It's been a while....

... but just because it was quite busy around here.

After the motorcycle show, it seems like winter is no more (when it comes to business).

However, it's still very wintery outside and I've been mostly out, taking photos, trying out stuff and just having fun. Who could blame me? :)

With all that is going on (my car broke down, visa issues, tripod issues, business issues) it's been impossible to take care of everything at once.

Nothing really interesting happened, but I did enjoyed my walks. This year I do have a proper winter jacket (I couldn't ignore the fact that I live in Canada any more) so I finally understand how nice taking a walk can be on -10 :)

We had some snow that melted quickly, but for a few days  everything looked amazing. The lake froze partially, so did the Etobicoke creek I sometimes visit.

In the Humber park there are always birds to see. And even though I have plenty of bird photos, somehow you can never get enough of them. Especially when they're crowded like this, fighting for the food.

Larger geese are constantly attacking little ducks and making their life harder in finding the crumbles. Cruel nature.

There was a lady feeding them. It's incredible how close the brave birds can come when they know there's a bag full of crumbles in the old lady's hands.

The swan immediately came close and was begging (well, demanding) for food, reaching all the way in her plastic bag. Geese are not as tall so they couldn't do the same thing. That just reminded me on the story of a fox and stork.

There was other kind of attacks too. This little guy on the right has no clue what's about to happen.

The beach was empty, of course. No people, no dogs and a big warning there are no lifeguards on duty.

Funny.

But then, I remember last winter guy surfing on the ice, so I guess the sign is here for a reason, after all...

There were little loons swimming in the lake, but I couldn't catch them with my lens.

They were babies, and looked like little penguins, being all black and white. Quite a sight.

I need to get a tele lens.

In the meantime, I'll make lemonade with the lemons I got.

Have a nice week everybody! Enjoy the winter while it's still here! (Did I just say that?)
I'm becoming Canadian.

Xoxo!

First day of 2016

The first day of 2016 started just like any other day. I only feel more tired and hung over than usual. Since I'm not exactly a party animal, those few glasses of wine can get me down in no time.

I wasn't a total lamb after all and I did wait till midnight. 

I even stayed up later and enjoyed another drink or two before hitting the hay.

The first things that I noticed, when I woke up in this new 2016, were:

1. I feel the same as yesterday in 2015 despite the big celebration of New 2016 (as if the celebration is really needed)

2. It's snowing (yay)

3. I'm hungry (and I'm never hungry in the morning). It must have been that over-eating habit these last few days with that 12 lb turkey and stuff).

The second thought actually pushed me out of the house for a walk. It felt good to clear the head on 0.5 degrees C. 

There was not much wind, so it wasn't that cold. And somewhere in the middle of my walk, the snow started falling again, harder and harder, until it suddenly just stopped.

I discovered another pathway I've never seen before, that led me to a new spot next to the creek.
I take walks there every once in a while, but somehow missed that area.

A whole different point of view, because of the rocky wall on the other side. It levels up later along the creek, but I never knew this part existed.

I thought I was going to be alone, but that was a mistake. Lots of kids, couples and people with dogs. It was a nice morning and I guess everyone wanted to get some fresh air.

Now I should probably say that I used the walk to think about New Years resolutions, but I really haven't.

I don't have any resolutions and decisions that can be related to the beginning of a year.

In attempt to stay in good terms with the well known tradition, I did decide not to make those kinds of decisions.

I do, however, have some wishes that I will try to make true in 2016, but who knows how will that turn out?

Before anything else, I wish to myself good health, optimal happiness and some courage to change the paths that don't work for me anymore. I wish everyone else exactly the same, because every other thing you wish for yourselves will come your way anyways.

Have a happy New Year! 

Xoxo

Black and white walk

The weekend was cold and rainy. Black and white kind of weekend, no colours outside, all damp and grey.

No sun, no reason to get out of the house.

However, camera in one hand and film in other made me go outside to see if there's anything worth capturing.

Actually, I needed more practice with film developing so I bundled up and stepped outside.

Sprinkles of rain somehow made me think of home, because I know that my friends are experiencing sprinkles of sea right now, sunbathing at some beach, somewhere on the southern part of Croatian coast.

Meanwhile, here in Toronto, I'm doing my best in this Canadian weather. There's a place close to me with a little marina. Kind of a hidden place with no people, perfect for a short walk. Always lots of animals around. No walkers, no bicyclists or runners. Just boats and birds.




Couple of weeks back I've been there, for the same reason, and there was a swan, sitting comfortably in a nest, guarding the eggs.

This weekend, she was still there, at the same spot, with her little offspring. Reminded me of an "Ugly duckling" story. There are more eggs there, maybe next time there's going to be a whole bunch of little cygnets.

Also, lots of ducks and geese. As I was walking, on my left side there were geese with little goslings, nibbling on grass and enjoying the peace which was broken only by the sound of my shutter. 

While I was trying to shoot the goslings (with the camera, just to be clear), I've became aware that there's whole army of other geese on my right side, waddling toward me, making sure the moms and little ones stay protected. Canadian geese are huge, and I was obviously outnumbered, so I picked up my stuff and carried on, leaving them at peace. 

The mean birds are everywhere, and I watched them messing with the swan and fight each other for food. Or for something else, who knows.

Black and white walk, among black and white boats, stepping into puddles and thinking about black and white stuff in life. And how white can become black easily. And the other way around. 

I kind of felt black and white myself. 

It looked like it's going to start raining again (and I finished the film) so I decided to turn around and go back home to my black and white cat. 

Walking thru the Village of Murals

Just recently (before all this spring began) I was looking for a nice place to take a walk. Since all my walks are usually close to the lake, I decided to move a little bit up north and see what's going on there. That's when I came across the Islington's Village of Murals.

Located on Dundas Street West, between Islington and Kipling, there's a whole bunch of murals, mostly painted by an artist John Kuna.

More precise, there's 26 of them along the area and their purpose is to illustrate places and people from neighborhood's history, mostly from early 1900.

The Pub With No Beer

Next to every mural there is a board with the name and description of the illustration, explaining what, when and why.


It's like walking thru the museum of past.

There are people around you walking fast, cars are driving by, it's busy weekday, everyone's hurrying somewhere and then you set your eyes (because you can't miss it) on "The Pub With No Beer".




That's the mural that depicts smiling faces of workers leaned on the truck full of empty bottles cases, and makes you wonder how simple and happy people must have been then, even though they worked hard and had little.

The faces of Islington

There is something in each mural that brings out the nostalgia, happiness, proud, sorrow or compassion.

I'm sure it brings out a lot more to the people grew up in the area than to me, being a complete stranger. But it still makes you feel different, walking with those murals on every step as opposed to just walking, minding your own business.

Mimico Creek

This way, you remember to notice - or you notice to remember. Either way, it's a nicer walk with that contrast between now and then.

Portraits Of Our Past

The illustrations are beautiful and I admire the whole action of making it happen. The murals really make the place look interesting and fun, but also they show the proud and appreciation of the past.











What amazed me the most is that all of the murals were intact. They are clean and graffiti free, and that tells me that there is obvious respect for the illustrations themselves, for the past and for the neighborhood. I hope they'll stay that way for a long time.

The Old Swimming Hole, Aftermath, Harold G. Shipp's "First High Flier!"

Useless leash

A very good girlfriend of mine, back home in a far away land, got up few days ago and decided to seize the beautiful, sunny, spring day outside. A perfect day for a walk.

So, she went for a bite with her boyfriend and a little dog. Kind of a dog you usually hold in hands. It's their baby and their bundle of joy.

Just when they were about to order their food, along came a guy walking a Stafford (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). As he was approaching, it was more and more obvious that he can't actually handle the dog. Even tough he had the dog on leash, the dog was walking him, and not the other way around. They got close to my friends, and in a blink of an eye, Stafford jumped and attacked the boyfriend and the bundle of joy in his arms. Twice.

Panic. Screaming. Blood everywhere. Swearing in a way only Croatians can swear.

The Stafford guy took off as soon as someone called the police, and hasn't yet been found.

Let me just say, it might have ended up a lot worse than it has. Luckily, the boyfriend has "only" a pretty serious injured arm, and the bundle of joy has an injured nose. They went straight to an ER and they're both alive and fine for now.

The problem is - nobody knows anything about the dog, or the owner.
Nobody knows if the dog has rabies.
Nobody knows if the dog has a history of violence or it's just the owner that doesn't really know how to control it. The police is searching for the guy, but it's not likely they'll find him.

I'm not saying it's dog's fault - or even that the breed itself (Stafford) is more or less dangerous. What I'm saying is, if you have a dog - any kind - you should know how to control it. Having a medium (or large) sized dog on a leash, but without being able to manage it's behavior, is pretty much the same as having the dog unleashed. The owner should know what to expect out of his pet. And if you're not up to it - don't walk it in the middle of the town. He might have came across some kids - a 5 year old wouldn't stand a chance against such an attack, and who would be to blame once the guy takes off and leaves your kid hurt, alone on the street? Not even necessary to mention, do you know how many people don't even have their dogs on a leash, cause they're "friendly"? Look around.

Bundle of joy will survive, so will the boyfriend. But the point is, it can happen anywhere, anytime. I took it for granted  until now, but I'm not likely to approach some dog on a leash as easily as before, even if the owner goes with the common "he's friendly" phrase.

Not everyone who owns a dog is responsible and mature enough. If you can't handle your dog - get a cat. It's by far less likely it will hurt someone.

Plus, cats are way more cool.