#spring in ontario

[uglyandtraveling]

Toronto Downtown | Walk from Nathan Phillips Square to Yonge Dundas Square

Exploring Toronto: Spring Walk from Nathan Phillips Square to Yonge-Dundas Square! Join me on a vibrant walking tour through the heart of Toronto during the beautiful spring season!

In this vlog, we start our journey at the iconic Nathan Phillips Square, where the city comes alive with blooming flowers and bustling activity. As we stroll through the streets, you'll experience the unique sights and sounds that make Toronto so special.

We'll pass by stunning architecture, and lively streets, capturing the true essence of the city in spring. Our walk takes us to the lively Yonge-Dundas Square, a hub of entertainment and culture, where the city's energy is palpable.

See the unique blend of nature and urban life that makes Toronto special.

[liddopixie]

The World’s Largest Tulip Festival: The Ottawa Tulip Festival

[vyva-melinkolya]

Ontario

[introvertedswimmer]

Cape May Warbler

[malavoie1]

Trillium at Jessup's Falls Conservation Area

In the heart of Jessup's Falls Conservation Area, this remarkable display of nature's delicate balance unfolds each spring. Here, the forest floor becomes a canvas painted with the white petals of Trillium flowers. This serene tableau is a testament to the enduring beauty of our natural ecosystems, inviting us to pause and appreciate the quiet majesty of the unfolding spring.

I try to visit every year and I have to say that this year was the best just from the sheer number of flowers; it was Trilliums as far as the eyes can see.

I used a low and close-up perspective, to emphasize the flowers in the foreground, making them appear large and prominent. The angle also helped convey the density and expanse of the floral carpet behind the main subject. Shallow depth of field helped isolate the large flower in front.

Processed with Affinity Photo v2 and Topaz Photo AI.

Camera: Pentax K-3

Lens: Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5 DI II

10mm / ƒ/3.5 / 1/320s / ISO 400

Taken: May 12, 2024

[fashionsfromhistory]

“Douze Douzièmes” from the Naturelle Collection

Christian Dior

Spring/Summer 1951

Royal Ontario Museum (Object number: 2009.45.2.1-2)

[death-by-mercury]

[iceclaw9753-photos]

The scent of a lilac always reminds me that it is spring

[addicted2wasps]

May 16th 2024. Evening trip to the greenbelt. Sadly, all the petals from the crabapple blossoms are now gone, but they'll be back next year!

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Spring Fishfly - Chauliodes rastricornis

The lakes and forests of cottage country always have so many surprises when it comes to insects. I thought the Hudsonian Whiteface Dragonfly was going to be the highlight, but then I saw this large-winged individual trying to phase his way through a screen door to get inside. When I first saw the wingspan and flight pattern, I expected to see a giant Moth, so imagine my surprise to see an elusive Fishfly! He sure does fly like a Moth, and even rests like one with the wings folded backward and was drawn by the porchlights. He was definitely the highlight of the evening and greatly dwarfed all other nearby insects! While an insect like this appears intimidating, rest assured that he is perfectly harmless and can be handled with care. According to Bugguide and other identification sources, this specimen is more likely to be a Spring Fishfly rather than a Summer Fishfly (C. pectinicornis), but not just because he was found flying in May instead of July. Given habitat ranges and differing timeframes of adult emergence from the water, seasonality cannot be the sole factor for identification. Apparently, the best way to distinguish between the 2 species are to examine the two parallel markings on the back of the insect's head, just behind their ocelli.

As can be seen from Pictures 5 and 7, our Spring Fishfly friend has dark-colored head markings contrasting with its lighter shell. The Summer Fishfly's head markings and body are the reverse of that (bright markings, darker shell). This identification however, doesn't take into account other species of Fishfly that may call lakes home, so examine your Megalopteran carefully. As if net-veined wings and yellow highlights along the head's mouthparts, thorax and wing-bases weren't enough of an allure for the camera, there are the elongated and feathered antennae to admire. There's no doubt that these antennae used to locate the enticing pheromones of females (also similar to the function of feathered Moth antennae). The feathering designated this individual as a male; a female Fishfly would have had serrated antennae with saw-like grooves. At a passing glance, with their slight curvature they resemble grand mandibles! However, that style of antenna (pectinate) my only occur for this genus; other genera may have other types. For example, Neohermes Fishflies have antennae that resemble balls on a string (moniliform). Mileage may vary, but if you're looking to try and find some Fishflies, approach the water in spring (or summer) and see what insects come to the light. Have some bug repellent or patches handy to keep the Mosquitoes away, as adult Caddisflies aren't going to eat them.

Pictures were taken on May 27, 2024 in Muskoka with a Google Pixel 4. The instances of white ocelli seen in the images here are due to the camera's flash.

[uglyandtraveling]

Urdu Vlog | Toronto Islands Tour | Ferry from Toronto Downtown to Ward's Island

The Toronto Islands are a group of 15 small islands located in Lake Ontario, just south of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They're a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike, offering a range of activities and attractions. To reach the islands, you'll need to hop on a ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

Once you arrive, you can enjoy biking around the island, visiting an amusement park, relaxing on the beach, trying delicious food, capturing stunning views of the Toronto skyline, exploring beautiful gardens, and even tying the knot!

Ferries operate year-round, shuttling visitors to and from Centre Island, Hanlan's Point, and Ward's Island. The ferry ride duration is around 8-9 minutes from Toronto Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.

[asseenbychelsea]

by chelsea on #M50 may 23, 2024

[loosestrifee]

[introvertedswimmer]

Song Sparrow Again (I'm sorry these are just so fun to shoot)

[malavoie1]

Aurora Borealis May 10 2024

Last night, something truly magical unfolded right from my backyard. As I gazed northward, the night sky transformed into a breathtaking canvas of vibrant colors. Thanks to a series of potent solar storms, the Northern Lights were visible much farther south than usual, and I was lucky enough to capture this stunning phenomenon.

The colors were extraordinary. Swirls of green and purple danced across the starlit sky, a display supercharged by recent solar activity. This year, the sun is at a solar maximum, brimming with sunspots that lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These CMEs have been hurling charged particles towards Earth, enhancing the auroras and making them visible across vast regions—including here in Ontario.

The NOAA had issued a G4 geomagnetic storm watch, indicating strong auroras driven by the second-strongest level of solar storm. Although these events can affect power grids and communication networks, last night’s event was purely a visual treat with no reported disruptions.

Witnessing this natural wonder was a reminder of the beauty and mystery of our cosmos. For those who missed it, keep your eyes on the sky; the current solar cycle promises more such displays.

Processed with Affinity Photo v2 and Topaz Photo AI.

Camera: Pentax K-3

Lens: Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5 DI II

10mm / ƒ/3.5 / 30s / ISO 400

Taken: May 10, 2024

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Blue flowers are relatively rare. Most incline to violet or else are quite small. But Virginia bluebells are a striking exception. All my photos from my garden, unedited.

I'm not kidding. They really are that blue naturally. They bloom in May. Then they slowly decline and the entire plants are gone above soil by the summer. Only to reappear the following spring! The shoots and flower buds are edible. You don't want to take too much, though. As spring ephemerals, they need the energy they make with their leaves during their short growing period. The short bloom period is also why I don't have more photos of them. They don't even bloom every year.