East Gwillimbury WOW! (Daily Photo)

Fenelon Falls/ Our World

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:39:00 +0000

Trent-Severn Waterway at Fenelon Falls, Ontario

Last Thursday, looking easterly, the water was ice free and very blue reflecting the cloud-free sky.

Looking in the opposite direction

But looking westerly to the lake on the other side, there was ice. Here you could see water on the inside of the lock that had leaked through and formed ice.

Icicles below the dam

On the southerly side of the lock, icicles dripped off the dam.

Mural at the station that regulates the locks

But on the northerly side, a mural depicted warmer days, albeit many years ago.

Click HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.

Shadows/ Creative Exchange

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:10:00 +0000

Shadows on landing

Last Thursday the sun was bright and the shadows strong when my husband and I visited Fenelon Falls, Ontario. These shadows are on the wooden landing and stairs to the lookout to view the falls. I was intrigued by the lines created by the shadows of the iron railings.

Shadows on stairs and landing

I am Linking to The Creative Exchange HERE.

Wild Turkey/ Camera Critters

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:06:00 +0000

Wild turkey (female), moseying out of photo range

Thursday we passed a farm with this critter out on the front lawn. We backed up... but the turkey heard us and began walking in the opposite direction until...

it was out of sight. Sometimes I wish wild turkeys were not such...er ...turkeys!

To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS

Lake Simcoe/ Weekend Reflections

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:32:00 +0000

Yesterday afternoon: reflections on the ice at Virginia Beach, Ontario

Two versions taken just a few seconds apart.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Over Tracks/Sky Watch

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:02:00 +0000

Setting over Canadian National tracks, East Gwillimbury, Ontario

From my archives, taken last March. Unfortunately I have not seen an outstanding sky this week.

Sky Watch

L/Alpabe-Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:43:00 +0000

LIGHTHOUSE - Tobermory, Ontario

You'd be correct if you're thinking these photos were taken last summer and fall.

LIGHTHOUSE - Collingwood, Ontario

What is it about lighthouses that so many people find so romantic?

This year, I hope to see and photograph many more lighthouses around the Great Lakes, and maybe I'll figure out why I find them so intriguing.

LIGHTHOUSE - Barrie, Ontario

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

February 8/Nature Notes

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:22:00 +0000

Early February 2012

It doesn't look or feel like February. Mallards are still finding plenty of water in which to swim and splash as you can see in the largest square, the photo taken last Saturday. And moving clockwise. one duck was circling, planning to land in the creek with the already swimming ducks.

Nothing sprouting here yet, which is perfectly normal. So all plants here are sporting dried seed pods and wrinkled berries. The ducks aren't worried about the unusually warm weather, but I am because I think we may have trouble with insect infestations this summer, something that often happens after a mild winter.

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Gilford Ice Fishers/Watery Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:27:00 +0000

Gilford: arriving by bicycle

Last Saturday the ice on Cook's Bay was about 23 centimetres (9 inches) thick so fishers from miles around arrived there in droves. This year fishers parked their cars on terra firma as the ice was not really safe enough for cars or trucks. To reach their ice houses, fishers rode across the ice on bikes, all-terrain vehicles... or walked.

Pulling a sledge

Some of you dear readers have wondered who'd be "crazy" enough to fish in the cold. The easy answer is: lots of people, mostly men but some women and kids too. Many of the fishers are not Canadians but Americans who've traveled north for the pleasure.

Canine helper

And even a few dogs enjoyed a day out on the ice.

On all-terrain vehicle and on foot

The huts were a fair distance from the shore so for some it was a chore to get all their gear to their fishing spots, although this guy didn't seem to mind.

Even kids haul gear!

And these boys were quite excited to be fishing with dad.

What are they fishing for?

A pailful of perch

In this shallow water, they were catching perch.

Many thanks to Rob of Gilford Yellow Huts, Inc. (gilfordyellowhuts.com) who answered many questions my husband and I had about fishing here.

I am linking to Watery Wednesday where you can find many more watery photos.

Pod Racer/ Our World

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:46:00 +0000

Going downhill in style

Fast and soft! Doesn't this inflatable pod racer look like fun? And for extra precaution, the rider is wearing a helmet.

At the top of the hill, making sure the rider is safe

Wow! What a ride!

Oops! Are those tail lights leading?

What comes down must go up

Click HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.

Melting Ice/ Creative Exchange

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:37:00 +0000

Reflections of rusty metal, ice and grasses

Yesterday (Saturday) was a mild February day (for central Ontario) and even though the sky was overcast and gloomy, it was a fine day to take my camera on a road trip. Well, my husband and I had a few errands so why not let my camera tag along, right?

Lines, cracks and holes in the ice

I am Linking to The Creative Exchange HERE.

Puppies/ Camera Ctitters

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:42:00 +0000

Four sweet puppies sound asleep

ZZZZZ. Togetherness is where it's at asleep,...

Hey, little sister! Wake up!

or awake. Three females and one male pure-bred Italian greyhounds, four weeks old. Aren't they adorable?

OK, I'm awake. Now what?

To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS

Civic Centre Windows/Weekend Reflections

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:18:00 +0000

Railings reflected in windows #1

It seems like the windows in the East Gwillimbury Civic Centre often have interesting reflections in them. So far no one has ever come out of the building to say vamoose, which pleases me because there are so many lovely features and angles on the outside of this building.

Railings reflected in windows #2

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

In Behind/ Sky Watch

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Sundown behind the East Gwillimbury Civic Centre #1

Sundown behind the East Gwillimbury Civic Centre #2

Sky Watch

K/ Alphabe-Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Go fly a KITE!

When you think of playing outdoors in winter, you probably don't think of kites. But quite a few people were flying kites on the frozen ice over Cook's Bay last Sunday afternoon.

Practicing the art of KITE flying

Out on the bay you don't have to worry about your kite getting caught in tree limbs. And a few kite flyers were wearing short skis or snowboards and were enjoying a ride courtesy of the wind.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

February 1/Nature Notes

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:13:00 +0000

Ice on Cook's Bay at Keswick, Ontario

Ice fishers have set up huts on Cook's Bay (part of Lake Simcoe) and apparently it's safe enough for cars and all-terrain vehicles where the water isn't very deep. But gulls and pigeons are sticking to the air and the ice on the shore because they can see open water and floating ice just a few miles north on the same lake. It's cold but NOT cold enough for really thick ice.

And a special thank you to Juliet at Crafty Green Poet who tells me I have won a giveaway on her blog - a kit to make fat cakes for garden birds. I'm very excited! And I know the local birds will LOVE it. Thanks, Juliet!

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Lake Simcoe/Watery Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:17:00 +0000

Sunday afternoon near Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe

In many places on Lake Simcoe the water is still unfrozen!

I am linking to Watery Wednesday where you can find many more watery photos.

Outdoor Rink/ Our World

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Lake Scugog

Here's proof that not ALL Canadian kids are playing video games all day. I was ending a day of taking photos when I happened upon these guys still practicing even though the sun was below the horizon.

My husband and I were returning from a road trip and actually saw a few homemade rinks with boys and girls on them. Because it wasn't quite dark, these kids were not ready to go home. I guess they could still see the puck.

Click HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.

Play/ Creative Exchange

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Gull over phantom pirate ship

Do gulls fantasize about abandoned pirate ships?

I was just playing around with two photos here: one of a shipwreck in Jordan Harbour (converted into pencil sketch) and the other of a gull flying over Cobourg Harbour. I know this is not a masterpiece but I had fun working on it.

I am Linking to The Creative Exchange HERE.

Black Duck/Camera Critters

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:31:00 +0000

American black duck - note greenish bill

This duck looks a lot like a mallard, don't you agree? It's certainly not "black" as it's name implies. But if you see black ducks with mallards they truly are a few shades darker brown. And this one was hanging out with mallards. (They frequently mate with them too, but their ducklings are sterile.)

The green bill is one telltale sign and the...

Note pinkish feathers

pink feathers on the wing (instead of blue) is another.

To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS

Bum's Rush/ Weekend Reflections

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:18:00 +0000

Sleeping, I think

The reflection of these guys' and gals' bums made me laugh. I bet they're embarrassed now that this photo of them is up on my blog.

To enjoy reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections HERE

Over Ice Huts/Sky Watch

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:15:00 +0000

Sunset over Lake Scugog at Ceasarea

Saturday at sunset and it looks quiet, but actually there were a few snowmobiles out and about.

Not as sad and quiet as it appears

Sky Watch

J/ Alphabe-Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

JANUARY 2011 - Yep, last year

According to Environment Canada, JANUARY tends to be the coldest month of the year in Central Ontario with an average daily high of 26°F and low of 8°F. Well, JANUARY is now into it's last week and soon it will be balmy February with an average daily high of 28°F and low of 10°F. The mercury in my thermometer is JUMPING for JOY. Oh, wait! It's a digital thermometer, isn't it?

Looking back on last JANUARY, the sky looked decidedly bluer than the skies we've been experiencing so far this year. But it was probably colder too! In 2012, we're actually experiencing a warmer than usual JANUARY. Can you see my smile?

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE

January 25/ Nature Notes

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:36:00 +0000

On the northern shore of Lake Ontario

This is some of what Mother Nature had to offer this week.

Largest square: ice on the rocks at Bond Head. Moving clockwise: mallard on the snow-covered shore; dried weeds (evening primrose) still in fairly good condition; zillions of Canada geese flying this way and that way and...; ice on a shallow pond surrounded by green cedars and golden weeping willows and cattails; and a river edged in ice and dried grasses.

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more
NATURE NOTES.

Whitby/ Watery Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:48:00 +0000

Whitby on Lake Ontario in January

Common merganser male swimming in the harbour

I am linking to Watery Wednesday where you can find many more watery photos.

Grain Elevator/ Our World

noreply@blogger.com (EG Wow) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:45:00 +0000

Sealed tight!

This abandoned grain elevator stands beside railroad tracks just outside Pontypool, Ontario.

A reminder of Pontypool's agricultural history

Built in 1918, this is one of two freestanding grain elevators still standing in Ontario.

Missing more than a few shingles

Canadian Pacific Railway has donated the building to the Friends of the Pontypool Elevator heritage group, which hopes to restore the building and have it declared a historic site.

Structurally it is still sound

The Friends would like to convert the building into a tourist information centre as well as a museum to celebrate the area's history.

Added later: Pontypool is named after Pontypool, Wales.

Click HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.