By the Rapids

Ah the frustration! I forgot to charge the battery on my DSLR and my new camera was not behaving. It seems to have turned itself on in my purse and the lens tried to open unsuccessfully and then that drained the battery. Then after I charged the battery, the lens opened with a clack-clack and I could do nothing. I took it in to the store where I bought it, and of course, everything worked fine. I bought a case for it and hope this won't happen again.

So there I was at Parc-des-Rapides - no decent camera, just my phone. We spotted an egret, Canada geese, ducks, many red-winged black birds, a yellow warbler... no decent telephoto on hand.



Each time I go to this park I am awed by the force of the water as it rushes past. I am not sure how someone got these rocks to balance - but I was awed by that too!  I'll have to make another trip (all batteries are charged now) to enjoy and share the wildlife.

Vendome Metro Station

I know I have posted a picture before of this - stained glass plus sculpture. Vendome Station is where the metro line and the commuter train line meet - so the sculpture has an appropriate feel of tracks. When you go into the station when the sun is hitting the windows, the effect is magical. I love the way the colours from the glass play on the metal sculpture and the wall of the station.

Solitude

Photo: May 31, 2014

It is interesting to me that you can take something out of context and have it tell a totally different story. I look at this image and feel a sense of solitude - of peace, of quiet. Out of sight are the baby ducklings, the other visitors to the Botanical Gardens... But sitting and watching this duck did give me a sense of peace and calm. So maybe the picture doesn't lie!

At the Montreal Botanical Gardens

Photos: May 31, 2014

A friend and I took our cameras to the Botanical Gardens. I just bought myself a monopod and wanted to see what it was like shooting with it and I have a new small camera - wanted to put it through its paces - shooting both automatic and manually. A learning day - but also a day of delight. The Botanical Garden's new slogan is Hurry Up and Slow Down - and slow down we did - stopping to admire the flora and fauna in the outdoor gardens.







Many varieties of irises were blooming. Their intricate shapes and patterns just had to be admired.



The peonies were just coming into their own.



Their bright interiors called to the insects to come and spread their pollen



Turtles were out sunning. Their stillness reminds us to stop and wait for treasures to come along.



New life abounds. Dozens of ducklings paddled around the pond, their little feet pumping at a good clip.



Bird songs serenaded our visit. This redwing blackbird stopped to sing out, puffing himself up to get maximum volume.



One less insect - one well-fed grackle.

Last year David Suzuki started a 30 X 30 challenge - for 30 days spend at least 30 minutes in nature.

From the web site: "Over the last decade, researchers have realized what most of us know intuitively: nature is good for us! It is well documented that being regularly immersed in a natural setting, like a park, field or forest, can lower blood pressure, anxiety and stress levels, and boost immunity. ‘Green time’ has also been shown to reduce feelings of anger and depression, while increasing energy, creativity and even generosity."

I can attest to the benefits - so Hurry up and Slow Down in nature - it does a world of good.

Iris

Saw it while walking and just wanted to share.

Glorious May

I think May is the most glorious time of the year. The blossoms blow me away with their beauty. In every shade of pink these trees bring joy around the city.

Walks are not quite as cardio-effective as I stop to admire each tree.



Even the dandelions bring beauty. Time to accept them as flowers and not as weeds. I love to see their sunny faces.

Finally the pond in the park near me is filled with water. Last year it was plagued with leaking and could not hold the water. The quiet reflections add to the peacefulness of the day. Each day new flowers grow, the trees grow their blooms then drop their petals. The magnolias are now just trees with leaves. These fruit trees are taking their time in the spotlight. Lilacs are sharing their heady scent. The scene keeps changing - the merry month of May.

Art Installation

For the last three years an art installation of this ilk has been installed on du Musée. The lower part of the street is closed to traffic and the whole area becomes a sculpture exhibit. I did not particularly like the installations the last two years. They were supposed to represent flowers, but unless you were standing in exactly the right spot it just looked like a jumble of colour. I do like this year's installation - very geometric with a surprise.



The backs of each piece are a different colour so the shapes and colours change as you move. Fun!