May 31: Last of the Poppies

I promise - this will be the last poppy picture!

I love the way the purple-turquoise stamens stand upright on this flat poppy.

I wish I'd blurred the background a bit more, but in 2008,

when I took this photo, I don't think that I knew how to do that!



May 30: Poppies

One of the things that I like about poppies, is that each one is different.

Each one displays its delicate pedals differently.

Sometimes the bloom displays its face, and sometimes, like this one,

it is hiding under that flop of the petals.

I love the arc of the stems.

May 29: Poppies

Like the hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and lilac before them,

the poppies in our back yard have come and gone.

For a week, they are glorious, and then a wind or storm destroys the beauty.

In our yard, they grow like Wild Things!

May 28: Ottawa Race Weekend

Here are just a few of the other thousands of runners!

it was a perfect evening for the event - dry, warm and with lots of spectators. 

I thought of the 'story' behind each runner 

- the decision to enter, the training, the motivation.

Each runner has his/her personal story and triumph!



May 27: Ottawa Race Weekend

This is the lead runner in the Race Weekend's 10 k race on Saturday night.

Across the canal you can see thousands of dots of colour - that's the other 10,000 runners!

May 26: The Great Glebe Garage Sale

Today was the wonderful Great Glebe Garage Sale.

Thanks to all the Ammas and families who came out to help.

We raised funds to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers for Grandmothers,

helping grandmothers in Africa who are struggling to raise their orphaned grandchildren.

Our group, 'Ammas for Grammas', does this fundraiser every year.

May 25: The Original Photo

May 24: Art Class

I started this picture in class last week and finished it at home.

The assignment was to work in monochromatic black and white and grey tones.

What better than zebras for black and white!

I worked from a photo that I took five years ago in Ngoro Ngoro Crater, Tanzania.

May 23: Dragon Boat Friends

Beirong, Peggy & Guylaine.

May 22: Dragon Boat Friends

On this night, Nancy and Michelle were in seat 10, the back of the boat.

The light was spectacular, giving a great natural, personal portrait.

May 21: The Steersperson

Katie was steering when I took these photos.

It is her job to give the commands and keep us all together.

Notice the 'right-side-up' reflection !

May 20: All up!

The call from the steersperson is for 'All Up'.

That means put paddles in the  position readyto paddle.

If you are lucky, it means awesome reflections, like this!

May 19: "All Down!"

Last night's dragon boat practice was under picture perfect conditions!

Late evening sunlight, perfectly calm water, and full spring foliage, made a background to my teammate's beautiful technique.

This photo is All Down, where we are allowed to rest for a minute between sets (and take a photo).

How spectacular!

May 18: Downtown

Last year, my camera club took photos on the theme of 'Hats'.

This is a photo of Laura Secord, in focus in the background.

I forget the name of the distinguised important gentleman in the foreground.

These statues are at the corner of Elgin and Rideau.

May 17: Downtown

I love downtown Ottawa; it is a beautiful city.

This is a view of Parliament buildings from Major's Hill Park.

Colonel John By is watching over things for us!

The tulips add a dash of colour!

May 16; Science or Art?

Linda, Rose Ann and I went on a bike ride today, and mooched around our wonderful downtown.

We came across this new 'installation' at Nepean Point.

It is just to the east of the Champlain monument and next to the National Research Council grounds.

The question is ... What is it?

There were no signs posted, and I couldn't find anything on the NCC web-site.

An Art Sculpture, or a Science Experiment??? Either way, it is quite magnificent!

May 15: Mother's Day (late posting)

The. Best. Mother's Day. Gift. Ever!

Truffles from Truffle Treasures, and created by my friend Lara!

Do you wonder why there are only 4 1/2 left???

Try them for yourself and you will see. But get your own!

May 14: Mt Tremblant

May 13, Mt Tremblant

The dragon boats, the paddlers and the lake are at rest.

May 12: Mt Tremblant

A canoe is barely visible in the mist, in the distance.

May11: Mt Tremblant

A weekend of dragon boat training at Mt Tremblant gave us this tranquil dusk.

May 10: A Classic Photo

May 9: Kids 'n sticks 'n water!

Aaron and Hazel played with sticks and water at Mer Bleue boardwalk, a few days ago.

May 8: Tulip Time

May 7: Tulip Time

The tulips only last for about a week, and I love them in all the stages, from the tight bloom beginning, to the falling open ending.

This one is a wonderful colour, a soft buttery yellow-orange.



May 6: Tulip Time

The evening sun gives lovely back-light to our tulips in the front garden.

It shows the layers of petals, looking almost transparent.

May 5: Tulip Time

In one day of warm weather, the tulips in our garden have gone from buds to boom!

It only takes one warm day before they go mad and wild, just like the rest of us in Ottawa!

Flowers and folk alike are happy with the warmth!

May 4: Memories from York

This young woman was a street busker, with tremendous talent.

I imagined that she was trying to pay her way through University.

I Like the way the light is just falling on her face.

May 3: Memories from York

This is a photo where there is only one chance to click.

The painter is oblivious to the ladies, and they are oblivious to him.

In a few seconds after the photo, they became aware of him and made a fuss about avoiding him,

 and the moment was gone.

May 2: Bike Ride

Most Wednesdays, The Wild Wednesday Women, do some seasonal exercise.

Today we went for a 45 km bike ride.

This is a group photo from last year, when all of us rode to The Rockeries, a special park in Ottawa that has a fantastic display of daffodils.

From the left - Peg, Judy, Odile, Linda, Rose Ann.

May 1: At the Park

I hadn't seen this photo yesterday when I was looking at pictures from the park.

Although the faces are partly in shadow, and Hazel has her eyes closed,

the bright blue background of the slide adds a lot of life to the photo.