Hawks nesting!

The main event on today's bike ride along the Thames was the Red Tailed Hawks flying back and forth overhead as they were building their nests.

I know these aren't always the very best photos, but they tell the story!

Yay! Another sunny day!

Which means more photos!

But it was c-c-cold (and of course I was on my bike!) so I could only expose my fingers enough to get a couple of shots worth keeping.

Hope you like 'em!

Happy winter!  It's almost March!

Busy busy busy life!

Besides my photography, I also own a retail store where I sell Health food and supplements for animals and that sure takes a lot of time.

I have been taking pictures though. It's the posting and blogging that takes time!

I'm going to try to post somewhat chronologically, so, for those interested, here they come......

I took these late in the fall. For hose of you who don't know, London has an amazing river that we are built on called the Thames River.

One of the best things about living here is this river!

London has an amazing network of bicycle/walking paths built all along the Thames, and being an avid bicycle/nature lover/photographer, one of the things I am always struck by is the variety of bridges that I see while touring along the river. The city did an amazing job last summer of fixing up a bunch of bridges and spots along the path, so I took a bunch of photos of these "London Bridges"...

Some more sun!

There have been very few sunny days this winter, so whenever there has been one and I've had the opportunity I've been out there!

Gibbons Park - beautiful all the time!

It's so nice to see this beautiful blanket of untouched snow

I sure hope that winter keeps happening through our efforts to stop global warming and that I live long enough for this to be me some day!

Eagle snack time

Yep, the juvenile bald eagle that I've been hunting for a while was eating something on the ice. After I saw it I retreated to get my gear ready and slow myself down. After some deep breaths and a reminder to myself to be mindful I approached the riverbank again.

He initially flew away when I approached

But then must have decided that I was no longer a threat and came back.

I feel so privileged to witness these amazing scenes.

We parted ways when he finished his snack!

Thank you once again, Eagle for showing yourself to me and for allowing me to hang out.

I love winter!

Well, everyone thinks I'm a bit of a kook this winter - we've had a REAL winter here in southern Ontario - lots of snow, lots of cold temperatures. I'm a happy girl - I've been out for a bike ride at least once a week. The only time I stopped was when we got our first great big wallop of snow at the beginning of the winter, but since then, I've been out!! The city actually plows a portion of the bike path - better than they clean the sidewalks that's for sure! The hard part is getting there, but where there's a will there's a way. I went out on the 10th of January and was rewarded with these shots!

One of the best things about winter for me is that it's usually so much easier to see wildlife and there aren't any people around to scare them off!

This mallard was flying from one open area of water in Springbank Park to another.

This Muscovy duck arrived here last year with his mate and has been here ever since. I am always taken with the iridescence of his feathers.  He's simply gorgeous.

I got back downtown just in time to see the sunsetting behind the fountain (the sunsets sure are fleeting in the winter!)

And, as seems to most often be the case, just as I realized I was sooooo pooped I didn't know if I could make it back home (those unplowed sections are really tough!), I saw this guy swoop down - 

I've been trying to get a decent shot of a Great Blue Heron for ages! - this is what I usually end up with!

Now, anybody who has watched or photographed these birds at all knows just how shy they are. So, I hid out of his sight and got everything ready, slowly approached and got his, one of my favourite shots! 

Happy Winter!

Happy New Year 2011!

Had to get out for a bike ride today to celebrate the new year and it was above freezing so out we went.

Woah! Looks like we very nearly had a flood here!  Good thing we had a minor thaw or springtime would have brought some problems!

Looks like it's really receded.

And alas, darkness comes too soon!

I can never get enough of the majestic beauty all around!