Hidden Features

This park and the playing field behind it have been fenced off for years as construction went on. It seemed to take forever to finally be finished but now there is a nice park with a playground and a large playing field just past it. The playing field sits over Canada's largest deep geothermal project which will be used to help cool and heat U of Toronto. The site had previously just been a rather rough playing field for the university.

Another View Of Conversion

I went by Bloor St United Church again and got a different view from the one I showed you a couple of weeks ago. It will be interesting to see if they get some type of covering over the roof before the snow flies this winter. There certainly will be a lot of work to do to restore the interior and build the condo tower that will be attached to it.

Koreatown

The lamp posts along Bloor St W in Koreatown have been newly decorated and new banners have been installed too. I like the patterns and colours that they have used. 

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

Where To Eat

These guys were on one side of the street discussing where to eat during one of the recent events along Bloor St W. They finally made up their minds and proceeded to cross right in front of the cyclist who was coming along at a good clip. He slowed down and gave them a big smile so all was well.

Abstract

This is yet another mural from the Yorkville neighbourhood. Even the stairs behind that wall are painted in the abstract way. The artist for this one is Matt Gondek. 

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

A Lot Of Style

While waiting for a crowd to move along I could not help noticing the great style the young woman on the right has going on. It is hard to tell but her purse is shaped like a carton of milk. It is interesting that her 2 companions were dressed in in casual everyday clothes.

A Gathering

 Last week I could hear a lot of bird noise outside and looked out to see this large gathering of Starlings on a nearby cell phone tower. The nearby tree was also full of them as they all chattered away at each other. There was a steady stream of them coming and going for quite a while.

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

Here Today

I went by a local park one day and everything was normal. I went by the next day around noon and this was in the middle of the grass and the surrounding streets had pylons reserving all the parking spots. I went by the next day at noon and the carousel was down and loaded onto a big truck. A film crew must have been doing night shots. Kids were playing all around in the park and ignoring it.

A City Waterfall

This wall of water was found on one of the exterior walls of a new condo tower in the Yorkville neighbourhood. On a hot summer day the sound of falling water was quite nice but I'm hoping they may add some planting along the sidewalk to soften the look a bit. What do you think?

Fantasy & Nature

This is a poster for a show at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) featuring the beasts of nature and how they have inspired stories and folklore through the ages. It sounds intriguing don't you think.

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

An Urban Tree

A nearby condo was built right along the train tracks and they were required to install this very high and thick wall to protect the condos from a possible train derailment. I was pleased to see that the inside of the wall has been decorated with a series of these trees and lots of plantings including real trees. I love the wee yellow bird on the tree.

Hanging At The Park

 This is another of the murals spotted during the mural event in Yorkville a few weeks ago. The artist for this one is Jenn Kitagawa and it was sponsored by Stella Artois which was one of the sponsors for the whole event. The artist called it "Park Hang" which we all like to do in the summer.

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

Some Welcome Shade

 This is a shot of one section of Yorkville Park which is a small park just off Bloor St. The park is heavily used and this section gives a bit of shade and a place to sit for a while and rest up after shopping in all the high end stores in the area. Not every person was on a phone.

Overhead Danger

For some reason the pigeons like to sit on these wires which are right by the sidewalk leading to a local grocery store. The sidewalk is covered in bird droppings so you really have to watch out for your footing and for danger from above when you walk to the store. Nothing seems to discourage them. 

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

A Natural Walk

 The gates in yesterday's post lead down into Philosopher's Walk which is part of U of Toronto (U of T) and leads from Bloor St south to Hoskin Ave under a canopy of mature trees, mostly Beech & Oak.  It is a meandering path as it follows the ravine formed by Taddle Creek which still runs underground after being incorporated into the city's sewage system in the 1800s. It is a wonderful peaceful place to walk or to sit on one of the many benches along its route.

A Gateway

These gates are found on Bloor St W between the modern addition to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Royal Conservatory of Music. Called the Queen Alexandra Gates and built in 1901, the gates originally stood at Bloor & Avenue Rd to mark the entrance to Queen's Park Circle.  They were moved to this location in 1962 and tomorrow I will show you where they lead to. I'll have to go back in winter when there are no leaves on the trees so that you can see the wonderful lanterns better.

A Farm Of Crates

This is the sign that was out on the crates at Walmer Road Baptist Church. There were a lot of veggies still to be picked and really a lot of herbs and of course flowers to attract the bees. It looks like the project involves several groups one of which is a development company that I think may have plans to build a 20 storey condo tower on the back half of the property. The sanctuary of the church would be renewed while the older office parts at the back would be redeveloped as part of the tower. We will have to see if it all happens as there is a very strong resident association in the Annex.

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

Great Crates

While wandering around in the Annex neighbourhood I came upon this huge installation of planted up milk cartons out on the front steps of Walmer Road Baptist Church. The church is heavily involved in community activities and support so it was not surprising to see them providing space for another project which will provide food to people. I'll post a sign tomorrow which will give you more info. 

Romance

This mural was painted on the same building as last week's mural although around at the back forming the background for a restaurant patio. I took the shot from an upper walkway and unfortunately could not see the artist name without entering the restaurant and moving some plants. I think the WIA on the woman's neck may be a hint. This one reminds me of a comic book.

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

Another Church Changing

This is/was Bloor St United Church and it is in the middle of a huge restoration/ construction project which will result in space for the congregation as well as a tower of condos. The roof has been removed and most of the stained glass has been removed and sent out for restoration. The glass will be reinstalled as part of the project. The church has heritage protection so will remain at the corner with the new construction around it.

Resting

 I spotted this Dragonfly resting on one of my tomato plants. I had time to go for my camera and come back for some shots before it finally flew off.  I think it is a female Common Green Darner. It is the first time I have ever managed a shot of a dragonfly.

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

A Gate

I really like this gate which was spotted out front of one of the Victorian homes in the Yorkville neighbourhood.  So much effort put into a functional object is good to see.

Missing One

 I was sitting out front of the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) on Bloor St W watching the world go by and when looking across at this condo tower called Museum House I noticed something missing. Every balcony had a lush planting of flowers and greens except the 4th balcony up from street level. All the plantings look the same so are probably maintained by a garden service and I couldn't help wondering what the story is with the bare balcony. Curious. These condos sell for at least a few million $.

Show Some Love

 This heart was recently installed in a parkette along Bloor St W in the Annex neighbourhood. As you can imagine it has become a popular place for people to have their photos taken. T.O. is one of Toronto's nicknames.

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

Making An Entrance

This is the entrance to the courtyard where you can find yesterday's mural. I'm not sure what those balls are supposed to represent but they certainly get your attention. I had to wait a bit to get a shot with no people in it as there was a very busy restaurant in the courtyard.

Lady

There was a mural event in the Yorkville neighbourhood a couple of weeks ago and this lovely lady was spotted in a courtyard. The artist for this one is Ola Volo and I love it. 

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

Shooting Memories

I was wandering around the U of Toronto campus on a Sunday afternoon and happened upon this photo shoot. They had 2 still photographers and also a video photographer so nothing was missed. It was a very hot day but the whole wedding party was very patient and posed for a lot of pics.

On The Lookout

I heard this hawk up in a locust tree before I saw it. It was well hidden and was looking very alert. Five minutes later it was sitting there eating a pigeon. I will spare you those pics. I think it is a Coopers Hawk but am not sure. 

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

Women At Play

While walking along Bloor St W during the Open Streets event I spotted these women playing rugby in Varsity Stadium which is part of U of Toronto.  U of T's downtown campus is right in the middle of downtown  and the stadium has the Royal Ontario Museum and the Royal conservatory of Music as its next door neighbours on Bloor St. So far the stadium thrives in what is becoming an area of more condo towers.

September Theme: My Superpower

 The September theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is "My Superpower".  That 's a hard one but I chose my skill with clay which has been honed over many years.

Taking part in the theme My Superpower. Click HERE to see more examples from around the world.