The Snowbird That Stayed Home

This is a photo I took last night for my 365 self photo project. It's the first real snow fall in Pickering this winter. It was the wet heavy type and we did not get much more than what you see here. The only problem is that over night there was a flash freeze and everything is froze solid. This is a retired bus driver's dream. I don't have to go out and drive in this stuff. In fact I don't even have to go outside if I don't want to.

Monday Mural - The Search for The Lost Skull

Located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia thie entire wall tells a tale of adventure. This is one photo you definitely have to click on enjoy the detailed view.

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I got in close for this view. Here's some more Monday Murals. Oakland Daily Photo and SightLines.

My Old Tree Number Two

All the leaves have disappeared. Still no snow as of this date as we continue to head towards a green Christmas.

Behind The Camera - House Fire In Pickering

I was out last night with the intent to photograph some Christmas lights. I arrived before dark and while waiting for the lights to be turned on, I heard sirens in the distance and noticed a large billow of smoke rising into the sky. I went back into my car and headed towards the smoke. Upon my arrival, the fire department were already on scene. The street was filled with smoke.

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There were no restrictions setup for pedestrians, so I move in closer to the house fire.

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On the outside there were no flames to be seen but there was plenty of smoke rising from the house.

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The City Of Pickering fire department is comprised of full time and volunteer firefighters.

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The was no shortage of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or police. I did not see any injuries. Residents were taken to the house across the road for shelter.

Monday Mural - Mennonite

I have no information about the artist. It is located on the south wall of the A Gift To Remember shop, in St. Jacobs, Ontario. The mural depicts Mennonite life in the area.

52 Photos Project - Who ya gonna call?

GRAFFITI BUSTER! I'm linking to 52 Photos Project

Chocolate

Taking photos through the window of the chocolate shop... with my mouth watering.

Monday Mural - Flight Training Circa 1917

I have very little info on this mural. Artist Geoff Sangster. In Creemore, Ontario just off of Mill Street. More mural postings... Oakland Daily Photo, SightLines and View thru My Global Lens

Three Reactions

On a trip to Halifax I stopped in a pub for something to eat. (Wink, wink.) Feeling the urge to use the restroom and upon entering I came across this scene above the urinals. I just had to have a photo of this but my camera was back at my table. I returned to fetch it. After taking the photo I began to wonder what people were thinking when they saw me entering the restroom with my camera. What would you have thought?

X-Ray

Trick photography at work. Using a tripod and a shutter speed of 8 seconds. I started with the barbecue's lid open. Halfway through the exposure close the lid. Pretty simple way to have fun with your photos.

Monday Mural - Utility Box

Halifax, Nova Scotia Cultural Affairs offered the Traffic Box Program yearly from 2008 through 2010, with the support of Transportation and Public Works. A diversity of local artists were selected each year through a jury process to paint murals on the newly created or replaced traffic boxes found at intersections. The boxes are located in highly visible locations both to pedestrians and road traffic. The program has expanded to other types of utility boxes.

Goals:

• provide opportunities for artists to be creative, connect with their community and heighten community identity through beautification
• reduce graffiti vandalism
• provide employment opportunities for emerging and established local artists
• provide opportunity to paint outside and use an alternative form of "canvas"
• to spark interest and dialogue around new diverse forms of mural painting
• to strengthen artist, resident, and municipal relations
• to heighten community cohesiveness and civic pride
• to heighten sense of place

Cabbage

Trees are not the only ones that can display beautiful autumn colours.

First Snow

Yesterday the first snow of the season fell in my neighborhood. It was large wet flakes that were falling. Shortly after I took this photo it stopped snowing and sun came out. Within a couple hours the snow melted and was gone.

On Golden Poud

This is a continuation on Monday's posting.

Monday Mural - Natural Mystic

Artist: Javid Alibhai artist/mentor. Artists: Leo Lam; Juhyun (Jane) Oh; Faith Webster; Anthony Jamez (aj) Monohan. The father holding up the child is symbolic of the will of every parent for their child, to succeed in life. The kingdom in the sky represents an ideal, mystical dwelling for the family and their offspring to live in. The lion is the all-seeing guardian of this paradise. This lion symbolizes the beautiful struggle of surviving to achieve the goals we set out for ourselves. The naturalistic scene of the far-left side and the animals throughout were added for the many children in the community and to enhance the family-oriented feeling of the piece. This imaginative mural, merging Mother Nature and the magical kingdom of the sky was the inspiration for the title of the mural Natural Mystic, which is a classic Bob Marley song that has touched the hearts of young and old worldwide. You can view more murals here and here.

Empty Boat Slips

Empty boat slips is a good reminder that it's time to put your winter tires on your car.

Mouse Trap

Caught a mouse in the basement. This trap has been reset for two weeks and left untouched. That's a good sign I got the one and only one living in my house.

Monday Mural - Scarborough Rifle Company

Artist: John Hood. Date: September 1990. In 1862 the Scarborough Rifle Company was organized with headquarters in a school at Eglinton Avenue near Markham Road. It was the first of several militia companies formed in York County. The company was rushed to the Niagara Frontier three times in 1865 and 1866 to defend Canada against the Fenians. The Scarborough Rifle Company later became No. 1 Company of the 12th Battalion of Infantry, the forerunner of the Queen's York Rangers

My Old Tree Number One

All of the apples have dropped and most of the leaves are gone.

Cafe Creme Burulee

It's that time of year when outdoor eating moves inside.

Monday Mural - Flesherton, Ontario

Artist: Allen C. Hilgendorf. Mural depicts the area’s automotive history through scenes of gas station and vintage automobiles bolstering the theme of Flesherton’s crossroads and agricultural history.

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Standing back to capture a wider angle. Make sure you are looking up to spot this one.

Remembrance Day

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." - Jose Narosky.

Bevy

A flock of birds when gathered close together and not in flight is known as a bevy.

Monday Mural - Legal

The sword welding guard sets out the rule for the designated legal graffiti wall.

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This artist has paid close attention to warning.

My Old Tree Number Two

This grand old oak tree is another one that I have admired. I think I have driven my bus past it a zillion times. I have tried to photograph it in the past but I was never satisfied with the results. Along with "My Old Tree Number One" I will be keeping track of it as it passes through the seasons.

Frosty Morning

Nothing special here. Just my footprints in the frosty grass.

Monday Mural - Spooner's Garage

Artist: Phillip Woolf. Built in 1926 and rebuilt in 1947, the garage was located on the south side of Kingston Road in Cliffside Village. Owner Art Spooner kept the business alive during the Depression of the 1930's by offering a variety of services such as driving lessons, a restaurant and a 24-hour towing service. The price of gasoline showing on the pump is 33 cent per imperial gallon.

Snow

I spotted my first sign of snow. Fortunately it's artificial snow behind the hockey arena. This is the area where the Zamboni dumps it's cleanup from the ice pad.

Nervous Gulls

Except for the first one they all flew away.

This brave soul showed no fear of me and let me get close.

Sunrise On The Building

It was the orange glow of the sunrise caught my eye.

Monday Mural - Ray Charles

Gone, but not forgotten. September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004.

Reiteration

Recapitulation, repetition, replay, reproduction.

Swans

As they make their way south for the winter, numerous swans can be spotted on Frenchman's Bay. These ones are not fully grown but able to fend for themselves.

Sunrise

This is a place close to my home that I like to photograph. On this day I wish I had my tripod with me. I shot this one in shutter priority at 1/4 of a second.

Blockbuster

Blockbuster Video has gone the way of the dodo bird.

Monday Mural - Face

A simple but sad clown face.

Corn Maze

Autumn is the third season of the year, when crops and fruits are gathered. It is also a time for fun. It took us an hour to go through this maze. Thanks to my son it was done with no wrong turns.

Changing Colours

Fall colours are arriving later this year.

Monday Mural - Waste Bin

I usually expect to see a mural painted on a wall. This is a new location for me. I found no artist name on the mural so I can give the credit they deserve.

Monday Mural - Peggy Of The Cove

World's largest Peggy's Cove mural by Ivan Fraser. You can find Ivan's Home & Museum, in Nova Scotia, 11.3 km. from Peggy's Cove.

I Scream For Ice Cream

Cows is a small Canadian business of ice cream shops. There are only ten locations including the factory and store in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Also known for their humours t-shirts sold in the stores or online. I should also mention that ice cream is my weakness. I'd do anything (almost) for ice cream. :-$

Llamas In Sheep's Cothing

Sheep herders are using llamas to fend off wolves and coyotes. The llama will scream, stamp, and kick with their feet. They are capable of stomping a coyote to death if the coyote refuses to retreat. Under attack sheep and lambs will gather into a tight circle. Llamas will stay on the outside of the circle and chase off the intruder.