Arts & Crafts

I pass this Arts and Crafts home in the Forest Hill neighborhood fairly often and finally stopped for a pic. I was actually in this house several years ago and the interior has been lovingly restored - it is a real beauty! And the fence separates them from the neighbour's underground parking.
Taking part in Good Fences. Click HERE to see more fences from around the world.

We're Ready!

This was taken about 10 minutes after yesterday's pic and judging by the white carriage I think they were getting ready for a wedding at Casa Loma. In the meantime you can see the head of the wee daughter of the woman tending to the horses as she sits in the carriage out of trouble.

Horses For Special Occasions

As I walked past Casa Loma a couple of weeks ago these two beauties were calmly waiting for some action. They had been groomed and were ready for a special occasion! More tomorrow.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Autumn Garden

Just a small section of the grounds at James Gardens. I do so love the autumn light!

Bridge

This mural is found under a railway overpass in the northwest part of the city. I had seen the artist working on it and talked to him a few times and then he disappeared before the whole thing was finished. This central section is quite recognizable as a homage to Monet and it is rather nice that the city has since added the bench.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Buddha In The Sun

I pass by this Buddhist centre fairly often and they always have a lovely display of flowers and this past week the September sun made the whole garden glow. It looks as if this may have been a large house in a previous use.
Taking part in Inspired Sunday. Click HERE to see more religious buildings from around the world.

Don't Fall In

This is a pic from James Gardens taken a few weeks ago. The open grassy area in the middle is the section I showed you yesterday with the faux stonework set up for a shoot for a TV show. Anyone approaching the duck pond immediately attracts the attention of every duck in the area hoping to be fed and since this young guy had a few pieces of bread he was a real attraction for them. There are signs everywhere saying not to feed the animals but few people pay any heed to them!
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

A Park Reinvented

Last week I went to James Gardens and found that it had been taken over by a film crew who were intent on creating a 16th century atmosphere for the filming of "Reign" which is a fantasy, historical, romance TV show about Mary, Queen of Scots. All of the modern park benches had been removed from this area and this faux patio was set up by the gardens. All of the pieces were lightweight hollow foam and not the real thing. I'm sure we will be back to the 21st century next time I go by!

Autumn Light

There is something so warm about autumn light that gives such rich tones and long shadows. This fence looked okay all summer but this week it was glowing in the September sun.
Taking part in Good Fences. Click HERE to see more fences from around the world.

Station 311

The little spotted lions from yesterday can be found by the bench outside this fire station near Yonge & St Clair Ave. The station was built in 1911 and was originally Toronto Fire Station 24 - you can see the old sign near the top of the building. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1990 and is still being used.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Spotted

These guys were found just off Yonge St - the rare spotted lions. I will show you tomorrow where they were found and it will all make sense.

Bunny

These bunnies by the artist Poser have been turning up around town for several years now often in unusual places. This guy that I found on Davenport Rd looks like he is in jail because I had to take the pic through a fence. There is something quite urban & edgy about these bunnies don't you think?
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Nice Details

This is another of the small apartment buildings on a street near Casa Loma. I really think that they may all be 4-plexes but am not sure. I like all the nice details in this one above the windows and around the doorway. And such a nice roofline.

Take A Seat

Proof that hummingbirds do sometimes sit for a couple of seconds and have something to eat! This little guy had fought off another hummingbird before settling down for a drink. I didn't notice the sparrow in the front right until I uploaded the pic to the computer.
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Columns

These columns mark the entrance to the Manufacturers Life Insurance Co building on Bloor St E - I showed the lawn out front a week ago! Quite stately aren't they?

Multi Use Park

This is just a small section of Hillcrest Park at Davenport & Christie St.  There is a tennis club there, basketball court, playground, open space, and a large off-leash area for dogs which is behind this fence.  It is nice that they have added wire mesh between the cross members of the fence to keep the little guys inside!
Taking part in Good Fences. Click HERE to see more fences from around the world.

East

Yet another food truck that I spotted getting its propane tanks filled. It looks as if it has food from the east but hasn't skipped the burgers, fries & hot dogs. I could easily go for some chicken kebabs!
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

It's In The Details

This is a detail shot of the head and shoulders from yesterday's mural by the artist Phlegm. You can see that the whole figure is composed of little illustrations of buildings around the city and also a lot of trees representing all the treed ravines that run through town. Off from the left shoulder you can see the CN Tower, the Flatiron Building and the Canada Life Building among others. So much work!

Eight Storeys High!

This mural by famed English artist Phlegm was painted on the side of an office building at Yonge & St Clair St in July in the middle of what was probably our hottest summer ever! The figure is 8 storeys high and is made up of little illustrations of landmark buildings and sights from around the city. I will show you a bit of detail from it tomorrow.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Just Before Sunset

I was wandering through the Annex neighborhood last week just before sunset and loved the look of the entrance to this old apartment building and the landings with the golden light. I've never been in this building but it looks as if the units are large and well maintained.

Catching Some Sun

I have visited the duck pond at James Gardens many times but never before have I seen a turtle there. On a slightly coolish morning this large guy was catching some nice sun on his back until someone's dog came running by and the turtle slipped quickly into the water and disappeared. It is always encouraging to see animals in the wild in the middle of the city!
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Moved

This lone building is all that is left of the huge Kodak facility that was in the Mount Dennis neighborhood and which employed a large part of the local population. The facility closed in 2005 and this building which was constructed in 1939 managed to survive demolition because of pressure from the community. It had been the social hub for the employees as it housed the cafeteria and games rooms and was used for a ll the Christmas parties, etc. The grounds are to become a turning point for the new Eglinton Crosstown LRT and so 2 weeks ago this 11,000 sq ft building was moved 200 ft and a new foundation is to be built and then the building moves back and becomes the new station for the LRT. During the move seating was erected and hundreds of people came to watch as it moved 8 inches/minute!

What A Lawn

A summer shot of the incredible lawn around the head office of Manufacturers Life Insurance Co on Bloor St E with a view across the road of St Paul's Anglican Church. There is a huge fence surrounding the lawn but the grounds are open to the public. 
Taking part in Good Fences. Click HERE to see more fences from around the world.

Deli Food Truck

Caplansky's Deli has a new food truck named Bubby Doris (after his grandmother) and I spotted it getting a propane fill-up recently. And no they were not getting a beer fill-up too!
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Down By The Riverside

I was down along the Humber River last week and it was looking quite peaceful on a late summer day. We have had little rain this summer so the water level is quite low compared to normal. This shot was taken right in the middle of the city - a bit of an escape from the noisy traffic!

"Just Be"

Another painted utility box, this one with a golden background and red roses. I'm not sure what the "Just Be" means but I like it. There didn't seem to be an artist name on this one.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

RatRod

I don't totally understand the whole Ratrod style of rusty vehicles but it seems to be really popular here now. I passed by this old panel truck a couple of times and then finally stopped to get a pic which is good because it seems to have disappeared now. I can't help but think how nice it would look all restored but this is a diehard fan who even has Ratrod decals in the windows!

Excuse Me

This little grey squirrel seems to be very politely begging for a handout but he was out of luck. What a wonderful bushy tail he has! We seem to have an abundance of squirrels around town this year - I'm not sure if the warm weather has had something to do with it or not.
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Up On The Roof

It's always fun to spot a nice weathervane and this cherub was a particular treat to see on a small tower above the roof of a garage in midtown. 

September Theme Day - "Library"

The Sept theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is library and I offer a pic of probably the smallest branch of the Toronto Public Library. This one is located in the Veteran''s Centre of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and serves the veterans as well as the rest of the Sunnybrook patients and staff. It is also open to other members of the public and has a wide assortment of audio books, DVDs & CDs as well as books & magazines. The Toronto Public Library system is one of the busiest in the world - I guess we are ardent readers here!
Taking part in the September Theme. Click HERE to see more Library pics from around the world.