Reflections in Toogood Pond

Right next to the historic village of Unionville founded in 1794 (in the Town of Markham, Ontario) there is a 33-hectare park with a partially naturalized pond and a marsh. With a university pal I had not seen since 1979, I took a leisurely stroll around Toogood Pond today. 

While we reflected on the years gone by, I also captured a few reflections for Weekend Reflections. A Great Blue Heron with three turtles on a log, a beautiful summer's day sky, and another turtle on a log surrounded by green foliage.

 

Markham, Ontario, 2012

Ugly Ducks Reflected

Even ugly is in the eyes of the beholder, but these two ducks sitting on an air pump on a fish pond in Kaiping sure won't win any awards for beauty from me!

Kaiping, 2012

Joining reflections seekers at Weekend Reflections and animal lovers at Camera Critters.

D is for Dove

Last month when my honey and I strolled in Hong Kong, I spied this pretty Chinese Spotted Dove having fun bathing in rain water.

 Hong Kong, 2011

The Spilopelia chinensis also called the Spotted Turtle Dove, Lace-Necked Dove or the Mountain Dove. This species is usually found in open woodland, farmlands and other natural habitats where it can find the seeds and grains it needs for nourishment. Makes me wonder why they are now appearing in urban centers; does anyone know?

Watching it play and noticing it was alone (as opposed to in a big flock one typically sees pigeons) got me asking what is the difference between doves and pigeons. I learned: not much! They are both species of the bird family Columbidae. The larger of the species are generally called pigeons, the smaller are called doves, yet there is no taxonomic difference. 

So I ask the pigeon-haters, those who consider these rats with wings, how can you not adore this sweet looking critter?

Check out other fun and creative D posts at Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday. I'm also linking to Camera Critters, where people around the world share their animal shots and stories.

Autumn Colors in Kansai

We purposely timed our visit to Kansai to coincide with its famous fall colors.  Thus many of the photos I have posted previously from this magnificent region will show you the breadth of beauty found this season of warm yellows, oranges, reds and browns.

Today I share a few more autumn photos from that trip to celebrate a season we don't really have at home in tropical Philippines.

I sure wasn't the only one reveling in the flaming colors of the maples!

Kansai, 2009

Extra:

Manila, 2011

I took this final photo last evening. This line of friendly pumpkins are on the street in front of our neighbor's house, waiting to greet the kids of the village coming by on Saturday for group "trick or treat" fun.

Halloween was not known in Finland where I spent most of my childhood, so the only time I got to dress up and go "trick or treat" was a couple of years in my early teens in Vancouver, BC. Fortunately I never did have much of a sweet tooth and I outgrew this pretty fast.

Do you celebrate this event in your corner of the world? Do you have any special memories?

Linking with other autumn images at Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday and (for the last image) to Pat's Thursday's Things in a Row.

Did You Hear About...?

Guizhou, China, 2006
[better viewed enlarged; click image]

Linking with Ruby Tuesday and Wordless Wednesday.

Woodpeckers

This cute baby and its mama I spotted in Bucharest just a few weeks ago join Camera Critters and NatureFootstep Winged.

They are Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major), quite common in Europe and northern Asia.

Bucharest, 2011

[SkyWatch] On the Road in Romania

Today I offer two drive-by shots taken in the countryside of Romania for SkyWatch Friday.

The bright yellow rape field contrasts nicely against the gray sky.

Romania, 2011

We had to look up towards the sky to spot a number of these large nests with mama and baby storks up on top of streetlamps and power poles. Nice to see them back. These birds had disappeared for some time because the use of pesticides like DDT had weakened the shell of eggs so the mothers had crushed them. A testament to the resilience of nature when given a little wiggle room.

Hooded Crow

I don't think I've ever seen so many crows in a city as I have in Bucharest, although Kyoto may rank a close second.

 Bucharest, 2011

Romania is home to the Hooded Crow - an ashy gray bird with black head, throat, wings, tail and thigh feathers, as well as a black bill, eyes and feet. But its coloration is about all that sets it apart from the usual black crow; an omnivorous and opportunistic forager and feeder.

I've seen these crows in flight in very large groups, but unfortunately my camera did not capture them. These two loners join Misty's Camera Critters.

Eagle

I'm not a trained nature photographer, so I must admit I was rather pleased with my capture of this eagle in Beautiful BC.

Tofino, 2006

Sharing this with Camera Critters where you'll find links to all kinds of "captured" animals... only with a camera, of course.

The Bird Feeder

 Osaka, 2009

At Camera Critters you'll find links to animals of all kinds.

Yellow Pulleys

This mix of bird breeds sitting cozily together on the dock railings and equipment among these big yellow pulleys caught my fancy. I took the photo from the ferry as we were landing at the Horseshoe Bay terminal. The day was ready to fade into darkness.

Vancouver, BC, 2010

More links to fun takes on YELLOW at Mellow Yellow.

Parrot Love

New Delhi, India, 2010

It must be Wednesday... no words needed. 

Spread the love and visit other links to Wordless Wednesday.

A Man and His Rooster

Dapitan, Mindanao, Philippines, 2008 

The first post. Sigh. Why should that feel a little nerve-wracking? Is there a niggling fear that this first one sets the tone for posts to follow? No, why should it; I shan't let it!  Let's decide now that on this page you will find a continuous work in progress, a constant reinvention; hey, just like me. Let's just go with the flow and see where that takes us.

So what is this man and his rooster about? Of my 1000s of photos, this is the one that came to mind today. I'm in no way a fan of cockfighting, yet I'm certainly not about to start a furious diatribe. I am in the Philippines and sabong, if not the national sport, is certainly one of the most popular (along with basketball and boxing) and a favored form of gambling.  These roosters, although fated to a tragic end, when raised and groomed for the fight, are pampered as much as any pet poodle.

Today was the first day on the job for the 15th president of the Philippines. The people solidly voted for Noynoy Aquino, son of the popular slain political leader Ninoy Aquino and his widow Cory, the first president after People Power drove out dictator Marcos in 1986.

The color yellow was always the campaign motif for the beloved Cory who died recently, and it was naturally adopted by her son to continue the thread of good feelings.

So this yellow rooster is posted in honor of the new hope of the nation.  I hope P.Noy (the president's new nickname) has a deep well of fight in him, as he will badly need it to deliver on the promise of real change and good governance. The Filipino people are certainly worth the fight. Thumbs up to you, P.Noy!