Tuesday 21 February 2012

Family Day Photos

Yesterday was the Family Day Holiday in Ontario, a still fairly new holiday that popped up 2 or 3 years ago.  We were lucky to have a lovely weekend (despite slushy snow overnight on Friday), and there was a fair bit of sunshine.  Although I've been looking skeptically at the photos of snowdrops and aconites that have started to spread across the blogosphere, I was delighted to see that our mild winter has actually meant that they are also popping up in gardens in my neighbourhood.  In my own garden, there are no signs of spring bulbs as yet, but the signs of rising sap (swelling buds and flushes of colour on bark) are clearly all around, so spring can't be too far around the corner!  (photos courtesy of Davey's iphone).

Dogwoods and willows are flushed with bright colours

If you didn't know better, you'd think this was a hot summery view, not a frigid winter pic!

In February, this inlet of Lake Ontario is typically thick with ice

Snowdrops peaking through oak leaf litter in a Mimico garden

5 comments:

  1. Loved Family Day when I was living in Canada. As a florist, it was a welcome rest after the chaos that is Valentines Day. However, I am not as happy about the news of the snowdrops, good for you, not so good for me. I planted over 500 last year, and I am not returning to Canada until the middle of April, I hope they hang on.

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    1. Wow! 500 snowdrops will make quite the show. Hopefully they are somewhere with good snow cover to keep them sleeping a little longer!

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  2. Enjoyed your photos today, and yes you would not know that the city photo was taken in Winter. The water makes all look good. that is my blessing here on Lake Michigan - even Winter looks inviting! Jack

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    1. Thanks Jack! even though Lake Ontario isn't exactly rustic, it's still fantastic to have access to some trails within walking distance of home that give wonderful views of the water. There's nothing quite like the sparkle of sunshine on the lake to lift your spirits in winter!

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  3. Donald - I feel as anxious as you as I read the blogs from the American South, West Coast and overseas. But Ontario's beautiful springtime will soon appear. And just think of all the great time we'll be able to spend outside!! It's coming - hang on!

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