Clockwork Bees II

Location: Queen St. E. at Saulter

Date photo taken: 5 January 2017

One thing that can be said for our wet spring is that we now have an abundance of beautiful flowers around the city. Even on the balcony, my flowers are thriving and they are already attracting bees. Which reminded me of the various gorgeous Nick Sweetman murals around the city, as they often feature bees. This fellow is from the same mural I featured back in July 2017. The clock element resonates as I bide my time and wait for the city to reopen. 

Foxes

Location: Corner of Sherbourne and Linden
Date photo taken: 28 November 2017

The Boardwalk in the Beaches isn't the only place in Toronto to see foxes. While not as fuzzy as the kits that have caused such a sensation this spring, these foxes are much easier to snap a pic with. Part of a multi-piece installation by Toronto-based artist Eldon Garnet, these foxes can be found in the grounds around the historic James Cooper House, which now serves as amenity space for the adjoining condominium tower. They aren't alone. Other animal pairs can also be found, creatively placed around the small space.

Wexford Heights

Location: Lawrence and Crockford

Date photo taken: 27 February 2017

Wexford Heights stretches along Lawrence Avenue between Victoria Park and Birchmount and is part of the larger Wexford / Maryvale neighbourhood in Scarborough. The local BIA was formed in 2004 and the jewel in their crown is the Taste of Lawrence Festival. Celebrated each year in July, it is Scarborough's largest street festival and as the name implies, food plays a central role in the festivities.

I admit when I took this picture, it was as much about the butterflies attached to the post as it was about the Wexford Heights sign. These critters were made by AC Waterjet Inc., a business located just down the road. They also have some much larger creatures on display next to their showroom but that's for another post.

Toronto Reference Library

Location: 789 Yonge Street
Date photo taken: 19 September 2013

It's no secret that I love the Toronto Public Library. While we can't currently visit them, the system has 100 branches which are as diverse as the city itself. They include beautiful Beaux Arts branches built with grant money from Andrew Carnegie and small storefronts tucked into strip malls. Then there's this grand and airy gem designed by Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama. In addition to housing the bulk the of the library's reference collection, the Reference Library also includes the TD Gallery, special collections such as the Baldwin Collection of Canadiana and the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, a Digital Innovation Hub and countless spaces for lectures, talks, workshops, classes and more.

Even in these days of closures and social distancing, the library is still making books, movies and music available to Torontonians through their digital channels.