Sunday, January 31, 2010

Witch Hazel a Week Later


Witch Hazel a Week Later
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Instead of being in full bloom this past week, the temperatures and wind chills seem to have made the witch hazel have second thoughts. The flower petals seem to be trying to crawl back into the buds. No, I don't blame them. (It was -18˚ C (0˚ F) when I was out running yesterday morning.)

Monday, January 25, 2010

Hellebore


Hellebore
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I found this Red Hellebore (Christmas Rose) bud in the Woodland Garden at the RBG last Friday under some leaves. I would not have seen it except I knew where it grew and cleared off some leaves to see if anything was happening. Yes, I covered it up again as there will be more cold and snow before it blooms.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Witch Hazel


Witch Hazel
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

This is the Brevipetala Witch Hazel, also called Chinese Witch Hazel. This particular bush grows in the RBG Woodland Garden just below the Rose Garden. It was almost in bloom on Friday, January 22 when I walked by.

Last year it was in bloom already on New Year's Day. Other years it has waited until February.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Exoskeleton


Exoskeleton
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

There were many round holes in a log I was inspecting on my Friday walk and this exoskeleton was hanging on just by one of them. I have no idea what the animal was but I found the left overs interesting.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Practicing


Practicing
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I have been working on my watercolour skills with a "how to" book. I still need lots of practice but it's looking a bit better to my eye.

I Find the Rise and Fall of Sanity in American Politics Disturbing


I Find the Rise and Fall of Sanity in American Politics Disturbing
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Ted Kennedy must be spinning in his grave this morning. It's hard to believe that Massachusetts voted Republican.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Can You See Me?


Can You See Me?
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Hard to hide in the ice and snow when you are a dark coloured donkey.
(Taken a few days ago when we still had a bit of snow and ice.)

Strange winter so far. It's the least snow we have had in a couple of years but it has been cold and windy.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Where Has Our Snow Gone?


Where Has Our Snow Gone?
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Even the corn stubble on the farm down the road from us did not save the snow. We do have lots of fog and grey skies however.

Monday, January 11, 2010

A Glass on Glass Under Glass


A Glass on Glass Under Glass
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Part of the "Glass Under Glass" show that officially opens today at the RBG. We were there yesterday so it was not all up and the names of the artists were not all available. I'll put up the name after my next visit later this week.
www.rbg.ca/pages/GlassExhibit.html

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Flight


Flight
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

A sculptural piece by Bryce Kanbara presently at the "you me gallery" in Hamilton, Ontario. Bryce has a variety of other cutouts on his walls making an interesting exhibit with great shadows too!

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Cold Bird


Cold Bird
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

You know it's cold when there is both ice and snow on bird wings. Actually it's feeling warmer with the wind chill only - 20˚ c this morning.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Winter Survival Camp - 1978


Winter Survival Camp - 1978
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

This is another photo from 1978 when I went to a camp north of Thunder Bay, Ontario for a course in winter survival. We slept out in snow shelters called quinzhees which were made by piling up loose snow, letting it settle, and then hollowing it out to make an igloo shaped structure in a place where igloos could not be made. (One needs solid wind swept snow to cut blocks for making an igloo.) Temperatures inside the snow shelter were just above the freezing mark while temperatures outside dropped to - 30 C. The hard part was getting up in the morning and going out to start fires for breakfast.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

2009


2009
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Photos on the way to becoming a calendar. Hope they make it before January ends.