It takes only a few minutes for me to walk from my house, down into the Valley, and into the Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve. I went twice last week, once with a camera. I meant to go back because the flowers were on the verge of blooming, but then winter re-emerged.
Here are a few of last week’s budding scenes, though not many flowers yet.
It is amazing what lurks literally wedged between Pottery Road and the Don Valley Parkway. The city can be a calm and alluring place.
Even though I’m venturing out a bit more these days on my bike and on foot into the Don Valley, I’m still attracted to the light in my own backyard. I went out today around 3:30 when the sun was quite harsh, and then again around 6:30 when the last possible moment of back lighting was available. The difference is amazing.
First, the bright afternoon light.
Now, the softer light of early evening, though if I had been about 15 minutes earlier it would have been so much better.
At the very back of the yard, where the Japanese maple stands against the fence, the light isn’t that much different at either time because it’s almost always in shadow. These buds up close are absolutely amazing, like space pods of some sort. The finger shot is for size comparison.
And lastly, the tree peony, which really fascinated me last time around. Now it’s much more open. The first shot is from afternoon and the second more moody shot is from this evening.
Because I started shooting macro photos without a tripod I am very hesitant to use one; it feels so restricting. Once in a while, usually the day after I take some photos and realize it would have been nice to have one, I go out and give the old tripod a try.
Here are some before and after – well, tripod and no-tripod from the backyard again.
with tripod
with tripod
Compared to this image you can see the far left “leaf” is out of focus.
with tripod
plain old plywood that has been outside for 14 years – no tripod
It’s macro time again: respecting social distance, I only went to my backyard. Here are the little signs of life.
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Lichens are always there but they have an especially space-like aura right now.
Lastly, there’s my inanimate nemesis: rust – it’s so hard to get the colours right. This time, I went for the shape.
Ganaraska Conservation Area, Port Hope.
With exams, semester turnaround, and the start of semester two, it has been an extremely busy time. This semester is crazy for me; aside from my energetic new grade 12 World History class, I also have seven subjects within credit recovery: grade 9, 10 and 11 English, ESL B, Canadian History, Civics and Learning Strategies. When is March Break?
Therefore, it doesn’t come as a huge surprise to me that I have not been eating very healthfully. Plus, there was that vegan cinnamon bun two weekends ago…
So today I finally cooked some veggies – my favourites – mushrooms and zucchini. It was also so sunny in the kitchen that I decided to take a few photos with our rehabilitated little camera.
I’m taking the day off to catch up on some photography, skating and reading. Then it’s back to work tomorrow with a pile of marking. At least I’ll have some vitamins in me.
Our cottage has a pretty big garage, one I don’t go into very often. However, I thought it would make for an interesting photography destination.
There’s measurement.
There are hose-shaped things.
There are tools (mostly) neatly arranged.
There are unidentified objects (probably parts of power tools).
There’s even a bit of colour.
And of course there’s a TTC bus stop. Who wouldn’t have such a thing?
How could I forget – lots of random bike parts.
I suppose it’s fitting that these days ice doesn’t stay around for too long. After the freezing rain overnight at the cottage, we went outside to take some photos. By the end, it was mostly dropping water rather than perfect little ice crystals.
It snowed all morning today so next up will be snowy pics, I guess.
This Sunday morning I’ve been doing the following:
And I was never a morning person! I don’t drink coffee.
Making roasted vegetables each weekend is my new thing. The process really shows off how much work vegans have to do to eat healthy, not including growing the food, of course.
Peel the carrots.
Chop the colourful carrots.
Mushrooms are easy. Just throw them in a bowl.
Don’t forgot to preheat the oven!
Play with your vegetables for some fun:)
Meanwhile, press the tofu with an improvised tofu teapot press.
“Finish” the press job.
More vegetables to go! Take the sweet potatoes for a mood-lighting photo because they’re so pretty.
Mix then salt and pepper the veggies.
Same for the tofu cubes.
Finally, ready for the oven.
Do the dishes while you wait for the veggies to cook.
Remove from the oven 40 minutes later.
Check if they’re done.
Behold the beauty the oven does and try not to eat them all this minute.
Make yourself a small bowl to eat now and of course take a pic before the light disappears.
Pack up the veggies for the week – can’t resist one more beauty shot.
