Water Fun

Water Fun, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photograph: May 25

Water can be fun and friendly. With warmer weather, children have been enjoying these water features. Yesterday, water was not as much fun as violent thunderstorms swept through the city flooding some city streets and many basements. Fortunately my house stayed dry. And my car got a good wash!

Water - not so much fun - see Montreal's flooding

Dining al Fresco

Dining al Fresco, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Warm weather encourages everyone to enjoy the outdoors. Gardening, walking, sports and, of course, dining al fresco. Why does food taste better when you eat outdoors?

I think dining outdoors encourages slowing down. And we can all use a little more of that in our lives.

Iris

Iris, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

A hot sunny weekend nurtured the gardens, speeding growth and spreading colour. Spring greens have been joined by a riot of colour. The May long weekend - Victoria Day, La Fête National des Patriotes - different names for different parts of the country - this is the traditional planting weekend when the danger of frost is past and the gardeners buy flats of annuals.

Over the years I have planted perennials which have spread into a tangle of flowers. I fill the holes between them with annuals to add some colour as the perennials take turns sharing their glory.

High Tech Low Tech

High Tech Low Tech, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

In a walk around Vieux-Montréal I passed a line of caleches waiting for passengers. This low tech transportation's driver is consulting a cell phone. I wonder if she is using GPS to get around the city...

On another note, the Horse Palace, the stables where these horses were housed was sold. The owners were in their 80s and could no longer afford to keep up the stables. Another condo project? Or will the stables be saved by the city. You can read more on The Gazette site.

Sun Drenched Building

Sun Drenched Building, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Sometimes it's nice to walk in one's own city with the eyes of a tourist. One notices things that normally are just passed by. I have often walked up the street near this building as it leads from the metro to the church where I often attend concerts. This time I decided to deviate slightly and was treated to the gold of the sun accentuating the architectural details on this building. It houses offices of our municipal government (hence the flag of Montreal flying on top).




Later, walking form the concert, we passed our city hall, lit not by the sun, but by strategically placed lighting. It too, accentuated architectural details. If only, the politics inside, were as enlightened as the outside!

Fiddleheads

Fiddleheads, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

A spring taste treat with a short season as the ferns unfurl in the forest.
Wash them well, cook them well and feast. (Simple recipe can be found here)


  

The scroll of the fiddlehead certainly resembles that of a stringed instrument.

Singing by the Water

Singing by the Water, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I love to walk in Parc-des-Rapides. The birds sing accompanying the rush of the water as it hurtles through the rapids. It's hard to imagine what the early explorers thought when confronted with them. They had a long portage to get around them and continue their trip up the St. Lawrence River.



Now ships go through the seaway, bypassing the rapids on their way to the Great Lakes.




This is a popular spot for fishing. Some (as here) wade into the quieter water. Others stand on the water's edge, casting into the rapids. I'm not sure I would eat anything from this river. It picks up a lot of industrial waste along its path.

A park is for everyone: casual strollers, picnickers, cyclists and even wedding parties posing for their post-nuptial photos. 

Crab Apples in Bloom

Crab Apples in Bloom, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

The blossoms are everywhere in Montreal. On the median of McGill College crab apple trees march all the way up to McGill University. The rain has brought down some of the blossoms and they, too line the street. Spring is a time of new delights, each to be cherished for its short-lived season. Each day the view changes; it's a season of transition.

Dog Tooth Violet or Trout Lily

Dog Tooth Violet or Trout Lily, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Summit Park is a blanket of flowers. The forest floor is dotted with white trilliums with accents of these yellow flowers*. They shyly turn their faces down to the ground while all around them the trilliums stare boldly up.

Each year I love to walk through this urban forest, delighting in the short show. In spring each flower has its time. Changes are a constant of this wild season.

Rising Over Montreal

Rising Over Montreal, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

We stood at Westmount lookout, waiting for the moon, looking east. It rose over the mountain in the distance, hazy at first, but becoming clearer as it rose higher in the sky. Photographers stood with their tripods and long lenses snapping away at the perigee moon.




How different is it from a regular full moon? It did appear large, but once it was high in the sky the slight difference in its apparent size was minimal. Nonetheless, every full moon is captivating and on a clear spring night, this one hovered over the city.




As it rose higher, the city lights blinked on, while the moon's shimmer could be seen in the river.

Bring on the Sun

Bring on the Sun, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Daffodils, a splash of sunshine in a spring garden, trumpeting, "spring is here!"

New Growth

New Growth, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Like a butterfly
emerging from a cocoon
the leaves of the horse chestnut tree
slowly unfold
Mysteries revealed.

Enticing Insects

Enticing Insects, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I'm always fascinated by the inside of flowers, their incredible intricacy. This landing pad for insects sure gives clear directions. Spring has slowed down here.

Most days these tulips have stayed closed, holding in the warmth against the cooler temperatures. It is amazing how flowers adapt.