see the light.

Winter Field

Hibernating until Spring.

Sunny Day

We finally got some sunshine.

West Rouge Canoe Club

It's only a couple of months old and located on the most easterly building in The City Of Toronto.

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The Paint Factory

Swans

A family of Trumpeter Swans wintering over at Frenchman's Bay. The grey ones are juveniles.
All of a sudden they went into a wild honking frenzy.

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The real entertainment began when they finished up with a watusi dance.

Signs - Ed Mirvish Theatre

July 8, 2013. The Mirvish family owns and operates four live theatres in The City Of Toronto. I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

Cold Duck

On a cold day birds of a feather...

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...flock together.

Warm Memories

May 14, 2014. Going through a cold snap in temperatures as made me think of warmer days. I have a small garden pond in the backyard. This is one of the residents. He and his buddies spend their winters inside my home in a 100 gallon aquarium.

Rainy Night

January 4, 2015, 4:42 A.M.. Snow has turned into rain.
I am too chicken to go out, so I opened the front window and clicked from my nice dry heated home.

Country Road

This photo was taken on January 2, 2015. The next day it snowed then it turned into freezing rain.

Frozen

There used to be time when these ponds froze up for the entire winter.
Now of days they will go through a series of steps... freezing and thawing... then freezing again.

Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold, Cold!!!

It is so cold… the politicians have their hands in their own pockets.

Only In Canada You Say... Pity

Located on a sidewalk somewhere in snow country. I'm linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs.

Trans Canada Trail #4

It is always nice to have bench to rest on when hiking the trail. There is one strange thing about the location of this bench...

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...The view.
The goal is to connect the Trail as a continuous route from coast to coast to coast by 2017, the 25th anniversary of the Trail and Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. There is just over 5,700 kilometres of Trail to go.

Trans Canada Trail #3

The Trans Canada Trail is a community-based project. Trail sections are owned, operated and maintained by local organizations, provincial authorities, national agencies and municipalities across Canada.
This time of year everything is so dull and colourless. I did manage to spot this little bit of colour.

Trans Canada Trail #2

To date, nearly 17,000 kilometres (10,563 miles) of the Trail are operational which is 75 percent of the proposed route.
Four out of five Canadians live within 30 minutes of the trail.

Trans Canada Trail #1

Initiated in 1992 as a project to celebrate Canada’s 125th year, the Trans Canada Trail is one of the world's longest networks of multi-use recreational trails. Once fully connected, it will stretch nearly 24,000 kilometres from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans, through every province and territory.

Bird's Eye View

Great little view.

Something New

Happy New Year! I'm starting of 2015 with something NEW. The Frenchman's Bay Harbour Entrance Reconstruction Project is now complete and the breakwalls are open for public access . The work crews have been kept busy since the spring of 2013 until the end of autumn 2014. The official opening celebration of the harbour entrance, will be held late spring 2015.