Blending In

 

I was walking through a local park that has a lot of trees when I heard hammering above me. It took a couple of minutes to locate this Downy Woodpecker which was flitting from side to side in the trees. I never did get a clear shot as it never stayed still for long.

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

A Community Rink

 

Members of the community in the Annex neighbourhood create this skating rink each year and the city provides access to water for flooding the surface. Often it only lasts a few weeks but this year it has been so cold that the kids have been skating and playing hockey here for weeks on end. It was looking really good one afternoon this week.

A Cold Bath

 

When I first saw this birdbath the sun was out creating a great shadow but by the time I got my camera out a big cloud had covered the sun. I waited a few minutes and was rewarded with these shadows which really highlighted the soft contours of the snow around the bath.

On A Cold Winter Evening

 

Actually this is a good idea on a warm summer evening too! It is a once a week treat for me all year.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Icicles

 

There are an extraordinary number of icicles around this winter some hanging quite dangerously over walkways into homes. It has been so cold that when the sun has melted the snow it freezes up before draining down the downspouts. It makes for some interesting sights.

Kids

 

I spotted this mural along a laneway back in September and at the time thought it looked like snow falling down onto kids at play. Now with all the snow we have had it seems quite suitable. I really like the colours. The artist for this one is Brother Moises.

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

Parked

 

These bikes won't be moving very far anytime soon. I never understand why people leave them out where this can happen. At least they won't be stolen.