I am into my archives for this shot of the duck (and goose) pond at James Gardens. It is the surrounding vegetation that makes this such a lovely spot with mature willow trees and wonderful grasses. This is one of my favourite places in the city but I don't happen to be out in that area much anymore. I will have to make a point of going for trip to visit soon.
Early on a Sunday morning this will give you an idea of why I like to walk in the Annex neighbourhood. It is always quiet and the trees keep it cool in summer and also stop the wind in winter. There are few driveways and just a few laneways hence all the cars parked on the streets.
It was just around noon on a sunny day about a week ago when this huge very old Silver Maple tree fell over right from its base. It tore out the electric wires to several houses but luckily no one was injured. You can see a car towards the right of centre. It was flattened. Spooky times for the people who live on this street.
I couldn't resist taking a pic of this Magnolia tree with its deep pink blooms. And as a bonus there was a small Bleeding Hearts plant growing beneath it. Lovely springtime.
This is another small Magnolia tree in the neighbourhood but this one has large blossoms. The tree is a lovely shape.
This large apple tree is in the back garden of a home visible from our roof deck. It has been putting on a grand display that has lasted a while because of the cool and rainy weather we have been having.
This small Magnolia tree is always the first of them in our 'hood to flower. Even its flowers are smaller and more delicate than the flowers on the big trees. Unfortunately it was garbage day when I went by so hence the bins.
I took this shot the day before our recent snowstorm and haven't been by to see if any of the gorgeous leaves are still on the tree. I took no pics of the snow - tried to pretend it wasn't there. It is all melted now.
There are still some trees that are green but most have changed colour now. We have had a lot of windy days so the colour displays don't last very long. You can see some bags of leaves at the base of the pole waiting to be picked up by the city.
I was walking along the street to take a shot of this tree which I had spotted earlier when the fellow in front of me stopped to take a few shots too. He also took several selfies. The tree was pretty spectacular.
This was one of the early trees to turn red in the neighbourhood and the wind blew most of the leaves off before I got a shot. The colour of red was spectacular!
I finally saw a bit of colour in a tree last week when looking at this apple tree in someone's back garden. The colour change has been slow this year but I have seen a bit more since this shot. This one looks like it might be a vine growing on the tree that has turned red rather than the tree itself.
This small tree in a park always has an assortment of Christmas balls on it in winter but I was surprised when I recently went by to find it sporting a lot of metal bells. There are no signs around it but the tree must be special to someone.
I remember when this infill home was built on a small lot in the Annex neighbourhood. It had huge windows that allowed you to see right into the whole place. Well, now the trees that were planted have grown and provided wonderful privacy and probably a great view into the treetops.
I had posted this pic in mid January along with the sign about this Elm tree being a survivor against the disease that has killed almost all of them in the city. Unfortunately the tree did not leaf out this spring and it was scheduled to be cut down last week. The city forestry department is attempting to recover some seeds or cuttings to retain the DNA of this grand tree.
One thing about spring rain is that it certainly gets the trees to pop their leaves open. It always seems to be sudden to me.
There are so many trees in blossom around the city that I just had to show another. I think this is a Redbud which is becoming more common here as the climate warms. You can also see another of the Canadian flags which are being displayed like never before.
I couldn't resist another pic of a tree in blossom. This deep pink Magnolia was spotted in a small front garden in the Annex neighbourhood. Our weather has been up and down with cool nights and I think that has let the blossoms last a bit longer this year.
This large tree in a neighbours back garden puts on a great show each spring. I am not sure but I always think that it must be an apple tree. This is the view from our roof deck.
This small Magnolia tree is always the first one to flower in our neighbourhood and once again it was a surprise to see it in bud a couple of weeks ago. Not only is the tree small, which is good for this front garden, but the flowers are also small & delicate.
