Made In Toronto

 This cool looking e-bike was spotted recently and at first I thought that it was a small motorcycle but then realized it wasn't. I googled it and found that it is actually made right here in Toronto. Like the look of it.

Excuse Me!

I was walking along one of the woodland paths along the Humber River near James Gardens when I happened upon this pair of Mallards in a small stream. They seemed to be checking the area out for a possible good nesting site. The male paid no attention to me but Ms Mallard did not like me being there at all. She kept turning and stretching her neck up really long and giving me the evil eye. I took a couple of pics and then left them on their own.  

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

A Spring Survey

 Some of the groundskeepers at James Gardens were wandering around the gardens checking on what things needed attention. Things are really starting to grow so it is time to check on any losses that happened during the winter.

Sixties Art

 This sculpture by artist Ron Baird was found on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition where I had spotted the fire hall that I showed last week. The piece was commissioned by the Seagram company in 1968 and was named "83" as a tribute to their Seagram's "83 Canadian Whiskey". It is too bad that it isn't against a better background so that the details show up but I quite like it as a piece of work from the 60s.

Saves

This sign has hung out front of a religious community building on St Clair Ave for years. It looks a bit worn and I'm not sure if the neon still works but it was good to see that it is still there. You can see that a condo is under construction beside it but so far it is a survivor.  

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

Scilla

The week before last we had several days of summer-like temperatures and all the spring flowers started to open quickly but unfortunately they were finished off by the heat quickly too. I always enjoy seeing large swathes of blue Scilla flowers and there huge patches of them at James Gardens. The sun was so strong that only the flowers in the shadows of the trees really showed up well in this shot but I liked the effect.

A Friendly Monster

This is one of the murals that I found along the space that I showed you yesterday. That creature looks like it could be a relative of the Loch Ness monster don't you think? There were a lot of signatures so I'm not sure who was the artist for the monster. 

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

Couldn't Resist

This walkway that runs between two empty buildings is always fenced off and chained so that you can't get in but on a recent day the fence was open so of course I headed in. I kept waiting for someone to yell at me but saw no one. I did find some murals and some other art though. I'll show one of the murals tomorrow.

Duck Clan

The ducks are back in full force at James Gardens. The ducks are in the pond while the Canada Geese wander about on the grass and parking lot. The park is a busy place.

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

A Bandstand

I was trying to catch a shot of the bandstand at the CNE (where yesterday's fire hall was) but unfortunately people had discovered that there was free parking there as it wasn't being used yet this season. I liked the way the setting sun was lighting the bandstand and the turbine was working away beside it.

Old Fire Hall

This is Toronto Fire Station 346 which is found on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition which is right downtown in the city at the lakeshore. The fire hall was built in 1912 and has been kept in great condition. The pic was taken just before sunset with the sun just catching parts of the roof and the clock tower.

A Craft Brewery

There are many craft breweries opening up around the city and this one is called True History Brewing. It opened during the pandemic on St Clair Ave on the site of what had been a popular pizza place. The brewery specializes in pilsners and pale ales and also has an extensive food menu. With a large patio I'm betting it will be popular when the weather gets warm and stays that way.

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

A Photo Shoot

While wandering by Casa Loma I spotted the Beauty and the Beast posing for shots. I'm not sure if it was for a future event at the Casa or if they were just using the building as a suitable background. It was a cold day and I felt sorry for her in that outfit as I stood in my down filled coat.

Laundry Day

This mural was spotted on the side of a building housing a dental office but if you obeyed the arrows and walked down the passageway there was indeed a coin laundry in the back. I love the black cat sitting on top of the washing machine. 

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

The Artist

This fellow had set up his canvas at Casa Loma and was working on a rather large painting of the building. It was a busy day there so he was getting a lot of attention.

He's Back

Robbie is back with us again and hanging out around the roof deck. I'm sure it is the same Robin we have seen for the last few years since he keeps the same schedule every day. He drops by several times during the day for a drink and then around 6 pm he comes by for a long bath where he really gets soaked before spending a few minutes grooming all the feathers. It has been nice to see him. Sorry that he is a bit out of focus.

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

Shiny Door

 This rather elegant door was spotted along the side of a building that fronts on St Clair Ave. In days past they took the time to make this type of entrance attractive whereas in the present times this would probably be a plain door leading to the apartments above a store. We have lost something.

Mirror, Mirror

I was trying to take a shot of the spring hats in a milliner's shop window but was getting a lot of reflections. And then I noticed that the mirror in the display was cancelling out the window's effect and instead showed a clear shot of what was behind me. A mystery.

Naming The Lanes

 The city has a program where the laneways are being given names that are relevant to their neighbourhood and Reggae Lane has been given official status as you can see from the sign. The stoplights there mark the corner of Oakwood & Eglinton Aves and you can see evidence of some of the construction in the area which is ongoing. 

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

Old Bell

 Just down the street from Reggae lane I spotted this old bell out front of a fire hall. It turns out that it was from 1920 and had been installed in an old fire hall when this area was part of York Township before it became part of the city of Toronto.

Reggae Lane

This mural marks the entrance to Reggae Lane which is found running behind the businesses in Little Jamaica along Eglinton Ave near Oakwood Ave. It is a very vibrant area that has been under stress for several years as a result of the construction of a LRT line along Eglinton but it still survives. There are many barber shops, shops and restaurants catering to the Jamaican Canadian community. The artist for this one is Adrian Hayles. There are always cars parked here so the bottom is blocked a bit.

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

Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny has been appearing at a local corner store for the past week. He was looking a little overwhelmed by all the deliveries of chocolate eggs he had to do. 

Happy Easter to all who celebrate it.

Wearing The Green

 There were a lot of dogs in the St Patrick's Day parade wearing the green but these 2 were among the cutest. They were getting much attention from the crowd as they walked along.

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

Band In Red

There were several bands in the St Patrick's Day parade and the Philippine Heritage Band was one of the best dressed. It was a large band and they were all in step as they passed by which was impressive. Vaughan is a city made up of several communities that border the north edge of Toronto.

A Band

There were several bands taking part in the St Patrick's Day parade and one of them was this band, the Ayr-Paris Band. Ayr & Paris are towns in southern Ontario and the band is made up of people from the surrounding community and has been playing for many years. I like their nice jackets with the stylized maple leaf on the back.

Working For A Drink

These pedal pubs were in the St Patrick's Day parade but the riders didn't get any treats during their journey.  I think I would rather just go to a pub and sit and relax rather than have to pedal around town for drink. They probably have fun though.

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

Spring Flowers

Every year in late winter this Clivia plant flowers but this year it has put on the best show ever with 4 large stems of blossoms that brighten up my whole space. It is in a south facing window and obviously loves its location.

Urban Flowers

When the updated streetcar line was installed along St Clair Ave artists were commissioned to design images for panels that run along the top of the stops. Some are really nice as is this floral one while some others leave you shaking your head. I don't know who the artist is for this one. 

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

St Patrick

 St Patrick himself made an appearance at the parade on this float festooned with balloons. He was sitting there at the back. I couldn't see any snakes around him so all was well.

April Theme: My Favourite Toy

The April theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is "My Favourite Toy" and for the theme I chose to show you Rover the Space Dog. He is a wind-up toy whose ears flap & his mouth opens and closes as he walks along. He is only about 10 years old but vintage none the less. 

Taking part in the theme " My Favourite Toy". Click HERE to see more toys from around the world. 

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