Discovering Ottawa: Mer Bleue

“Did you see anything cool?”  We ask the young boys running ahead of their mother in the parking lot. “Frogs!” they exclaim. “There’s a frog sitting on a wasp’s nest, catching the wasps as they exit,” another group tells us.  We head in that direction. We’ve come to Mer Bleue Conservation area just east of […]

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Discovering Ottawa: Manotick

We are drawn to Manotick, a suburb of Ottawa, to visit with friends.  Arriving early, we decide to check out Watson’s Mill along the Rideau river.  Unfortunately, as it is off-season, the mill is not open this day, however there is still plenty to explore. Next to the mill is a Veteran’s Memorial Garden with […]

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Photo A Week: Water

Water, I confess, holds me in its spell – I would follow it across the land from the Oregon coast, and ocean swell to the Arizona rivers, oh so grand: Set me by a waterfall and I will swoon, mesmerized by such awesome power, even deafened by its thunderous boom, I could watch the motion […]

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Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Colourful

Colourful are these Jays, who make Texas their home, and this Altamira Oriole, also spotted in the Lone Star state: What can be more colourful than these yellow and purple pansies: (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge is hosted this week by Tina at Travels and Trifles)

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A Photo a Week: Delicate

Delicate is the spider’s web, at least to the naked eye – appearances deceive, though, just ask an unfortunate fly. The sighting of a butterfly, splashing colour with flight – opening and closing wings spreading childlike delight. In the midst of swampy mire, this delicate flower dares bloom; a snow white pop of hope to […]

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I Wish My Art Would Quit Judging Me

A set of 150 watercolour pencils – a gift from my husband – challenges me to paint.  In the busyness of moving, I have let this practice slip, and a number of sketches sit in my portfolio case waiting for me.  Inspiration comes from the photos I take.  The lone turtle (featured), for instance, begged […]

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A Photo A Week: Attitude

Attitude says:  “I can do it!” despite Grandma’s warning. It says:  “You’re just kidding, and I know it.” Attitude doesn’t need words to convey it’s message: Which is why even birds can express it: (Thanks to Nancy Merrill for this week’s challenge:  attitude. Also linked to Fandango’s word of the day, attitude.)

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Forlorn

This sweet bushtit landed on my path while I was visiting Redding, California this past spring. After playing with the image, what emerged was a forlorn little fellow for whom I wrote this haiku. My heart goes out to all those in Redding, and elsewhere in the world where forest fires are ravaging lives. (Submitted […]

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Lens-Artists Challenge: Blue

Blue is the promise of Arizona’s skies in February; It is the delight of neon dragonflies on a summer’s day; It’s nature’s artistry unsurpassed. (Lens-Artists Photo Challenge this week is blue.)

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Ghostly

“What can walk but has no legs; sleeps during the day, and is awake at night?” This is our six-year-old granddaughter’s latest joke. “A ghost!” On a recent visit to Northern Ontario, I photographed this solo loon.  There is something so haunting about the call of the loon, and I’ve been pondering it ever since. […]

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