Earth Hour Watch

Earth Hour is symbolic but at least it gives us a chance to break out the candles.

Spring sights and sounds

Geese and mottled ice are sure signs that we have survived another winter.

Images de Montréal

Montréal is one of the most vibrant and most beautiful cities in the world.

This big island offers, among others, stunning riverfront vistas.

However, harried commuters can rarely slow down and appreciate the scenery.

Which is just as well considering some of the optimistic patch jobs that have been applied to major concrete arteries.

These are some shots taken on the drive home.

New sport

This intriguing sign, posted in a Hawkesbury, Ontario park, seems to indicate that a new sport is afoot. Must be a great way to develop agility and neck muscles.

River trance

Many people, including those who love to go ice fishing, are actually saddened by the imminent arrival of spring.

A screened shot

The newest fixture at rinks is the mesh, designed to protect spectators from flying pucks. The mesh is there, even though at most minor hockey levels, the chance of a puck getting over the protective glass around the boards is very remote.

Makes you wonder how we old farts survived the old days, when we wore little protective equipment and the fans were exposed to the dangers of watching a game, with an unscreened view.

Cool!

While covering an ice fishing derby -- they were angling for fish not bobbing for cubes -- in nearby Alexandria, I came across this happy-face frisbee frozen just below the surface. It was at once happy and sad, but that ambivalence may have been inspired by the fact that we had been hit by a rainstorm Friday morning and a flash freeze that night.

Contrasts

Funny how we get used to winter driving conditions. We have white-outs and black ice, challenges that would have caused stress in November, but which in late February are all just part and parcel of a daily drive to work.

The 6 Challenge

In response to an online challenge in Ronna's blog, where we were asked to select the 6th photo in our 6th file, I came across this shot of a determined little bird that did not let a strong Arctic breeze deter it from getting a much-needed snack.

Tracked

Every day on my way to work, I drive past a pond, which although it is located a few feet from the Trans Canada Highway, is actually the epitome of natural tranquility. In summer, the surface of the pool, which is surrounded by trees, is mirror-like, and in winter, the snow-covered surface leaves tell-tale traces of clandestine visitors. On a daily basis, I see an array of prints on the snow. I wonder what animals use the pond as a bridge, but have not yet seen any of the shy forest creatures -- until this week.

Icy medium

Who knew that ice could be just such a versatile medium?

The sculptors demonstrating their talents at Winterlude obviously did.

Winterlude

Staged in the shadow of Parliament Hill, the annual Winterlude festival in Ottawa features attractions such as acrobats who rise above the crowd, and some cool personages.

Which is a lot like the spectacles you can catch every day in the House of Commons.

Midwinter motif

Apparently, according to that scientific climate gauge -- the groundhog -- we have about six weeks of winter to go, before we are complaining about flooding.

The humidity in the air gives early mornings a dreamlike background, which make the next six weeks a little more bearable.

One of those days

You know you are going to have one of those Mondays when there you are plowing along, and the truck ends up in the ditch, and somebody comes along and takes your picture.

Sculpted

The crucifix at St-Grégoire Roman Catholic Church in Vankleek Hill is a detailed sculpture that gives the impression that Jesus Christ pumped some iron in his day.