dog 

Mickey C. Toronto actress 

My son David, who is a budding photog (argh, not three in one house!) took this shot of graffitti on Queen last month. 

Cooper, looking natty but a bit dorky, but hey, he's warm.. out behind our house. 

On the way back from Algonquin the other day we wound our way back along all sorts of backroads. Found this old abandoned farmhouse. 

.. and closer to Toronto, in the town of Sharon, there's this amazing building. It's not a church at all, it was built by former Quakers in the 1820's to raise money for the poor. They were called the "Children of Peace" and created the first civilian band in Canada and the first organ in Ontario. It's a lovely building in a magical setting. 

Great volleyball shot by R. 

woodhenge 

One of my usual work-avoidance tactics, I've been poking around in Ricardo's photos via our LAN looking for colourful shots to chase away the last of the winter blues. Found some nice ones. Too bad he doesn't have a blog of his own, guess I'll need to post them here. ;-) 

composition AND colour. 

Really super shot of the skyline, Ricardo. 

Pink satin on snow 

Our "backyard" 

Found this one in his folder, but I would lay money on it, it's one of my shots.. That's the trouble with two photogs in one house. ;-) 

For all the "hair police" out there who have been bugging me for years to do something with my long hair, here's a bulletin. I paid a visit to Bill Angst of Angst on Queen and he cropped it all off, and not in Photoshop, either. It was a little like pruning a wild bush. We were knee deep in hair I think. Thanks Bill! 

Never run with pitchforks. 

Ken Deas, in costume. 

emoting 

Canadian Gothic? 

This is what happens when a cement truck hits a streetcar. Remarkably little damage if you consider the forces at work. At Strachan and the Lakeshore. 

How many times did I make him jump the puddle? I'm not telling. 

Ricardo, getting into his work. 

Bridgework 

Stairway to Bloor 

Not a happy camper 

where the buffalo don't roam

Every time I go to the High Park "zoo" I get so miserable about the animals. They have such a tiny space, they're knee deep in their own mucky poop and they all look so completely dejected. In my opinion there's nothing "cute" or "educational" about doing this to animals. They deserve to live their lives in their own environment, not one constructed for our convenience and amusement. In a supposedly world-class city like Toronto you'd think the powers-that-be might be a bit more enlightened. It's a shame.  

Last autumn's leaf, under water. 

Rivet 

Stroller under the bridge 

Bridge over the Humber 

Mounted unit officers visiting from China. 

At the Toronto Police Mounted unit yesterday there were some visitors from China. A group of Chinese mounted officers who had been trained by Jim Davis, ex-Toronto Mounted Sgt. 

The Chinese visitors had a spin on the unit horses 

Here they are, checking out the trading cards they were given.  

The trading cards are out on the street now. Sgt Jim Patterson made this cool display case to put at Mounted Headquarters so children can choose the horse cards that they like best. Neat idea. 

Ricardo couldn't find any red stones today. 

This swan paddled in from the other side of the bay to see what the heck Ricardo was doing. He paced all around and inspected it and then swam away.  

Ken Deas 

Lake Ontario rocks again 

Don't try this at home. Never shoot right into the sun. 

Uh Oh Canada!

Gotta love Canada. First day of spring and look at this. It's pretty, but it's not exactly crocus flowers.. 

Ken Deas. 9 seconds is how long a cowboy needs to stay on the bull to get a score in rodeo. Well, in fact it's eight seconds but that title was already taken.  

Embrujo Flamenco is a great tapas restaurant in Toronto.  

Yesterday's shoot, young Toronto actress Nicole who is just waiting for her big break.  

The lake water is so clear at this time of year. 

Ricardo and I went down to the lake for an hour to get some air today. The quality of the light is changing and there's a lot more warmth in the sun. The head-high ice pack along the beaches is slowly melting away and we can actually walk along the edge of the water.  

Stock index plummets 

What's up? 

puddlejumping 

Had a lot of fun today shooting Toronto actor Ken Deas. He has an incredibly photogenic face and was very patient while we experimented with all sorts of light and smoke and mirrors. 

Smokin' 

Ken is a great actor, sweet person. 

Such a great face. 

Toronto musician Alex Principe came by the studio with her friend and fellow musician Laura Tonelli for some headshots. 

When they perform, they call themselves AJ & Company.  

Laura sings like an angel. I should have put the wings on her. 

Laura, another look. 

Laura with "painting effect" 

Mischi 

Mischi. I made a little photojam if you want to peek.  

CBC technical wizard Paul Gerrard and his pooch, Ali. 

Ali, not the boxer but the Boxer. 

Snowy day by the lake 

Snow covered branches 

Toronto skyline in the five minutes between sunset and dark. 

White water 

Ricardo and I took the weekend off and drove up to Algonquin Park for some much-needed downtime. Met our friends Charlie (far left) and Sally (far right) and were intending to go dog-sledding but everyone was booked up so we ended up going snow-shoeing (thanks to Algonquin Outfitters) instead. Of course I fell into a frozen creekbed halfway through a 6km hike and wrecked my back (They don't call me Calamity Jane for nothing) but it was worth it. We got some amazing photos. 

Churning water, churning stomach 

We walked along the Oxtongue River and caught some shots of the rapids there. Half frozen, half boilling cauldron. 

The ice on the river was a few feet thick in places and there were just a few places where the water was boiling up, shooting straight up into the air. Very scary. 

And we caught this shot of fish huts out on the middle of some lake. Looks like a lomo shot. 

Blue ice, milky white rapids churning. 

One thing we didn't see (but desperately wanted to see) was a moose. But Todd White, (who took this amazing photograph) a super wildlife photographer at Algonquin Outfitters, has seen lots and lots. We'll try again next time. Possibly I won't fall down and put myself out of commision again. ;-) Here's the URL to Todd's webgallery. Truly wonderful photography. Thanks for your help Todd and if I looked green with envy looking at your photos in the shop, it's because I was! You're so lucky to live and work up north. 

Took a long and winding road home from Algonquin and stumbled on a tiny shop called Quaker Oaks in the middle of nowhere. Well, not nowhere, but east of Sebright, Ontario. It was packed with wonders. Stuffed olives, home made breads, toys from the 50s, yummy tarts and oh yes, Betty Boop. 

Quaker Oaks. Is that a Procol Harum "Salty Dog" album? I told you it was a shop of wonders. 

Looking out Drew's bedroom window. 

Snow. 

Snow. It's been snowing for 24 hours straight now. Every branch, pine needle, fence post, bulrush head is laden with heavy white snow. It's lovely but I'm going snow blind. I need some variation. 

Ducks. I have never in my life taken so many duck photos.  

I need colour!! I am surrounded by acres and acres of pure white snow. My eyes are craving colour. So I'm rummaging in my files. 

Make up your own blurb to go along with this one. Unsuspecting lemon, talking to dalmation is mugged by bone-wielding hound? 

A cacaphony of clowns 

Some old parade pics I found. 

College St. November, man drinking alone in cafe.