Tropical

 

I showed this mural back in early Sept when it wasn't quite finished so I went by last week to see it finished. There have been a few more creatures scattered about along the wall and details added to the flowers. It is a nice addition to the area along Oakwood Ave. The artist is Sarah Waithe.

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

Old Homes In Yorkville

 

Three sets of these semi-detached homes were built in the Yorkville neighbourhood in 1877-78 and used yellow brick which was a bit unusual in a city filled with red brick buildings. It is too bad that the pair on the right have had the front painted white but you can see the one on the left is still more period correct. Many of these large homes are now divided into flats.

Cold Up North?

 

The little Juncos have appeared here which is always a sign that winter has arrived up north and they have come here until spring. They are so cute as they tweet in the trees and poke around everywhere looking for food.

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

Autumn Colours

 

We seem to be getting colour change on isolated trees. As you can see this one was surrounded by totally green trees and I saw no others in the neighbourhood that had changed. It feels like things are a bit slow this year.

Spares

 

We all have spare tires for our cars and the TTC has spare wheels for the streetcars. These will be refurbished and used again on the different models of cars.

Ads On The Old Streetcar

 

Even today all or streetcars have ads inside running along above the windows but these ones were from the old Peter Witt streetcar that I showed you last week. I loved that they put up ads suitable to the age of the car itself. It was hard to take interior shots of the car as there were so many people standing in the aisle but you can see from this shot all the wood used. 

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

Flexing

 

This is the interior of one of our present day streetcars, the Flexity Outlook, looking towards the driver's location. You can see in the floor how the sections slide against each other to give the flex or bend to the streetcar. I couldn't get anywhere near the front as there were kids totally enjoying themselves pretending to drive.

Abstract

 

I like the abstract image on the garage door but not the tagging which is distracting. There seemed to be no artist info at all.

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

The Driver

 

This is the driver of the old Peter Witt streetcar that I showed you last Tuesday. The interior of the streetcar was beautiful with wonderful wood used every where as you can see. I like seeing the old fare box.

Preparing For Winter

 

It is a busy time of year for squirrels as they hunt around for bits of food to hide away until needed during the winter to come. I'm not sure if this one was burying or harvesting but it was very determined.

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

Our Present Day Streetcars

 

This is one of our present day streetcars, called Flexity Outlook, which first appeared in service in 2014 and now make up the whole fleet. I guess they are called Flexity because they have 5 articulated sections. I remember how excited everyone was when they first started running here.

The CLRV Streetcar

 

These are the streetcars I have traveled on most, the CLRV (Canadian Light Rail Vehicle). These ran here from 1979 to 2019. Since most of the downtown surface routes are serviced by streetcars there were a lot of them. One more model to show you tomorrow.

Streamlined

 

The next model of streetcar to appear on Toronto streets was the streamlined PCC (Presidents Conference Committee) with the first arrivals in 1938. By 1958 there were 744 of this model running in the city with the last one in regular service in 1995. These are the ones I remember from when I was a kid going downtown shopping with my Mum. This one, #4549, is one of two that are still used for special runs and has been here since 1951.

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

An Oldie

The Hillcrest yard of the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) celebrated its 100th anniversary this year and recently held an open house. This old Peter Witt streetcar was one of the stars of the show. It was in operation from 1923 until 1965 when it was used the last time in active duty for a retirement ceremony. As part of the open house you could take a 5 minute ride in this streetcar around a loop in the yards which of course I did.
 

"The 3 Sisters"

 

The 3 Sisters, by Meti artist Dani Kastelein, is found on what had been the entrance to a church on Walmer Rd in the Annex neighbourhood. The church is yet another one that has been purchased by a developer and a condo will go up on the site while maintaining part of the church. The mural represents the 4 elements Earth, Air, Fire, and water as well as the 3 sisters. 

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

Finally Flowers

 

All summer long my Morning Glories have have had plenty of leaves but no flowers until a week ago when I noticed tons of flower buds and now for the last few days the plants have been putting on a grand show. I love the blue.

They Are Gathering

 

A couple of times in the last two weeks I have been stopped in traffic while groups of Canada Geese slowly saunter across the road. They are gathering and getting ready for their journey south although many of them now stay here all winter.

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

A Bit Of Colour Change

 

It is funny how all the trees can still be green except for a couple that show bits of what is to come. This shot looks like I was in deep forest but I was actually not far from a busy road and a parking lot right in the city.

Bird In The Window

 

Recently I was in one of the grand Victorian homes in the Annex neighbourhood and loved seeing this beautiful bird over the front window. Several homes along the block had been built by the same developer back in 1906 and they all have the same type of stained glass window with a bird as the highlight.

A Market For UFOs?

 

Actually it is more a market for kids with all kinds of neat things and lots of cool books. I never seem to go by this place when it is open but it looks intriguing.

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

October Theme: Blue

 

The October theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is Blue and I just happened to spot this great looking blue bike so here it is. It looks like a real classic and the seat is wonderfully padded and actually has a spring. It also has nice stitching details on the seat and on the hand grips.

Taking part in the theme Blue. Click HERE to see more Blue from around the world.

Neighbourhood Houses

These garage doors were constantly being covered with ugly tags until this mural was added and so far they have stayed clear of tags. The houses in the mural closely match a couple of homes across the road from the garage. I think the artist is Roam_to.

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

Bouncing Cosmos

 

A week ago I showed you one of the bees who have been visiting the Cosmos on my roof deck and thought I would show one of the lovelies before they all disappear as the weather gets colder. This one was bouncing round in a breeze so I was surprised that it was in focus. The dark background comes from neighbouring trees.

Ducks In Autumn

 

I did go to visit the ducks at James Gardens a couple of weeks ago and found that they were all juveniles. The adults must have been out foraging somewhere else. In this shot there are 2 females and 2 males (with the yellow beaks) but the males have not finished their final molts so there were no bright metallic heads or other colourings. There certainly were a lot of ducks so it must have been a good summer for raising chicks.

This post is for those of you who were missing my duck pics. 

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

University Of Toronto Schools

This is the original front entrance on Bloor St W to UTS (University Of Toronto Schools) which is an independent school offering grades 7 through 12. The Georgian-revival building was constructed in 1910 but has had many additions including a modern one that I showed you HERE last year. When I was in school it was only open to boys but that has now changed. I think one has to have really high marks to get into UTS.
 

Neon Flowers

 

This piece was behind glass in a display space so there was a lot of reflection but I have always liked neon art so here it is. It would be great fun to have this hanging in your space don't you think? The artist is Rock Therrier from Quebec.

Exercises At The Park

 

I have seen exercise stations such as these at several parks around town but I have yet to see anyone using the equipment. These ones have just recently been installed in an Annex neighbourhood park.

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

View Through The Gate

 

I was walking along and looked down the narrow space between 2 commercial buildings when I saw the women walking there. Then I realized that it was a photo of the women attached to another inner gate which provides some privacy to a courtyard down there. I really like the effect.

New Mural On Dupont St

I was just leaving a store on Dupont St in the Annex neighbourhood and noticed work going on across the road on this new mural. I didn't have time to go over to ask any questions so will have to return one day to check for artist info. I like the style of this one.

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

The Artist

 

I have often admired this wonderful old Willow tree at James Gardens and on a recent trip to visit the ducks there, this woman was spotted doing a painting of it. It must take bravery to paint outside in public like that. I don't think that I could do it.

Happy Bees

 

I have a lot of Cosmos flowering up on my roof deck and the bees are loving them. It's good to see happy bees.

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

The Entrance

 

This is one of the entrances into yesterday's apartment building, Spadina Gardens. There are a lot of reflections on the door but if you look carefully you can see the S G etched into the glass. Hopefully it all survives.

A Classic

 

This apartment building is called Spadina Gardens and it was built in 1905-06 in the Classical Revival style. I have always loved the look of it as it reminds me what one might find in Paris. It has survived without being destroyed by redevelopment but several years ago was bought by a European group who would like to change that. There is a movie called "Charlotte's Castle" about how the tenants have been fighting back. I saw that there was a large notice out front detailing how the new owners would like to add 10 stories to the top of the property. We shall see if it gets approval.

Bike Shops

 

Bike riding is becoming more and more popular around the city as the city continues to expand the bicycle lanes (at a bit of a slow pace). To supply the needs of the riders, bicycle shops have popped up, and this is one of the more established ones. There are also bike share stations all over the city.

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

Marigold

 

I bought several packs of mixed Marigolds in the spring and this variety has become my favourite. And the bumble bees are really liking them too.

More From The Painted House

 

These are more murals from the house I showed a while ago that had been painted all over by artists before being demolished to make way for a small development. These were along a side which runs down beside a laneway. 

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

Construction Continues

 

I've been following the conversion of this church on Bloor St into condos for a few years (see HERE) and went by the backside of it to see what was happening there. There is nothing but the facade left and 2 towers with most of the previous interior parts of the facade clad in plastic. It certainly looks like completion is a long way off.

Monarchs

 

About this same time last year I went by a house in the Annex neighbourhood that had probably over 20 Monarch butterflies fluttering around the front garden and into their side garden. I went by last week and there about 6 Monarchs  moving around from branch to branch of the Blazing Star plant in the front garden. Not as many as last year but still nice to see as I have seen few butterflies anywhere in the city this year. Unfortunately I could only catch a couple at a time in one pic. I will try to go back another day to see if more Monarchs have turned up.

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

The Neighbour

 

I thought that I would show you the neighbour of the condo building I showed yesterday. This house is directly across the street from the condo and is typical of the Annex neighbourhood with its wonderful trees. I love the large Victorian homes in the area. I should go back in winter when the leaves are gone.

Small Condo

 

This small condo building in the Annex neighbourhood started life as a 1960s primary school but was converted to condos several years ago. I have been in a couple of the units and they are lovely and each seems to be quite unique in their layouts. And the landscaping on the property is always nice too.

Missing Monkey

Spotted this sign taped to a telephone pole. Someone must have dropped the monkey or forgotten it at the park. I hope it has been returned to its young owner.

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

A Favourite Fountain

 

I have been past my favourite fountain in the Annex neighbourhood a couple of times this summer but it wasn't working. Finally last week it was in full spray. It is located at one of the apartment buildings designed by Uno Prii and you can read more about him  and his buildings by clicking the label below.

Those Eyes

The green eyes this lady has really draw you in. This was found on a garage near the painted house that I showed a while ago. I still have some more mural pics from there to show in the future. The artist for the lady is Hot Snackz and for the blue vines it seems to be fongkikid.

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

Sunday At The Park

 

Two different ideas about what to do on a sunny afternoon at the park, one person under a tree and another sunbathing. It was a great day to be outside in September.

Fighting The Wind

 

I watched this Swallowtail Butterfly for about  5 minutes as it fluttered from flower to flower while being blown around by the wind. It never kept its wings still as it grabbed onto Phlox blossoms and attempted to not be knocked off. I like how the antennae and head are so sharp in this shot while the wings are shaking.

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

Giant Cone

 

I have spotted a couple of these giant pine cone sculptures in front gardens but have no idea who the artist is. This one was in a tiny garden in front of an old Victorian home and it looked perfect there.

Friends

 

I spotted this pair of friends outside of a gallery in the Yorkville neighbourhood which shows the work of junk artist Patrick Amiot so I am sure it is one of his pieces. Amiot constructs the pieces and his wife Brigitte Laurent paints them. Click on the Amiot label to see more.

A Classic

 

This is not the type of bike we normally see on the streets of Toronto. The most common bikes here have thick tires and are heavier looking. I stopped to check this one out and it turned out to be a Pashley bicycle which have been hand made in England since 1926. I think I would have had more than one lock on this one. Like the colour!

Survivors

 

Every year this group of plants self-seeds and the arrangement survives for the next season. It was looking quite lovely early on a recent morning.

A Mural In Progress

 

I was heading along a route I hadn't taken for about a month and spotted all of this  new colour along the side of a building. I quickly turned around and went back. A new mural in the works, but too early in the day for the artist to be there. I'll be back to check it out. The bins are there to keep the area free from cars while the paining continues.

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