The World Through Our Lens
Winter is the coldest season of the year in polar climates and temperate climates, between autumn and spring.
Before winter draws to a close, Bob and I wanted to make a visit to Ward’s Island in Toronto Harbour. With the coldest winter in years still embracing Ontario, we set off on the ferry at the bottom of Bay Street for the 10-minute ride across the frozen harbour. I think it took a bit longer since the vessel had to cut through a thick veneer of ice. Once on the island, and near the pier, I found a Street Piano. Read more
One winter, Bob and I decided to make a trip to Ward’s Island aboard a Toronto Island Ferry in Toronto Harbour. It is one of 13 in the chain of islands that gives protection to Toronto’s Inner Harbour. With the winter of 2014 being the longest and coldest in recent memory, the bay separating the mainland from the islands had become totally frozen over. We thought it would be a neat experience on board the ferry as it negotiated the icy waters on its way to Ward’s Island. Read more
A lot has been written in the newspapers lately about the ice skating trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park near Huntsville, Ontario, so Bob and I decided, on our last visit to the area, to give the icy surface a whirl. Read more
On a winter trip to the Huntsville area, Bob and I decided to check out the ski trails at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Despite having grown up in the vicinity, I had never visited that Park before, always opting instead to go to Algonquin Provincial Park since it was closer to home. What a delight to find a beaver just off to the side of the groomed ski trail. Read more
Baring their souls on a cold winter’s day with nary a thought for their own preservation was this avid team of supporters for our Olympic athletes! On our recent visit to Huntsville, Ontario, Bob and I came across this assembly of jovial snowmen all revved up in support of the Canadian Olympic Team. Their animated faces brought a smile to my own lips. Read more
On a winter morning, Bob and I left our house to scope out Colonel Samuel Smith Park at the edge of Lake Ontario. We were on the hunt for some Snowy Owls that had been seen there a couple of days earlier. We had no idea that, later that same day, surging waves driven by gale-force winds would be battering the Toronto waterfront. Read more
In 2014, the province of Ontario had one of the longest and coldest bouts of winter weather to be experienced in recent years, decades even, and along with the pristine beauty of fresh powdered snow that had fallen into every crack and crevice came the magical frost on my Toronto windowpane. Read more
When people talk about Ice Storm Toronto 2013, I’m sure there will be much chatter about the devastation and suffering in the city, but many of those same people will readily acknowledge the transient beauty of an ice-encrusted world. In the hours subsequent to the brunt of the storm, Bob and I set out on foot to uncover some of that hidden splendour. Read more
Bob and I always keep a keen eye on the goings and comings in our backyard. There is constant activity centered around the bird feeders. If it isn’t squirrels that have outsmarted our most recent positioning of the feeding stations, it is the delightful array of birds sparring for feeding rights that entertain us. What a shock when one day Bob was walking to the garden house and spotted a new little critter under the arbour seat. A Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) sat huddled in the shadows hoping to avoid detection. Read more