Another Day, Another Bride Arrives

While passing by Casa Loma again I spotted another bride arriving for her wedding reception. It was the beautiful white limo that  caught my eye and I never did see the bride walking away from it. The casa makes a great setting.

Fishing

This mural was found in the Little Portugal neighbourhood and unfortunately every time I went by it was sunny out and there was reflection on the piece. I recently went by again and it has been painted over. I really liked it so I thought I would post it as I had seen it.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Guitar

Yet another of the pop-up cards from the window of the shop in Koreatown. It is hard to believe that this guitar folds down flat.

It's That Time Of Year

It is the time of year when the Monarch butterflies are heading off to their winter hideaway in Mexico. They seem to be fluttering by more and more each day even on the really windy days. Such a long trip for a delicate creature.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

A Flowery Gift

 Some dear friends surprised me with this nice bunch of Sunflowers. It is certainly the season for them and they are so cheerful to look at.

Pink Box

This is the pink box fund outside the dog spa that I showed you yesterday. It looks like it was probably a candy machine at some point in its life and has now been taken out of commission and filled with little toys and creatures and then painted bright pink. Fun!

Holy What?

 This sign was spotted along Bloor St W in Koreatown. I must admit to doing a double take when I read it. One gets the feeling that it is a fun dog spa! I'll show you that pink box tomorrow.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

A Walkway At U Of Toronto

There is something mysterious about walkways like this one at U of T as you wonder where is it leading me. This one between two of the old buildings along St George St leads to a small courtyard which has a nice water feature but it was bone dry when I was there early on a Sunday morning.

A Reality Check

I stopped to take a shot of this mural showing some of the wonderful creatures of the sea and then I spotted the interloper in the bottom right corner. The plastic bags seem to be everywhere. The artist for this one is Sweet Luv.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Sunflowers

 These sunflowers are indeed reaching for the sun. They are at least 10 feet tall and still growing. They looked great against the clear blue sky.

Dust Bath

 There has been some construction going on in a local park and sections of dusty earth have been left scattered about. The House Sparrows were taking full advantage of the sand to have a dust bath which helps them to maintain their plumage in top condition. There were actually about a dozen of these little guys fluttering around in the dirt.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

The Bride Arrives

Since many of our covid restrictions have been lifted Casa Loma is again hosting weddings and I happened to pass by as a bride had just pulled up in her limo. The photographer was directing a few poses in the car window before they headed into the reception in the hall behind.

Painting

This artist had brought all her supplies with her and was painting a watercolour of Spadina House as she sat in the cool shade. I didn't want to bother her so didn't go by to view the work.

Dragons?

Imagine Dragons Light Forest is a special show going on at Casa Loma in the evenings. It features light displays and theatrical medieval displays along a 2km route through the gardens, tunnels and stables of the Casa. It doesn't go into the actual Casa though.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Houses In Little Italy

 These are typical of the houses found in Little Italy. They were originally built to be two stories high but most of them have now had the attics opened up and used as living space, usually a bedroom. The one on the left has a coach house in the back yard that is used as an apartment now. I love all of those large porches.

Sacred Medicines

This really large mural was painted last year above the entrance to a community centre and shows the four sacred medicines of the indigenous people. They are tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar and are used in everyday life as well as in ceremonies. The artists for this one are those of the Red Urban Nation and several of the names are listed on the mural itself. You can tell the scale of the piece by looking at the doors which are standard commercial doors.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Hummingbird

When passing by the card store in Koreatown I spotted another great pop-up card. They really are so fascinating to look at and to try to figure out how they fold flat.

Busy As A .....!

This bee was certainly living up to its reputation as it went from flower to flower gathering nectar. It has been hot here the last week and for the first time ever I have seen bees going to the birdbath for a drink of water. It surprised me but it makes sense.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Meow!

While walking through the Annex neighbourhood I spotted this cat out of the corner of my eye. At first I thought it was a real cat until I turned around and realized that it was metallic. The homeowners must be cat lovers don't you think?

They're Back!

 The tourists seem to be trickling back into the city. This is a shot of the stairs leading up to Casa Loma which for the last 18 months have been fairly empty. At this point they have walked up about 90 steps and have about 15 more to go so it is a good place to stop and read the signs.

A Red Beauty

I spotted this red beauty  in a mechanic's lot and stopped for a shot immediately. It is a Ford Country Sedan, I think a 1957 but I could be wrong about the year. I love that it even has white wall tires! 

I think the name plate on the car counts as a sign so am taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Guardians Of The House

During one of my wanderings I spotted these two ferocious creatures guarding the entrance to a home. They are sure to fend off any evil coming towards them!

Not Alone

There seem to be a lot of these "You Are Not Alone" murals around town. I spotted this one a while ago but there was always a vehicle parked in front of it. It is nice to know that there is someone looking out for us and we are not alone. 

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Water Lilies

I had no luck seeing frogs on the Water Lillies at James Gardens this week and the same story unfolded when I went by the shop window in Koreatown to see the pop-up cards. They still look so lovely and there seems to be new ones every time that I go by.

Hey Lady!

These geese thought that I might have food and they started chasing me across the lawn as I left the parking lot at James Gardens. They were very intimidating but eventually realized I was not going to feed them. I did run a bit though! 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

A Nice Day At The Park

It was a very pleasant day and many people were taking advantage of it in this small park in the Annex neighbourhood.

Looking For Frogs

This small pond in James Gardens usually has a frog or two sitting on a lily pad but on this visit I had no luck. It must have been nap time in the longer plants. It still makes for a nice setting though.

A Grand College

 While wandering around the U of Toronto campus I couple of weeks ago I stopped for this pic of Knox College showing the entrance and part of the chapel off to the left. The front campus is undergoing major renovations with all of the parking being removed and the roadway shortened a lot. Replacing all of this will be terraces and landscaping but in the meantime all the existing trees are surrounded by orange fencing and there is little space to get back for good shots. You can see other pics of Knox College by clicking the label below.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

I have been having a lot of issues with blogger. I can't view my reading list and other small things. Is anyone else?

Lily

It is the season for Day Lilies and there are some real beauties around. I spotted these yellow ones growing along the side of the stairs leading up to Casa Loma. The next day they were gone but there are more buds still to open.

Birdbrain?

I am a big fan of Birdo's murals and recently spotted one he did with Alfalfa on Dundas St W.  Not sure what it means but I like it!

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Horse Chestnut

 There are a few Horse Chestnut trees growing on the grounds of Spadina House. This is one of the loveliest of them.