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
Great Horned Owl In A Forest In Whitby, Ontario
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
Red-Bellied Woodpecker at Lynde Shores Conservation Area
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
Ice Sculptures and skating at Winterlude in Ottawa
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
Great Grey Owl We Sighted Near Ottawa
Sharp-shinned Hawk Suffers Through Toronto Snowstorm
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
Touring The Palace of Versailles Royal Grandeur
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
Cross-Country skiing in Algonquin Provincial Park
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
Two Pileated Woodpeckers in Algonquin Park
One winter, Bob and I went cross-country skiing on the Fen Lake Trail in Algonquin Provincial Park, in Ontario. As luck had it, we spotted two female Pileated Woodpeckers working industriously on the same tree in the depths of the forest. Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest woodpeckers you will find in the wilds of Ontario. Read more
Arc de Triomphe One Of The Great Things To See In Paris
Without a doubt, we have all seen endless pictures of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Similarly, it is probably one of the most popular sights to be both visited and filmed in Paris. But I have got to tell you that, when Bob and I emerged onto the surface from Le Métro subway stop, the sheer enormity of the Arc de Triomphe and its ownership of the landscape literally brought tears to my eyes. Standing across the street from it, I just stood there amazed, very moved, and in awe. Read more