Turning right around from yesterday's pic and taking a few steps to side to look through the trees gives you this view over the beach at Ward's Island and out over Lake Ontario. If we had eagle eyes we could see Niagara Falls on the other side. On a clear day when you are at the Falls you can see the Toronto skyline across the lake.
In many parts of Ward's Island you are wandering on very narrow tree lined streets and it is easy to forget that you are so close to downtown Toronto and then you walk out to an open space like this playing field and there it is - the CN Tower peeking across the harbour. I'll show you the 180˚ view tomorrow.
This is the Island Cafe on Ward's Island and it is located right beside the Ward's Island Association Clubhouse which I showed you last week. It is a funky looking place but serves great locally sourced food, is fully licensed for alcohol, and has a cool patio. What more could you want for a meal on the island?
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.
This is another of one of the highly renovated houses on Ward's Island. I think you are not allowed to build new structures there but can renovate which can result in a practically completely new house like this one. It must have some very interesting spaces inside judging by all of the windows and gables.
This mural on a garage door gives the impression that there is some deep message behind it but I have no idea what it could be. The forest and the town seem to have come to an accord of some kind. I don't know the artist for this one but I really like it.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.
This is one of the cottages/houses on Ward's Island that hasn't been totally upgraded at least on the exterior. It is nice the way the natural wood blends into the surrounding greenery though. You can see bits of each of its neighbours giving you an idea of how close all the buildings are to each other.
I spotted this Monarch Butterfly on Ward's Island when I was there. He was fluttering back and forth from blossom to blossom probably gathering nutrition for his flight to Mexico. There seem to be a lot of Monarchs around this year which is a good sign that all of the milkweed being planted is having an effect since it is the favoured host plant for these guys. This one has a bit of damage on the tip of his right wing so I hope he makes a successful journey.
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.
I thought I'd give you a look at one of the houses on Ward's Island many of which were originally cottages that have been winterized and renovated. Most of their lots are quite small and I couldn't help thinking that you would have to be considerate on a hot summer night when everyone's windows were open although this house may have air conditioning. There are no stores on the Island so everything must be brought across on the ferry and then wheeled home by wagon or some kind of bundle buggy since there are also no cars. Not fun in the winter!
There are several yacht clubs on the Toronto Islands and most evenings during the summer you will see the harbour full of boats of various sizes. This is a pic of the Queen City Yacht Club which is located on Algonquin Island, the only island other than Ward's with residences. Most of the members of the clubs live on the mainland and use the ferries or water taxis to get to their boats.
This is the Ward's Island Association Club House which is located close to the ferry dock and can be rented for occasions such as weddings. The association was formed in 1913 but this clubhouse was not built until the winter of 1937-38. It is such a pleasant colour don't you think?
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.
I'm back to posts about the Toronto Islands for a few days where I had gone to watch the running race. The runners I showed you on Sunday took off running along this roadway for 3km & then back and since the Toronto Islands form the largest car-free community in North America the only vehicles they had to watch out for were bicycles and these rental pedal machines. There are a few service vehicles around during the day such as fire engines and that is it.
I really like this modern design on a garage I found just off Bloor St W. It is by artist CBS and I quite like the colours and tones that have been used.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.
My reason for going to Ward's Island was to watch the Sunset Shuffle a 6K race that takes place there on a Thursday evening every summer. The race is limited to just a few hundred runners and always fills up quickly because of the location and because of the great after- race party which is sponsored by a local brewery. In the pic the runners are getting their final instructions before the horn goes off.
On my little journey over to Ward's Island I spotted this creature as I wandered about the area. This steel dragon was done by artist Bruce Smith and if you click on my 'Islands' label below you can see another one that he did as well as more pics from Ward's.
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.
This is the view looking across the harbour from the ferry dock at Ward's Island. You can see a bit of the dock off to the right in the pic. As you can see it was a cloudy night with the threat of thunder storms all around us but we were lucky and stayed dry.
Last week I took the 10 minute ferry ride to the Toronto Islands which are located in Lake Ontario just off the lakeshore downtown. There are 4 ferry routes to the Islands and I took the trip to Ward's Island which is where you can still find around 250 homes. The islands were totally inhabited until the 1950s when the decision was made to turn the whole place into parkland but the residents at Ward's have resisted so far. I'll show you some more pics over the next few days.
This ferry is the Sam McBride which is named after a former mayor and was commissioned in 1939.
This sign is found on the old Davenport Garage of our transit system, the TTC. The garage was built in 1925 to service gas-fueled vehicles and is part of the Hillcrest Complex of the TTC but the building has not been used since 1993 although it is still well maintained. They are doing everything they can to attempt to keep the pigeons away as you can see by all of the spikes.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.
This sculpture, Communications, by artist Hayden Davies was commissioned by Bell Canada and is found at Bell Trinity Square on Bay St. I quite like it but have to admit I would have preferred a brighter colour, maybe red?
I found this mural on the fence around a daycare play area. All of the images of the kids have been painted on wood, cut out, and then attached to the fence. It works so well! I don't know who the artist is.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.
This pic was taken On Queen St W early on a Sunday before the traffic got heavy and before any stores opened. This is such a nicely maintained block of commercial buildings each different although most are the same style.
I haven't seen as many birds around town this summer - perhaps they are spending time in the ravines and woods to escape the heat. I did spot this Goldfinch couple a few weeks ago as they had a bit of brunch.
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.
I haven't been out for many photo shoots so am into my archives for this pic of a stained glass window that was seen in the Faculty Club at U of Toronto during the Doors Open event in May. I love the brilliant colours the artist has used.
There are a lot of homes in the Annex neighbourhood with turrets but most of the towers are small unlike this one which looks quite large so that you could actually have some major space in there. This house was built in 1908 in the Queen Anne Style and has heritage protection as well as being in a Heritage Conservation Area. Wouldn't you like to see how they have decorated inside that turret?
This is another sign that I found in a garden at the Veterans Centre at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. This basil really has a wonderful fragrance.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.
There are lots of interesting things going on behind the walls of the old factories that have been converted to living spaces. High ceilings and brick walls make for a lofty living style. This is the same space where the Wurlitzer was that I showed a week ago.
This flowery utility box was found in the Annex neighbourhood near the one I showed you last week with the monarch butterflies on it. It is so cheerful and bright and will be a real treat to see in the dull winter months. The artist for this one is Muisca.
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.
It is a glorious time of year in gardens here despite the lack of rainfall this summer. These lilies were growing on a stalk so high that it was above my head. I love the colour of the flowers!
I wasn't the only creature liking these wonderful red coneflowers. This bee spent several minutes visiting each of the blossoms in this bunch. It is so nice to see a bee since it really seems that there are fewer of them around this year.
Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.
This fountain is found in front of an apartment building in the Annex neighbourhood and it is always nice to see it running each year. The building and fountain were designed by architect Uno Prii who is a favourite - click on the label below to see more of his apartments. It has been a few years since I showed this fountain so it was time for another look!
This is a pic of part of the gardens at the Veterans Centre at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. The average age of our vets is up in the 90s and most of them use wheelchairs to get around so all of the pathways are nicely paved. It is a lovely area with many places for families to gather for picnics or barbeques or just for relaxing.
The August theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Music and for this one I offer this great old Wurlitzer jukebox full of 45s from the 50s & 60s. Spotted in a downtown loft - priceless!
Taking part in the theme "Music". Click HERE to see more examples of music from around the world.
