Doll faces

Each year, the town of Vankleek Hill hosts a town-wide garage sale. As usual, there is the
assortment of Barbies and pretty faces.

Double dip

Ronna will soon be an expert in the world of chipmunks because a little colony of the critters seems to have adopted her place as a summer home. Of course, they are well fed.

On Top of Calgary

After seeing the sights of Calgary, Ronna decided to relax by ascending to the top of the Calgary Tower and casually surveying all that surrounded her on this, her last day of a whirlwind of her Alberta. She gained a new perspective on this bustling city, and even better, got a souvenir penny!

Lake Louise Frame

As we entered the magnificent hotel at Lake Louise, we realized that there was no escaping the incredible scenery. The brilliant reflection of the outdoors seemed to form a blue pool on a table in a hotel restaurant. This was probably one of the few times we could get an unobstructed view of this natural wonder.

Nutcracker, sweet!

Yes, I will soon run out of Canmore trip photos! Meanwhile...while in Lake Louise we spotted this Clark's nutcracker (I think) patiently awaiting for the ice to melt so he could perform a pas de deux on the surface.

The fine line

One of the many picturesque roads near Canmore levels off on a plateau that overlooks a gorge where the whole town, and the Rocky Mountain backdrop, lies in front of you. The warning sign seems totally unnecessary, however, sadly, the tiny bronze plaque secured to the cliff (just above the fence to the right of the sign) bears witness to one person who fell to his death here not so long ago.

Rocky Mountain View

Looking at the incredible Rockies, and the obstacles they presented the trailblazers, one can see the routes -- some natural, some manmade -- that were available to the many who went west seeking fortune, if not fame.

Nice bear

Somewhere between Banff and Canmore, we disturbed this grizzly bear which was frolicking in the spring sun after a long hibernation. Fortunately, he did not attack the intruders.

Loony lift-off

When Ronna and I were in Canmore we lucked onto this mountain lake where loons were doing whatever looons do. We were also treated to the long, and apparently labourious, lift-off by this colourful bird.

Count the rings

Ronna and I encountered this bighorn sheep -- not to be confused with the mountain goat -- during our recent visit to Canmore, Alberta. The age of this agile animal can be determined by counting the rings on his horns. I did not venture that closely to check out his rings, but he seemed docile enough, considering we were after all invading his personal space.

It was a grand whirlwind tour. More photos to come...

Dip at dusk

For a few weeks in the spring, we are treated to visits by ducks, who take a liking to the water that accumulates in fields and lawns.

Big break

Ice heaves and breaks on the Ottawa River between Hawkesbury and Grenville. Unfortunately, the spring runoff also reveals some more unpleasant sights, such as the litter in the foreground.

April sunset

Hard to believe that only a few days ago we were surrounded by snow and ice. But it now seems that the sun has set on another long winter....

Eating on the road

We are lucky to often see deer, in their natural habitat. In eastern Ontario and western Québec, the cute creatures have grown accustomed to grazing in fields, and occasionally on anything that crops up beside laneways.

A true optimist

A few weeks ago, while shooting a house fire, I spotted this car covered in snow, with a For Sale sign on it. The vendor, a true optimist, obviously had offered the vehicle for sale long before the heavy snowfalls. And now, spring is arriving, and with it, no doubt, an emerging vehicle and the hopes of a quick sale.