MOM WOULD HAVE LOVED THIS

 Happy Mother's Day to all. Two things my mom loved were spring flowers and ---- me! 

Birds would cheer her spirit...and ours!

Hard work defined her life...lots of that going on up here.

Some jobs are more fun than others. New pump in the pond, first car wash of the season.

By the way, we have not seen the resident fox all week. Is she in the den with the newborns? Also, no fish survived in the pond this winter. But there are many many salamander egg sacs to take their place. Look at all these squirming squiggling amphibians coming soon.

Yellow is a cheerful colour for all moms, right? Forsythia, daffodils, and can we include the (further north) sunrise too?

My mom loved long Sunday drives with me, going anywhere or nowhere. In a shiny red car. There's a proxy for her in the car these days but I know she's smiling with us. I love you too, Mom!

MAY DAY ---- MAY BEE?

The first of May brings all kinds of hope for what may be. Can you find the bee in the bloom? Lots of other blossoms finally emerging up the hill. And the Gardener can't resist trying out her latest helper.

No maybe about it, the birds are arriving by the bunches. Purple finches, cardinals, goldfinches, flickers, red-breasted woodpeckers, etc. This year's awesome first ever ---- an exquisite bluebird!!

Fox always on patrol. Snow late in the week. Full rainbow reflecting on the bay ---- double good luck??

Back in the city it's time for Sakura, the annual spectacle of the Japanese cherry blossoms. But we're a few days early, only buds so far. Forsythia and bulbs are out but the main event next week ----- May Be?

A day trip to Toronto Islands, first return in years. Vintage ferry ---- why replace these charmers? But also original houses, Bookmobile service, frisbee golf, and lots of pleasure boats getting ready.

Another first, this time in the city. The Viking Octantis has arrived on its maiden voyage from being built in Norway. Biggest cruise ship on the Lakes! Look it up ----- extremely technologically advanced ship for Great Lakes and Antarctic cruises. Innovative features, scientific research component, very $$$$.

Beautiful warm day, like a starting gun for the outdoor season. Multiple water taxis load up for several directions. Promenade full of sun seekers. Harbour full of wind seekers. A guy and his ragtop (been there, done that)! But watch it buddy, the girls are coming. Are they after the guy --- or the car?? 

WHITE, RED, BLACK, & FURRY

 Just a follow-up on last Sunday's Easter. Sure enough, the Bunny DID show up for his own parade. Officially, it's the longest-running Easter Parade in North America...

First parade after two pandemic cancellation years, so a good time had by all...

Also in the city --- a late snowball, "pink" full moon, and more tour boats ready for the season.

Back up the hill, a piece of the 2006 railing has rotted. Had to call back the builder to replace it. Then, he finished the job using his dad's 1950's handsaw. Tribute to another era!

The creatures continue their own spring parade. Foxes make daily patrols. Grackles live up to their image of thug-birds. Towhees, jays, woodpeckers. Male and female purple finch pose for their close-up (looks more red than purple?).

But the big sighting this week was a black bear, about a month earlier than last year. And a different one --- no yellow ear tags. Took his time sniffing, climbing, standing, roaming. Probably hungry and curious from  a long winter's nap?

Yardwork completes this week's archive. New pond pump is smaller, lighter, stronger. The bird feeder had to be rebuilt (after a smash-and-grab by the black bear mentioned above). Who's up for a lucky 8 reward?