The World Through Our Lens
One of my hopes on our trip to France was to spend a night in a “real” castle like Chateau de la Bourdaisiere. By happenstance we learned about this castle when we came upon a little tourist information booth along a country road in the Loire Valley. It happened to be staffed by an English-speaking young woman. Read more
After one failed attempt, Bob and I made our way back to the shores of Frenchman’s Bay in Pickering, Ontario, to see if we could spot the Snowy Owl that has been making its stay there during the past winter. We drove to a little park on the east shore of the bay, and started scanning with our binoculars. Read more
In the small French village of Giverny, we found Monet’s Garden that he began to build and cultivate back in the 1880’s. In 1890, the digging of his Nympheas basin was started for what would become his Water Garden. Read more
On a frigid yet sunny winter day, Bob and I ventured out to a forest in Whitby, Ontario, to see if we could spot one of the two Great Horned Owls that makes that forest it’s home. Read more
With a gusty northwest wind blowing, Bob and I headed to Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby, Ontario. We wondered if the Red-bellied Woodpecker was still lingering in the woods there, and sure enough, I heard its repeated chiff-chiff and rolling churrr before actually spotting the Woodpecker on a nearby tree. Read more
Bob and I once again returned to Ottawa, the National Capital of Canada, to take part in Winterlude. Our favorite activity at this winter festival is skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, which is actually the world’s largest skating rink and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Read more
As another winter storm hit Toronto, many of us were, without a doubt, contemplating how we would weather the onslaught of another heavy snow. Well, this poor unfortunate Sharp-shinned hawk was not faring very well in my backyard as it looked for some unsuspecting prey. Birds seem to know when nasty weather is brewing, and this bird has been visiting my property frequently, likely hoping for an easy catch to sustain him while the blizzard unfolded. Read more
After spending a few days exploring the streets and life of downtown Paris, Bob and I were anxious to leave the hubbub of the city behind. The Palace of Versailles was our next destination and is actually located in a suburb of Paris. It is a massive complex…800 hectares of gardens, buildings, water fountains and even a man-made lake called the Grand Canal. For both Bob and me, it was a given that we would visit the Palace of Versailles considering its history and what happened there before and during the French Revolution. Read more
The Fen Lake cross-country skiing trail in Algonquin Provincial Park, in Ontario, sets off through the hardwood bush and is comprised of 3 different loops so skiers have a choice of the distance they wish to ski. With the trail having been groomed and track-set the day we were there, we anticipated a fantastic outing! Read more
