The first prize winner in both the obstacle and equitation competition this weekend, P.C. Ron Gilbert and his mount Charger.

Staff Inspector Bill Wardle, Miss Dorothy Keith and Charles Buchanan with the statue of the Toronto Police Mounted Officer.

After the doors closed on "Doors Open Toronto" at the Mounted Unit, and after ten hours of hard work, everyone relaxed at a little after-party where prizes were given for the top riders in the competition and Dorothy presented the unit with two lovely statues. The artist was there too, Charles Buchanan, and here he is with Dorothy looking on as he describes his work.

Doors Open Toronto

Doors Open Toronto
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

Do yourself a favour and go visit the Mounted Unit this weekend. The doors are wide open for visitors and there'll be lots of exciting things for kids and adults alike. Drill team demonstration, tours of the stables, and you can pick up a trading card too. I'll be there on and off both days, so I hope to see at least one of you there.

Barksy and Hutch

Barksy and Hutch
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

Barksy and Hutch

.. not really. I forget their names, two of the police dogs I shot today. They're old friends.

Daniel et Daniel

Daniel et Daniel
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

The CBA event was catered by my fave purveyors of fine nosh, Daniel et Daniel, same folks I hired to cater Dorothy's birthday party at Fort York. Yum.

Outtake.

Butterfly Ball

Butterfly Ball
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

It's been a hectic week, three pretty big location shoots in a row. First a retirement party at the Canadian Banking Association, then last night at the Palais Royale, 400 guests at the Butterfly Ball, a fund raiser for BOOST, and this morning, up at the crack of dawn to shoot the Toronto Police Canine Unit.

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Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

take a guess

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Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

I don't know... you're sitting in a wonderful forest, clearing your mind of a week's woes, savouring the tranquility.. and this apparition just ... well.. appears...

black crowned night heron

black crowned night heron
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

"The black-crowned night heron. Its brilliant red eyes are tailored to make this species a night hunter. A layer of tissue called the tapetum lucidum reflects extra light back to the retina. "

Hopefully the cormorant infestation won't destroy all his nesting grounds.

bboard

bboard
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

Sgt. Graham Acott and Sgt Peter Spurling on Duke and Charger against a condo billboard on Bay Street Saturday.

Winged Wheels

Winged Wheels
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

My favourite shot of the bunch I took on Saturday.

the anti-reveller ;-)

the anti-reveller ;-)
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

This little guy was not having as much fun as the others at Police Headquarters yesterday. I think he wanted cake. :-)

Toronto Mayor David Miller meeting newest Toronto Police mount, Metro, with P.C. Steve Nobel on board.

Toronto actor Juno Mills Cockell

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Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair chatting with Toronto Mayor David Miller.

Metro

Metro
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

That's Metro, at his debut today in front of Toronto Police Headquarters. He was named to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the forming of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Service.

woo hoo!!

woo hoo!!
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

Pretty exciting day today, the trading cards were ready for pickup from the printer. Here they all are, stacked at TPMU headquarters, waiting to be opened.

plant a tree

plant a tree
Originally uploaded by torontofotobug.

.. make a difference. That's what I did this morning. Got up too early and drove up to Woodbridge to help plant 1.000 trees in a reclaimed river valley. It felt good and of course I took some shots when I was done.

Spring is here. In the greenhouse at Centennial anyway.