High Park anticipates cherry blossoms

Getting in and around High Park this long weekend was easy, the cool weather, grey clouds and the lack of cherry blossoms kept the big crowds away, in fact birds, squirrels and chipmunks easily outnumbered the visitors to the large park. A few people had started spring cleaning in the allotment gardens, getting ready for the upcoming growing season. The train was already carrying passengers through the streets in the park.

I wanted to check out and see what nature was up to in person after finding out that the blossoms were a little late. Some green buds have sprouted on bushes, you can see the cherry buds are swollen (see my photo update here) and some blue flowers are covering the ground in some areas.

Hikers and nature lovers were joined by puppies and dogs in the leash free zone - there was a lot of butt sniffing going on there, let me tell you, but I stopped when people started to get mad. There was a really cute shepherd dog that was wearing special sunglass goggles waiting to play fetch with his orange ball (pictured at top), this dog had been featured in a few newspaper and magazine articles. Caution signs warned of coyotes but I did not see any around, nor did I see any bunnies either, they must have been out delivering chocolate eggs.

Relaxing at the big maple leaf down near the Grenadier Pond

See more dogs and nature after the jump.

A squirrel looks for peanuts in the bird seed

A little Downy Woodpecker

Red Winged Blackbird

A cute Bulldog

The leash free zone gathering place

A snow white ball of mud

Red Canoe and Bobbers

The Canoe Landing Park and it's bright and gloriously red canoe sits beside the Gardiner Expressway. It's bigger than you think and sits at the apex of the slope rising from the street towards the south. You can see my picture of the park taken from the Gardiner on my post here. It is definitely a visually rich park, perfect for lounging in the sun and walking the dog.

The open space park overlooks a soccer field and provides an outstanding view of the downtown condos and the CN Tower. It looks like you are in a painting when you are beside or in the canoe. There is a gigantic fishing bobber art installation near the street - bobbers, you know those things that go up and down in the water when fish are biting.

See more pictures after the jump (click Read More >>, below).

Toronto Islands thawing out

Today was another sunny spring day and as the snow continues to melt (we are supposed to get more snow over the next day or two, damn) it's time to start thinking of picnics across the harbour on the Toronto Islands. The enjoyable ferry ride, with or without bikes, brings you across to the cozy paradise of the interlinked small chain of parkland, homes and yacht clubs. Red lifejackets of various shades are suspended above peoples heads on the ferry boats in the above picture.

The view from the ferry docks looking towards the city.

Lineups to get onto the ferry heading back to the city.

Large tires become bumpers at the docks.

An artistic woven stick fence and gate welcome people to the sandy beaches.

Snow in Berczy Park

Well, really big plastic snow, which comes in handy as the wonderful spell of warm weather in the middle of winter has melted much of the real stuff. There is even a big shiny Christmas tree sticking out of the fountain.

Ducks in James Gardens

James Gardens Park is gorgeous in spring, summer and fall, in the winter it is cold but still full of life. As the ducks gather around the spring fed ponds and foot bridges waiting for food handouts and running from dogs. As dropping winter temperatures freeze standing water the warmer moving water from underground springs keeps part of the ponds ice free. It makes a furious free for all when all the ducks try to get into the small space when they are spooked. If you are in the middle of the birds when they take off in mass heading for the water you immediately become surrounded by hundreds of flapping wings and beaten by the wind they generate as they take flight - it is quite a feeling.

You can walk many trails including one that runs along the bank of the Humber River and it is popular for wedding photos (but you will need to get a permit). Near Dundas and Royal York the scenery is worth the visit.

High Park in winter

Fun in High Park happens year round and it is much easier to get parking in the winter than it is in the other seasons. Besides the restaurant, cool wooden castles and playground, the ice skating and hiking you can still see the animals in the zoo. Many of the animals even come up to say hi - I think they are looking for food but you shouldn't feed them, besides most of them slobber on your fingers if you try to give them peanuts or anything.

Another must see place to visit in the park is the leash free dog zone. The large area on a hill has it's own doggie fire hydrant, poster stand and picnic tables where you can relax and watch the dogs sniff, run, play and  engage in other fun doggie entertainment. On the doggie hill you can also find a tree, strangely not a coniferous tree, that has been decked with various Christmas decorations.

Birdie Num Nums

Not wanting to join the immense crowds flooding into the malls and stores for all manner of Boxing Day sales  (and Boxing Week sales) we decide instead to check out nature and head down to the waters of Lake Ontario. Only birds are swimming in the lakes' cold water which will soon be full of Polar Bear dippers.

I think this is some kind of curious, wingless rodent bird. Polly wants a peanut.

Photo Vault - the Quay

Surprisingly, water is key to the waterfront and we are lucky that it is not a foul, stinking mess of liquid crap. Instead it is a pretty clean complement to our beautiful city. I always look forward to visiting the area and taking in the fun of the Queens Quay area. From the new wave decks and boat tours to the HTO beach their is plenty to see and do along the shores of Lake Ontario.

The Bluffs in early fall

The Scarborough Bluffs face bravely into Lake Ontario, bravely because the water and the extreme slope of the cliff face means that erosion will slowly bring down the grey clay wall over time. Large chunks of the hill fall to the base and large cracks appear along the cliff face. When you walk along their edge it is hard not to be nervous at the possibility that today will be the day that a piece will just happen to come fall down. There was a nice smattering of fall colours in the trees on the slopes.

More pictures after the jump.

A fall weekend usually means large crowds on the park along the lake front which looks back to the Bluffs. The cold weather and light drizzle kept those crowds away when I visited, but it was still a good day to be out taking pictures.

More suds in Berczy Park fountain

Walking by the Berczy Park fountain I noticed some bubbles along the sidewalk and in the road. I followed the trail back to the fountain and, aha, found the source. Someone, or something, had placed soap in the water and like a big washing machine the churning water had soon created a cloud of bubbles.

This also happened in 2008 and 2009. I don't believe in coincidence so I think it is just someone, probably a broke University student, doing their laundry - once a year.

Down by the Lake

Lake Ontario beckons when the weather heats up around the Big Smoke. Toronto's new sandy park (or urban beach) was recently opened right beside Redpath Sugar at the base of Lower Jarvis Street. In honour of the sweet, smelly plant next door they have called the park Sugar Beach. It is very similar to the HTO Beach out west along Queens Quay with pink umbrellas in place of the yellow ones at HTO and the addition of big, granite, candy-striped rocks. Sugar Beach also has comfortable Muskoka chairs where you can watch the boats go by - just remember no swimming is allowed.

Further to the east Cherry Beach was the temporary set for the YTV television show The Next Star. Camera crews were set up as four musicians blasted out some tunes. I believe it was Brandon from Stoney Creek who was the lead singer. The Cherry Beach Baywatch lifeguards were on hand to help keep swimmers safe while the filming was going on.

At Lakeshore Blvd and Cherry Beach I found a rock that was drawn up to be Stewie from Family Guy.

I have looked for the new public automated pay toilet (costs 25 cents to use) built at Queens Quay but I never actually noticed where it was. This time I looked it up on the internet and armed with the knowledge that it was just south of Rogers Centre at the northwest corner of Queens Quay and Rees Street I managed to find the elusive $400,000 plumbing facilities. This thing really is a thing of beauty and you can even fit your bicycle inside which comes in handy, especially if you want to ride around after you use the facilities. when you leave (or after 20 minutes when the door opens, ready or not) the bathroom automatically cleans itself.

At the Exhibition grounds preperations are underway for the upcoming Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or as it is commonly known, the EX which runs from August 20th to September 6th, 2010. The CNE Casino is already open ahead of the fair but some of the game booths are now in place. You can also check out the Horse show for free which is running from August 3 to the 19th (noon to 3pm) and until September 6th as part of the paid admission CNE.